May 9, 2022
PHP treatment is becoming one of the most effective and chosen ways of treating mental disorders.
When people talk about addiction treatment, the most commonplace their minds go to is inpatient or outpatient programs. But because treatment for addiction continues to evolve and develop, there are many options between and beyond those two, one of which is partial hospitalization programs or PHP.
Although not as talked about as the prior two, PHP treatment is becoming one of the most effective and chosen ways of treating mental disorders.
The PHP model of treatment first became popular in the 1990s. The continuously growing research on the topic shows that this mode of treatment can reduce symptoms associated with mental health disorders and addiction.
In PHP, you will get all-day treatments but will not have to live in the facility, not even overnight. This type of treatment is ideal for people who can benefit from highly structured settings but do not need 24/7 care and supervision.
Another way to define PHP is by comparing it to inpatient and outpatient treatment programs. It offers more services than outpatient programs but involves short-term, intensive treatment with less acuity than inpatient ones.
In short, PHP has the structured setting of inpatient treatment and the autonomy of outpatient programs.
PHPs have at least six hours of therapy activity five to seven days a week.
As was previously mentioned, PHP treatment has been found to manage symptoms associated with addiction and mental health disorders effectively. It’s best suited for people who do not require round-the-clock supervision but could benefit from the structured, intensive, and acute aspects.
While PHP addiction treatment can be the start of your recovery process, it’s more often done as a direct segue from inpatient hospitalization. This means that it is a significant phase in establishing and developing healthy sobriety habits.
PHP patients are often physically and psychologically stable enough that they do not need inpatient hospitalization.
There is no list of programs or activities set in stone for PHP. However, components of the treatment often include:
Medical detox is a part of many, if not most, addiction treatment programs. Here, your body will be rid of the substance, like alcohol for PHP alcohol treatment.
Unfortunately, withdrawal symptoms usually follow, which are uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous. That’s why it’s crucial that you are in a safe setting surrounded by medical professionals when detoxing.
As said before, withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous. Other than that, some individuals may have special medical needs and require attention. That’s why there are trained medical professionals in PHP.
When treating addiction or other mental health conditions, medications are usually a significant part of the recovery process. They can manage and control withdrawal symptoms, minimize cravings, and treat co-occurring disorders.
In 2019, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration published an article saying about 9.5 million people in the US have both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder at the same time.
Therefore, being able to screen for, identify, and treat potential co-occurring disorders is essential for a lot of addiction treatment programs.
Therapy and counseling are other important staples in most addiction treatments. In PHP, you’ll participate in both individual and group therapy sessions.
In them, you’ll learn vital skills that can help improve how you feel, think, and act. In the long run, these skills will then enhance your behaviors and coping techniques, as well as communication, relationship, and social skills.
6. Programs for and Training of Life Skills
The main goal of addiction treatment is for you to live a healthy and sober life. However, there will always be a chance for a relapse. In fact, it’s a common part of the recovery process.
But treatment programs will show and teach you how you can prevent this from happening. In PHP, there will be educational programs where you can learn how to identify and recognize your triggers, relapse prevention techniques, and coping mechanisms.
Plus, there’s also education on addiction as a disease and recovery. These can help minimize the risk of relapse and guide you to lead a full and healthy life of sobriety.
7. Holistic Methods
Aside from traditional psychotherapy or “talk therapy,” PHP can aid you with holistic and complementary techniques. These include:
This is arguably the best benefit PHP has. While getting treated, you can still live a life outside because you don't have to live in the treatment center.
You’ll still be able to work, go to school, spend time with family and friends, and do all the things you’re interested in– given that they are healthy.
Since you’re still able to spend time with loved ones, your relationships with them won’t be at risk. More than that, they can actively help you and be a support system.
In PHP drug treatment, for example, relapse will always be a risk. But having a solid support system of people who genuinely care about you, that risk can decrease. If it does happen, they’ll be around to help you through it.
In PHP, you’ll also be able to make new connections with the people you meet while in treatment, such as in group therapy. They’ll be in similar situations as you, meaning they can relate to you. You can learn from each other and help each other, allowing your support system to grow.
While in PHP, you’ll have freedom and still get intensive care, similar to what inpatients receive. Although the length of the programs is significantly shorter in PHP, the treatment is fundamentally the same.
With outpatient programs, you spend less time away from the facility, which means less time away from professional care.
Clients in inpatient programs often need outpatient programs and PHPs to acclimate to everyday living again. Although inpatients benefit from this highly intensive program, it takes you out of regular, daily living.
But with PHP, you don’t entirely lose your everyday functioning. In fact, being able to learn and cope with your daily stressors while seeking treatment can be beneficial to the process.
Although not as big as in outpatient programs, the time commitment for PHPs is still significant. Sessions and activities take up most of the day for most of the week.
In connection to the first drawback, PHP may interfere with your life.
Although you don’t need to spend nights in the facility, the amount of time and effort needed for the program may mean less time doing the things you want or are responsible for, such as work and school.
PHP is ideal for people who don’t need constant care and supervision. But this might not be enough for those with more severe addiction and more serious co-occurring disorders.
For those situations, inpatient treatment may be the best route to take.
A PHP treatment facility is similar to any addiction treatment facility.
Since therapy is a big part of the process, there will be rooms where sessions can be held. Naturally, spaces for group sessions are bigger than that of individual sessions. The latter will most likely take place in the office of the therapist.
Compared to an inpatient facility, PHP centers don’t have rooms for patients to sleep in. But there are spaces where holistic techniques occur, such as yoga and mindful meditation.
You can also expect that most centers have areas specifically for medical attention.
Medical treatment for addiction and other mental health conditions has come a long way. Many of the developments in the area have led us to partial hospitalization programs, a “marriage” between outpatient and inpatient treatment.
As a matter of fact, PHP has become one of the most effective methods of addiction treatment. It gives intensive care yet allows you to live life outside the facility. Upon looking at it deeply, the relationship between the two ideas is reciprocal. Living a normal life while seeking treatment lets you learn from both sides.
One of the best ways to recover from addiction and substance abuse is with PHP treatment. Start your healing and turn to Another Chance Drug & Alcohol Rehab Center of Portland. You can visit us at 12670 NW Barnes Rd Suite 200, Portland, OR 97229. You may also contact us at 971-269-8124.
Disclaimer: This post serves a strictly educational use. It does not reflect the services, products, or therapeutic approaches of this establishment or its healthcare practitioners. This blog aims not to advertise the products, services, or therapeutic approaches of any other establishment that may be associated with this site. On the subject of safe or legal services, products, and appropriate therapies, recommendations ought to be given by a qualified professional on a case-to-case basis.
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