Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): Intensive Day Treatment for Addiction Recovery
PHP delivers 20+ hours of structured clinical care each week — addiction treatment, psychiatry, and mental health support — while you return home or to sober living each evening. It's a powerful step-down from inpatient and a strong step-up from standard outpatient.
Quick Answer
- Structured Day Treatment
- Return Home Each Evening
- 20+ Hours Weekly Clinical Care
- Addiction & Mental Health Support
- Insurance May Cover Treatment
Last reviewed by the Behavioral Health Content Team · June 2026
Quick Definition
What Is a Partial Hospitalization Program?
A Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) is a highly structured outpatient treatment program that provides intensive addiction and mental health care during the day while allowing clients to return home or sober living each evening.
What Is a Partial Hospitalization Program?
PHP — sometimes called day treatment — is the most intensive form of outpatient care. It delivers clinical services comparable to inpatient rehab during business hours, then allows clients to return home, to family, or to a structured sober-living environment each night.
PHP bridges the gap between residential treatment and intensive outpatient care, providing the structure, accountability, and clinical depth needed for early recovery without removing clients from their lives entirely.
Most PHP programs combine group therapy, individual counseling, psychiatric care, family involvement, and skill-building over a 2–4 week course of treatment.
PHP At A Glance
- 20–40 Hours Weekly
- No Overnight Stay
- Clinical Supervision
- Group Therapy
- Individual Counseling
- Psychiatric Support
- Recovery Planning
Where PHP Fits In The Recovery Journey
How PHP Treatment Works
Every PHP program follows a clinically structured progression — assessment to discharge — designed to stabilize, treat, and prepare clients for long-term recovery.
Assessment
Initial Evaluation
Treatment Plan
Personalized Goals
Group Therapy
Daily Programming
Individual Therapy
Clinical Sessions
Psychiatry
Medication Support
Recovery Planning
Long-Term Success
A Typical Day In PHP
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| Morning | Check-In & Goal Setting |
| Mid-Morning | Group Therapy |
| Late Morning | Psychoeducation |
| Midday | Individual Counseling |
| Lunch | Break |
| Early Afternoon | Skills Development |
| Afternoon | Relapse Prevention |
| End of Day | Recovery Planning |
Most PHP programs provide 5–6 hours of treatment daily, five days per week.
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How PHP Compares
| Feature | PHP | Inpatient |
|---|---|---|
| Overnight Stay | No | Yes |
| Medical Monitoring | Moderate | 24/7 |
| Home Living | Yes | No |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Best For | Stable Clients | High-Risk Clients |
Therapies Used In PHP
CBT
Behavior Change
DBT
Emotion Regulation
Motivational Interviewing
Motivation Building
Trauma Therapy
Trauma Recovery
Family Therapy
Family Healing
Relapse Prevention
Long-Term Recovery
Benefits Of Choosing PHP
PHP offers a powerful balance — intensive clinical care without removing clients from their homes and support systems. It's often the most effective option for clients stepping down from residential treatment, or stepping up from less structured outpatient care.
Clients in PHP gain skills, accountability, and structure while practicing recovery in real-world settings, which strengthens long-term outcomes.
- Intensive Support
- Structured Schedule
- Home Living
- Family Involvement
- Lower Cost Than Inpatient
- Real-World Recovery Practice
- Accountability
- Flexible Transition
Who Is A Good Candidate For PHP?
Completed Detox
Stepping Down From Rehab
Stable Housing
Needs Structured Support
Insurance Coverage For PHP Treatment
Need Help Verifying Insurance?
Confidential verification in minutes. Most PPO plans cover PHP.
Transitioning From PHP To Long-Term Recovery
Medical Review Notice
This page was reviewed by the Behavioral Health Content Team for clinical accuracy. Content is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Read our editorial standards.
PHP Questions Answered
If You Are In Crisis
Call 911 immediately for medical emergencies. For mental health support, call or text 988 — available 24/7.
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