PHP vs IOP vs OP: Comparing Levels of Care in Addiction Treatment

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Medically Verified: April 12, 2024

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PHP vs IOP vs OP: Comparing Levels of Care in Addiction Treatment

PHP vs IOP vs OP: Comparing Levels of Care in Addiction Treatment

Addiction is a chronic and progressive disease that requires ongoing treatment to recover from. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 48.7 million people struggled with addiction in 2022.

The best way to recover from an addiction is to attend a professional drug rehab center. While there are many options to choose from, the two main choices include residential programs and outpatient treatment centers.

Even if you decide that outpatient is the best option for you, there are still different levels of care to consider. 

For example, the types of outpatient programs include partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), and outpatient programs (OPs). Each one offers a different intensity of care and support. Knowing the differences between these programs will give you a better idea of which one is right for you. 

If you suffer from moderate to severe substance use disorder, you might want to attend a PHP. Sometimes, it is in your best interest to complete PHP and then transition into an IOP or OP directly after. Those with mild cases of addiction might find success in using an IOP or OP as a standalone treatment option. 

What is a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)?

Partial hospitalization programs are the most intensive form of outpatient care. While they allow you some time to maintain aspects of your daily life, you usually attend treatment sessions 5 days per week. Each treatment session will last anywhere from 4 to 8 hours depending on your needs and the specifics of the program. 

During PHP, you will have access to the following addiction treatment services:

  • Individual and group therapy sessions
  • Medication management (if needed)
  • Life skills training 
  • Fostering a community of support 
  • Family involvement, such as family therapy sessions 

These programs are basically one step down from inpatient rehab. The main difference is that you live in your own home and do not receive 24/7 supervision from the treatment facility. Additionally, you are usually expected to complete detox before attending a PHP.

What is an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)?

Intensive outpatient programs are one step down from PHPs. They offer many of the same services on a less intensive scale. IOPs tend to offer treatment sessions for 3 to 5 days per week depending on your specific treatment plan. Each treatment session will last between 2 to 5 hours. 

These programs are ideal if you need to work part-time during your addiction recovery journey. Additionally, IOP programs are paired well with inpatient treatment as a step-down program. 

Intensive outpatient treatment offers the following addiction recovery services:

  • Individual and group counseling
  • Medication management 
  • Relapse prevention planning
  • Learning to build and participate in a community and develop a solid support system

There tends to be more of a focus on relapse prevention in intensive outpatient programs, as you will have more free time to engage in your daily life. This means you will be exposed to more triggers, making the development of healthy coping mechanisms that much more important.

What is an Outpatient Program (OP)?

Outpatient programs are the least intensive addiction recovery programs. Typically, they are used after you complete a residential treatment program, PHP, or IOP. However, it is possible to use an outpatient program as a standalone treatment option if you only struggle with mild substance abuse issues. 

Typically, outpatient programs meet 3 days a week for about 3 hours each day. If you need an extremely flexible schedule for your addiction recovery program, OP is the right choice for you. For example, it is possible to attend work or school full-time while attending an outpatient program. 

Outpatient programs offer:

  • Individual therapy and group counseling 
  • Training for essential coping strategies 
  • Building important life skills 
  • Family support and therapy
  • Holistic approaches to addiction recovery 
  • A flexible schedule to accommodate different time commitments 

Deciding What Level of Care You Need

Before you commit to a specific type of program, you want to make sure you are making an informed decision. The level of treatment you choose will affect the amount of recovery services you are provided with. Thankfully, there are ways to determine what your needs are for addiction recovery. 

First, you’ll want to determine how severe your substance use disorder is. If you have been abusing drugs and alcohol for years or have relapsed before, you should pick a program with a higher treatment intensity. Additionally, having co-occurring mental health conditions means you would benefit from more hands-on treatment like a partial hospitalization program. 

Those with moderate substance use disorders might benefit from intensive outpatient programs. Additionally, if you believe having a bit of free time throughout the week would be beneficial to you, IOP might be the right choice. 

If you need a little bit more support than a weekly therapy session but do not have a severe enough issue to require intensive care, you might be perfect for an outpatient program. 

Some people choose to use these programs as a continuum of care. You could attend PHP, transition into IOP, and then complete an outpatient program before tackling sobriety independently. 

Get Connected to a Top-Rated Drug Rehab Center 

If you or a loved one suffers from addiction, it’s time to seek professional help. At The Living Room, we offer both PHP and OP to our clients recovering from substance abuse. Both of these programs include a combination of evidence-based therapies, holistic healing, and community support. 

Contact us today to receive more information about what level of care is right for you.

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