If you are struggling with addiction, you are not alone. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 48.5 million people had a substance use disorder in 2023.[1]
The best way to recover from substance abuse is to attend a professional rehab program. There are multiple levels of care available, with the main options being inpatient and outpatient treatment. If you choose outpatient care, the most intensive form of care is a partial hospitalization program.
Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) allow you to live in the comfort of your own home while you receive intensive addiction care. They require you to attend 3 to 5 treatment sessions per week, where you’ll engage in individual therapy, group therapy, relapse prevention planning, and more. Some of these programs also offer services for co-occurring mental health concerns.
If you are interested in attending PHP, you’ve come to the right place. At PAX Memphis, we can connect you with a reputable partial hospitalization program near you.
What is a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)?
Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) are designed to offer the same services as inpatient treatment centers, but on an outpatient basis. They are available to help people recover from addiction who cannot commit to taking time off work to attend residential treatment.
During a PHP, you will be expected to attend 3 to 5 treatment sessions per week, depending on your needs. These programs offer services like individual counseling, group therapy, and relapse prevention planning. In addition to addiction treatment, some of them offer services to help you overcome co-occurring mental health concerns.
PHPs are considered a higher level of care than intensive outpatient programs. In other words, they are the highest level of outpatient care. If you need intensive addiction treatment but cannot commit to an inpatient treatment center, PHP is right for you.
How Does a Partial Hospitalization Program in Tennessee Work?
Partial hospitalization is ideal for people who suffer from moderate to severe substance use disorders. If you have a supportive environment to live in during treatment, PHP is a great place to start. These programs offer support and guidance during the early recovery stage, helping you by providing evidence-based treatment modalities like individual and family therapy.
During a PHP in Tennessee, you can expect:
The Admissions Process
The first step in a PHP program is the admissions process. You’ll give the treatment team your insurance or payment information, take a drug test, and sign consent forms. Next, you’ll undergo an in-depth assessment to determine your needs and goals for treatment.
During the assessment, medical professionals will ask you questions about your physical and mental health as well as your history of substance abuse. Like traditional outpatient services, you’ll be allowed to return home after this is completed. You’ll also receive a schedule that explains what days and times you should return for treatment sessions.
The assessment allows the treatment team to create individualized treatment plans based on your needs. You’ll also be assigned to a primary therapist that you’ll see in a confidential setting and in a group therapy session a few times per week.
Medical Detox
While inpatient programs usually offer medical detox, some PHPs do as well. They might require you to temporarily remain at the facility while you overcome withdrawal symptoms. However, some PHPs also complete detox in an outpatient setting.
Either way, detox involves medication management to ensure your withdrawal symptoms are controlled. The goal is to keep you safe and comfortable while you overcome the physical aspect of addiction. Because the medications manage symptoms, you won’t deal with intense cravings that cause you to want to return to drug and alcohol abuse.
Evidence-Based Therapies
Once you complete detox, you’ll begin participating in evidence-based care and therapies. This might include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing (MI), and more. You’ll also engage in holistic therapies, like art therapy, experiential activities, or yoga.
The goal of individual and group therapy is to help you learn distress tolerance, understand the root causes of your addiction, and teach you healthy coping mechanisms to replace substance abuse. The exact therapy you engage in is decided on a case-by-case basis, as everyone has different needs.
Mental Health Care
Sometimes, PHP programs include mental health treatment. If you have a co-occurring mental health disorder, this is highly beneficial. You must overcome both addiction and mental health conditions to achieve full recovery.
During mental health treatment, you’ll engage in individual counseling, group counseling, family therapy, and become stabilized on a medication. This helps you overcome addiction, as many people begin abusing drugs to cope with underlying symptoms of a mental health disorder.
Relapse Prevention and Aftercare
Lastly, like inpatient programs, PHPs offer relapse prevention services. You’ll work with a licensed therapist to learn triggers, coping skills, and ways to avoid relapse. You might also create a plan of action to use in case you suffer from a relapse in the future.
A major part of relapse prevention is aftercare. Your PHP might offer the following aftercare services:
- Continued therapy
- Access to medication
- An alumni support group
- Referrals to outpatient or sober living programs
- Recommendations on local support groups like 12-step meetings
- Case management services with social workers like vocational training or life skills building
Start Your Healing Journey Today at PAX Memphis
If you are interested in attending PHP, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’ve completed residential care or want to use PHP as a standalone treatment option, PAX Memphis can connect you with a program that suits your needs.
Contact us today for more information on how we can help you begin the addiction recovery process.