What is a Partial Hospitalization Program?
A partial hospitalization program, also called PHP or day treatment, is the most intensive level of outpatient care available for adults with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. PHP provides structured, clinically supervised programming during the day. You return home each evening, which distinguishes it from residential treatment where you stay on-site overnight.
PHP sits between residential treatment and IOP in the continuum of care. It carries more clinical hours and structure than IOP, and less restriction than residential. For adults stepping down from inpatient treatment or those who need intensive daily clinical support without overnight care, PHP is the appropriate level.
Who Partial Hospitalization is Right For
PHP at Pathways Recovery is the right level for adults who need intensive daily clinical support but are medically stable and do not require 24-hour residential supervision.
You are a good fit for PHP if:
- You have completed residential treatment and need continued daily structure before stepping down to IOP
- You need more clinical support than IOP provides but your home environment is stable and substance-free
- You have a co-occurring mental health condition, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, or bipolar disorder, that requires daily clinical attention
- You tried IOP and it did not provide enough structure or accountability to maintain sobriety
- You need to avoid inpatient admission and can commit to full-day programming on weekdays
- You are a working professional who can arrange temporary medical leave or reduced hours during the PHP phase of treatment
PHP is not appropriate if you still need medical detox, if your home environment is actively unsafe or substance-saturated, or if your psychiatric condition requires 24-hour monitoring. In those cases, residential treatment is the right starting point.
What partial hospitalization at Pathways Recovery looks like
PHP at Pathways Recovery runs five days a week, six hours per day, at our Roseville facility. You attend daytime programming and return home each evening.
A typical day in PHP includes individual therapy, group therapy sessions, psychoeducation, relapse prevention work, and dual diagnosis clinical support for co-occurring mental health conditions. Programming is delivered by licensed clinical staff on-site in Roseville, CA, serving adults from Sacramento, Folsom, Citrus Heights, Carmichael, Elk Grove, and surrounding communities.
Most people complete PHP in two to four weeks before stepping down to IOP. Length is determined by clinical progress, not a fixed calendar. The team reassesses weekly and transitions you to IOP when your stability, coping skills, and readiness support a reduced schedule.
We're here to help.
Substances We Treat in PHP
PHP at Pathways Recovery treats alcohol, opioid, benzodiazepine, stimulant, and polysubstance use disorders alongside co-occurring mental health conditions. Most people entering PHP have completed medical detox and residential treatment at our Roseville facility or at another program.
We treat:
- Alcohol Use Disorder
- Heroin, Fentanyl, and Opioid Addiction
- Benzodiazepines dependence including Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan, Valium
- Methamphetamine Addiction
- Cocaine Addiction
- Adderall and Prescription Stimulant Misuse
- Methadone Dependence
- Marijuana Use Disorder
- Polysubstance use
If you are stepping down from our residential program, your PHP intake is coordinated before your last day in residential. There is no gap between levels of care.
PHP vs. IOP vs. Residential Treatment
Which level is right for you?
PHP is the highest level of outpatient care. Residential is the highest level of care overall. IOP is the most flexible outpatient option. The table below covers the clinical differences.
Dimension | Residential | PHP | IOP |
|---|---|---|---|
Setting | Live-in facility | Day treatment, return home nightly | Outpatient, return home after sessions |
Hours per week | 24/7 | 30 hours (5 days x 6 hrs) CLIENT FACT | 9 hours (3 sessions x 3 hrs) |
Days per week | 7 | five | 3 |
Best for | Severe dependence, unstable home, prior outpatient failures | Step-down from residential, daily structure needed, stable home | Step-down from PHP, moderate dependence, work or family obligations |
Supervision | Round-the-clock | Daily clinical oversight | Session-based contact only |
Duration | 30 to 90 days | two to four weeks weeks | 8 to 12 weeks |
Insurance | Covered when medically necessary with prior auth | Covered with prior authorization | Covered with prior authorization |
Most people progress through the continuum: residential, then PHP, then IOP. The transition from PHP to IOP happens when your clinical team confirms your stability supports a reduced schedule.
Insurance and Cost
We accept Kaiser Permanente and most major commercial insurance for PHP. Most commercial plans cover partial hospitalization with prior authorization. Continued-stay reviews are based on medical necessity and clinical progress.
To confirm your coverage before admission, call (916) 735-8377 or submit the form at pathwaysrecovery.com/admissions/insurance-coverage/. Insurance verification is free, confidential, and takes about 15 minutes by phone.
If you do not have insurance or your plan does not cover our facility, call our admissions team to discuss self-pay rates and financing options.
What Happens After PHP
Most people who complete PHP at Pathways Recovery step down into IOP on-site, maintaining clinical continuity with the same team and the same facility in Roseville.
IOP at Pathways Recovery runs 3 sessions per week, 3 hours per session, with morning and evening tracks available. The evening track is designed for adults returning to work or managing family responsibilities during IOP. You attend sessions in the evening and maintain your daytime schedule.
The step-down from PHP to IOP is planned during PHP, not at discharge. Your IOP schedule, clinical handoff, and insurance authorization for continued care are confirmed before your last PHP day.
Frequently Asked Questions About PHP
What is the difference between PHP and IOP?
Do I have to live at the facility during PHP?
How long does PHP last?
Do I need to complete residential before PHP?
Does insurance cover PHP?
What time does PHP start and end each day?
Can I work while in PHP?
What happens if I need a higher level of care during PHP?
We're here to help.
If you’re ready for a higher level of support without full-time residential care, our Partial Hospitalization Program can help you move forward with confidence. Reach out today to learn how we can support your recovery journey.