Heights Behavioral Health launches evening substance use IOP for Houston workers

Heights Behavioral Health has opened an evening intensive outpatient program in Houston for adults who need addiction treatment after work. The Tuesday-through-Thursday schedule is designed for working professionals, parents and students who need structured care without leaving their jobs or families.

Why it matters: - The new Evening Substance Use IOP gives Houston adults a way to get clinically intensive addiction treatment after the workday. - The schedule is designed to remove a common barrier to care: taking time off work or stepping away from family responsibilities. - The program can help clients stay in treatment while continuing daily routines at home and on the job.

What happened: - Heights Behavioral Health launched a dedicated Evening Substance Use IOP at 1009 Yale Street in Houston Heights. - The program meets Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. - The practice says the program is intended for working professionals, parents and students who need treatment after work. - Zoe Pulido, chief operating officer and co-founder of Heights Behavioral Health, said many callers are still working and parenting while struggling with substance use.

The details: - The program offers nine hours of treatment each week. - Master’s-level clinicians lead the program. - The target population includes adults with alcohol or drug use concerns, including co-occurring anxiety, depression or trauma. - Weekly care includes group therapy, relapse prevention, coping skills and education on cravings, triggers and the brain. - The clinical model includes CBT, DBT and motivational interviewing. - Clients also receive individual therapy alongside group sessions. - Psychiatric evaluation and medication management are available when appropriate. - Medication-assisted treatment may include Suboxone or naltrexone. - The program treats alcohol use, opioids including fentanyl and heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, benzodiazepines, marijuana and gas station drugs. - Heights Behavioral Health also offers Partial Hospitalization and Individualized Intensive Programming for clients who need more structure. - The Evening Substance Use IOP can function as a step-down option as clients return to full-time work. - Adults elsewhere in Texas can join through Virtual IOP, which also meets in the evenings. - Clients can add recovery mentoring through Heights Mentoring for daily accountability between sessions. - Families can take part in monthly Family Intensives.

Between the lines: - The evening schedule positions treatment around the realities of work, childcare and commuting instead of asking clients to pause their lives. - The residential-feeling setting in the Heights is meant to keep care discreet and away from a hospital or treatment campus. - The model reflects a broader push toward outpatient care that lets patients practice recovery skills in real-world settings. - Substance use records are protected under HIPAA and receive additional federal protection under 42 CFR Part 2.

What's next: - Admissions is open seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at (877) 549-5102. - Every client begins with a confidential assessment by a licensed clinician to confirm the right level of care. - Care can often start the same week. - Spouses, parents, employers and therapists can make the first call. - Heights Behavioral Health accepts private pay and out-of-network benefits, including superbills for reimbursement. - The practice says crisis support should go to 988 by call or text, or 911 in an emergency.

The bottom line: - Heights Behavioral Health is betting that an after-hours schedule will make addiction treatment more accessible for Houston adults who cannot step away from work during the day.