Partial Hospitalization Treatment Program: What is it?

Before we explain what a partial hospitalization program entails, it’s essential to understand what an addiction is. Determining what treatment suits your needs best starts with an accurate diagnosis. Our trained specialists will accurately diagnose what you’re going through.

This diagnosis will then serve as a foundation for which the treatment plan is created. Addiction is a disease and must be treated from the inside out. 

What is Addiction?

Addiction is a chronic disease that affects the brain’s reward, motivation, and memory functions. It occurs when an individual becomes dependent on a substance and cannot function normally without it. These substances range from opiates to alcohol to heroin. Each addiction is unique to the individual.

Someone with an addiction will neglect other areas of their life. Instead, they focus on fulfilling their toxic habits. 

Signs of Addiction 

It’s essential to recognize the signs of a substance abuse disorder sooner rather than later. The sooner you can address these symptoms, the sooner you can begin the road to recovery. Addiction doesn’t have to take over your life. There is the potential to live a much more fulfilling, sober life. 

Addiction can typically be spotted by noticing:

• Lack of control, or inability to stay away from toxic habits
• Isolating oneself, like abandoning commitments or ignoring relationships
• Ignoring consequences, such as sharing needles despite health concerns 
• Physical effects, like withdrawal symptoms or needing a higher dosage to chase a high

The degree of intensity for each sign is dependent upon the frequency of use and the addiction itself. A healthy and stable individual can generally identify a harmful habit and get rid of it. This is not the case with someone with an addiction. An addict will always justify their decisions.

Recognizing symptoms is a crucial first step in conquering addiction. Being self-aware may not always be easy, but it can make the difference between life or death. 

Symptoms of Substance Abuse Disorder: A More In-Depth Look 

There’s a variety of warning signs one can look out for. Addiction shows itself differently in each person. However, some common signs show throughout most addicts. 

These signs generally include:

• Ignoring obligations at school, work, or home (e.g. failing classes, missing work, neglecting your children).
• Using drugs under dangerous conditions or taking risks while high. Examples include driving while intoxicated, using dirty needles, or having unprotected sex.
• Legal issues, such as arrests for disorderly conduct, driving under the influence or stealing to support a drug habit.
• Unstable relationships. Addicts often struggle to maintain healthy relationships in their life. This can be detected by noticing fights with your partner or family members, often resulting in the loss of a relationship.
• You’ve developed a drug tolerance. Tolerance occurs when the person no longer responds to the drug in the way that person initially responded. This results in a higher dose needed to achieve the same effect as the first time they used the drug. 
• Loss of control over your drug use. You may find yourself feeling powerless. You promise yourself that the drug user will stop, but you always end up back in the same place where you began. 
• Your life is centered around drug use. You spend a lot of time using and thinking about drugs, figuring out how to get them, or recovering from the drug’s effects.
• You’ve lost interest in things that used to bring you joy, such as hobbies, sports, and socializing, as a result of your drug use.
• Your drug use continues, despite the painful consequences. It’s causing significant problems in your life—blackouts, financial issues, infections, mood swings, depression, paranoia. However, you continue to use the substance. 

What is PHP Treatment for Addiction?

Deciding what type of treatment program to attend can be an overwhelming decision. You may find yourself trying to weigh out all the different options, wondering where you’ll fit in best. The most thought-of rehab program is typically an inpatient program. This is where patients live in residence at a facility for up to 90 days, depending on their situation.

However, this isn’t the right choice for everyone, and certain patients would benefit more from a partial hospitalization treatment program (also known as PHP). PHP rehab is a type of outpatient care where patients stay at the facility daily to receive treatment but then go home at night.

PHP treatment programs are designed for patients whose addiction isn’t completely out of control and perhaps hasn’t been going on for a long time either. Therapies such as group and individual counseling, as well as art and music therapy, are available in these programs. 

Patients can choose to attend intensive outpatient or general outpatient programs after PHP if they desire.

Is a PHP Treatment Program Right for Me?

PHP may be a great fit for you if you need more intensive programming than an outpatient program, but you’re not at the level of requiring a residential program. PHPs are the perfect in-between. Although residential treatment is often ideal for most patients, it’s not always realistic. 

Each patient has a unique set of needs that’s dependent upon their circumstances. PHP treatment is likely a good match if:

• You are struggling with co-occurring disorders 
• Your use drugs on an almost, if not daily basis
• Your living situation is stable, safe, and supportive
• You have obligations you must attend to, such as work, school, or children. 

PHPs are also a common step-down option if you have just completed a residential or inpatient program and are looking to continue treatment.

Struggling with Substance Abuse: Why a PHP Treatment Program is a Great Option 

One of the main reasons people choose partial hospitalization treatment programs is that they don’t have to spend weeks isolated from their families. Instead, they can have that organic support during treatment. Not all addicted patients have the same situations or the same needs, and so not every treatment program is right for all patients. 

PHP is designed for those who want intensive treatment but appreciate more freedom and flexibility. Typically, patients spend several hours on weekdays at the facility participating in a structured schedule that’s personalized to their needs.

Core Benefits of a PHP Treatment Program

Partial hospitalization programs have many benefits. They offer almost identical resources to a residential program. These benefits not only help you in the recovery process but long after as well. These benefits include:

Medical Care

Many people who are dealing with mental health or behavioral health disorders benefit from prescribed medicine. When a PHP patient has been prescribed medication, the individual will meet with a psychiatrist and/or nursing staff members for medication management services. 

Medication may also be prescribed during the detox process. 

Medication will never be used as a solution to addiction or any other mental health concerns. However, it may potentially be used as a supplement to a treatment program.

Group Therapy

Group therapy is a significant part of the treatment. Group therapy provides patients with the opportunity to share their insights, learn from the experiences of others, and give and receive support with fellow peers. Group therapy sessions also provide secure and structured environments in which individuals can practice productive interpersonal communication.

Individual Therapy

One-on-one sessions between patients and counselors provide opportunities for individuals to process emotions during the recovery process. These individual sessions are scheduled based on the patient’s availability. Our treatment programs are tailored to your needs. It’s all about making it work for you. 

Family Counseling

The impact of mental illness, behavioral health disorders, and problems with substance abuse is rarely limited to the afflicted individual. Family members and close friends feel the effects of substance abuse, as well

Family therapy and other family support sessions can help to heal painful wounds and can help family members learn how to provide the most effective support. 

PHP Treatment at 1st Step

1st Step Behavioral Health offers a wealth of mental health and substance abuse treatment resources. Each program at our facility focuses on rebalancing patients’ physical, mental and emotional states through therapies that address all these aspects. 1st Step Behavioral Health is a comprehensive treatment center that works with patients from the very beginning starting with the assessment.

Group and individual therapy are emphasized at 1st Step Behavioral Health, but patients also have the option to explore art and music therapy.

We consider dual diagnosis and family treatment to be amongst our top priorities. Many patients don’t receive adequate addiction treatment when they have co-occurring issues such as PTSD, depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder. 

Call Us Today

We personalize our treatment for each patient. A PHP treatment program offers a variety of resources and benefits. It’s not just about treating the disease. It’s about treating the person as a whole. 

If you’re struggling with addiction, seek help with us today. We’ll help you get the treatment you need. Call 1st Step Behavioral Health at (855) 425-4846 or contact us here for more information about available programs.