What is a partial hospitalization program?
A partial hospitalization program (PHP) is the most structured outpatient level of care for substance use and co-occurring mental health conditions. You spend most of the day in treatment, most days of the week, and you go home in the evening. It sits between inpatient or residential treatment, where you live on site, and the lighter schedules of IOP and standard outpatient care.
At Skypoint Recovery in Richmond, PHP is often where people start when they need real daily structure but do not need round-the-clock medical care. It is also a common next step for people coming home from a partner inpatient or residential program who are not yet ready to go straight to a few sessions a week.
Your exact schedule and expected length of stay are set at your assessment and reviewed as you progress. Nobody is placed in PHP by default, and nobody stays longer than their clinical needs call for.
What does a typical day in PHP look like?
Every plan is personal, but a PHP day usually combines a few kinds of work, so you learn in more than one way:
- Group therapy: Process groups and skills groups where you practice new ways of coping alongside people who understand what you are going through.
- Individual therapy: One-on-one time with your therapist to work on your own history, triggers, and goals.
- Education and skills workshops: Sessions on relapse prevention, stress management, sleep, and how substance use affects the brain and body.
- Evidence-based approaches: Methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and motivational interviewing, chosen to fit your needs.
- Family involvement: Family therapy or family education, when it is safe and helpful, so the people at home can support the work you are doing.
- Medication support: Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and coordination of other medical needs can be part of your plan when clinically appropriate.
Holistic practices such as mindfulness, yoga, or art may be part of the program as well. Then you go home, practice what you learned, and bring what happened back to the group the next day.
How is PHP different from IOP and inpatient rehab?
The main difference is time and structure. In PHP, treatment fills most of your day, so it usually means stepping away from work or school for a while. An intensive outpatient program (IOP) meets for fewer hours, several days a week, so many people keep working or caring for family while they attend. Standard outpatient care is lighter still, often one or two sessions a week.
Inpatient and residential rehab are different again: you live at the facility, with staff present day and night. Skypoint Recovery does not run an inpatient unit. When that level of care is the right fit, we arrange admission to a partner facility and then welcome you into PHP or IOP when you come home.
Does Medicaid cover PHP in Virginia?
Virginia Medicaid covers addiction treatment services, including partial hospitalization, for members who meet the criteria for that level of care. What you pay, if anything, depends on your plan and on medical necessity, which is documented during your assessment.
Skypoint Recovery accepts Virginia Medicaid and other insurance, and we verify your coverage before you start so there are no surprises later. If you do not have insurance, ask about payment plans. Your consultation is free and confidential.
What happens after PHP?
PHP is designed to be a chapter, not the whole story. As you build stability, your team works with you on a step-down plan, usually to IOP and then to outpatient care, so support tapers gradually instead of stopping all at once.
If home is not a stable or substance-free place right now, ask about sober living or transitional housing while you are in treatment. Case management can also help with practical needs such as work, benefits, and appointments, so the life you return to is ready for you. You never have to face recovery on your own, and your plan reflects that.
Is this the right fit for you?
- People who need daily structure and support but not round-the-clock medical care
- People stepping down from a partner inpatient or residential program
- People whose substance use has not improved with IOP or outpatient care alone
- People managing depression, anxiety, or trauma alongside substance use
- People who have a safe place to sleep each night, or who are arranging recovery housing
Frequently asked questions
Do I stay overnight in PHP?
No. PHP is an outpatient level of care, so you go home each evening. If you need somewhere stable to live during treatment, ask about Skypoint’s sober living and transitional housing options.
Can I keep working while I’m in PHP?
Most people find PHP hard to combine with a full work schedule, because treatment takes up most of the day. Many take a short leave, and federal and state laws may protect your job while you are in treatment. If you cannot step away from work right now, ask whether IOP could meet your needs instead.
How long does PHP last?
There is no set length. Your time in PHP depends on your progress, your clinical needs, and what your insurance authorizes. Your team reviews your plan regularly and moves you to IOP when you are ready.
Does Skypoint accept Medicaid for PHP?
Yes. Skypoint Recovery accepts Virginia Medicaid, and we check your specific plan and benefits before your first day. Coverage depends on your plan and on the level of care your assessment supports.
Can I take medication for opioid or alcohol use disorder during PHP?
Yes, when it is clinically appropriate. Medication-assisted treatment can be part of your PHP plan, and starting or continuing it is a decision you make with the clinical team, not one you have to make alone.