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Outpatient Program (OP) in Pine Bluff, Arkansas

Outpatient Program

OUTPATIENT ADDICTION TREATMENT IN ARKANSAS

Outpatient treatment provides ongoing support for substance use and mental health needs while allowing you to continue managing work, school, and family responsibilities. OP may be appropriate when you need regular clinical support but do not require the several-days-a-week treatment schedule of IOP.

Our OP provides about one to three hours of treatment each week, including individual and group therapy. Psychiatric care, medication management, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) are also available when needed.

Most clients enter OP after completing IOP, but you can also begin directly if your clinical assessment shows that weekly treatment provides enough support. Your starting level of care depends on your current stability, treatment needs, and the support available outside the program.

FINDING THE RIGHT LEVEL OF CARE

How We Determine Whether OP Is Right for You

OP is not automatically the right level of care for everyone who needs outpatient treatment. A licensed clinician uses the ASAM Criteria, with medical input from our nurse practitioner or medical director when needed, to determine whether weekly treatment provides enough support. 

We Look at More Than Your Substance Use

Your assessment considers withdrawal risk, medical and psychiatric stability, recent substance use, current medications, and your living situation. We also look at the support available at home and whether you can maintain stability between weekly appointments. 

We Consider How Much Structure You Need

OP may be appropriate when you are medically and psychiatrically stable, have no significant withdrawal risk, and can manage recovery with regular therapy and support outside treatment. You may enter after completing our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) or begin directly if your assessment shows that weekly treatment is appropriate.

If you have recently returned to substance use, your symptoms are becoming unstable, or you need support several days a week, we may recommend IOP. Our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) may be more appropriate when you need daily treatment to remain stable. If you need medical withdrawal management, we can help arrange care through our Detox Placement & Coordination service. We may recommend residential or inpatient treatment when you need 24-hour care.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN OP

What a Typical Week in OP Looks Like

Our outpatient program typically involves one to three hours of treatment each week. You attend individual therapy and a weekly group session, with appointments arranged around your treatment needs and responsibilities outside the program. We schedule medication management and MAT visits separately as needed.

Individual Therapy Focuses on Your Current Needs

You typically meet with your primary therapist once a week. Sessions may focus on managing cravings, responding to stress, recognizing patterns that could lead to substance use, or addressing depression, anxiety, and other mental health symptoms.

Your therapist may use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills, motivational interviewing, and relapse-prevention strategies. As you become more stable and meet your treatment goals, individual appointments may move to every other week.

Weekly Groups Help You Practice Recovery Skills

You attend one group session each week, lasting about 90 minutes. Groups provide time to discuss challenges, learn from others, and practice skills you can use between appointments.

Topics may include recognizing relapse warning signs, managing difficult emotions, building healthier routines, and responding to situations that put your recovery at risk.

Medication and Psychiatric Appointments Continue When Needed

If medication is part of your treatment, you continue seeing your prescribing provider alongside therapy. MAT and psychiatric medication appointments generally take place about every four weeks, or sooner when a medication change requires closer follow-up.

Drug screens continue according to your treatment plan, including scheduled testing during prescriber visits and random screens when indicated.

Your Schedule Can Fit Around Work or School

Individual therapy appointments are available during the day or late afternoon. When clinically appropriate, you may also meet with your therapist through telehealth. The weekly group meets at a fixed day and time, allowing you to plan around it.

Some appointments still require an in-person visit, including intake, drug screening, and medication injections.

INSURANCE AND ADMISSION SUPPORT

Understanding Your Insurance Coverage for OP

Insurance coverage for outpatient treatment depends on your specific plan and benefits. Our admissions team can verify your benefits, explain what we find, and help coordinate any required authorization before treatment begins.

We can also answer questions about the admissions process and explain what needs to happen before your first OP appointment.

1

Contact Our Team

Tell us what you need help with and what is happening now.

Complete Your Assessment

Our clinical team determines whether OP is appropriate.

2

Schedule Your Admission

We complete the admission steps and schedule your start date.

3

PRACTICAL SUPPORT DURING OP

How We Help You Manage Recovery Alongside Daily Life

OP involves fewer treatment hours than PHP or IOP, but you still have access to clinical support as you manage recovery outside appointments. Our team can help you coordinate treatment around your responsibilities, address changing needs, and involve family members when appropriate.

We offer individual therapy appointments during the day or late afternoon, with telehealth available when clinically appropriate. Your weekly group meets at a fixed time so you can plan around it. With your authorization, we can also provide employer or school documentation and help with FMLA or intermittent-leave paperwork.

You can continue receiving psychiatric medication management and MAT alongside outpatient therapy. Our psychiatrist and nurse practitioner generally schedule follow-ups about every four weeks, or sooner when medications change. MAT options include buprenorphine (Suboxone or Sublocade) and naltrexone (oral or Vivitrol), when clinically appropriate.

If you return to substance use, miss sessions, or experience worsening symptoms, we review what has changed rather than automatically discharging you. We may increase individual therapy, adjust medication care, arrange additional drug screening, or recommend IOP or PHP when you need more structure.

With your written consent, we can involve family members in therapy or education when it supports your treatment goals. Sessions may focus on communication, recognizing warning signs, setting boundaries, and understanding how family members can support recovery without taking responsibility for managing it.

Recovery is Waiting.

Freedom From Addiction Happens Here.

Schedule a confidential consultation to discuss your needs and explore the right treatment options for you.

PROGRESSING THROUGH OP

How We Measure Progress and Decide When You Are Ready to Complete Treatment

OP typically lasts two to six months, but completing a set number of months does not determine when treatment ends. We look at your progress, stability outside appointments, and whether you have the support needed to manage recovery after structured therapy.

Your Treatment Plan Has Measurable Goals

Your treatment plan identifies specific goals based on your substance use, mental health symptoms, medication needs, and circumstances outside treatment. If you are stepping down from our IOP, we update your existing plan rather than starting over, and you continue working with the same therapist and prescribers.

Your Treatment Team Reviews Your Progress Every Week

Our interdisciplinary treatment team reviews your progress each week, with formal treatment-plan updates at least every 30 days. We look at attendance, drug screen results, symptoms, medication response, progress toward your goals, and how you are managing responsibilities at home and work.

These reviews help us decide whether to maintain your current schedule, reduce individual therapy appointments, or recommend additional support when your needs change.

We Look at Your Stability Before Completing OP

Before recommending completion, we look for sustained stability, whether through abstinence or effective MAT, along with progress toward your treatment goals. You should also have a workable relapse-prevention plan, stable housing and routines, and support outside treatment through family, peers, or community recovery resources.

We discuss these factors with you rather than relying only on how long you have attended OP.

Support Can Continue After Structured Therapy Ends

Before discharge, we develop an aftercare plan with you that identifies your next steps. This may include scheduled case management follow-ups, community recovery meetings, peer support, and continued MAT or psychiatric medication management with your existing prescribers.

If you need structured treatment again, you can return to the appropriate level of care without repeating the full admissions process.

Partial Hospitalization

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT OP

How quickly can I start outpatient treatment?

Our admissions team begins with a brief pre-screen and insurance verification. We typically complete a clinical assessment within 48 hours of your first call. Depending on your needs, we may also arrange a medical intake, medication review, drug screen, or psychiatric evaluation before confirming your treatment plan and start date 

Can I start outpatient treatment without going to detox or inpatient rehab first? 

Yes. You can begin directly in OP if your assessment shows that you are medically and psychiatrically stable, have no significant withdrawal risk, and can manage recovery with weekly treatment. If you need medical detox or 24-hour care first, we explain the recommendation and help coordinate the appropriate placement. 

What substance use and mental health conditions can OP treat? 

Our outpatient services address alcohol, opioid, benzodiazepine, stimulant, cannabis, prescription drug, and polysubstance use disorders. We also treat co-occurring depression, anxiety, PTSD, and stable bipolar disorder when we can safely manage symptoms at the outpatient level. We may need to refer patients with conditions requiring more intensive psychiatric or medical care to other providers first. 

Are drug tests required during outpatient treatment? 

Yes. Drug screening remains part of OP, even when you are attending fewer therapy sessions. Testing typically occurs during prescriber visits and may also be scheduled randomly according to your treatment plan. For clients receiving MAT, drug screens are part of ongoing prescribing and clinical monitoring. 

Can I receive outpatient addiction treatment if I already attend AA or SMART Recovery? 

Yes. Community recovery meetings can complement outpatient treatment. Your therapist can help you use what you learn in counseling alongside AA, SMART Recovery, or other peer-support options. We consider your existing support network when developing your treatment plan, but meetings do not automatically replace clinical care when treatment is needed. 

What happens if I test positive for alcohol or drugs during OP? 

A positive drug screen does not automatically mean you will be discharged. We review the result alongside your reported substance use, symptoms, medication needs, and current safety. Depending on the findings, we may increase treatment frequency, adjust your care plan, or recommend a higher level of care. 

Does Arkansas Medicaid or private insurance cover outpatient addiction treatment?

Arkansas Medicaid, including ARHOME plans, and many private insurance plans cover eligible outpatient substance use treatment. Coverage depends on your plan, provider network, and the services you need. Our admissions team can check whether we accept your specific plan, verify your outpatient benefits, explain potential out-of-pocket costs, and help with any required authorization.

Can I attend Crosshope’s outpatient program if I live outside Pine Bluff?

Yes. You can attend our outpatient program in Pine Bluff even if you live elsewhere in Arkansas, provided you can attend the required in-person appointments. OP typically involves one weekly group session and individual therapy, which may be available through telehealth when clinically appropriate. Drug screenings, medication injections, and initial intake appointments require an in-person visit.

Partial Hospitalization

TALK WITH OUR ADMISSIONS TEAM

Ready for Outpatient Treatment? Let's Talk About Your Next Step

You may be finishing IOP, continuing treatment after residential care, or looking for weekly support while managing work and family responsibilities. Wherever you are starting, our team can help determine whether OP provides the right amount of support for your needs.

If you are new to Crosshope, we will start with a brief conversation about your substance use, mental health, and current situation. We can arrange a clinical assessment, verify your insurance benefits, and explain what needs to happen before your first appointment.

If you are already receiving treatment with us, you can move into OP without repeating the admissions process. Your existing treatment team can update your plan and help you continue care with fewer weekly appointments.