What is Vocational Training?

Active addiction strips people of their ability to function at a basic human level. The most menial day-to-day tasks become all but impossible to accomplish. Something as seemingly simple as showing up to work on time might become an unthinkable feat. When a person falls victim to substance abuse, he or she generally has a difficult time maintaining employment. Substance use takes priority, and any motivation to actively pursue a career falls by the wayside. While drug abuse reduces employment prospects and leads to job loss, those who have been out of work for an extended period of time might turn to substance use in order to pass unstructured time or cope with financial stressors. All in all, employment and addiction are closely interlinked – and this fact is backed by extensive research.

According to an article published by the Journal of Teaching in the Addictions, research shows that men and women who are in treatment for substance abuse typically have low employment rates and poor personal work histories. Regardless of their education level, they have a more difficult time maintaining gainful employment. When unemployment persists, rates of relapse increase. Because of this, providing adequate Vocational Training services is essential to relapse prevention and increases the likelihood of long-term sobriety after clinical treatment. At Guardian IOP we are dedicated to providing our clients with the most integrated and comprehensive care available, and our team of dedicated professionals has carefully developed a program of outpatient treatment that allows clients to explore vocational opportunities, apply for the job of their dreams and continue achieving their personal career goals. Regardless of what the vocational needs of any given client look like, we are available to help.

The Benefits of Vocational Training

There are many recovery-related benefits that go hand-in-hand with thorough Vocational Training, including:

• Relapse prevention – Men and women who maintain employment have lower rates of relapse than those who are unemployed. Not only is time being put to good use, but the added structure and stability of a work-related routine helps make the transition from addiction treatment back to independent living much easier.
• Building self-esteem and self-worth – Finding a career that incites passion is a great way to develop a sense of self-worth. Showing up to work on time consistently and performing well helps build self-esteem, which is vital to relapse prevention.
• Increased social interaction – Most occupations require some degree of social interaction. Finding common ground with coworkers can easily lead to the development of healthy and mutually beneficial friendships. Working with others also helps clients build communications skills.
• Finding a sense of purpose – At Guardian IOP we aim to do much more than help our clients land a job at a fast food franchise or local call center. We aim to help our clients work towards a career that embodies their personal passions – a career that will be fulfilling, will provide a lasting opportunity and will offer room for growth.
• Working towards financial independence – We encourage our clients to budget their paychecks accordingly, covering their rent, bills and other necessities while working towards future financial goals.

Additional IOP Services

Additional therapeutic services we provide include:

• Demographic-specific treatment options – In addition to gender-specific treatment, we offer group sessions geared specifically towards older adults, adults or younger adults. Demographic-specific care allows for a more focused treatment experience.
• Individual and group therapy – Individual therapy sessions take place at least once per week, and group therapy sessions meet every day IOP is in session.
• Family therapy – We offer professionally facilitated family therapy sessions and encourage the loved ones of our clients to be as involved as they would like to be in the early recovery process.
• Family Retreat Workshop – This intensive, three-day workshop helps the loved ones of our clients delve deeper into their personal processes of healing.
• Lifeskills training – We teach our clients the vital skills they need to successfully reintegrate into society (for example, how to prepare nutritious meals for themselves, how to budget their finances and how to communicate effectively).
• Educational training and placement – If a client is interested in returning to school, we offer all of the guidance and support necessary to making this happen.
• Relapse prevention training – Clients learn to identify personal relapse triggers and work through these triggers using healthy coping mechanisms.
• Aftercare planning – Each client graduates from our IOP program with a plan for continuing care in place. Aftercare plans typically include a continuation of individual counseling, ongoing psychiatric care (whenever necessary) and 12-step program involvement.

Guardian IOP
Paving the Road to Recovery

Returning to work in early recovery can be an overwhelming process – fortunately, our experienced Vocational Counselors are available to help clients work through related challenges as they navigate a return to normal, day-to-day life. Our main priority is ensuring that each individual client is fully equipped with the tools and life skills he or she needs to lead a healthy, productive and successful life in recovery. To learn more about our Vocational Training program or to learn more about our intensive outpatient rehab in general contact us today.