Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) for Addiction

What is a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)?

A partial hospitalization program (PHP)—aka day treatment—is an intensive and highly structured form of outpatient rehab that allows patients to live at home as opposed to within an inpatient treatment center.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), treatment programs featuring daily treatment for 6 hours per day or more constitute PHPs. That said, treatment duration and requirements vary by facility.1

For example, PHPs offered by American Addiction Centers facilities typically involve treatment for 3 to 7 days per week in 6- to 8-hour time blocks.

How PHPs Fit Into the Addiction Treatment Continuum

To understand how a PHP compares to other types of treatment, it helps to look at the levels of care set forth by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). ASAM developed a widely used set of guidelines to determine the placement, transfer, and discharge of people seeking addiction and co-occurring disorder treatment.

PHP care is lower in intensity than inpatient and residential treatment—but higher than:

• Traditional outpatient care
• Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), another structured outpatient treatment option6

This middle-ground intensity typically comes at a somewhat lower cost than inpatient care, while still offering access to clinical therapies and medical oversight. 

When is a PHP Appropriate?

PHPs are often employed following inpatient treatment as a form of continuing care or as a first step in recovery, possibly immediately after detox.

PHPs are appropriate for patients that:6

• Don’t require (or have completed) detox.
• Don’t need 24-hour monitoring to ensure safety and abstinence.
• Have a sober home environment that supports—rather than challenges—their recovery. (When home environments are challenging, sober living or Oxford house environments may serve as alternative living environments during PHP treatment.)
• Can secure reliable transportation to and from treatment.

Usually, PHP patients have either completed or don’t require detox, and they don’t need 24-hour supervision to ensure their safety and foster ongoing sobriety.6  These individuals may still be early in recovery but have reached a point where they can engage in structured treatment during the day while returning home to sleep. Treatment providers might refer someone to a PHP if they’re medically stable, motivated to participate in intensive therapy, and able to manage their own basic daily responsibilities. 

What Services Are Included in a PHP?

Representing the midway point between inpatient and traditional outpatient treatment, PHPs offer many of the same therapeutic interventions found in inpatient treatment.3 These include:4,5

• Medication management.
• Individual and group therapy.
• Family therapy.
• Educational groups.
• Occupational and recreational therapies.

What Is the Difference between PHPs and IOPs?

Both PHPs and IOPs are forms of outpatient care. Note that an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is a structured addiction treatment option that provides ongoing support through regular therapy sessions while allowing individuals to live at home and maintain daily responsibilities. 

Here are some key similarities and differences highlighted in the table below:

What Happens During PHP for Drug or Alcohol Addiction?

Many of the therapies and services provided in inpatient care are also available in partial hospitalization programs. While individual programs vary, typical services provided by PHPs include:1

• Personalized treatment planning and reviews.
• Individual and group counseling and therapy.
• Psychoeducational programming.
• Medication management and pharmacotherapy.
• Case management.
• 24-hour crisis coverage.
• Monitoring for drug and alcohol use.
• Medical treatment as needed.
• Psychiatric exams and psychotherapy.
• Community-based support groups.
• Family involvement and counseling.
• Vocational training and employment services.
• Biopsychosocial screening and assessments.
• Transition management and discharge planning.

Addiction specialists throughout various levels of care use a wide range of behavioral therapies. These typically include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which addresses factors contributing to drug and alcohol misuse and builds relapse-prevention skills by helping patients to learn, identify, and change behaviors.7 

Other therapies, such as motivational interviewing (MI) and contingency management (CM), are particularly helpful early in treatment, as they encourage patients to engage in recovery and build a plan for change.7

Should I Choose PHP Treatment for Drug or Alcohol Addiction?

Effective treatment is customized to the individual needs of each patient. As such, it’s important to work with a healthcare provider or addiction professional to determine whether a PHP is right for you.

Generally speaking, however, PHPs are often employed following inpatient treatment as a form of continuing care or as a first step in recovery, possibly immediately after detox.

Since PHP patients stay in their homes overnight and typically travel to a facility for treatment, some factors may more positively impact the outcomes of PHP treatment than others. PHPs may be well-suited to patients that:⁶

• Don’t require (or have completed) detox.
• Don’t need 24-hour monitoring to ensure safety and abstinence.
• Have a sober home environment that supports—rather than challenges—their recovery. (When home environments are challenging, sober living or Oxford house environments may serve as alternative living environments during PHP treatment.)
• Can secure reliable transportation to and from treatment.

What to Look for in a Partial Hospitalization Program for Drug or Alcohol Addiction

If you’ve determined that a PHP is a viable solution for you or a loved one, it’s important to shop around for a quality rehab facility that offers PHPs. Factors to consider during your search include:

• Location. Since you won’t be living at the facility, it’s important that the PHP you choose is either relatively close to your home or near other suitable housing, such as outpatient living environments, sober living facilities, Oxford houses, etc.
• Facility accreditations. Reputable rehabs are accredited by various organizations, including both state and national certification programs. Look for accreditations and certifications such as:
  • Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)
  • The Joint Commission
  • HIPAA Seal of Compliance
  • National Association for Behavioral Healthcare
  • Better Business Bureau Rankings
• Staff licenses/certifications. High-quality PHPs typically include a mix of specialized professionals as opposed to a couple of generalized individuals that wear multiple hats. Most of these individuals should have state or national licenses such as:
  • LADC (Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor)
  • LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor)
  • CAC (Certified Addictions Counselor)
  • CCDP (Certified Co-occurring Disorders Counselor)
  • NCAC (National Certified Addiction Counselor)
  • MAC (Master Addiction Counselor)
• Reviews. Explore online reviews to see what patients are saying about the facility and the PHP. Also, inquire with the facility to see if it has an alumni program, which can offer valuable support following PHP treatment and throughout recovery.
• Payment options. If you have insurance, determine if the facility offering the PHP is in-network with your provider for the PHP level of care and how much you’ll pay out of pocket for treatment. If you don’t have insurance, ask about other payment options, such as sliding-fee scales, payment plans, and more, as described below.
• Special-population programs. Some PHPs cater to specific populations, such as Veterans, single-parent households, pregnant women, trauma survivors, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and more. Members of these groups may feel more comfortable and supported when surrounded by their peers.
• Therapies. Some people prefer specific therapies over other options. If you have strong preferences, inquire about the therapies available through each program.

How Much Does a PHP for Drug or Alcohol Addiction Cost?

PHPs are a cost-effective treatment option compared to inpatient or residential treatment programs.3 That said, costs vary widely depending on each patient’s needs and factors such as:4

• Individual facility pricing.
• Length of treatment.
• Community versus hospital-based programs.
• Insurance coverage.
• Facility location.
• Payment type (e.g., out of pocket, sliding-fee scale, financing, health insurance, etc.).

If you have insurance, PHP coverage varies by plan. The best way to understand your costs is to verify your benefits with your carrier.  Or, contact American Addiction Centers at (629) 302-1607 to find out what your plan may cover at one of our facilities.

How to Pay For PHP Without Insurance Coverage

For those without insurance, there are other ways to pay for PHP treatment, such as:

• Cash, credit, and loans. Most facilities accept payment in the form of cash or credit. Additionally, many patients secure funding via loans from family, friends, and/or institutions specializing in addiction financing.
• Sliding-fee scales and payment plans. Some PHPs will adjust the cost of treatment for qualified individuals based on their incomes, or they may offer payment plans that allow you to pay for treatment over time.
• Low cost/free rehabs. Various counties and states offer low-cost or free treatment for those with special circumstances or limited income.
• Local, state, or federal funding. Many organizations such as SAMHSA provide grants and scholarships for treatment.

With facilities scattered across the country, American Addiction Centers (AAC) offers a host of PHP payment options.

How to Find a Partial Hospitalization Program Near Me

How to Find a Partial Hospitalization Program Near You

The U.S. is home to more than 1,900 PHPs, including several facilities under the American Addiction Centers umbrella.8 

Contact American Addiction Centers at to find a PHP near you. Our admissions navigators are available 24/7 to answer your confidential treatment questions, verify your insurance, explore payment options, and help you take your first steps toward recovery today.