• Orientation Group provides new members the opportunity to become familiar with program components and rules before joining the larger groups. Self-help group orientation and schedules are distributed.
  
• Therapy Group meets on Monday and Thursday from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Participants are encouraged to talk about issues related to addiction as well as those affecting daily life (i.e., marital, family, work, or financial problems). Bob Edmundson is the therapist.
  
• Medical Group meets on Tuesday from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Members meet with a team of physicians and residents to discuss health and medical issues. Sessions include lectures on medical issues related to addictions, proper medical care and medication issues. Referrals for further treatment may be recommended.  Dr. Rolly Sullivan is the medical group leader.
  
• Family Group meets on Tuesday from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm following the Medical Group. Participants are strongly encouraged to bring family members or someone with whom they are involved. It is well documented that the addicted person impacts the lives of approximately six other people. Information on the nature of addiction and its impact on the family is provided with discussion encouraged. Videos are often utilized to help explain the nature of addiction and family problems.  Mimmie Byrne leads the group.

Participation in the IOP varies and usually lasts between 6 to 8 weeks.  Program staff will recommend follow-up treatment on an individualized basis. Often referrals are made to one or more of the various groups available to further the treatment process.
 
Rules for Addiction IOP

Rules that apply during the length of stay in the IOP Program:

• Participants will have a desire to abstain from all mood or mind altering chemicals.
• Participants will make a commitment to regular group attendance. If unable to attend, cancellation must be communicated.
• Participants will agree to antabuse therapy and to random drug screening if recommended.
• Participants will agree to attend  self-help meetings in the community.
• Participants will encourage relevant family members and significant others to attend Family Group meetings weekly.
• Participants will not have romantic involvement/relationships with other individuals participating in the IOP.
• Participants will assume financial responsibility for any payment or co-payment towards the cost of treatment.

IOP Schedule

Treatment Team

Program staff are members of the WVU School of Medicine Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry.

• Marilyn Byrne, LICSW, CAC, associate professor and director of Outpatient Addiction Services, has been with the Department since 1988.  She has 28 years experience as a social worker, including 17 in drug/alcohol treatment. Ms. Byrne serves as co-therapist of the Family, Women's Recovery, and Adult Children of Alcoholics Groups. In addition, she provides individual and marital therapy.
  
• Robert Edmundson LICSW, CAC, assistant professor and coordinator of the IOP, has been working for the Department since 1992.  He has 18 years experience in social work, including 15 years in drug/alcohol treatment.  Mr. Edmundson serves as co-therapist for the Therapy Group  and the Adult Children of Alcoholics Group.  In addition, he is a therapist in the Men's Recovery Group and further specializes in working with men in therapy.  He also runs a Men's Therapy Group and provides individual and marital therapy.
  
• Carl Rollynn Sullivan, MD, is professor and vice chairman of the Department where he has worked for 18 years as an addiction specialist.   He is medical director of Addiction Programs for Chestnut Ridge Hospital.  Dr. Sullivan supervises the medical group.
  
• Janie Howsare, LICSW is a clinical social worker who specializes in work with children and families.  She is co-leader of the Relapse Prevention Group and the Adolescent Substance Abuse Group.  She also provides individual and family therapy.

To join the IOP program call Chestnut Ridge Outpatient Services between the hours of 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday at 304.598-4214