Brooklyn Campus of the VA NY Harbor Healthcare System

A partial hospitalization program (PHP) is a short-term form of intensive rehab, usually for those with acute symptoms that are hard to manage but don’t require 24-hour care. PHPs have structured programming (i.e. individual and/or group therapy), and usually meet 3-5 days a week for around 6 hours (i.e. 9am-3m). Some PHPs are residential (patients sleep on site) and some are not, so patients sleep at home. PHPs can last from 1-6 months, and some offer transportation and meals.

Clients who enroll in an intensive outpatient program (IOP) are typically either in early recovery or are experiencing a crisis that increases their relapse risk. These programs promote clients’ sustained sobriety through robust support, including multiple, extended care sessions per week. Intensive outpatient treatment often encompasses an array of services, including psychotherapy, recovery education, and evidence-based holistic therapies, such as acupuncture and meditation. Many outpatient rehabs also offer medication assisted treatment (MAT).

Outpatient rehabs offer an intermediate level of care for clients who do not require the kind of intensive supervision and support an inpatient program typically provides. Many clients transition into outpatient care immediately after exiting inpatient treatment. Others enter outpatient programs upon completing detox. Some facilities offer ambulatory medical detox for clients who do not require hospitalization. Most outpatient rehabs offer a combination of services, including addiction counseling, life skills training, and medication assisted treatment (MAT).

Completing a drug or alcohol rehab program shouldn't spell the end of substance abuse treatment. Aftercare involves making a sustainable plan for recovery, including ongoing support. This can include sober living arrangements like halfway houses, career counseling, and setting a patient up with community programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA).