When you’re struggling with mental health or addiction, finding the right treatment can feel overwhelming. You may not need the constant supervision of inpatient care, but at the same time, outpatient therapy might not provide the intensity of support you need to stay on track. This can leave you wondering where you fit on the spectrum of care. It’s a common concern, and you’re not alone in trying to find a solution that bridges the gap between these two extremes.
In this blog post, you’ll learn about partial hospitalization programs and how they offer structured, intensive care while allowing you to maintain your daily responsibilities. By understanding how it works, you can determine whether this program might be the right path to achieving stability and long-term recovery.
What is a Partial Hospitalization Program?
A partial hospitalization program (PHP) is the most intensive option for outpatient rehab. Unlike inpatient programs, PHP allows individuals to receive several hours of therapeutic support each day while still returning home in the evenings. This flexible approach makes PHP an ideal choice for those who need more support than traditional outpatient care but don’t require 24/7 supervision.
What Conditions Are Treated in a PHP?
Partial hospitalization programs are designed to address a wide range of conditions. They are often used for individuals recovering from addiction, as well as those managing mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and PTSD.Â
Who is Partial Hospitalization For?
PHPs are ideal for individuals who need a middle ground. They’re designed for people who meet specific criteria. These criteria include:
- Moderate-to-severe symptoms of substance and, or including mental health problems
- A stable home environment
- The presence of unstable mental and, or including physical health issues
- A need for frequent oversight and symptom management
- The absence of symptoms severe enough to require residential treatment
What is Partial Hospitalization Like?
Partial hospitalization programs offer a structured yet flexible schedule of daily therapies, activities, and skill-building exercises to support your recovery and prepare you for life after treatment. They allow you to focus on recovery with professional guidance while maintaining some daily responsibilities.
A Typical Day in a PHP
A typical day in a often includes a combination of individual therapy sessions, group therapy, and skill-building exercises. The details of treatment vary from person to person. However, common elements typically include:
- A daily check-in when you arrive
- An assessment of your current condition
- Participation in group and or including individual therapy
- Appropriate use of medication
As a rule, you will participate in treatment for several hours on any given day. These sessions help you address the root causes of addiction or mental health disorders and equip you with tools to manage symptoms.Â
Structure of Care
You live at home while enrolled in a PHP. You receive at least 20 hours of treatment at your rehab facility weekly. Most people undergo this treatment three to five days a week. This consistent schedule is one of the benefits of partial hospitalization programs, as it helps create a sense of routine — which is crucial when working toward stability in recovery.
Balancing Treatment with Daily Life
Being able to return home at the end of each day allows you to apply the skills you’re learning in treatment to real-world situations while receiving professinal support during the day. This balance helps ease the transition back into daily life while maintaining focus on recovery.
What to Expect After Completing a PHP
Finishing a partial hospitalization program is a significant step in the recovery process, but it’s important to remember that everyone’s journey is unique. While the program provides a strong foundation for long-term success, progress and outcomes look different for each individual.Â
Here’s an overview of what to expect after successfully completing a PHP, and how it can support your ongoing recovery.
Transition to Lower Levels of Care
After PHP, the next step usually involves transitioning to an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) or standard outpatient therapy. This allows you to continue receiving structured support with a more flexible schedule, giving you time to reintegrate into daily responsibilities.
Ongoing Therapy
Ongoing support is key to maintaining your progress, so therapy remains essential. Regular individual or group therapy sessions help reinforce the strategies you’ve learned and allow you to address new challenges as they arise.Â
Aftercare Plan
You’ll receive a personalized aftercare plan to guide you through your next steps. This plan may include follow-up therapy, support groups, and relapse prevention strategies. A structured aftercare plan is crucial for maintaining long-term progress.
Increased Independence
With the skills learned in PHP, you’ll gain more independence. You’ll feel more confident handling daily challenges and managing your recovery. This is a major step toward reintegrating into your routine while staying focused on your health.
Continued Support Networks
You’ll continue to have access to support networks like therapists, counselors, or peer support groups. Staying connected to others in recovery helps prevent relapse and offers a valuable sense of community as you navigate post-treatment life.
Focus on Long-Term Recovery
PHP is the start of a long-term commitment to recovery. Staying engaged in therapy, support groups, and your aftercare plan will help you maintain sobriety and manage your mental health for the long run.
Continue Your Recovery with Structured Support
At Northpoint Colorado, our partial hospitalization program is designed to provide the structure and support needed to help you achieve long-term success. With comprehensive care and a personalized approach, we ensure you have the tools to continue progressing after completing the program.
To learn more about how our programs can help or to speak with a professional about your options, contact Northpoint Colorado today. We’re here to guide you through every phase of your recovery journey.
