When some people might not be able to dedicate the time to residential treatment but still require focused care, a partial hospitalization program (PHP) might be the right solution. Many individuals struggling with addiction or a dual diagnosis benefit from having outpatient treatment like PHP that addresses their immediate health needs while still helping them manage daily responsibilities and stay connected to family and friends.
What Is Partial Hospitalization?
A PHP is an intensive, structured program that provides a high level of professional treatment for people dealing with alcohol use disorder (AUD), substance use disorder (SUD), mental and emotional health conditions, or both.
It’s designed for individuals who require substantial support and therapeutic intervention but don’t need the 24-hour supervision of an inpatient program. PHPs typically involve attending treatment 5–7 days a week for several hours each day. This level of care allows you or a loved one to receive consistent clinical oversight while maintaining some autonomy, as you can return home or to a sober living environment at the end of each treatment day.
Services include, but aren’t limited to:
- Psychiatric support for medication management and symptom monitoring
- Individual counseling with specific modalities, such as cognitive behavioral therapy
- Group therapy sessions to foster a sense of community and accountability
- Peer-to-peer support groups, such as 12 Step and S.M.A.R.T
- Various holistic approaches like mindfulness or art therapy
- Continuing care and relapse prevention plans
Similar to a residential program, PHP participants work with licensed therapists, addiction specialists, and case managers to create a plan for long-term recovery.
For individuals with a dual diagnosis, PHPs are particularly effective, as they provide an integrated approach to address both addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders, such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD. Treatment focuses on the underlying psychological issues and how they intersect with substance use. The National Alliance on Mental Health states that “The best treatment for dual diagnosis is integrated intervention, when a person receives care for both their diagnosed mental illness and substance abuse. The idea that ‘I cannot treat your depression because you are also drinking’ is outdated—current thinking requires both issues be addressed.”
Skills You’ll Learn Through a PHP
As you begin to heal, your PHP treatment is aimed at managing triggers, maintaining sobriety, and enhancing emotional resilience. Let’s take a closer look at what you’ll learn.
Emotional regulation
This involves learning to process and respond to emotions in healthy, constructive ways rather than relying on substances to cope. Along with engaging in cognitive behavioral therapy, you might also learn some dialectical behavior therapy techniques, which emphasize distress tolerance and interpersonal effectiveness.
Emotional regulation skills help you manage intense emotions and maintain stable relationships without self-destructive behaviors. Communication and boundary-setting are also emphasized so you can rebuild healthy social interactions and avoid codependent or triggering relationships.
Coping mechanisms
Skills such as mindfulness and grounding methods enable you to better manage stress, anxiety, and other emotions that may arise in challenging situations. In many partial hospitalization programs, breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation guidance are just a few applications introduced to reduce immediate stress, which can be pivotal in preventing impulsive decisions.
Relapse prevention
Understanding your triggers is a vital component of managing wellness. So during your PHP treatment, you’ll learn to identify high-risk situations, recognize early warning signs of relapse, and develop personalized action plans to manage urges. Different types of therapy also help you recognize and reframe negative thought patterns that can lead to compulsive substance or alcohol use or exacerbate mental health symptoms.
Additionally, life skills such as time management, self-care routines, and goal setting are integrated to support long-term stability.
Is Partial Hospitalization Right for You?
Through structured practice and feedback in a PHP, many people are equipped with the tools they need to navigate life outside of treatment, fostering a strong foundation for continued recovery and personal growth. But here are a few factors that must be in place to ensure you’re setting yourself up for success.
- You’re not a danger to yourself or others.
- You have a network of people—family, friends, co-workers, and others—who can provide support during treatment and beyond.
- You need a diagnostic evaluation that cannot be performed at a lesser level of care.
- You’ve not suffered extreme trauma or abuse.
- You’re committed to adhering to all the principles of the program.
Ask About Partial Hospitalization Treatment at Great Oaks
At Great Oaks Recovery Center outside of Houston, Texas our certified mental health professionals and addiction specialists respect every person’s distinct experiences, belief systems, and values. We also understand that the recovery process is different for everyone—and it’s especially intimidating to leave your life behind, even when you’re certain putting your health first is the right choice.
Partial hospitalization is just one of the many treatment programs we provide so you can strike a balance between healthcare and daily responsibilities. Our admissions team can give you more details about companion programs, too, such as Tactical Recovery and Ready-to-Work, that provide additional options and assurance.
