Colorado Drug and Alcohol Partial Hospitalization Programs

A partial hospitalization program is a substance abuse treatment level of care that’s a step above outpatient but a step down from inpatient treatment. The patient sleeps at home in a partial hospitalization program, much like in an outpatient program. But they are there longer, and the schedule is more intensive than outpatient treatment. For example, partial hospitalization programs are scheduled for 5 to 7 days a week, whereas outpatient services are usually only a few days per week.

Partial hospitalization programs are appropriate when the patient doesn’t quite need the level of care provided by an inpatient program but may not find enough support from outpatient care. Partial hospitalization allows access to services that outpatient programs may not offer, such as medical care and detox management. If someone may need these services but doesn’t need 24-hour care to prevent relapse or manage symptoms, they may be a good candidate for partial hospitalization.

After completing partial hospitalization treatment, many patients step down to outpatient care. Often, patients begin treatment at the inpatient level of care and step down to partial hospitalization next, then eventually to outpatient treatment. This progression helps ensure they’re getting support while transitioning to independence in recovery. But in some cases, partial hospitalization may be the only level of care needed.

The questions from Addicted.org’s “Ask a Professional” are answered by Michael Leach, CCMA. If you need further clarification on any of the questions above or have any other questions you can contact him directly at [email protected].