Published October 12, 2021 · Reviewed by Sergey Litvinov, MD · ~643 words

At Pines Recovery Life we run a partial hospitalization program for people who are starting out in recovery. If you are wondering what that actually means, our team can walk you through it. Reach us by calling 800.263.3869 or completing our online form.

What is a partial hospitalization program?

A partial hospitalization program, or PHP, uses evidence-based therapies while a doctor monitors you medically. You get the structure of an inpatient program and still sleep at home, which keeps the rest of your life running. Because you do not live at the facility, a PHP costs less than inpatient care, and for some people that is what makes treatment possible at all.

What to expect from a PHP rehab

Partial hospitalization usually runs four to six hours a day. The routine is what does the work. It keeps your attention on recovery, and it pushes your sleep back into shape, which takes the edge off withdrawal.

It is also shorter than residential treatment. In group counseling you talk about your addiction with people in the same position, which changes how you see your own behavior and makes the whole thing less lonely.

Common therapies in a PHP include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which works on negative thought patterns and emotions. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a form of CBT that teaches you to regulate emotions and build coping skills for recovery. Individual counseling deals with why you are here and how you got here. Group counseling puts the same questions in front of people who are going through it too. Art therapy and fitness-based therapies like yoga or horseback riding may also be available.

Are you a candidate for PHP?

It starts with a formal evaluation by a mental health professional, who then recommends the level of care that fits. You might be a good candidate for a PHP if you’re:

• Medically stable
• Supported at home
• Not a risk to harm yourself or others
• Performing well at work or school
• Highly motivated to take part in treatment

A PHP is not the right level of care for everyone. It is usually not a fit for:

• Victims of misuse and trauma
• Individuals who have experienced relapse
• Individuals who have family members with substance use problems
• Anyone who does not have a strong support system outside of treatment

Solidify your recovery with a PHP at Pines Recovery Life

In a partial hospitalization program a licensed mental health professional leads individual, group and family therapy, skill-building work, psychoeducation and regular evaluations.

At Pines Recovery Life the partial hospitalization program takes 25-30 hours a week. It is the highest level of outpatient care there is. Reach us online or at 800.263.3869 to talk about whether this is the right place for you to start.