What helps one person achieve recovery may not work for another’s individual challenges. Two distinct and effective ways of treating those seeking help with substance abuse, depression and other mental health issues, outside of residential inpatient treatment, are outpatient recovery programs referred to as a PHP Program and an IOP Treatment Program.
As with other chronic illnesses, there are different categories of care and approaches to treating addiction.
Outpatient aftercare programs like PHP and IOP can be just as important to many people as inpatient residential treatment for a variety of reasons.
The IOP medical abbreviation stands for “Intensive Outpatient Program” and PHP treatment is known as a “Partial Hospitalization Program.”
Both programs operate during the day and are designed for those who are not living at the facility for treatment.
These programs are slightly different from full-time residential care where patients stay in the treatment facility for the entire length of the treatment.
While these programs can be done individually, they can also be combined for patients that may want or need to continue to receive treatment and support as they transition back into daily life after full-time residential care.
In either case, PHP and IOP provide patients with options that best reflect the level of care they need to achieve a lasting and productive recovery.
Schedule Breakdown For a PHP Program vs. IOP Treatment
The reasons for attending PHP or IOP will differ for each person, and by the same measure, every treatment facility will offer varying degrees of their program approaches.
Without getting into specific details, since each treatment center has their own schedule and program offerings, below are basic schedules for a typical outpatient recovery program.
IOP – Intensive Outpatient Program
- 3 plus a days a week in treatment
- 3 to 5 hour sessions each day
- Sessions can be either daytime or evening hours
PHP – Partial Hospitalization Program
- 5 days a week in treatment
- 6 to 8 hour sessions each day
- Full-time treatment with the exception of no overnight stays
What is a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)?
As every adult understands, life continues to move forward even in the face of physical or mental health issues that require attention and treatment.
A Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) provides a high level and intensity of care for those who are unable to simply stop taking care of their responsibilities and attend full-time residential care.
A person receiving PHP treatment leaves the outpatient facility at the end of each day’s therapy sessions.
For some patients, that means returning home to be with family. For others in PHP, returning home may be problematic for their recovery and they, instead, are staying in a sober living facility.
Each day’s treatment program will involve 6 to 8 hours of therapy that can include one-on-one counseling, family counseling if appropriate, and group sessions with other patients. In each case, the day’s sessions are tailored to meet the needs of each client.
PHP therapy can be ideal for people who do not require full-time residential treatment, but will benefit for the most important treatment therapies and attention to manage their sobriety.
Another reason for attending PHP therapy is for patients who are leaving full-time residential care to remain proactive in their continued recovery.
It’s important to remember that addiction is a chronic, relapsing disease, much like other illnesses, such as asthma, diabetes and some cancers.
Partial hospitalization programs can be an effective approach to preventing relapse after residential treatment by providing a continuity of care.
When choosing whether or not a PHP is the right fit, the physician and counseling staff will consider a patient’s history, available support system outside of the facility, the environment where they will be living, along with the seriousness of their condition.
What is an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)?
An Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provides even more flexibility for people who need treatment and support, but are unable to leave their work or family obligations for an entire day. In some cases, patients can even attend sessions in the evenings and on the weekends.
Because IOP therapy offers more independence, treatment staff must determine each client’s health and wellbeing before approving them for this level of care.
Patients that tend to thrive in an IOP setting generally have several months of sobriety already and continuing to work on the underlying psychological causes that can drive issues of addiction, depression and other mental health problems.
With 10 to 15 hours a week of therapy, patients in an intensive outpatient program are transitioning back to normal, everyday life and responsibilities while maintaining a firm foundation in recovery.
Like PHP, an IOP treatment program can also be used for those who do not require a full-time inpatient curriculum.
Does IOP or PHP Work For Everybody?
Both intensive outpatient programs and partial hospitalization programs are effective approaches to treating the disease of addiction.
They are especially useful for those leaving full-time residential care that want to continue the work of recovery.
They can even be a more cost-effective option for patients that qualify, but it’s important to note that these types of programs may not be right for those struggling with serious addiction and are at risk of withdrawal from drugs or alcohol.
Detoxing from alcoholism or drug addiction can be serious and, in some cases, life threatening.
Individuals in detox must be medically monitored in a safe, inpatient facility so that they’re symptoms can be managed. Going “cold turkey” and detoxing alone or at home is never recommended, as it can be dangerous.
It’s always recommended to work with a treatment facility to perform an individual assessment and identify the most effective program placement when considering inpatient versus outpatient treatment care.
Iris Healing® IOP and PHP Treatment Programs
As mentioned earlier, each treatment center has their own specific requirements and program specifics for their PHP and IOP outpatient programs.
Unlike many outpatient programs, the Iris Healing® Center Aftercare Program mirrors the Iris Residential Clinical Program, utilizing the same services and therapists to provide a complete continuity of care and treatment for all clients.
We feel this is the most effective way to provide lasting recovery success.
Also unlike other outpatient programs, our IOP is 5 days a week instead of only 3 days. Our weekly schedule includes:
IOP Program for Addiction
The IOP Program is five days a week, Monday through Friday from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm.
If a client can’t make it for the morning session, they can attend the afternoon session from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm.
PHP Program for Addiction
The PHP Program is five days a week, Monday through Friday from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm.
Lunch is provided for all PHP clients.
Call us for more information about IOP or PHP program availability at (844)663-4747.
