Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), also known as day treatment, is a type of mental health treatment program that provides higher care for those with major mental illness and drug abuse problems. It provides a similar treatment intensity and structure to inpatient/residential programs and typically spends between 4-6 hours per day, at least 5 days per week.
The foundation of this treatment strategy is based on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), a type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy that focuses on mindfulness, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness and helps individuals manage their emotions and establish healthy coping skills.
It’s a viable option for inpatient or intensive outpatient programs. People can either transfer or “step down” from inpatient treatment to a PHP program or “step up” from a less rigorous, normal outpatient program. In other circumstances, patients may begin therapy by enrolling in a PHP.
PHP is necessary to maintain a patient’s functional level and avoid relapse or full hospitalization,
Table of Contents
- What Conditions are Treated by Partial Hospitalization Programs?
- How Long Does Partial Hospitalization Last?
- Who Can Benefit From Partial Hospitalization Programs?
- What are the Advantages of a Partial Hospitalization Program?
- Inpatient vs. Partial Hospitalization: Which One Is Right for You?
- What Does a Typical Day Look Like in a Partial Hospitalization Program?
- How Illinois Recovery Center Can Help
What Conditions are Treated by Partial Hospitalization Programs?
Partial hospitalization programs are among the many options available to individuals ready to break the cycle of addiction. Mental health professionals must first make accurate and speedy assessments of a patient’s mental and behavioral conditions to determine how serious a patient’s symptoms are and the best course of action to take.
Based on a person’s health, a healthcare provider will propose a specific program that provides extensive psychiatric treatment.
Here are some of the conditions that PHP programs can treat:
- Mood and anxiety disorder
- Depression
- OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder)
- Bipolar disorder
- Major depressive disorder
- Eating disorders
- PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
- Substance abuse problems
- Suicidal ideation or attempt
Anyone who has suicidal thoughts or has recently undergone an emotional crisis, such as abuse, divorce, or neglect, may benefit from behavioral health partial hospitalization. These programs benefit those having trouble dealing with any of these issues on their own.
How Long Does Partial Hospitalization Last?
Partial hospitalization is intended for short-term care. The goal is to assist you in improving sufficiently to be moved to a lower level of care, such as outpatient or intensive outpatient treatment. The length of your stay is determined by your personal progress; however, the majority of PHPs require clients to attend sessions three to five days per week, with sessions lasting typically 4-6 hours and usually last 2-3 weeks.
The duration of a therapy program might vary depending on the needs of the individual. Every person is unique, and each PHP has a distinct approach to treating their patients. Treatment must be provided for an appropriate period of time in order to be beneficial and effective. This is necessary so that an individual may establish a new set of healthy behavioral habits and incorporate them into their life.
Who Can Benefit From Partial Hospitalization Programs?
A partial hospitalization program is a form of outpatient addiction recovery designed to help individuals struggling with milder addictions get their lives back on track. Unlike inpatient programs, partial hospitalization programs allow individuals the freedom to tend to work and family obligations in between addiction recovery treatments. That said, mild addiction to nicotine, marijuana, and similar drugs is not the only thing that makes a PHP a good fit for some people. This unique outpatient program is best suited for those who also meet the following criteria:
- Shows no risk of harming themselves or others
- Is motivated to get and stay clean
- Is medically stable
- Is having difficulty juggling addiction recovery treatments with work, school, or family obligations
- Has a supportive network of family and friends
- Has a co-occurring disorder that requires treatment beyond what is available in a PHP
What are the Advantages of a Partial Hospitalization Program?
Individualized Care
The program varies between individual and group therapy to ensure that each participant receives treatment tailored to their particular circumstances.
Schedule flexibility
People who have responsibilities outside of treatment might benefit from a partial hospitalization program. PHPs allow more time at home, work, or school, making it easier for people to return to everyday activities. Patients may therefore prioritize therapy without risking the things that make their life important.
Highly Effective Treatment
Sessions tend to be more intensive than standard outpatient treatment. You receive the same level of care in a PHP as you would in residential treatment, which is an additional benefit. You continue to get high-quality care, including support groups, holistic therapy, specialist therapy, and relapse prevention. You can also participate in family therapy sessions to resolve domestic disputes if necessary.
Affordable Alternative
The therapy will be less expensive because a PHP does not necessitate overnight hospital stays. Attendees can also go home and sleep in their own beds every night and do not require round-the-clock food or severe medical intervention. When you contact to inquire about treatment, make sure to inquire about which insurances are accepted and what choices are available if you do not have insurance.
Easier Transition to Prevent Relapse
After residential treatment, you must transition to a less rigorous level of care to maintain your recovery. A PHP, being the most intensive outpatient program, assists you in progressively transitioning to a lesser level of care. Continued assistance is required to avoid relapse. It also helps you work through treatment issues while developing healthy living skills.
Inpatient vs. Partial Hospitalization: Which One Is Right for You?
When someone is ready to overcome addiction to drugs or alcohol, they should carefully consider whether they want to go with an inpatient or partial hospitalization program (PHP). Both options can improve their chances of achieving short and long-term sobriety, but which one is best depends entirely on the drug or combination of drugs they are trying to quit. Individuals struggling with opioids, alcohol, stimulants, and other hard-to-quit substances would be a good fit for an inpatient treatment program. Meanwhile, those trying to overcome a marijuana, nicotine, or binge drinking problem, for example, might be a good fit for a partial hospitalization program.
When Would Inpatient Care Be Needed?
Inpatient treatment is the most intensive level of care and requires a hospital stay. This sort of treatment is often recommended for those with severe symptoms and requires more attention than in an outpatient environment.
A live-in addiction rehabilitation facility, or an inpatient rehab center, offers people the supervised health services and organized care needed to end their addiction and improve their lives. The length of an inpatient recovery program at a recognized rehab center might range from 30, 60, or 90 days, depending on the extent and kind of the patient’s addiction. They essentially serve as temporary residences where patients live and work to conquer their addiction.
And for those trying to overcome a particularly challenging addiction, these facilities provide individuals with medication-assisted treatment (MAT). For those unaware, medication-assisted treatment is an aspect of addiction recovery that utilizes FDA-approved medication to help combat difficult withdrawal symptoms. Along with medication, the benefits of seeking treatment in an inpatient rehab facility include:
- A Safe Environment
It’s hard to focus on breaking the cycle of addiction if you don’t feel safe in your treatment environment. And that’s why inpatient rehab facilities have medical teams that provide round-the-clock monitoring and can render immediate medical aid if an individual develops delirium tremens, opioid withdrawal syndrome, or another severe withdrawal symptom.
- An Ability To Avoid Triggers and External Influences
Arguably, one of the most significant benefits of undergoing addiction recovery treatments in an inpatient rehab program is being in a new environment, and this is because you’re not likely to be exposed to triggers and external influences that can lead to relapse.
- A Supportive Community
For most physicians, nurses, and counselors employed in an inpatient rehab facility, helping people overcome addiction is more than just a job. They genuinely care about their patients and go out of their way to create a supportive environment that improves their chances of achieving short and long-term sobriety.
When Do You Need a Partial Hospitalization Program?
Partial hospitalization programs offer intensive treatment to persons who do not require hospitalization. Each day, this sort of program includes many hours of therapy activities. These programs, which commonly take place in non-hospital settings such as mental health clinics or offices, provide an alternative to standard inpatient treatment.
Partial hospitalization programs are often excellent for those who require more care than outpatient therapy but do not require 24-hour care or the highly structured atmosphere of an inpatient treatment center. Partial hospitalization focuses on the individual’s entire treatment to avoid or limit in-patient hospitalization.
Individuals often attend the program 5-7 days per week and are provided with medication management, group therapy, individual counseling, and other supporting services. Furthermore, most programs provide family therapy, which may be quite useful.
What Does a Typical Day Look Like in a Partial Hospitalization Program?
A typical day in a partial hospitalization program begins with counseling with a licensed therapist. During Individual therapy or group therapy counseling sessions, individuals generally engage in some form of psychotherapy before moving on to addiction education courses, which may include periodic evaluations. Since individuals routinely leave and return to their treatment facility each day, part of their day will entail undergoing random drug and alcohol screenings, which they must do onsite during treatment day. Depending on the individual’s progress, a partial hospital program can last anywhere from 2 to 3 weeks. From there, they will transition to a traditional outpatient or intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) program to wrap up their addiction recovery journey.
How Illinois Recovery Center Can Help
A partial hospitalization program may be best if you or a loved one suffers from moderate to severe mental health concerns. Illinois Recovery Center offers comprehensive treatment programs such as partial hospitalization to help treat adults, adolescents, and children with behavioral, emotional, or drug addiction issues. Located in Swansea, Illinois, we work hard to establish a secure atmosphere for you during your recovery journey.
Our treatment team is dedicated to promote physical health and fitness in addition to mental health rehabilitation. Our services are based on a tailored treatment plan prioritizing each patient’s goals.
Get in touch with us now if you’re considering partial hospitalization treatment or want to learn more about the many therapies we provide.