How many of y'all done IOP?

[cloudgazer26]

I'm currently in my second IOP program, did one in 2019 and loved it, honestly was better for a bit until COVID hit. Now I'm in one for Womens Trauma and my last day of it is next Friday. I'm supposedly able to go to a different IOP thats on my insurance once I finish this group because I was apparently "too suicidal" for the original IOP group I waited a month for. God the systems so fucked up, it took a MONTH to be told I had to go to a different group barely covered by my insurance.

 

[whywere]

I was forced to do a 15 week one back in 2015. It was either that or get locked up for at least 6 months for a mental health "vacation" , ya right! I HATED the IOP as I was put on different meds for that 15 weeks as during the 15 weeks I got a new doctor who put me on different meds and then after the 15 weeks I went back to my regular doctor and was switched back to the meds that I had been on for years. Had to listen to other patients in the IOP group who did not want to be there and it was a complete 100% waste of my time and the insurance companies money. Oh and on Fridays we had to do yoga and that truly was a waste of time and my energy. The only thing about the IOP was that the company providing the IOP made money off of it and it did ZERO for me except keep me from getting relocked up. I NEVER EVER want to go through another one ever. Walter

 

[western_heart]

Been to three different PHP/IOP between 2013-2017. I'm not a fan of these programs. They all sucked in their own ways, my biggest issue was that they fall to provide individualized care. In one program, some of the other patients were in court-mandated substance abuse treatment and were required to go to the same groups as me. Sucks to see others abused/exploited just because they got busted for weed (which is since legalized in the state that happened in.) There were also patients from a locked psych ward who came to those groups. Most of them were overly medicated and on a much different level from those who were coming voluntarily. Similarly, one of the other programs had patients who were living in a halfway/supportive living house. They also had a different set of concerns.

I've had the problem of having to use a different psychiatrist as a condition of going to these programs. One time I actually got a good doctor who followed my outpatient psychiatrist's directions and continued the same treatment. At another (for-profit) hospital, I actually reported the contracted psychiatrist to hospital staff because her poor demeanor could have easily made patients more suicidal.

I'm sure these programs help some patients, but for me they felt more like daycare that patients are sent to by outpatient providers when they get even remotely suicidal. I left 2/3 programs feeling extremely resentful of the therapy and those who referred me there, basically demanding to be discharged those times. The one program I didn't hate, I liked because I actually had access to a good psychiatrist weekly & the therapy content wasn't the worst & they had free catered lunch every day which made up for not having parking.

In each program, there was at least one memorable patient who either overshared or monopolized group therapy time. Whereas quiet people like me barely spoke at all in some groups. It's clear that these programs are a way for hospitals to make money. Insurers will generally pay for them & they won't take patients who can't pay & there is no real consequence for the institution if the treatment is ineffective/harmful. There are always more patients to be fed in from therapists & psych wards.

OP, I hope you find something that works for you.

 

[Beached_whale]

Insert Only Penis?

 

[Squiddy]

I've done this one PHP/IOP plenty of times from 2019-2020. During that time, I got hospitalized multiple times so I had to restart. Eventually I finished the program. It helped a little. I kept in touch with my ex nurse from the program by email, but lately she hasn't responded so I think she's given up on me. Oh well. I'm trying to recover, but it's incredibly hard so I'm headed in the direction of giving up. My mental health team and some family members are about tired of me and I'm getting tired of myself too :(

 

[Alwaysbadtime]

I had nothing else to do or go to. I went. It was a pile of shit. I was the most hopeless person there. Very unhelpful and everything a trigger.

 

[Huntfish34]

I was recommended by my lawyer to do it for my 2nd DWI charge. I had to do the classes for around.. 3 wks or something close. Didnt care for it all at 1st but met many nice / likeminded people such as myself so I kept going to an " IOP Alumni " class held once a week for 1 hr.

COVID certainly fucked it because we are now strictly doing zoom meetings. Thats Ok though, helps me to get out of my Sick mind and share experiences , hope, and courage amongst ourselves. Nothing crazy.... But it just helps.