Supportive Outpatient
Supportive Outpatient Program (SOP) in Texas
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Supportive Outpatient Overview at a Glance
- Step-down after rehab focused on relapse prevention, life skills, and employment support to ease your transition back to daily life.
- Short-term format (~30 days) with groups three times per week, facilitated by a licensed counselor.
- Flexible evening schedule—choose any two of the three weekly sessions (Mon/Wed/Thu, 6–9 pm).
- Practical curriculum covers risks/causes of relapse, proven prevention techniques, emotional cues, and unhealthy patterns.
- Career & education support (resume help, interview tips, job leads, and education planning); available in Austin and Houston, with insurance verification available.
Nova’s Supportive Outpatient Program (SOP) is designed to help you transition successfully back into society after completing a drug and alcohol rehab program. Our professional and clinical team has designed this program with the following clinical and recovery objectives in mind:
- Relapse prevention
- Life skills
- Employment
While the primary emphasis of our longer Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) in Austin, TX is counseling, our Supportive Outpatient Program is a more brief program that focuses on easing the transition back into society by empowering clients with coping strategies they can use every day and providing employment and education assistance to help them pursue career goals.










What Are The Program Benefits of SOP?
- Provides assistance as clients work to achieve their sobriety goals
- Decreases the risk of relapse with educational and practical resources and tools
- Empowers clients with the essential life skills they need to maintain sobriety
- Is a great aftercare tool, post medical drug detox
Program Outline
Our Supportive Outpatient Program group meets three times each week at our outpatient drug rehab center and is facilitated by a licensed counselor. SOP is a short-term program and typically lasts 30 days. Each of the sessions throughout this timeframe incorporates informative discussions on various relapse prevention topics, such as:
- Risks of relapse
- Causes of relapse
- Relapse prevention techniques
- Emotional cues
- Unhealthy patterns of behavior
- External solutions
During these sessions, you’ll also spend some time working with a member of our professional team to explore various employment and educational options. We will help you build your resume, provide tips and techniques for interviewing, and help you locate potential job opportunities. In addition, we will assist you as you target specific educational goals, make a plan to achieve these goals, and enroll in the appropriate classes or programs.
Nova’s Sober Living Program can also be used in conjunction with SOP as an accountability tool along . This program will hold you accountable to each plan of action you create and help you to accomplish your goals.
Locations
We offer SOP in Austin and Houston, TX
Our clients can choose two of the three weekly sessions: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 6-9 pm at our local outpatient facilities.
Is Supportive Outpatient Right for Me?
- You’ve completed detox/IOP/residential and need a step-down.
- You’re working or in school and need flexible evening care.
- You want relapse-prevention, accountability, and job/education support.
- You can attend groups 2–3 evenings/week and pass drug/alcohol screens.
If you’ve recently completed detox, residential treatment, or outpatient alcohol rehab Austin TX, SOP offers continued structure as you return to daily life. IF you think you need more than SOP, Check out our:
- Intensive Outpatient Program in Houston
- Intensive Outpatient Program in San Antonio
- Intensive Outpatient Program in Colorado Springs
Do live commitments keep you from attending in person? Check out our Online IOP Option
Program at a Glance
Format | Group counseling with individualized assignments |
---|---|
Frequency | 3 evenings per week — attend any 2 |
Typical Length | ~30 days (step-down after residential/IOP) |
Schedule | Mon / Wed / Thu, 6:00–9:00 pm |
Locations | Austin & Houston, Texas |
Focus Areas | Relapse prevention, life skills, emotional regulation, work & education support |
Ready for a flexible step-down? Check insurance & start SOP
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SOP vs. IOP vs. Aftercare — What’s the Difference?
Use this quick guide to choose the right level of care. If you’re stepping down from residential or IOP, our evening Supportive Outpatient (SOP) helps you apply skills in real life while staying accountable.
Feature | SOP (Supportive Outpatient) | IOP (Intensive Outpatient) | Aftercare |
---|---|---|---|
Weekly Time | ~4–6 hours (2 evenings/week) | ~9–12 hours (3–4 sessions/week) | ~1–2 hours (weekly or bi-weekly) |
Structure & Format | Evening groups + individualized assignments; step-down focus | Day or evening groups; skills training, process groups, homework | Light-touch groups or check-ins; accountability & peer support |
Primary Goals | Apply relapse-prevention skills while returning to work/school | Build core recovery skills and stabilization outside of inpatient | Maintain gains, strengthen community, prevent drift/relapse |
Who It Helps | Clients ready for more independence with ongoing support | Clients needing structured treatment but living at home | Program graduates wanting continued accountability |
Typical Length | ~30 days | 6–12+ weeks (varies by need/insurance) | Ongoing (often 3–12 months) |
Schedule | Mon/Wed/Thu 6–9 pm — attend any 2 | Multiple tracks; daytime or evening options | Evening check-ins or designated alumni times |
Testing & Monitoring | Routine drug/alcohol screens; attendance tracking | Regular screens; clinical reviews and treatment planning | As needed; attendance and recovery plan check-ins |
Career/Education Support | Resume help, interview prep, job/education referrals | Case management; referrals to employment/education services | Community resources; alumni/job leads |
Insurance | Most plans accepted. Verify your benefits in minutes. |
What You’ll Learn in SOP
- High-risk situations & triggers mapping
- Craving management & urge surfing
- Emotion regulation & communication skills
- Relapse-prevention planning (people/places/things)
Expected Results
- Personalized relapse-prevention plan
- Verified meeting/work/school schedule
- Next-step continuum plan (aftercare, alumni)
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Same-Day Admissions in Austin Available.
Evening Schedule & Easy Admissions
- Sessions: Mon/Wed/Thu, 6–9 pm (choose any 2).
- Step 1: Call or submit insurance.
- Step 2: Brief assessment (same day when possible).
- Step 3: Start this week.
Insurance & Cost
- Most major plans accepted; verification in minutes.
- Self-pay options available.
Most major insurance plans cover outpatient treatment. You can verify your insurance coverage quickly and confidentially before enrollment.
How Nova Recovery Center’s Supportive Outpatient Program Helps You Maintain Long-Term Recovery
Nova Recovery Center’s Supportive Outpatient Program (SOP) offers a vital bridge between structured treatment and independent living, giving individuals the continued guidance they need to maintain long-term sobriety. This flexible, evening-based program is designed for people who have completed inpatient or intensive outpatient treatment and are ready to return to work, school, or family life while still receiving professional support. Participants attend group counseling sessions led by licensed professionals who help them identify triggers, strengthen coping skills, and build confidence in real-world recovery. The curriculum focuses on relapse prevention, emotional regulation, and communication—practical tools that help clients navigate daily challenges without reverting to old behaviors.
What makes Nova’s SOP unique is its strong emphasis on accountability and community. Clients are encouraged to share progress, setbacks, and goals in a supportive group setting, fostering connection and peer reinforcement—two key predictors of lasting recovery. In addition, the program offers job-readiness coaching, résumé assistance, and education planning to help participants rebuild purpose and stability in their lives. Drug and alcohol screenings, along with structured attendance requirements, provide consistent accountability while still allowing for flexibility.
Because the program meets only a few evenings each week, it accommodates those balancing recovery with personal or professional commitments. Clients benefit from the same evidence-based care that defines all Nova Recovery Center programs, including cognitive-behavioral techniques and holistic recovery planning. By combining practical life skills, relapse-prevention education, and emotional support, Nova’s Supportive Outpatient Program empowers individuals to sustain recovery, restore relationships, and confidently move forward in life with long-term sobriety as the goal.
Supportive Outpatient (SOP) FAQs
What’s the difference between SOP and IOP?
The Supportive Outpatient Program (SOP) is a step-down level of care that follows Intensive Outpatient (IOP) treatment. SOP meets fewer hours per week and focuses on applying the recovery skills learned in IOP to real-life situations while maintaining structure and accountability. It’s ideal for people transitioning back to work, school, or family life.
How long does the Supportive Outpatient Program last?
Most clients participate in SOP for about 30 days, though the length can vary depending on individual needs and progress. The program provides a short-term, flexible structure that helps clients adjust smoothly from formal treatment into independent living.
Can I work or go to school while in SOP?
Yes. Nova Recovery Center’s Supportive Outpatient Program is designed with flexibility in mind. Sessions are held on weekday evenings so participants can maintain full-time jobs, attend school, or fulfill family responsibilities while still receiving ongoing treatment support.
What happens if I miss a session?
Attendance and accountability are key parts of the program, so missed sessions should be communicated to your counselor as soon as possible. The team will help you make up missed content and stay on track with your recovery plan to avoid setbacks.
Is the Supportive Outpatient Program covered by insurance?
Most major insurance plans cover SOP as part of a continuum of care for addiction treatment. Nova Recovery Center offers fast, confidential insurance verification and can help you understand your coverage before enrollment.
Do I need drug or alcohol tests during SOP?
Yes. Regular drug and alcohol screenings are included to promote accountability and ensure a safe, sober environment. These screenings help clients stay focused and reinforce the commitment to recovery.
What topics are covered in SOP groups?
SOP sessions focus on relapse prevention, emotional regulation, communication skills, and building healthy daily routines. Group discussions also cover managing triggers, setting boundaries, and maintaining motivation in recovery.
Can I join SOP if I didn’t attend Nova’s IOP or residential program?
Absolutely. Nova Recovery Center welcomes individuals from other treatment programs who are looking for continued outpatient support. An assessment will determine if SOP is the best fit for your current recovery stage.
How does SOP help prevent relapse?
SOP teaches clients how to identify high-risk situations, develop coping strategies, and manage cravings effectively. Continued counseling, peer support, and accountability help reinforce healthy habits and strengthen long-term sobriety.
What comes after the Supportive Outpatient Program?
After completing SOP, many clients transition into Nova’s Aftercare or Alumni Program for ongoing support. These programs include weekly check-ins, peer meetings, and community engagement to sustain recovery and personal growth.