A partial hospitalization program (PHP), also known as a partial care program, may be right for you if you need structured addiction treatment without 24-hour supervision. It’s considered the middle phase between inpatient and outpatient treatment. PHP’s offer outpatient addiction treatment in a comfortable, community-based setting.
What Is Partial Hospitalization?
In some ways, a PHP is the best of both worlds: inpatient and outpatient. You’ll receive intensive clinical support and services. At the same time, you’re free to live on your own and work or go to school.
You will attend programming five days a week for six hours each day (9 AM to 3 PM, generally), and you have the option to live on your own or with your family, or in a sober living home. The program includes several essential components:
Individual Therapy
You’ll work with a licensed mental health professional for one-on-one sessions. This has numerous benefits. You can learn new ways to cope with your triggers, and you can work on related issues, like:
- Trauma
- Self-esteem and self-worth
- Family dynamics
- Depression or anxiety
- Relationships
- Goal-setting
Therapy is a compassionate space where you can talk about your thoughts and feelings freely. It is a collaborative process between you and your therapist, where you work together to explore and understand your inner world. Therapy can help you cope with difficult emotions, address past traumas, improve relationships, and develop coping strategies for everyday challenges.
Group Therapy
Trained facilitators run various groups each day. In these groups, you’ll learn a variety of skills related to:
- Didactic lectures
- Process-based programming
- Specialized and culturally specific care
- Relapse prevention planning
- Mutual self-help programming
- Psychoeducation
- Expressive therapy (yoga, art, music, tai chi)
- DBT skills
- Life skills training
- Job readiness and vocational skills
- Community support
- Nutritional counseling
- Fitness and recreational programs
- Experiential therapy (psychodrama, gestalt)
Group therapy offers a unique chance for building meaningful connections with others. That’s because you will be participating with other people struggling with the same issues.
Family Therapy
It’s no secret that addiction can ravage family systems. Many times, loved ones feel lost and don’t know how to best provide support. Family therapy teaches everyone new tools and ways of communicating with each other.
If you’re in a relationship, your therapist may also recommend couples or marital counseling to ensure both of you can support your recovery and each other.
Medication Management
Addictive drugs change your brain at the cellular level. Severe damage can make it hard for you to focus on your therapy and lessons. Medications like buprenorphine, methadone, and acamprosate can help amend those chemical imbalances. You might get doses each time you come to your PHP, and you might have some you can take at home too.
It’s important that you take your medications on time and as prescribed because taking too much or stopping on your own can be dangerous. Your treatment team can support you in helping you stay on track with any prescriptions you have.
Drug Testing
Relapses can and do happen while in treatment. Drug testing helps keep you accountable to your recovery. All clients will receive routine and randomized drug testing to screen for drugs and alcohol. That may be a urine or saliva sample.
How Is PHP Different Than Other Programs?
PHP is a form of outpatient addiction treatment, which means it doesn’t require you to live in a treatment facility. You’ll learn to balance your programming with your independence. This balance is significant; at some point, everyone must learn how to cope with life stressors. However, PHP also provides consistent accountability should you become triggered or overwhelmed.
Some people start their recovery in PHP. Others start PHP after completing medical detox or residential programming. When you first arrive at treatment, your treatment team will assess you to determine the best level of care.
How Long Do I Have to Be in PHP?
It’s important to remember that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. Your PHP timeline may vary depending on several factors, including:
- The intensity of your addiction
- Your compliance with the program and your motivation to stick with it
- Your outside support system
- How you manage any co-occurring mental illness(es)
- History of past treatment episodes and relapses
Your treatment team will discuss your length of treatment with you. It’s important that you commit to finishing the program. Leaving treatment early can increase your chances of relapse.
Consistent support helps strengthen your recovery. Research also shows that long-term treatment spanning at least 90 days can increase your chances for long-term success.
Sample Partial Hospitalization Program Schedule
Partial hospitalization transitional program helping people move from inpatient to outpatient care. As a client of Footprints to Recovery, you will have more freedom to fit PHP sessions into your schedule. Choosing the times and days that work best for you can help you feel empowered while juggling your recovery and other aspects of your life.
Below is a sample of an partial hospitalization program schedule.
PHP Sample Schedule
Treatment Days:
Monday through Friday
Treatment Time:
9 am to 3 pm
Treatment Duration:
10 weeks
Program Details:
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Case management
- Aftercare
- Skills training
- Expressive arts therapy
- Nutrition counseling
Are you ready to get help for your addiction? At Footprints to Recovery we have a comprehensive partial hospitalization program, and we’re here to support you! Contact us today to learn more.
What Services Are Offered in PHP?
Partial hospitalization programs use a range of therapies to address mental health and addiction challenges, equipping individuals with healthier ways to manage triggers and build resilience. Here’s a closer look at some of the key therapies offered:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. It empowers you to manage emotions, control urges, and avoid addiction triggers, helping you establish healthier habits.
- Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT): DBT emphasizes understanding and accepting emotions. In addiction treatment, it helps you develop healthier coping strategies to navigate intense emotions without resorting to harmful behaviors.
- Motivational interviewing (MI): MI is a collaborative approach that helps individuals discover their own motivation for change. This therapy provides tools to empower positive, long-lasting behavioral changes in addiction recovery.
- 12-step programs or alternatives: These support groups create a safe, welcoming space for individuals recovering from addiction to share experiences, learn from others, and find encouragement throughout their journey.
- Medication management: Medication management involves working with a healthcare provider to determine the most effective treatment plan. This approach ensures you stay on track with prescribed medications to support your recovery and mental health.
By combining these therapies, partial hospitalization programs provide comprehensive care tailored to your unique journey, helping you build a stronger foundation for long-term recovery.
Partial Hospitalization Program Specific Groups
During partial hospitalization programs, you can discuss a wide range of group therapy topics with your peers. PHP group therapy topics in include:
- Didactic lectures
- Process-based programming
- Specialized and culturally specific care
- Relapse prevention planning
- Mutual self-help programming
- Psychoeducation
- Expressive therapy (yoga, art, music, tai chi)
- DBT skills
- Life skills training
- Job readiness and vocational skills
- Community support
- Nutritional counseling
- Fitness and recreational programs
- Experiential therapy (psychodrama, gestalt)
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Does Insurance Cover PHP?
In many cases, your health insurance will cover some or all of your addiction treatment. That said, every policy is different, and you may need to meet certain requirements. For example, you might need prior authorization from your primary care physician (PCP) before coverage for a PHP is approved.
At Footprints to Recovery, you can start the process of verifying your insurance online; just click here. Our admissions staff will review your insurance, deductibles, and copays. Then they’ll let you know what to expect regarding coverage.
Insurance isn’t a viable option for some people. Perhaps the treatment center is out-of-network or the individual doesn’t have insurance. If that’s your situation, call us to discuss payment options.
Addiction can be devastating for individuals and their loved ones. Maybe you’ve made attempts to stop using drugs on your own, but you haven’t been successful. Perhaps you’ve tried treatment in the past, but it didn’t work in the ways you had hoped. We’re here to support you. We believe in recovery, and we believe that change is possible. Contact us today to learn more about our programs, including PHP.
What Happens After PHP?
Most clients don’t finish treatment when they finish PHP. Instead, they “step down” into a lower level of care, usually an intensive outpatient or basic outpatient program (OP). This maintains your accountability and clinical services, while also giving you an opportunity to exercise more freedom.
Most addiction professionals recommend transitioning into the real world slowly. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the stressors and triggers. That’s why many clients benefit from IOP or OP care. As you continue strengthening your skills in the real world, you’ll have the support and tools from therapy and groups.
Additional Addiction Treatment Programs
Footprints to Recovery offers a number of levels of care at our drug rehab centers that cater to the needs of your specific situation.
Medical Detox
Detox provides a safe and effective way to manage dangerous withdrawal symptoms, as well as reduce the physical discomfort associated with withdrawal. Medical detox programs are staffed by experienced medical professionals who are trained to monitor and treat any potential complications during this crucial phase of recovery.
Residential Treatment
Residential treatment is best suited for clients who require a higher level of care and support in a structured environment. During this program, clients will participate in therapy sessions and activities designed to address the underlying causes of their addiction.
Intensive Outpatient Treatment
An intensive outpatient program (IOP) is a step-down treatment option for those who have completed residential treatment or do not require 24-hour supervision. As such, people often continue treatment in IOP following partial hospitalization. It allows individuals to attend therapy sessions and groups while still living at home and transitioning back into daily life.
Outpatient Treatment
A traditional outpatient program (OP) is best for individuals who have already completed a higher level of care and are looking for continued support as they adjust to life outside of treatment. This program offers more flexible scheduling options than partial hospitalization or intensive outpatient and allows you to recover while living in the comfort of your own home.
Sober Living
Sober living provides a drug-free, structured, safe, and supportive environment for individuals in treatment and recovery from alcohol or drugs. These homes offer a sense of community and accountability as you continue your journey towards sobriety. For this reason, sober living can be an effective transitional option for those in an outpatient level of care.
Our admissions team is available 24/7 to listen to your story and help you get started with the next steps.
