Fifth Step: PHP or IOP

At Willow Springs, the continued care of our clients ensures the best possible addiction recovery outcomes. Understanding what stage you’re in will help you to make the most of your treatment with us.

PHP Vs IOP: What Is The Difference Between The Two?

Our staff is always striving to ensure that you get the best possible care during your stay with us. This includes ensuring that you get to stay as long as you need and that you aren’t being pushed to fast forward your treatment if you’re not ready.

It is important to note, though, that different insurance companies are willing to pay for different levels of treatment depending on many factors. The amount of time you stay in residential treatment, or if you go straight to intensive outpatient from detox, will largely depend on your insurance company and what they feel that you need for an effective recovery.

The best-case scenario when it comes to your treatment is that you will go from detox to residential treatment, to a PHP, where you live off the grounds, but still undergo intensive six-hour days of treatment. In this case, the housing once you enter the PHP stage, is provided by us, at a cost to the client of $75/week. Insurance does not cover this cost, but the advantage is that you’re still engaged in a treatment program with the same team of specialists that you’ve gotten to know, and learning to navigate life outside of rehab.

If, however, you went from detox to an IOP program, once you complete it, it will be time to begin planning for your future and returning home.

What is the Difference Between Residential and Intensive Outpatient Treatment?

Many times, our clients will go from Detox to Residential treatment. For those with severe addictions, this can be an ideal way to remove oneself from triggers and potential temptation because the only time that they will be leaving the facility for the next 30 days or so is with a member of our staff.

This is meant to provide a sense of safety and security while working on building the skills and learning the tools that can be essential in overcoming addictions.

PHP and IOP, on the other hand, offer more flexibility for those who are becoming more secure in their recovery journey. There is still a lot of therapy, both individual and group, being done, and the days are full of learning skills and tools, but those in IOP programs do not live on the grounds, although they do live in housing that we provide, and after 20 days in treatment, can leave Willow Springs Recovery property unattended after their day in treatment ends, as long as they return before curfew. After 30 days in treatment, clients can have their own vehicle.

Keep in mind that these privileges are earned by adhering to all program rules and participating in all required therapies.

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What is PHP?

When our clients go into a PHP program, they are often unsure of what it is. PHP stands for partial hospitalization. It is sometimes also called “day rehab.” During this type of treatment, a client will enjoy many of the benefits of residential treatment programs, but will live off campus.

PHP has been shown to be a highly effective form of treatment, and many do very well with this type of treatment program. Some of the aspects of a PHP program that are similar to a residential treatment program include:

Time – PHP lasts for six hours a day, five days a week.
Intensity – Most PHP programs are just as intense as residential treatment programs. You will still be working on your recovery for most of your day.
Treatment programs – Just as there are many different types of programs for addiction treatment in residential therapy, there are many options for PHP treatment. Clients will continue to undergo individual and group therapy, as well as many additional treatment options.

Partial hospitalization programs are an excellent option for many people, especially if they have completed residential treatment, but continue to need more intense treatment in conjunction with the support that residential treatment programs offer. Additionally, PHP might be a solid option for those that are at risk of relapsing due to withdrawal symptoms.

What is IOP?

For those who have addictions that are not severe, or who do not require a medically supervised detox process, an IOP (intensive outpatient program) might be the best option. During this type of treatment, clients will still spend a lot of time working on their recovery, usually about three hour sessions, five days a week, but will have more flexibility to begin rebuilding their lives.

This is often a time when clients begin to rebuild relationships, establish strong support systems within their regular community, and some even choose to get small jobs or begin volunteering. The treatment is still intensive, and often includes group and individual therapy, as well as other types of treatment to help build a lasting recovery from addiction.

In order to be placed in an IOP program, there will be a clinical assessment to determine how effective an IOP program will be to our clients. It is most often recommended for those that have completed acute withdrawal and no longer need to be monitored all day. It can also be a viable option for those who do not meet the criteria for inpatient addiction treatment, or who only have a mild to moderate addiction.

IOP programs are often preferred by those that want to begin getting their lives back, or have responsibilities such as kids, pets, or jobs to tend to. Ideally, we like for our clients to be living in our housing, but in some cases, living at home can also be an option.While this can be a preferred type of addiction treatment for many, it is not intended for everyone, and clients should be realistic about what they expect regarding the recommended treatment programs.

For example, those who still struggle with cravings and triggers, have a hard time arranging transportation to and from sessions, and those who are still very much in contact with those who encourage substance or alcohol abuse might not do well in a more independently driven intensive outpatient program.

Medical disclaimer:

Sunshine Behavioral Health strives to help people who are facing substance use disorder, addiction, mental health disorders, or a combination of these conditions. It does this by providing compassionate care and evidence-based content that addresses health, treatment, and recovery.

Licensed medical professionals review material we publish on our site. The material is not a substitute for qualified medical diagnoses, treatment, or advice. It should not be used to replace the suggestions of your personal physician or other health care professionals.