By Oyen Hoffman, Behavioral Health Provider, MA, LMFT, LAC, MAC Clinical Specialist & Substance Abuse Services Supervisor
In our March newsletter, I described a substance abuse treatment program that we’re adopting at Mountain Family. Over the next 18 months, we plan to expand the program to all health centers so that we can meet a broader community need. The program is called a Modified Intensive Outpatient Program, or MIOP, and it is meant to meet the needs of our patients and community members that struggle with alcohol or other drugs. Participants meet for a weekly two-hour group along with weekly individual therapy sessions with one of our licensed clinicians. MIOP is a 12-week long program and offers concurrent treatment for trauma. Here are some of our guidelines for determining who might be a good fit for participating in MIOP treatment.
Patients who could be a good fit for MIOP
- Adults 18+ years only
- Patients identified or diagnosed with having substance use disorder
- Patients that request or are open to being contacted by our Behavioral Health staff (patients who want it)
- Psychiatrically stable (not suicidal, delusional, or homicidal)
Patients who are not a good fit for MIOP
- Minors (under the age of 18 years)
- Psychiatrically unstable patients (not suicidal, delusional, or homicidal)
- Patients on active Benzodiazepines
- Patients in active detox
- In some cases, patients on pain medication
This change has been significant for Mountain Family and has affected just about all staff, including departments and all health centers. The Behavioral Health team is grateful for the great cooperation shown to help meet this ever-increasing need.
Editor’s note: If you are interested in learning more about MIOP or would like to schedule an initial consultation, please call 970-945-2840.