Evening and daytime treatment for adults — keep your job, your home, and your routine while you do the real work of recovery.
What is an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)?
An Intensive Outpatient Program — IOP — is structured addiction and mental health treatment for adults who don’t need (or have stepped down from) a higher level of care. It’s the middle ground between full-day Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and traditional weekly outpatient therapy.
At Maverick Behavioral Health, our IOP runs three days a week, three hours per session. We offer both evening tracks (Monday/Tuesday/Thursday, 6:00–9:00 PM) and daytime tracks (Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM). The evening schedule is the one most working clients choose — it means you can keep your job, your school schedule, your kids’ routine intact, while still getting nine hours of intensive group and individual treatment every week.
IOP isn’t watered-down rehab. It’s the level of care that matches the stage of recovery you’re actually in — when 24-hour supervision isn’t necessary, but a weekly therapy session isn’t enough.
Who IOP is right for
IOP at Maverick is the right level of care if you (or an adult you love):
- Are stepping down from inpatient or residential treatment and need continued structure
- Have completed PHP and are ready for a less time-intensive but still substantial level of care
- Are managing a substance use disorder but don’t require daily clinical contact
- Have a primary mental health condition — depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, trauma — that needs more than weekly therapy
- Need treatment to fit around an existing work, school, or family commitment
- Have relapsed and need to re-engage with structured care without leaving your life again
- Are in early recovery and want intensive group support, accountability, and skills training
IOP isn’t right for everyone. If you’re in active withdrawal that needs medical supervision, or if your substance use is severe enough that you need daily clinical contact, our admissions team will recommend our PHP program or refer you to a detox or residential partner first.
Maverick serves adults aged 18 and older. We don’t currently treat adolescents.
IOP vs PHP vs standard outpatient: how do they compare?
The three levels of outpatient care look like this:
| Level of care | Time commitment | Schedule | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Partial Hospitalization (PHP) | 5 days/week, ~6 hours/day | Daytime only | Step-down from residential, dual diagnosis, severe substance use without need for 24/7 care |
| Intensive Outpatient (IOP) | 3 days/week, ~3 hours/day | Evening or daytime | Step-down from PHP, mental health primary care, recovery while working or in school |
| Standard Outpatient (OP) | 1 day/week, ~1 hour | Flexible | Long-term recovery maintenance, ongoing therapy, alumni support |
The clinically standard path at Maverick is PHP → IOP → Outpatient → Aftercare, with the same clinical team supporting you across every step. Some clients enter at IOP directly, particularly when the primary issue is mental health rather than active substance use, or when work and family commitments make PHP impossible. Others step up from IOP to PHP temporarily during a difficult period, then back down — that flexibility is built into how we work.
Not sure which level of care fits? Our clinical team does free, confidential phone assessments. Call (888) 385-2051 — no commitment, no pressure.
A day in Maverick's IOP
Evening track example (Monday/Tuesday/Thursday):
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 6:00 PM | Check-in and grounding |
| 6:15 PM | Process group (open discussion of the day, urges, wins, struggles) |
| 7:15 PM | Skills group (rotating: CBT, DBT, relapse prevention, trauma-informed) |
| 8:15 PM | Specialty group or individual therapy (rotating through the week) |
| 8:50 PM | Closing check-out |
Daytime track example (Monday/Wednesday/Friday):
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 9:00 AM | Check-in and grounding |
| 9:15 AM | Process group |
| 10:15 AM | Skills group |
| 11:15 AM | Specialty group or individual therapy |
| 11:50 AM | Closing check-out |
Either track totals nine hours per week of structured group and individual treatment. Outside of group time, IOP clients also receive psychiatric appointments and medication management through our MAT program when clinically indicated, and have access to alumni group meetings on off days.
The two-track structure isn’t a gimmick — about 60% of our IOP clients choose evenings specifically because they’re keeping a job during treatment. The daytime track works better for clients who aren’t working, who are recently retired, or whose work schedule already accommodates daytime appointments.
What we treat at the IOP level
Maverick’s IOP treats substance use disorders and mental health conditions together. At the IOP level, mental health conditions can be the primary reason a client is in treatment — they don’t have to be co-occurring with substance use. This is one of the things that makes IOP different from PHP. PHP is almost always anchored in substance use; IOP is appropriate when depression, anxiety, PTSD, or trauma is the main driver, with or without active substance use alongside.
Substance use disorders we treat at the IOP level:
- Alcohol use disorder
- Opioid use disorder (with MAT support when clinically appropriate)
- Stimulant use (cocaine, methamphetamine, prescription stimulants)
- Benzodiazepine dependence
- Polysubstance use
- Prescription medication misuse
Mental health conditions we treat at the IOP level (primary or co-occurring):
- Depression and major depressive disorder
- Anxiety disorders and panic disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Trauma-related conditions
- Adjustment disorders following loss, divorce, or major life change
For a broader look at the conditions we treat across all programs, see what we treat.
Insurance: what IOP costs and how to verify your coverage
Most major PPO insurance plans cover IOP. Maverick is in-network with:
- Aetna
- Anthem
- Cigna
- GEHA
- And most other major PPO carriers
If you have one of these plans, IOP is typically covered after your deductible — often at 70–100% depending on your specific plan. Out-of-pocket costs vary based on deductible, coinsurance, and how much of your annual benefits you’ve already used.
IOP is generally less expensive than PHP because it involves fewer treatment hours per week. For clients paying out of pocket, this can be a significant difference. Our admissions team can walk you through your specific costs before you commit — verification takes about an hour from the time you call, and we’ll give you a clear estimated out-of-pocket cost before treatment begins.
Verify your insurance in under 60 seconds. Start here — or call (888) 385-2051 and our admissions team will verify your benefits while you’re on the phone.
Where IOP fits in the recovery journey
Recovery isn’t a single event — it’s a continuum, and IOP is one of the most important stages of it. For most clients, IOP is where the clinical work of early recovery actually consolidates: the skills learned in PHP get tested against real life. You’re going home each evening (or going to work each morning) and applying what you learned in group, in your real environment, with your real triggers. Then the next day you come back, talk through what worked and what didn’t, and refine.
At Maverick, the typical path looks like:
PHP (5 days/week, structured day treatment) → IOP (3 days/week, evening or daytime — you are here) → Outpatient (weekly therapy, ongoing) → Aftercare (alumni groups, relapse prevention, peer support)
Step-up happens too. If something difficult comes up during IOP — a major life event, a relapse, a deterioration in mental health — clients can move back up to PHP for a period, then step back down when stability returns. That bidirectional movement is normal and is built into how we plan treatment, not a sign of failure.
Why people choose Maverick for IOP
We’re an outpatient specialist. That’s deliberate. Our entire clinical focus is on PHP, IOP, outpatient, and aftercare — not divided across detox beds and residential floors. It means the clinicians leading your IOP groups are the same ones who designed our PHP curriculum, who handle our outpatient sessions, and who know our alumni. Continuity of care isn’t a slogan; it’s the basic operating model.
A few things that consistently come up from clients and families:
- Real evening track. Three evenings a week, 6–9 PM. Most facilities advertise evening IOP and then quietly route most clients into daytime groups. We don’t.
- Mental health is treated as primary, not as an add-on. Clients whose main issue is depression, anxiety, trauma, or bipolar disorder get the same depth of treatment as clients whose main issue is substance use.
- Sober living when you need it. We operate two sober living homes — Windlea and Nita — for IOP clients whose home environment isn’t conducive to recovery.
- Same clinical team across the continuum. When you step up to PHP or down to outpatient, you don’t start over with new clinicians.
- Small enough to know you. We’re not the biggest facility in DFW, and we don’t try to be. The admissions team, clinicians, and alumni know clients by name.
- Accredited and licensed. Joint Commission accredited, licensed by the Texas Department of State Health Services, and LegitScript certified.
Serving the entire Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex
Our facility is in Euless, easily reachable from across DFW:
- From Dallas — ~25 minutes via I-30 W and SH-360 N. More on IOP for Dallas residents →
- From Fort Worth — ~20 minutes via SH-183 E. More on IOP for Fort Worth residents →
- From Irving — ~15 minutes via SH-183 W. More on IOP for Irving residents →
- From Euless — local. More on IOP for Euless residents →
Address: 425 West Park Way, Suite 103, Euless, TX 76040
Take the First Step Toward a Better You with Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)
An intensive outpatient program may be just what you need to finally beat addiction. Whether you’re struggling with alcohol, opioids, or another substance, Maverick Behavioral Health is here to help you get better.
We make it easy to get the recovery treatment you need with our personalized plans, easy insurance verification, and beautiful location in Dallas.
So why wait? Take the first step toward becoming the best version of yourself by contacting one of our addiction specialists today.
Frequently asked questions about IOP
How long does IOP last?
Most clients are in IOP for 6 to 12 weeks, though length depends on clinical progress and individual needs. Some clients spend longer in IOP if they’re still building stability or moved up from outpatient; others step down to weekly outpatient therapy sooner if they’re ready. Your clinical team reviews progress regularly and adjusts together with you.
How much does IOP cost?
With in-network PPO insurance, most clients pay only their deductible and coinsurance for IOP. Self-pay rates are lower than PHP because IOP involves fewer treatment hours per week. Our admissions team will verify your benefits and provide an estimated out-of-pocket cost before treatment begins.
Can I work full-time while in IOP?
Yes — that’s the entire point of our evening track. IOP runs Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 6:00 to 9:00 PM, which works with most standard daytime jobs. Most of our IOP clients hold full-time employment throughout treatment.
Can I go to school while in IOP?
Yes, on the same logic. Evening IOP fits around daytime classes, and our daytime track works for clients with evening classes or shift work. Talk to your academic advisor about workload during treatment — recovery work is real work and you should plan accordingly.
What does IOP stand for in rehab?
IOP stands for Intensive Outpatient Program. It’s a structured level of outpatient addiction and mental health treatment, typically three days per week and three hours per session. It’s more intensive than weekly therapy but less time-consuming than Partial Hospitalization (PHP).
What's the difference between IOP and PHP?
PHP runs five days a week, six hours a day (about 30 hours/week of clinical contact). IOP runs three days a week, three hours a day (about 9 hours/week). PHP is appropriate when you need substantial daily structure; IOP is appropriate when you can maintain that structure on your own most of the time. Many clients step down from PHP to IOP as they stabilize.
Is IOP enough if I have a serious addiction?
That depends on what “serious” means clinically. If you’re in active withdrawal, can’t go a day without using, or your home environment is unsafe, IOP alone isn’t the right starting point — you need detox or PHP first. If you’ve stabilized through a higher level of care or your use is contained enough that you can go to work, manage daily life, and not relapse without daily clinical contact, IOP is often the right place to do the real work. Our clinical team will tell you honestly which level of care fits.
What happens if I relapse during IOP?
A relapse is clinical information, not grounds for discharge. The team adjusts your treatment plan, considers whether stepping up to PHP for a period would help, and continues working with you. The only way relapse becomes a problem is if it’s hidden — being honest about it is the path through.
Is IOP confidential?
Yes. IOP is protected by HIPAA and by 42 CFR Part 2, the federal regulation specifically governing substance use treatment confidentiality. Your employer, family, and outside contacts will not know you’re in treatment unless you explicitly authorize us to communicate with them. For more, see our privacy policy and HIPAA notice.