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A partial hospitalization program (PHP) at Simonds Recovery Centers is the most intensive level of outpatient addiction treatment, providing structured daily care while you live at home. Our PHP rehab serves adults stepping down from residential treatment or needing more support than an intensive outpatient program, with therapy, medical oversight, and relapse-prevention support each day.
What a partial hospitalization program is
A partial hospitalization program is a structured, intensive form of outpatient addiction treatment that delivers daily clinical care without an overnight stay. PHP sits between residential treatment and an intensive outpatient program: it provides intensive treatment during the day, comparable to inpatient care, then you return home in the evening. That balance is what makes PHP a strong fit for people who need substantial support but not 24-hour supervision.
PHP treatment combines individual therapy, group therapy, medication management, and relapse prevention into a full daily schedule. The goal is to stabilize recovery with intensive structure, then step down to less intensive care as you progress.
Where PHP fits in the continuum of care
PHP is one step in a continuum that runs from medical detox through PHP, IOP, and outpatient care. Each level is less intensive than the one before, and most people move down the continuum as they stabilize. PHP is the bridge between full-time residential care and the part-time schedule of an intensive outpatient program. The table below shows how the levels compare.
Levels of care at a glance
| Level of care | Intensity | Living situation |
| Medical detox | Highest, 24-hour medical care | Onsite |
| Residential / inpatient | High, 24-hour structured care | Onsite |
| Partial hospitalization (PHP) | Intensive daily treatment | Home at night |
| Intensive outpatient (IOP) | Moderate, part-time | Home |
| Outpatient | Ongoing maintenance | Home |
Most people do not start at the top or move through every level. The right entry point is set by clinical assessment, and PHP is often where someone begins after detox or residential, or steps up to from IOP when they need more support.
Who PHP is for
PHP is the right level of care for adults who need intensive, structured treatment but can safely live at home overnight. It fits people stepping down from residential or inpatient care who still need daily support, and people in an intensive outpatient program who need more structure than IOP provides.
It also suits adults who have a stable, substance-free place to live and want intensive treatment without full residential admission. PHP supports co-occurring mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD alongside addiction, so both are treated together rather than separately.
PHP vs. IOP
The main difference between PHP and IOP is intensity: PHP provides more treatment hours on more days each week, while IOP is part-time and built around work, school, or family responsibilities. PHP is the higher level of care; IOP is the common step down from it. The table below compares the two.
PHP vs. IOP
| Dimension | PHP | IOP |
| Intensity | Most intensive outpatient level | Moderate, part-time |
| Time commitment | Daily, several hours per day | A few days a week, fewer hours |
| Living situation | Home at night | Home, full daily independence |
| Work or school | Generally not during the program | Designed to fit around them |
| Best for | Step-down from residential, or needing more than IOP | Step-down from PHP, or stable with home support |
Many people move from PHP to IOP as they stabilize, keeping the same treatment team while reducing hours. PHP is the right starting point when daily structure is needed; IOP is right when a person can hold more independence.
What treatment includes
PHP treatment at Simonds combines several therapies into a structured daily schedule. Individual therapy addresses the personal drivers of addiction, while group therapy builds peer support and accountability. Medication management is available where appropriate, including medication-assisted treatment, and relapse-prevention work runs throughout.
Evidence-based therapies like CBT and DBT are part of the program, and care is coordinated by one team. Because PHP is intensive, it allows the clinical work to go deeper each day than a part-time schedule allows.
How long PHP lasts
The length of PHP depends on individual progress rather than a fixed schedule. It is generally a stage a person moves through, beginning when intensive daily structure is needed and stepping down to IOP as stability grows. The clinical team reviews progress and adjusts the plan as you move through the continuum.
Insurance and getting started
PHP is part of the treatment we provide, and most major insurance plans cover partial hospitalization for addiction. We work with carriers including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Optum, and Humana, among others, and our admissions team confirms your specific benefits before you start.
Verifying benefits takes a few minutes and carries no obligation. Submit the insurance verification form or call +1 (833) 781-8338.
Medically reviewed by
Chris Small, M.D. Addiction Psychiatrist. Dr. Small is board certified in Psychiatry, Addiction Medicine, and Family Medicine. He earned his medical degree at the University of Hawaii and completed his residency in Psychiatry and Family Medicine at UCSD.
Start treatment with the structure recovery needs
Talk to our admissions team about whether PHP is the right level of care for you. Call +1 (833) 781-8338 or verify your insurance now.
