It’s difficult to say in advance who is a good fit for one of our partial hospitalization programs. While most people with substance abuse disorders do share at least some common ground, everyone experiences addiction differently. This is one of the many reasons that most reputable treatment facilities offer varying levels of care and work diligently to place each client in a program that’s both safe and appropriate to their needs.
In this post, we’ll be discussing the following three questions about partial hospitalization programs:
- What is a partial hospitalization program?
- How do they compare to other common treatment modalities?
- Who should attend partial hospitalization programs?
What Is a PHP?
There can be a great deal of variation between different facilities. The best information about a PHP includes the following:
- PHPs offer more intensive treatment than the typical outpatient program, but they tend to be less restrictive than inpatient or residential programs
- Clients attend group and individual therapy sessions for several hours a day while continuing to go home at night
- The most common forms of individual therapies employed at PHPs include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
- The group sessions – along with the sheer amount of time spent with one’s peers– facilitates the formation of the supportive relationships needed for long term recovery
- PHP encourages or requires attendance at 12-step or other types of meetings
- Most PHPs also offer Dual Diagnosis treatment programs that address substance abuse issues and co-occurring mental health disorders simultaneously
A PHP represents a middle ground between outpatient and residential (or inpatient) treatment for substance abuse. This applies to the length, the intensiveness, and the amount of time that clients spend at the treatment facility.
In short, the people who thrive in this setting are those who need treatment between outpatient and inpatient programs. We’ll elaborate on this in the final section.
Who Is The Best Fit For Partial Hospitalization?
It is imperative that client placement be based upon a comprehensive initial assessment. However, there are many scenarios in which PHP is a perfect choice. Here is a summary of these scenarios:
- PHP is often very effective for clients who have previous treatment experience
- This is especially true for people with SUDs who have tried less intensive forms of treatment in the past
- Good for those with a co-occurring disorder (as long as they aren’t a danger to themselves or someone else)
- Partial hospitalization can act as a ‘step down’ for clients who have just finished an inpatient program
Clients with the following qualities tend to thrive in the PHP environment:
- A willingness to process thoughts and feelings in a clinical environment
- An ability to work in a therapeutic group setting
- The motivation to participate actively in their recovery
- Open-mindedness and a desire for internal change
- A willingness to remain compliant with treatment directives both during and after PHP
To sum up, partial hospitalization programs are an excellent alternative for many people. One of the reasons PHP is often effective when someone meets the above conditions is that it allows clients to put what they’re learning into real-world practice immediately.
Contact us today if you believe you are a good fit and need help from one of the partial hospitalization programs.