How to Choose the Right Outpatient Program? PHP vs. IOP

Two common outpatient treatment programs for substance use and co-occurring mental health concerns are intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs - IOP and PHP, respectively. Both offer structured care while allowing you to live at home and maintain your responsibilities.

While residential or inpatient care may be needed for more severe concerns where stability and safety risks are involved, many find that outpatient programs can offer a solid path to healing and lasting recovery.

A partial hospitalization program (PHP) is the most intensive outpatient treatment option for substance use and co-occurring mental health concerns for those who do not need round-the-clock clinical supervision.

PHP runs for 6 hours per day for 5 days per week, typically Monday to Friday. Once you have completed the scheduled treatment hours, you can return to your home and maintain some of your responsibilities.

An intensive outpatient program (IOP) is a less intensive treatment option than PHP. It provides 9-15 hours of treatment per week, with flexible morning and evening sessions.

IOPs can be standalone treatment options, but also step-down options for those who have completed inpatient or PHP treatment, as you ease back to your daily life.

Both PHPs and IOPs offer:

• Several hours of individual and group therapy
• Medication management (if required)
• Coping strategies
• Relapse prevention
• Other life skills
• Aftercare.

The flexibility that outpatient treatment options offer allows you to maintain your daily responsibilities while receiving care. In fact, it also enables you to practice the tools and skills you learned in recovery in daily life settings so that you can lay the foundation for a healthier way of life.

Here is an overview of the differences between PHP and IOP:

The advantages of PHP and IOP are:

• Intensive structure and care, while also allowing you the flexibility to maintain your daily responsibilities and life.
• You receive a best-of-both-worlds path for your recovery, where you receive a safe, confidential setting for your recovery while also having a foot in the real world.
• You receive therapy and medical monitoring, where licensed and board-certified specialists oversee your care and collaborate with you to create a personalized treatment plan for your recovery.
• PHPs and IOPs are cost-effective, as they do not require hospital stays. Your insurance can also cover a greater number of sessions.

The disadvantages of PHP and IOP are:

• They are less intensive options than residential or inpatient care in that they do not offer round-the-clock supervision.
• There may be a greater risk of relapse, as you will still be going back to your home or other familiar environments where you face your triggers. However, this can be minimized by opting for sober living homes that offer safe, trigger-free settings for your recovery.

The best way to make the right choice between PHP, IOP, or other recovery options is by reaching out to licensed and trained clinicians who conduct clinical assessments or psychiatric evaluations for more complex concerns and recommend the right level of care for you.

However, some things you can consider yourself are:

• Understanding your needs and social systems. Are you able to manage your daily life without needing round-the-clock care? Do your family and loved ones provide a supportive setting where you can heal?
• Create a schedule. See what level of time commitment you can give to your recovery.
• Explore the costs of the program and your insurance coverage.

While your needs and preferences are taken into consideration, the level of care you need is not determined on the basis of your preferences alone. Your safety, stability, symptoms, and other needs are taken into consideration as well.

If you are at a point in your recovery journey where you are just trying to understand what kind of program or level of care can help you, you can reach out to the NuView Treatment Center for a confidential conversation today.

Our licensed and clinical team is always available to answer your questions. We will sit with you to understand your needs and goals, and explain how an outpatient program can fit in with your needs or if you need a higher level of care.

There is no obligation to commit to anything; this is only an information-gathering step that will point you in the right direction so that you can make your decisions regarding your recovery with greater confidence.