IOP in Delaware: What to Expect on Your First Day

If you’re researching addiction treatment options in Delaware, you’ve probably come across the term “intensive outpatient program” or “IOP.” Maybe your doctor recommended it. Maybe probation requires it. Maybe you’re trying to figure out if it’s the right next step for you or someone you care about.

This guide explains what IOP is, who it helps, and exactly what happens during your first day at CORAS Wellness. Whether you’re actively considering treatment or just starting to explore your options, you’ll learn what to expect from start to finish.

What Is an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)?

An intensive outpatient program is a structured addiction treatment that doesn’t require you to live in a facility. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), IOP provides a minimum of 9 hours of treatment per week, typically spread across three days.

At CORAS Wellness in Delaware, IOP runs Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. That’s three hours per day, three days per week, for 12 weeks.

How IOP Fits Into Levels of Addiction Care

According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), addiction treatment has five levels of care ranging from prevention programs to intensive inpatient treatment. IOP sits in the middle of this continuum:

Lower intensity:

• Outpatient counseling: Meeting with a therapist once or twice a month

IOP level:

• Intensive outpatient: 9 hours per week of structured programming
• You live at home and attend scheduled sessions

Higher intensity:

• Partial hospitalization (PHP): 20-25+ hours per week (read more about PHP Vs. IOP here)
• Residential treatment: 24-hour supervised care in a facility

IOP is appropriate when you need more than weekly therapy but don’t require around-the-clock supervision. You maintain your daily responsibilities while receiving structured treatment and support.

What Makes IOP Different From Regular Counseling

The main difference is structure and intensity.

In regular outpatient counseling:

• You meet with your therapist bi-weekly or monthly
• Sessions follow your lead based on what you want to discuss that day
• You might spend the hour processing recent events or venting about stress
• Coping skills and relapse prevention might not come up every session

In IOP:

• You attend group therapy three times per week on a fixed schedule
• Every session follows a structured curriculum focused on specific recovery skills
• Topics are predetermined and research-based
• You practice applying these skills in real situations between sessions

For people struggling with drug or alcohol addiction and using substances regularly, structure matters. Idle time can be dangerous. Having somewhere you need to be Monday, Wednesday, and Friday creates routine and accountability that supports recovery.

Who Should Consider IOP?

IOP is designed for people who need structured support but can live at home safely. We see several common situations where IOP is the right level of care:

People Struggling With Addiction Who Need Structure

You’re struggling with drug or alcohol addiction and using substances regularly or daily. You don’t have a strong support system. Your family doesn’t understand what you’re going through. You’ve tried to quit on your own but it hasn’t worked.

You need structure, accountability, and connection with others who understand. IOP provides all three.

People Required to Complete Treatment Through Probation

Your probation officer requires structured therapy as part of your case plan. DUI programs often include IOP as a mandatory treatment component. You need to complete a program that meets legal requirements while also giving you tools for long-term recovery.

People in Outpatient Who Need More Intensive Support

You’re already meeting with a counselor bi-weekly or monthly, but it’s not enough. You’re still using substances. The cravings are too strong. The interventions in individual counseling alone aren’t providing enough support.

We’ll have a conversation about stepping up to IOP. It’s not a failure. It’s recognizing that you need more comprehensive care than weekly sessions can provide.

People Stepping Down From Residential Treatment or Detox

You just completed residential treatment or medical detox. You’re stable and not actively using, but you know you need continued structure as you transition back to daily life. IOP provides that bridge between 24-hour care and independent living.

What About Support Groups Like NA?

Some people wonder if attending Narcotics Anonymous (NA) or Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings would be enough without needing IOP.

Support groups like NA and AA are peer-led, free mutual-aid fellowships where members share their experiences. They’re valuable resources that many people in recovery attend for years. However, they work differently than professional treatment programs:

NA/AA meetings:

• Peer-led by people in recovery, not licensed counselors
• Follow the 12-step program with spiritual principles
• Members share their own experiences without offering direct advice
• Free and widely available
• Less structured format that varies by meeting

IOP (professional treatment):

• Led by licensed counselors and therapists
• Uses evidence-based curriculum focused on specific skills
• Includes individual counseling, case management, and coordination with medical care
• Highly structured with predetermined topics and worksheets
• Includes mandatory drug testing to monitor progress

Many people benefit from both. IOP provides professional treatment and clinical structure, while support groups like NA offer ongoing community connection that continues after treatment ends.

The key difference: support groups are not substitutes for professional therapy. They complement treatment but work best alongside it, not instead of it.

What Happens During IOP Sessions?

At CORAS, we use the Matrix Model, a research-based curriculum developed by SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). This model was specifically designed for intensive outpatient treatment.

Every group session focuses on a specific recovery topic. The curriculum covers practical skills you need to maintain recovery:

• Identifying and managing triggers
• Understanding cravings and urges
• Holidays and special occasions in recovery
• Dealing with impulsive behaviors
• Building and maintaining healthy relationships
• Sex and intimacy in recovery
• Recognizing and preventing relapse
• Family dynamics and communication
• Managing anger and difficult emotions

These aren’t abstract concepts. They’re real challenges you’ll face in recovery, and the curriculum gives you concrete tools to handle them.

Each session includes worksheets. You’ll write responses to questions related to that day’s topic. Then the group discusses what people wrote. You learn from others’ perspectives and experiences.

Your First Day: The Complete Schedule

Here’s exactly what happens from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on your first day:

9:00 a.m. – Arrival (15-Minute Grace Period)

You can arrive anytime between 9:00 and 9:15 a.m. We understand that getting to your first session might be stressful. Transportation issues happen. Traffic happens. You won’t be turned away if you arrive a few minutes late.

If transportation is a consistent challenge, let us know during intake. We work with services like Modiv Care to help arrange rides to and from the clinic.

9:15 a.m. – Group Check-In

Everyone sits in a circle. We go around the room and each person shares briefly how they’re doing. This isn’t group therapy yet. It’s just a quick check-in.

On your first day, you can simply say your name. You’re not expected to share anything else if you’re not ready. No one will force you to talk about why you’re there or what you’ve been through.

9:30 a.m. – Matrix Model Session Begins

The counselor introduces the day’s topic. Maybe it’s triggers. Maybe it’s understanding cravings. You’ll receive a worksheet with questions related to the topic.

Everyone fills out the worksheet individually. Take your time. On your first day, just absorb what’s happening. If you don’t feel comfortable writing detailed responses yet, that’s okay.

10:30 a.m. – Break

Fifteen-minute break. Step outside. Use the restroom. Stretch. Get some air.

Some people are nervous during breaks on the first day. You don’t know anyone yet. You don’t know if people will judge you. In our experience, people are usually friendly. They remember being new. But if you’d rather keep to yourself during the first break, that’s fine too.

10:45 a.m. – Continue Session

Back to the group. We continue discussing the topic. Often this is when people share more personal examples or ask questions.

11:00 a.m. – Lunch Break

We provide hot food every day. A meal is delivered for the group. Eat together. Take a break from the structured session.

This might seem like a small thing, but it matters. It’s one less thing to worry about. For some people, it’s the most substantial meal they’ll have that day.

11:15 a.m. – Worksheet Discussion

After lunch, we talk about what people wrote on their worksheets. We give each person time to share if they want to.

Again, on your first day, there’s no pressure to participate. You can listen. You can observe how the group works. You can get a feel for what sharing looks like before you decide if you’re ready.

12:00 p.m. – Dosing and Dismissal

For clients participating in medication-assisted treatment (MAT), such as methadone or Suboxone, dosing is available at the clinic. The medication window closes at noon, so group ends around 12:00 to allow time for dosing before you leave.

If you’re curious about what to expect at a methadone clinic, CORAS provides integrated care. Your addiction treatment and medication management happen in the same place.

What If You’re Too Anxious for Group Therapy?

This is the most common concern before starting IOP.

We’ve heard it dozens of times: “I’m very introverted. I don’t feel comfortable sharing in front of strangers. This doesn’t feel right for me.”

Here’s what we tell people:

You’re not alone in feeling that way. Most people are probably anxious and maybe a little insecure walking into their first IOP session. That’s normal.

There will be no pressure put on you. We’re not going to spotlight you. We’re not going to force you to share personal details you’re not ready to discuss. It’s a comfortable environment. Give it a chance.

Just sit back and absorb today. On your first day, your only job is to show up and see what happens. Listen to other people. Notice how the group works. You don’t need to speak unless you want to.

We’ll figure out alternatives if needed. If you end up having panic attacks or anxiety that you absolutely cannot overcome, we’ll work with you. We can increase individual counseling sessions. We can explore other treatment options. We’re not going to put you in a situation where you don’t feel safe.

Many people who are terrified of group therapy at first find that it becomes the most valuable part of their recovery. There’s something powerful about being in a room with people who truly understand what you’re going through.

Understanding Drug Testing in IOP

Drug testing is a required part of IOP at CORAS. We know this can cause anxiety, so let’s address it directly.

Why Drug Testing Is Required

Testing serves two purposes:

It monitors your progress. Drug screens give us objective data about whether the treatment is working. If you’re staying clean, the tests confirm that. If you’re still using, they tell us you might need additional support.

It provides accountability. Knowing you’ll be tested can help you make better choices in moments of temptation. It’s an external motivation that supports your internal commitment to recovery.

How Testing Works

Testing happens once per week. We have a three-hour window each week when you might be asked to provide a urine sample. We’ll let you know which day you’re being tested.

The three-hour window means testing could happen anytime during that timeframe. We’ll provide water or drinks to help if you’re having difficulty providing a sample.

What Happens If You Test Positive

You will not be kicked out of the program for a positive drug test.

Let’s be clear about this. Testing positive doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It doesn’t mean you’re discharged from IOP. It means we need to reassess your treatment plan.

We might:

• Increase the frequency of your individual counseling sessions
• Discuss whether you need to step up to a higher level of care like partial hospitalization (PHP)
• Adjust your recovery plan to address what’s not working
• Connect you with additional resources or support services

The goal is to help you succeed, not punish setbacks. Addiction is a chronic condition. Relapse can be part of the recovery process. What matters is what happens next.

If you’re honest with us about your drug use, we can help you. If you try to hide it, we can’t provide the right support.

How Insurance and Payment Work for IOP

One of the biggest concerns people have is cost. Here’s how payment works at CORAS:

If You Have Insurance

CORAS accepts Delaware Medicaid, Medicare, and most commercial insurance plans. For clients with insurance, authorization usually takes about a week. We’ll reach out as soon as you’re approved and get you started in the next available group.

If You Don’t Have Insurance

For uninsured Delaware residents, DSAMH (Delaware’s Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health) grant funding is available. DSAMH covers:

• All 12 weeks of IOP
• Group therapy sessions three times per week
• Individual counseling
• Drug testing
• Case management
• Coordination with other services you need

With DSAMH funding, there’s no authorization required. You can start immediately. If you came in for intake on a Tuesday, you could begin IOP the next day, Wednesday.

Lack of insurance should never be a barrier to getting help. Cost should not keep you from treatment. We will work with you to find a way to cover your care.

Read more about How to Pay for IOP Treatment in Without Insurance

What Success Looks Like in IOP

IOP isn’t scary once you’re in it. Over 12 weeks, it starts to feel like a community.

That doesn’t happen overnight. It develops through shared struggles, small victories, and showing up for each other week after week.

Here’s the transformation we see:

• Week 1-2: People are nervous. Guarded. Unsure if they belong. There’s a lot of darkness when people start.
• Week 4-6: People start opening up. They recognize their own struggles in others’ stories. They realize they’re not alone.
• Week 8-10: Real connections form. People look forward to group. They support each other outside of sessions. The group becomes a lifeline.
• Week 12 and beyond: Clients are seeing the light. You can see it in them. It’s like people coming back to life.

When you’re sapped and drained with nothing left to give, recovery gives you a sense of yourself back. It gives you something to live for. That brings people back to life.

Real Stories From Our IOP Program

One young woman completed IOP at CORAS. She stayed abstinent, became interested in peer support work, and is now enrolled in classes at DelTech to get her associate’s degree in human services. She wants to become a chemical dependency counselor.

Another client came through probation for a DUI. By the time he left IOP, he had resecured a job in his field. You could see the difference from start to finish. He was excited to get his life back.

These transformations don’t happen because IOP is easy. They happen because people show up, nervous and insecure, and they’re met with compassion, structure, and a community that refuses to give up on them.

How Quickly Can You Start IOP in Delaware?

The timeline depends on your insurance situation.

DSAMH funding (uninsured): No authorization required. You can start immediately. If you came in for intake on a Tuesday, you could begin IOP the next day, Wednesday.

With insurance: Authorization usually takes about a week. We’ll reach out as soon as you’re approved and get you started in the next available group.

Either way, you’re not waiting months. Within a few days to a week, you can be in your first session.

If You’re Ready to Take the First Step

Starting IOP takes courage. It requires admitting you need help, that you can’t do this alone, and that you’re willing to try something that might feel uncomfortable at first.

But here’s what we want you to know:

Our main goal is making clients feel comfortable. We can’t say that enough. From the minute you walk in the door, we want you to have a positive experience. Getting here takes courage, and we recognize that.

Your first day doesn’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to say the right things or have it all figured out. You just have to show up.

The rest will come.

Walk-In Intakes Available Monday-Friday

CORAS offers walk-in intakes Monday through Friday before 10:00 a.m. at all our Delaware locations:

• Dover
• Newark
• Harrington
• Millsboro

No appointment necessary. Just show up. Let our team help you figure out what comes next.

Learn more about our Intensive Outpatient Program.

For those who need a higher level of care, CORAS also offers residential treatment programs with 24/7 support.

Recovery is possible. It starts with one day, one group session, one moment of choosing to show up for yourself.