Partial Hospitalization Program

Multiple studies have long confirmed what most of us have suspected all along. From the concrete jungles of urban neighborhoods to the lush green pastures in suburbia, a large swath of the American population has a problem with drugs, alcohol, or both. One of those studies is from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). And in it, researchers found that more than 21 million people are suffering from addiction in America’s urban and suburban communities. In addition to ruining the lives of individual users, substance abuse can do quite a number in the communities where individuals with a substance use disorder (SUD) live. That’s according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS). Each organization has published one or more studies that show drugs, crime, injuries, and death are all correlated. Those same studies also underscored the relationship between numerous social problems and substance abuse.

Addiction by the Numbers: What We Can Learn From America’s Addiction Statistics

Statistical data can provide us with valuable insights relative to many things. And addiction and the havoc it wreaks on people’s lives and the communities in which they live are no exception. Data from the WHO, CDC, and BJS show 35% of people who have been victims of violent crime say their perpetrator was under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or both when the criminal act occurred. The data further notes that more than 95,000 people die each year from binge drinking and alcohol use disorders (AUDs), with alcohol poisoning and traffic accidents contributing to most of them. And the unsettling statistical data does not end there. An estimated 20% of prison inmates say engaging in criminal activity so that they could buy drugs is what led to them being behind bars. Some might argue their incarceration is a blessing in disguise as they could have encountered a far worse consequence. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every single year, more than 100,000 people die of a drug overdose.

The Most Widely Abused Drugs in America

Whether they take them to self-medicate or achieve a desired euphoric high, most people have a go-to drug that they turn to.  According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), some of the most commonly abused drugs in America include the following:

• Alcohol
• Nicotine
• Marijuana
• Opioids
• Inhalants
• Stimulants
• Benzodiazepines
• Barbiturates

Something to note when it comes to all of these drugs is they each trigger withdrawal symptoms soon after someone stops using.  These withdrawal symptoms, many of which can start within days or even hours after someone consumes their final dose, include the following:

• Tremors
• Muscle pain
• Muscle aches
• Changes in appetite
• Fatigue
• Profuse sweating
• Irritability and feeling agitated
• Anxiety and depression
• Nausea and vomiting
• Confusion
• Insomnia
• Hypersomnia
• Paranoia

The Most Dangerous and Life-threatening Withdrawal Symptoms Associated With Detox

Aside from willing one’s self to finally give up drugs or alcohol, getting through detox is the hardest part of overcoming addiction. And that’s because the abrupt cessation of either can usher in an onslaught of severe withdrawal symptoms. Of the eight commonly abused substances in America, alcohol and opioids are the hardest for most people to quit. These substances are notorious for triggering life-threatening withdrawal symptoms soon after someone stops taking them. Detoxing from alcohol, for example, can give way to delirium tremens, a potentially fatal form of alcohol withdrawal characterized by violent seizures. Some people also experience the following:

• Agitation and aggression
• Irritability
• Confusion
• Trembling
• Profuse sweating
• Tachycardia
• Nausea and vomiting

When someone suddenly stops taking opioids, they can potentially experience what is known as opioid withdrawal syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition. If not promptly treated, nausea and vomiting brought on by opioid withdrawal syndrome can trigger dehydration and hypernatraemia severe enough to cause heart failure.

Inpatient vs. Partial Hospitalization: Why the Nature of Your Addiction Should Dictate Which Treatment Program 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.

What Is an Inpatient Rehab Facility?

An inpatient rehab facility is a live-in addiction recovery facility that provides individuals with the supervised, structured care necessary to help them break the cycle of addiction and better their lives. Depending upon the severity and nature of one’s addiction, an inpatient rehab program in a licensed rehab facility can be 30, 60, or 90 days long. Essentially, they become a temporary home in which individuals eat, sleep, shower, and overcome addiction one day at a time. 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.

What Is a Partial Hospitalization Program?

In short, 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 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 these one-on-one or group 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.

In summary, partial hospitalization programs are among the many options available to individuals ready to break the cycle of addiction. And aside from not offering medication-assisted detox, they are not too dissimilar from their inpatient counterparts. To learn more about this unique outpatient treatment modality and whether or not it is right for you, consider speaking with an Illinois Recovery Center addiction expert today.