Have you been researching a few types of addiction treatment and wondered, “What is day treatment for addiction?” You are in the right place. Day treatment, often called partial hospitalization (PHP), is a structured form of addiction treatment that provides a high level of care while allowing people to return home in the evening. It’s a program that strikes a balance between the intensity of inpatient rehab and the flexibility of outpatient programs.
What Is Day Treatment?
Day treatment is an intensive, therapeutic program designed to help individuals battling addiction while allowing them to maintain some degree of normal life activities. It’s usually a five- to six-hour program that takes place five days a week. Although patients spend most of their waking hours in treatment, they go home at the end of each day, providing a structured blend of professional care and personal autonomy.
In day treatment, clients typically receive:
While it offers more frequent sessions than standard outpatient care, it typically involves fewer hours per day and fewer days per week.
Comprehensive Therapy—both individual and group sessions that dig into the addiction itself, sure, but also the mental health struggles that often come with it. Because it’s never just one thing, right? The addiction and the anxiety, the depression, the trauma—they’re all tangled up together like a ball of yarn, and this therapy starts the slow, loving process of untangling it.
Then, there’s Medical Monitoring—for the people who need it, especially if you’re dealing with withdrawal symptoms or any other health issues. It’s not about being babysat; it’s about knowing someone has your back if things get rough, someone who knows what they’re doing and won’t let you fall apart.
And Skills Development—this is where you get practical tools. Not just ideas but real, tangible ways to handle cravings, manage triggers, and start rebuilding a life that doesn’t feel like a mess. These are the kind of tools that help you feel human again, the ones that help you get up in the morning and believe, maybe for the first time in a long time, that you can live without the weight of addiction on your shoulders.
What is day treatment? Well, it is for people who need more than a weekly therapy session but who don’t need to be locked away in a 24/7 facility. It’s like someone has turned down the dimmer on the chaos of inpatient rehab, just enough to let a little light in so you can breathe and remember who you are.
What Does the Day Treatment Schedule Look Like?
The day starts early, but it’s not about punching a time clock. It’s about diving into the work that’s going to help you heal. You arrive in the morning, and by early afternoon, you’re done. You’re free to head back to the life you’re trying to rebuild—reconnecting with your family, your kids, your friends, or even just yourself.
Here’s a typical day (this may vary, depending on the program):
- 9:00 AM: You get in, and you head into an individual counseling session. This is where it gets real—one-on-one time to peel back the layers of what’s been weighing you down.
- 10:00 AM: Group therapy. This is where you realize you’re not alone in this. Other people get it. They’re in it with you, fighting the same fight, and together, you tackle the hard stuff, like managing triggers or talking about the things you don’t usually say out loud.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. Sounds simple, but it’s supervised, and that helps keep you accountable. It’s also a time to breathe, to connect with others, to realize that even in the middle of all this, you’re still part of the world.
- 1:00 PM: Specialized therapy or psychoeducation. This might be trauma therapy or cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), or maybe a workshop on life skills—something practical and grounded, something you can take with you and use outside these walls.
- 2:30 PM: The day wraps up. You gather your things your thoughts, and you prepare to step back into your life with a little more hope, a little more clarity.
The days are structured, yes, but in a way that doesn’t suffocate you. It’s designed to help you build the skills you need to live in the real world, not just survive treatment.
How Is Day Treatment Different from Other Programs?
It’s in this sweet middle ground. You’ve got Inpatient Rehab, where you stay at the facility full-time, with round-the-clock care. Day treatment isn’t like that—it gives you almost the same level of intensity during the day but sends you home at night, back to your life, your bed, your people.
Then you’ve got Outpatient Treatment, which can be less structured. It’s a couple of hours. Day treatment, though? It is daily support and structure that keeps you grounded but gives you just enough room to breathe.
And Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)? Well, IOP is a step down from day treatment. It’s good, but it’s fewer hours and days, and sometimes you need more than that. Day treatment is for when you need more—a little more intensity, a little more focus, without being locked away.
This level of care is the place where real life and real recovery meet, and if you’re ready to take that on, it can be a pretty transformative experience.
Why Day Treatment Could Be Right for You
Day treatment is best suited for individuals who require a more immersive treatment plan but still need to maintain ties to their daily lives, such as work or family. It’s an excellent choice for those transitioning out of inpatient rehab—offering continued support and guidance without the intensity of 24-hour supervision.
Day treatment is also ideal for individuals who have completed detox but still require daily medical supervision or those who need a strong support system but are not in immediate danger of relapse.
Key Benefits of Day Treatment:
- Intensive care without residential requirements: Full access to therapies, medical professionals, and peer support without the need to stay overnight.
- Daily structure: The routine provides stability and a strong framework for those trying to reestablish a sense of normalcy.
- Flexibility: The evenings and weekends remain free for personal life, allowing the opportunity to apply new skills in real-world settings immediately.
Getting Day Treatment at Covenant Hills Treatment Center
If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction but aren’t sure which treatment option is best, day treatment could offer the perfect balance.
It provides the intensive, hands-on support you need while giving you the flexibility to maintain your daily responsibilities. Reach out to our team today to learn more about whether our day treatment program in Orange County, California, is the right step in your journey to recovery.
Recovery starts with a single step—let us help you take it. Call now: 800-662-2873.
