Addiction is a disease that is very complex and all consuming. It can be difficult for someone living with addiction to recognize the need for and accept treatment. A strong support system and a qualified treatment facility are crucial for a successful recovery and continued sobriety. Our addiction treatment center can be a key partner for you or your loved one on the journey to recovery.
Prior to entering a treatment program, it is important to understand the different levels of substance abuse rehabilitation and what they entail. Not all rehabilitation centers or hospitals are qualified to provide all levels of therapeutic care. It is important to understand what to expect from the level of care that is recommended for the treatment of you or your loved one, and to find a hospital or rehabilitation center that can best provide this care in order to enter and sustain recovery.
What To Expect in a PHP Program
Partial Hospitalization (PHP) is often the halfway point of a person’s addiction treatment. It is the ideal fit for patients whose severity of substance abuse and dependency requires an intensive rehabilitation program, but not around the clock care. This level of care is most often attended by those who have completed residential treatment and require a step-down in treatment prior to re-entering their everyday life. Some patients do enter this level of treatment without first requiring a residential stay. Participants entering into a partial hospitalization program should be completely detoxed and must be stable enough to engage in their therapies. They should also have secure living arrangements for the times in which they are not attending treatment. Most participants in partial hospitalization programs are ready to be released to a less restrictive level of treatment within 6 weeks, often sooner.
An individual who attends a partial hospitalization treatment program will live in a recovery house or at home, but attend a hospital or treatment center for at least 20 hours a week of therapeutic intervention. At some hospitals or treatment centers, the treatment can often be arranged around the schedule of the individual. In these cases, sessions might take place during the evenings or on weekends. This allows participants to be able to maintain working, if appropriate, and continue interactions with their support system of family and friends.
While every individual’s treatment plan will be tailored to their specific needs, the program will typically include individual counseling, group therapies, medication management, and family sessions. The structure of the treatment program and the staffing ratios for this type of treatment program are similar to those offered in inpatient settings. Therefore, patients will be unable to have a cell phone or make contact freely with friends or family while attending their program. However, phone use and social contact are unimpeded when the participant is outside of the treatment facility.
In searching for the treatment center or hospital that is right for you, there are several hallmarks of a true partial hospitalization program. The facility should design treatment around the objectives of supporting the patient in keeping ties with the community, and mirroring real life experiences that the patient will encounter as much as possible. Additionally, treatment should include at least a minimum of 20 hours per week, and should be physician-driven and multidisciplinary as warranted by the patients’ individual needs. The Standards and Guidelines for Partial Hospitalization Programs, recommended by the American Association for Partial Hospitalization, can provide further information to help you assess and identify an appropriate and quality program for you or your loved one.
Addiction treatment is individualized, supportive and compassionate, lead by trained and experienced clinicians. Contact us for more information and take the first step on the path to sobriety and rehabilitation for you or your loved one.