If you’re in active addiction, deciding to get help with your substance abuse problem is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make. But with so many types of treatment programs and so much information out there, choosing the kind of program that’s right for you can be a little overwhelming. Whether you’re ready for the next step after inpatient treatment or you’re just beginning your road to recovery, a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) offers the comprehensive structure, support, range of therapies, and resources you need to make recovery your top priority. In this blog, we’ll explore PHPs, how they work, what to expect, and how a Partial Hospitalization Program fits into your recovery journey. 

Different Levels of Alcohol and Drug Rehab Care 

When you’re seeking treatment, you have lots of options. Before we discuss Partial Hospitalization Programs and their role in addiction recovery care, it’s important to have an understanding of the different levels and types of addiction recovery care. 

Other Types of Addiction Recovery Care: Detox 

When you decide to stop drinking or using drugs, seeking professional help is crucial. Depending on your stage of addiction, quitting drugs or alcohol cold turkey can cause symptoms that are dangerous and even life-threatening. An accredited detox center can help you quit using in a medically supervised environment where they will manage your alcohol and drug withdrawal symptoms. This level of care as you detox ensures that you do so as safely and as comfortably as possible. Detox programs will also provide support to help you manage the emotional and mental health effects that withdrawal can cause. For many people, going through a detox program is the first step towards recovery. 

Other Types of Addiction Recovery Care: Inpatient Substance Abuse Treatment 

Around 20% of people who seek help for a drug or alcohol program will need to enter a residential inpatient program after completing detox. When you participate in a residential inpatient program, you’ll live at the treatment facility full time so that you can get around-the-clock care. In addition to any medical care that you need, you’ll also engage in several types of therapy and counselling.  

Other Types of Addiction Recovery Care: Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) 

An Intensive Outpatient Program can be the next step after inpatient treatment or a Partial Hospitalization Program. When you attend an IOP, you’ll participate in therapy and treatment at the treatment center for at least ten hours a week. During an IOP, you’ll live at home or in a sober living house, enabling you to keep working, going to school, and being part of your community. 

Other Types of Addiction Recovery Care: Outpatient Addiction Treatment 

Outpatient Drug and Alcohol Treatment offers the most flexibility. Instead of attending treatment every day, you’ll schedule your therapy appointments and group sessions around your school, work, and family obligations. Many people progress to Outpatient Treatment after completing an IOP. 

What is a PHP Program? 

A Partial Hospitalization Program is a time-intensive type of outpatient treatment. You may hear PHPs referred to as Day Programs because you spend several hours each day and several days each week in treatment. A PHP provides more intensive therapy, structure, and support than an IOP and Outpatient Treatment.  

Where Does a Partial Hospitalization Program Fit in Your Recovery Journey? 

Partial Hospitalization Programs are in the middle of the continuum of care in substance abuse treatment. How you use a PHP program depends on where you begin and how you’re progressing in your journey towards recovery. You may enter a PHP program after successfully completing Detox and a Residential Inpatient Program. You may begin your treatment journey in a PHP. Or you may step up to a PHP after deciding that a lower level of outpatient treatment isn’t meeting your needs. 

Wherever you are in your recovery, a PHP is a good choice for people who need a higher level of structure and support without the restrictions of inpatient treatment.   

What to Expect from a Partial Hospitalization Program 

In a PHP program, your treatment plan will be designed to meet your unique needs and goals. You’ll attend at least 20 hours of treatment a week. A typical PHP program involves between four and eight hours of treatment per day, five days a week. You will likely find that the intense time commitment of a PHP is a great opportunity to focus on yourself, disrupt negative patterns, and work on new positive behaviors.  

In Seattle treatment centers, Partial Hospitalization Program patients participate in evidence-based treatments and therapies such as: 

• Cognitive behavioral therapy 

• Group therapy 

• Education 

• Dialectical behavioral therapy 

• Medication, if needed 

• Case management 

• Alcohol and/or drug testing 

• Monitoring and evaluation 

In a Partial Hospitalization Program, you’ll meet with specialists and therapists to uncover and address the underlying conditions contributing to your drug or alcohol addiction. You’ll also learn and strengthen the skills you need to maintain your sobriety. Some programs also offer holistic therapies such as meditation, art therapy, and yoga. Many PHP participants value group therapy activities where they receive peer support from people who are going through a similar experience and facing similar challenges.  

Who Is a Partial Hospitalization Program Right For? 

PHP programs are helpful for people who need a great deal of structure and support during the early phase of their recovery. For people who have completed inpatient treatment, a partial hospitalization program can provide a highly structured environment that helps ease their transition back to everyday life. Many people choose to begin their recovery journey in a PHP as it offers a more intense level of treatment and the flexibility to live at home or in a sober living facility. 

How is a Partial Hospitalization Program Different from an Intensive Outpatient Program? 

Partial Hospitalization Programs are often confused with Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP). An IOP program is less time-intensive, requiring fewer hours of therapy and treatment per day and fewer days of treatment per week. An IOP program is often the next step in recovery for someone who has completed a PHP. IOP programs are designed to provide more flexibility than PHPs, making them a good choice for those who still need a higher level of care but are ready to resume everyday activities. 

How long does PHP last? 

Each PHP program is tailored to the individual, so the duration of your particular program will depend on your unique needs and goals. In general, Partial Hospitalization Programs last anywhere from two to eight weeks. 

Are Partial Hospitalization Programs Effective for Drug Addiction Treatment? 

Partial Hospitalization Programs are an important part of the continuum of care for substance abuse disorder. In a survey of PHP program participants conducted by the National Institutes of Health, the majority of the respondents said that going through a PHP program was extremely helpful. 85% of the respondents said that participating in a PHP was money well spent. Another study showed that PHP programs are as effective as inpatient programs. 

Will Insurance Cover a Partial Hospitalization Program? 

Under the Affordable Care Act, substance abuse care is considered an essential health benefit. This means that insurance plans must cover substance abuse treatment to some degree. However, because insurance carriers, plans, and benefits vary from state to state, you should consult your insurance carrier for details on what your plan covers. You should also talk to the facilities you’re considering about the cost of a PHP and what insurance plans they accept. Most Seattle treatment centers have an admissions coordinator who will be happy to walk you through all of the financial aspects of seeking treatment. 

How Do I Know If a Partial Hospitalization Program Is Right for Me? 

A PHP program is often the right choice if you need and want a higher level of care, attention, and structure during recovery, whether you’ve already completed an inpatient program or are just beginning your journey. Partial Hospitalization Programs offer an intensive level of treatment, accountability, and support for people who are ready to disrupt old patterns of behavior and make recovery their top priority. 

What Happens After I Complete a Partial Hospitalization Program? 

Once you complete a Partial Hospitalization Program, you may be ready for an Intensive Outpatient Program. An IOP represents a step down in treatment intensity from a PHP program since it requires fewer hours of treatment per day and fewer days of treatment per week. This reduction in time commitment allows you to fit treatment around other obligations like work and school. But you don’t have to make that decision alone. You’ll work with your care team to figure out what kind of program is the right next step in your recovery. 

Lakeside-Milam Recovery Centers are here to offer compassionate, effective, and discreet help, no matter what stage of addiction or recovery you or your loved one is going through. If you need help deciding if a Partial Hospitalization Program is right for you, talk to someone who understands. Call us any time, day or night, at 206-578-3830.