What Is a Substance Use Disorder Partial Hospitalization Program (SUD PHP)?

A Substance Use Disorder Partial Hospitalization Program (SUD PHP) is a form of substance use disorder treatment that bridges the gap between residential treatment and intensive outpatient (IOP) programs. Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) include a few hours per day and multiple days per week under treatment in a medical facility. PHPs are also called “day treatment” programs since they operate on a schedule that is similar to business hours. 

Program participants live at home (as long as it is a substance-free residence), but spend their daytime in treatment. PHPs are naturally less restrictive than residential treatment programs but offer more structure, accountability, and medical monitoring than an IOP program. This moderate level of care can be used to help patients successfully transition from a residential treatment center. 

As part of a PHP, patients have access to a suite of medical resources, but are not required to take extended time away from home, work, or school. Some of the medical services available to PHP participants include:

• Drug rehabilitation counseling
• Individual and group therapy
• Medication dispensation
• On-site medical care

Who is eligible for the Partial Hospitalization Program?

Because there is a level of freedom and accountability built into PHPs, the ideal participant is someone who would benefit from robust support but is not in need of the constant supervision of inpatient residential treatment. Since participants return home each day of treatment, having stable housing and transportation are vital.

Those who are able to participate in a PHP can benefit from personalized treatment programs that, in addition to helping them work through addiction, can also address past trauma, family conflict, and underlying mental health concerns. These conditions may be treated using various forms of individual, group, or family therapy along with specialized treatment for anxiety, depression, and other mental disorders.

What does the Partial Hospitalization Program involve?

Before treatment begins, Lake Area Recovery Center staff work with individuals to assess their needs. An individualized treatment plan that takes into account both addiction and any related health concerns can then be developed. Due to its comprehensive nature, a treatment plan may put a participant in touch with various medical professionals, such as doctors, nurses, social workers, therapists, and psychiatrists. 

Some of the activities that a program participant may be involved in could include:

• Addiction detox: Some PHPs offer help with mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms from drugs and alcohol, under the supervision of a physician. 
• Medical services: Medical personnel can administer needed medication and treat complications related to substance use disorders.
• Medication management: FDA-approved medications can help individuals as they recover from substance use disorders.
• Individual therapy: The program participant can meet one-on-one with a therapist or drug counselor.
• Group counseling: A certified mental health professional leads sessions focusing on a specific topic or skill, like relapse prevention and stress management, among others.
• Aftercare planning: A thorough plan developed per individual to address relapse prevention resources like support groups, 12-step programs, sober living homes, and counseling.
• Holistic treatments: Some PHPs may offer non-medical treatment options, such as yoga, meditation, fitness classes, nutrition assistance, and more.
• Employment assistance: Participants can be assisted to search, apply, and prepare for employment opportunities.

Lake Area Recovery’s PHP specifically incorporates dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) with the 12-step program. Participants will attend therapy sessions and receive any necessary medical care from our qualified team on a day-by-day basis. The end goal is always to help participants develop healthy coping mechanisms so that they can sustain recovery. Due to the fact that individuals are working through managing transition, random drug testing and breathalyzer testing may be done in order to ensure that all program participants are able to work on recovery in a safe, substance-free environment.

Our partial hospitalization programs at Lake Area Recovery Center require at least four hours of therapeutic program activities per day, five days per week. This is more intensive than our intensive outpatient programs that only meet three times per week. PHP participants benefit from the structure of intensive therapy, on-site medical attention, and regular meetings and support classes. Therapy may also include family members and/or relationship partners for the best recovery support.

How does the SUD PHP program help individuals with substance use disorders?

Individuals who seek out partial hospitalization programs for substance use disorder treatment often have a better chance at life-long recovery and sobriety. This is especially true if a PHP is part of their transitioning journey, as a step-down from residential treatment centers. Thanks to the support received at Lake Area Recovery, participants are better able to heal and can go on to experience positive change in their lives. 

The partial hospitalization program benefits individuals dealing with substance use disorders by helping them to work through the root causes of their addiction, while also providing meaningful peer and medical support. They are able to sustain a sense of normalcy and responsibility, form new, beneficial routines, and still continue to seek professional treatment. Individuals walk away from a PHP with new-found coping skills, life skills, and healthy habits that enable them to continue on the road to substance addiction recovery.

How long does the SUD PHP program last?

A partial hospitalization program at Lake Area Recovery Center generally spans five days per week for four weeks, depending on the individual's personalized treatment plan. PHP participants meet Monday through Friday from 9AM to 1PM. Each day of treatment encompasses about four hours spent at our Ohio addiction recovery center. The overall length of the program is dependent on the needs of the individual, and every person is unique. Each participant will work with our staff to ensure that their needs are being met and that the length of time of their treatment plan is adequate. 

Some factors that can impact the length of an individual’s PHP may be:

• Intensity of addiction
• Compliance and motivation
• Outside support system
• Mental health management
• Treatment and relapse history

After program completion, a PHP participant will transition to our intensive outpatient program.

Work With Lake Area Recovery Center

At Lake Area Recovery Center, we understand that overcoming behaviors and habits can be difficult. But we also know that recovery and growth are possible for everyone. Used in conjunction with other addiction treatment efforts, a partial hospitalization program can help to create healthy habits and useful coping skills that can disrupt negative patterns of behavior. Through counseling, participants can get to the root cause of the emotions and mental health conditions that may be fueling addiction.

Together, these resources can put individuals on track to recovery. If you or someone in your life is dealing with a substance use disorder and could benefit from our support as they transition back into everyday life, reach out to our team. Our skilled professionals can help you to learn more about partial hospitalization programs for reliable substance use disorder treatment and share information about our Ohio addiction recovery centers.