A Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) is one of the most structured and clinically intensive outpatient levels of care for addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders.
Designed for individuals who need daily therapeutic support but do not require 24/7 residential treatment, PHP offers a full-day schedule of evidence-based therapy, medication management, psychiatric oversight, and recovery-focused education.
This guide explains exactly what PHP rehab is, how it compares to other treatment levels, who qualifies, the therapies involved, and the benefits it offers.
Key Takeaways
- PHP rehab provides structured therapy, which is ideal for individuals who need intensive treatment without inpatient admission.
- It offers daily medical and psychiatric oversight, including medication management and withdrawal monitoring.
- PHP treats alcohol, opioid, stimulant, and prescription drug addictions, along with co-occurring mental health disorders.
- Therapies include CBT, DBT skills, group therapy, relapse prevention, and family work, supported by integrated dual diagnosis care.
- PHP serves as both a step-down from residential treatment and a step-up from IOP, offering stability, flexibility, and strong relapse-prevention support.
How Is PHP Different From Other Addiction Treatment Levels Like IOP and Residential Care?
A Partial Hospitalization Program1 is in between residential treatment and intensive outpatient programs in terms of intensity and structure.
Unlike residential care, PHP does not need 24/7 onsite living; patients return home or to supportive housing after daily programming. However, PHP offers more intensive clinical hours and medical monitoring than IOP.
This makes it suitable for individuals who need a lot of support but do not require inpatient supervision.
Clinicians usually suggest PHP for individuals facing strong cravings, mental health symptoms, or functional challenges that make lower-intensity outpatient care insufficient.
PHP provides daily structure, frequent psychiatric oversight, and consistent skills practice, which IOP cannot provide. This setup also allows patients to start reintegrating into their daily lives. The tiered structure enables safe transitions up or down based on progress, risk level, or changing clinical needs.
How Many Hours Per Week Does a Typical PHP Require?
Most PHPs require a commitment of 20 or more hours per week, through several therapeutic and medical sessions. Programs generally operate for:
- 4 to 6 hours per day,
- 4 to 5 days per week,
- or in some cases,
- 6 to 8 hours per day for full-day PHP models.
Programming typically includes group therapy, individual therapy, skill-building sessions, and regular psychiatric or medical check-ins. The higher time requirement, compared to IOP, is intentional.
It helps with stabilization, medication adjustments, and steady practice of coping strategies in a structured setting. Specific weekly hours are determined through an individualized assessment and reviewed as patients make progress.
What Types of Substance Use Disorders Does PHP Treat?
PHPs treat a wide range of substance use disorders, including:
- Alcohol use disorder
- Opioid use disorder
- Stimulant use disorders (e.g., cocaine, methamphetamine)
- Benzodiazepine and prescription medication misuse
- Polysubstance use.
Treatment plans are tailored to the specific substance pattern and the individual’s mental health and medical situation.
For alcohol or opioid use disorderswhere medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is appropriate, PHPs combine medication management with therapy to reduce cravings and help with physiological stability.
Programs that treat stimulant or polydrug use focus on cognitive-behavioral strategies, relapse prevention skills, and managing co-occurring mental health symptoms.
When substance use occurs along with anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, or other psychiatric issues, PHP provides coordinated dual diagnosis care, ensuring both conditions are treated within a structured, evidence-based approach.
What Services and Therapies Are Included in PHP Rehab?
PHP rehab offers a wide range of services that target the medical, psychological, and social aspects of addiction. Patients can expect a mix of proven therapies, psychiatric support, and practical recovery aids, typically including:
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy focused on relapse prevention, skill-building, emotional regulation, and peer support.
- Family therapy, when needed, to enhance communication and strengthen home support.
- Psychiatric evaluations and medication management, including MAT when needed.
- Crisis management and daily medical monitoring for new symptoms or safety issues.
- Psychoeducation on addiction, mental health, coping strategies, and recovery planning.
- Case management and care coordination, including discharge planning, housing/work support, and community referrals.
- Holistic or additional services, such as mindfulness, yoga, or experiential therapies.
- Drug screening and accountability check-ins to support progress.
This structured approach is what makes PHP unique. Evidence-based therapies help patients gain insight and build coping skills. Medication management aids in stabilizing withdrawal symptoms, cravings, and co-occurring psychiatric issues. Case management ensures that social or practical challenges to recovery are addressed early and consistently.
These elements create a level of intensity and clinical integration that lowers the risk of relapse and promotes functional improvement. PHP is more effective than standard outpatient care while still allowing patients to live at home or in supportive housing.
Evidence Based Therapies Offered in PHP Rehab
Partial Hospitalization Programs often use a range of evidence-based therapies, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills, Motivational Interviewing, trauma-informed care, and structured group therapy. These approaches are chosen because they help people make meaningful changes in their behavior.
Each therapy has a specific focus. CBT is used to help people recognize and change unhelpful thought patterns. DBT teaches skills for managing emotions and handling stress.
Motivational Interviewing is designed to increase a person’s motivation and commitment to treatment. Group therapy gives people a chance to learn from others and practice new coping skills, while individual therapy allows for more personalized support.
When combined, these therapies help create a supportive environment that encourages lasting behavior change and helps prevent relapse.
Research shows that PHP can lead to real, lasting improvements for people in treatment2. In one study of people with opioid use disorder, those who took part in PHP saw their quality of life improve, especially in areas like health, emotional well-being, and substance use. These improvements were linked to lower rates of relapse one month after leaving the program.
How does Dual Diagnosis Treatment integrate with PHP for co-occurring disorders?
Dual Diagnosis treatment in a PHP setting means treating mental health and substance use issues together, not separately3. It usually begins with a psychiatric assessment, followed by medication management and therapy that address both conditions at the same time.
For instance, a psychiatrist may help manage symptoms of depression or anxiety, while an addiction specialist focuses on preventing relapse. The team shares information and adjusts the treatment plan as needed, meaning that changes in medication can influence therapy goals and vice versa.
This teamwork helps people stay engaged in treatment and can lead to better results for those with both mental health and substance use disorders.
Who is a Candidate for PHP Rehab?
A good candidate for PHP rehab is someone who needs daily therapy and medical support but does not require constant hospital care. Usually, this means the person is stable enough to go home safely each day.
PHP suits those at a high risk of relapse, dealing with complicated mental health issues, or struggling to function in daily life. It is also beneficial if the person has a stable living situation, can get to treatment, and is motivated to participate.
Clinicians use specific guidelines and risk assessments to determine if PHP is the right level of care. This ensures the person gets enough support without needing full-time hospital care.
Medical and Psychological Criteria that Determine PHP Eligibility
To qualify for PHP, a person typically needs to be medically stable, meaning they do not require constant hospital care.
They should be able to manage withdrawal symptoms with outpatient care, and their mental health condition should be manageable during the day with crisis support available if necessary.
Clinicians assess the severity of substance use or withdrawal, evaluate risks like suicide or violence, and check for other medical issues that might need inpatient care.
It is also important for the person to have stable housing and be able to attend appointments. These requirements help ensure PHP is safe and effective for each individual.
How PHP Supports Patients Transitioning from Inpatient Detox or Residential Care
PHP is an important step after someone completes inpatient detox or residential treatment. It provides frequent therapy, medication management, and assistance with discharge planning to help people maintain their progress made in higher levels of care.
The transition usually involves meetings between care teams to set shared goals and slowly decrease the intensity of treatment as the person stabilizes. This gradual approach helps avoid sudden changes that could result in relapse and keeps individuals connected to proven treatments.
Successful transitions focus on preventing relapse and linking people to community resources for ongoing support.
Benefits of Choosing PHP Rehab for Addiction Recovery
Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) offer a balanced approach between intensive treatment and maintaining daily life.
Patients receive structured, evidence-based therapies and medical oversight every day, while still keeping family, work, or school commitments intact.
Key advantages include:
- Intensive Clinical Oversight: Daily therapy sessions, skills-building groups, and medication management reduce symptom severity and lower relapse risk.
- Home-Based Living: Participants continue engaging with their real-world responsibilities while receiving structured, high-quality care.
- Integrated Dual Diagnosis Management: PHP coordinates psychiatric care and addiction treatment simultaneously, addressing complex co-occurring conditions effectively.
- Continuity of Care: PHP serves as a critical step in the continuum of care, providing smooth transitions to IOP or outpatient programs without disrupting progress.
By combining clinical intensity, daily support, and practical flexibility, PHP helps individuals stabilize, develop coping skills, and maintain recovery momentum in the context of their everyday lives.
How Does PHP Rehab Provide Flexibility While Offering Intensive Care?
PHP offers flexibility by scheduling concentrated therapeutic hours during the day or across specific days each week, enabling individuals to maintain employment, schooling, or family commitments while receiving care that approaches hospital-level intensity.
Clinically, this adaptable design allows for individualized treatment plans that can increase or decrease in intensity based on progress evaluations, ensuring both safety and continuity.
For many participants, the ability to return home each evening minimizes disruption and supports the reintegration of recovery skills into their daily lives. Seamless coordination with outpatient resources allows PHP to adapt to evolving needs while maintaining therapeutic intensity.
Charles River Recovery: Your Trusted Partner for Structured Outpatient Day & Evening Treatment
At Charles River Recovery, we recognize that many individuals need strong support after detox or residential treatment, but they might not need 24/7 inpatient care. We offer solid outpatient day and evening treatmentmodels.
These models provide intensive, clinically driven support to help patients stabilize while transitioning back to daily life.
Our outpatient day treatment services are based on evidence-based care, psychiatric supervision, and personalized treatment planning. We reflect many of the strengths that make PHP-level programs effective while staying true to the services we offer.
What Makes Charles River Recovery’s Outpatient Day Treatment Stand Out?
Our day treatment model offers a reliable therapeutic schedule that helps with emotional control, symptom management, and ongoing skill development. Patients engage in targeted group sessions, individual therapy, and recovery-focused education tailored to their specific needs.
Many individuals entering day treatment are still managing mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, or trauma. Our clinicians provide coordinated care to address these difficulties while supporting continued addiction recovery.
Our outpatient treatment lets patients receive intensive clinical support during the day or evening while returning home to family and personal commitments. This balance encourages the practice of real-world coping skills in a safe and supportive environment.
To make access to care easier, Charles River Recovery accepts most major commercial insurance plans. Our admissions team provides quick, confidential insurance verification to help patients understand their coverage and possible out-of-pocket expenses before starting treatment.
Located in Weston, Massachusetts, our facility offers a caring, clinically driven drug and alcohol detoxificationaimed at promoting safety, connection, and lasting recovery at every level of care. Book an appointment today.
What to Expect During a Typical Day in PHP Rehab?
A typical day in PHP rehab involves a balance of group-based skills training, individual therapy, medication or psychiatric check-ins, and psychoeducation, all aimed at building coping strategies and practical relapse prevention skills.
The daily structure reinforces learning through repetition and varied therapeutic formats, leading to faster skill acquisition and improved emotional regulation. Sample schedules are provided to help set expectations regarding commitment, energy demands, and how therapy integrates into daily life.
What A Daily Schedule in PHP Rehab Looks Like
A sample full-day PHP schedule typically runs from morning intake through mid-afternoon and includes multiple therapeutic components. Generally, a typical full-day in PHP rehab may include:
- Morning Check-In and Skills Group: Start the day with symptom monitoring, vital checks, and group-based behavioral skills training.
- Psychoeducation or Specialty Group: Participate in sessions focused on relapse prevention, trauma processing, or managing co-occurring disorders.
- Individual Therapy or Medication Visit: Receive one-on-one therapy, psychiatric assessment, or medication management tailored to your needs.
- Afternoon Wrap-Up and Discharge Planning: Review daily progress, safety plans, and expectations for the next session, ensuring continuity of care.
Knowing the daily rhythm helps patients set realistic expectations for focus, energy, and engagement throughout treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions About What is PHP Rehab
Is PHP Rehab the Same as Inpatient Treatment?
No, PHP rehab is not the same as inpatient treatment. In a Partial Hospitalization Program, patients undergo several hours of therapy and medical services each day but return home or to supportive housing in the evenings.
In contrast, inpatient treatment offers 24/7 supervision, residential care, and a fully controlled environment.
While PHP provides many of the same clinical services, such as daily therapy, psychiatric oversight, and medication management, it allows for greater flexibility and independence for individuals who are medically stable.
How Long Do People Stay in a PHP Program?
The length of stay varies based on clinical need, symptom severity, and individual progress. Most patients participate in PHP for 2 to 6 weeks, with some needing a longer stay to achieve stabilization. Treatment teams review progress weekly and adjust schedules as needed.
Many individuals then transition smoothly into Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) or standard outpatient therapy to maintain their progress and continue receiving support.
Does Insurance Cover PHP Rehab?
Yes, most major insurance providers cover PHP rehab because it is seen as a necessary level of addiction and mental health treatment.
Programs like Charles River Recovery accept most commercial plans and offer quick, confidential insurance verification to clarify coverage, co-pays, deductibles, and any out-of-pocket costs.
Typically, insurance covers services such as group therapy, individual therapy, psychiatric care, and medication management provided during PHP.
Can Someone Work or Go to School While in PHP?
It depends on the program’s schedule and the individual’s capacity. PHP generally requires 20 or more hours per week, often organized into 4 to 6 hour blocks during the day.
Due to this commitment, keeping a full-time job or attending school is usually not practical while in PHP. However, the aim of PHP is to help stabilize and improve functionality so patients can safely return to work, school, or family roles.
Many people move into IOP after PHP for more flexibility while continuing to receive structured care.
What Happens After Completing PHP Rehab?
After finishing PHP, individuals typically move to a lower level of care to maintain their progress, most commonly IOP or standard outpatient counseling.
Conclusion
PHP rehab plays a crucial role in the addiction treatment continuum by offering hospital-level intensity without requiring inpatient residence. With daily therapy, psychiatric care, medication management, and structured relapse-prevention work, PHP gives patients the stability and clinical oversight they need to regain control of their lives while remaining grounded in their home environment.
Its flexible design allows individuals to practice recovery skills in real time, strengthen family connections, and gradually rebuild daily functioning.
For many people, PHP is the ideal level of care, whether they are stepping down from residential treatment or stepping up from IOP due to increasing symptoms.
With the right program, supportive clinicians, and a clear plan for continuing care, PHP can be a transformative stage in the recovery journey, offering the structure and clinical depth needed to create lasting, meaningful change.
References
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3406231/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29784237/
- https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/co-occurring-disorders-health-conditions
