If you struggle with drug and alcohol abuse, you are not alone. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 48.5 million people had a substance use disorder in 2023.[1]
The best way to recover from addiction is to attend a drug rehab program. That said, you’ll have to choose between inpatient and outpatient rehab. If you want an intensive program but still want to live in the comfort of your own home, you should select a partial hospitalization program (PHP).
PHPs are designed to provide you with the tools and support you need to recover from a substance use disorder while allowing you to live at home. They are ideal for people who can’t commit to living full-time at a treatment facility. If you are considering attending PHP, you might be wondering what to expect.
During a day in a PHP program, you’ll participate in group therapy, life skills building, individual therapy, relapse prevention planning, and more. You’ll also have a lunch period where you can unwind and eat something nutritious to energize yourself for the rest of the day ahead.
In this article, you will learn:
- What is a partial hospitalization program?
- What to expect during a day in PHP
- Is PHP right for you?
What is a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)?
Partial hospitalization programs are considered one step down from inpatient treatment. They offer intensive addiction care on an outpatient basis. Typically, PHPs require patients to attend treatment sessions 3 to 5 days per week from 9 am to 3 pm.
During a PHP, you’ll engage in group counseling, individual therapy, life skills building, and relapse prevention planning. The goal of PHP is to provide you with the skills and support that you need to achieve long-term sobriety from drugs and alcohol. You’ll address the root causes of your substance use disorder, learn vital coping mechanisms, recover from co-occurring mental health conditions, and create a relapse prevention plan.
What is a Day Like During PHP: Understanding the PHP Schedule
If you are considering attending PHP, you might be wondering what a day in the life is like—knowing how PHP works could motivate you to accept the help you need.
A typical day in a PHP program involves:
9:00 AM- Morning Check-In
Once you arrive at your PHP facility for the day, you’ll have a group check-in with staff and your peers. Each client will have a chance to talk about how they are feeling, reflect on what they learned the day before, and set goals for the day ahead. This creates a sense of community and allows each person to get their head ready for the counseling sessions ahead.
9:30 AM- Group Therapy
Group therapy is one of the most important parts of a PHP program. You’ll participate in 1 to 2 group counseling sessions. Your first one will most likely be about addiction, while your second session might be specialized. For example, your second group therapy session could focus on co-occurring mental health conditions or recovering from trauma.
11:30 AM- Life Skills Training
After you complete your group counseling sessions, you’ll participate in educational workshops that help you build important life skills. These workshops might focus on topics like:
- Stress management and emotional regulation
- Trauma-informed self-care
- Nutritional counseling
- Sleep hygiene
- Learning about how psychiatric medications work
- Managing addiction relapse triggers
- Building self-esteem
- Learning how to obtain a job, find government assistance, and more
12:00 PM- Lunch
At noon, you’ll have lunch with your peers. This gives you a break to rest, recharge, and connect with the other people in your PHP program. Depending on your specific program, you might bring your lunch or eat something provided by the facility.
1:00 PM- Individual Therapy
Once lunch is over, you’ll engage in individual therapy sessions. During one-on-one time with a licensed therapist, you have the opportunity to go over your recovery goals, unpack the root causes of your addiction, discuss past traumas, and more.
If you are on mental health or addiction medication, you might also meet with a psychiatrist to go over your medication, explain how you are feeling, and decide if changes need to be made.
2:00 PM- Relapse Prevention Planning
Afternoon sessions focus on relapse prevention. You’ll meet with a group of your peers and a therapist to discuss topics like relapse triggers, healthy coping mechanisms to use, and learn how to prevent yourself from returning to substance abuse in tough situations.
3:00 PM- Wrapping Up
Once you complete all of your treatment sessions for the day, you’ll have a group debrief to talk about what you’ve learned, discuss your feelings, and set goals for the evening. Then, you’ll be discharged for the day and sent home.
Is PHP Right for You?
While PHP offers intensive care, it might not be right for everyone. Some people need the 24/7 monitoring and supervision offered by residential treatment. For example, if you have a severe substance use disorder, a long history of relapses, or intense mental health symptoms, you should attend an inpatient before transitioning into a PHP.
That said, PHP might be right for you if:
- You have already completed medical detox or inpatient rehab
- You need more than once-a-week treatment sessions
- You need medication management and close clinical monitoring
- You need a more flexible schedule to care for children after school
- You want intensive addiction care while living in your own home
Get Connected to a Top-Rated PHP Near You
If you or a loved one suffers from addiction, it’s time to consider seeking professional help. At Archstone Behavioral Health, we offer a top-rated PHP program that focuses on evidence-based therapies, relapse prevention, and trauma-informed care.
Contact us today for more information on how to begin our PHP program.
References:
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Highlights for the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health
