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 suffered from a substance use disorder in 2023.[1]
The best way to recover from addiction is to attend a professional drug and alcohol rehab center. While most people think of inpatient treatment when they imagine rehab, you have other options. If living at a rehab facility during treatment does not work for you, outpatient rehab might be a good choice.
There are several levels of care when it comes to outpatient rehab, including partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), and outpatient programs (OPs). Each one meets for a different number of days per week and provides their benefits. Knowing the differences between these levels of care can help you decide what type of treatment is right for you.
In this article, you will learn:
- What is the difference between PHP and IOP?
- What is the difference between IOP and OP?
- What level of care is right for you?
PHP vs IOP: Understanding the Difference
Partial hospitalization programs (PHP) are the most intensive kind of outpatient program. They usually offer treatment sessions five days a week and include many of the same services as inpatient rehab. During a PHP, you’ll have access to evidence-based therapies, skill-building sessions to prevent relapse, and aftercare services.
PHPs are a higher level of care than intensive outpatient programs (IOPs). While PHP treatment sessions usually last a full day, IOP sessions only last a few hours at a time. Intensive outpatient programs offer the same types of treatment as PHP at a less intensive level of care.
Even though IOP is less rigorous than PHP, it still provides the support and tools you’ll need to recover. They are better suited for individuals who have already completed a higher level of care or who do not struggle with severe addictions or co-occurring disorders that require ongoing treatment.
IOP vs OP: Differences in Program and Treatment Intensity
Intensive outpatient programs are considered one step down from partial hospitalization programs. You’ll attend 3 to 5 sessions per week for a few hours each day. They offer individual therapy, group counseling, relapse prevention planning, and aftercare services.
Outpatient programs (OPs) are a lower level of care than IOP treatment. They usually only meet two to three days per week for a couple of hours each day. Outpatient programs are usually used after completing inpatient rehab, however, you can use them as a standalone treatment option if you only have a mild substance use disorder and a low risk of relapsing.
Even further, outpatient programs are better designed for people who have to work a full-time job while they receive addiction care. The flexibility in scheduling allows people to care for outside responsibilities that they cannot ignore. That said, you’ll need to be highly motivated in your recovery and have a supportive environment to live in at home.
What Level of Care is Right for You?
If you are interested in receiving outpatient services for addiction recovery, you need to figure out what level of care you need.
All three types of outpatient care offer individual therapy, group counseling, and relapse prevention. However, each program differs in treatment intensity, which means you’ll have to evaluate the severity of your substance use disorder and how much one-on-one support and supervision you’ll need.
If you have a severe substance use disorder and/or co-occurring mental health conditions, you should choose a partial hospitalization program. You’ll need to fully immerse yourself in a treatment program, which is possible when you have treatment sessions five days per week.
Those with moderate substance use disorders and/or less severe mental health conditions can be successful with an IOP as a standalone treatment option. You’ll need to have support at home and be highly motivated to recover, however, you will receive the level of care you need to be successful.
Lastly, outpatient programs are right for you if:
- You’ve already completed a higher level of care like inpatient rehab or PHP
- You are living in a sober living home or have a support system at home
- You do not have an extensive history of relapse
- You need to work full-time while you receive addiction care
- You do not have severe co-occurring disorders that require ongoing treatment
- You are highly motivated to recover, and randomized drug and alcohol testing will suffice as a form of accountability to keep you sober in the meantime
Get Connected to an Outpatient Addiction Treatment Center
At Lifetime Recovery Center, we offer a continuum of care. While other treatment centers only offer one type of outpatient program, we have a PHP, IOP, and OP at our facility. You can attend all three of our programs or choose the one that works best for you.
If you are having a hard time deciding what type of outpatient treatment service is right for you, our admissions counselors can complete an in-depth assessment to determine your needs. Additionally, all of our programs include individualized treatment plans to ensure you get the highest level of support possible.
Contact us today to learn more about the differences between PHP, IOP, and OP.
References:
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Highlights for the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health
