Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
Find Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) centers across Canada. Browse verified facilities offering evidence-based Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) programs.
Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP): Intensive Day Treatment
Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP), also called “Day Programs,” are more intensive than IOP but less restrictive than residential treatment. Participants attend a hospital or treatment facility 5-7 hours per day, 5-7 days per week, but return home each evening. PHP is the “bridge” between 24/7 residential care and outpatient therapy—ideal for severe addiction, unstable home environments, or those needing more structure than IOP but ready to practice living at home.
The Sweet Spot of Intensity
PHP offers the intensity of residential treatment (full-day programming, medical supervision, structured meals) with the real-world practice of home-based recovery (managing dinner with family, evening temptations, independent time). You learn recovery while living it.
What a PHP Day Looks Like
Typical PHP schedule (8 AM – 2 PM or 1 PM – 7 PM):
- 8:00-8:30 AM: Check-in & vitals (if needed), medication review
- 8:30-10:00 AM: Group Therapy (1.5 hours)
- 10:00-10:15 AM: Break
- 10:15-11:30 AM: Individual Counseling or Skills Group
- 11:30-12:30 PM: Lunch & Recreation
- 12:30-1:45 PM: Psychoeducation / Educational Session
- 1:45-2:00 PM: Wrap-up & Evening Planning (strategies for triggers at home)
Total: 6 hours/day, 5-7 days/week = 30-42 hours/week structured treatment
Who Benefits from PHP
PHP is ideal for:
- ✅ Severe addiction with strong home support (family committed to recovery, safe environment)
- ✅ Unstable housing but working toward stability; day program + evening shelter/support
- ✅ Step-down from residential – Transitioning from 30+ day inpatient to independence
- ✅ High relapse risk at home – Need daily structure and monitoring
- ✅ Co-occurring mental health requiring psychiatric care and daily medical oversight
- ✅ Can’t take time off work – Some evening PHP options (4 PM – 9 PM)
- ✅ Previous IOP failures – Need more intensity than twice-weekly counseling
PHP vs. IOP vs. Residential: The Spectrum
| Feature | Residential | PHP | IOP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hours/week | 24/7 (168 hours) | 30-42 hours | 9-20 hours |
| Location | Facility (live there) | Facility days, home nights | Facility evenings, home full-time |
| Work/School | Not possible | Evening programs only | Usually possible |
| Medical Supervision | 24/7 nursing | Daily medical staff | Weekly psychiatrist |
| Cost | $10,000-50,000 (private) | $5,000-20,000 | $2,000-10,000 |
The Evening Home Test
Here’s what makes PHP powerful: Every evening, you go home and practice recovery.
- You manage dinner with family (triggers, emotions, relationships)
- You handle cravings without staff immediately present
- You practice the strategies taught that day in real-world situations
- You return the next day and process what happened in group
This feedback loop—practice + group processing + expert guidance—is why PHP is so effective. You’re not learning recovery in isolation; you’re living it daily.
PHP Duration & Progression
Typical PHP progression:
Weeks 1-3: Intensive Stabilization
5-7 days/week, 6 hours/day. Full structure, medical oversight, daily groups and individual therapy.
Weeks 4-6: Consolidation & Skill Building
Reduced to 5 days/week. More advanced skills training. Beginning to plan independent recovery.
Weeks 7-12: Transition & Independence
3-4 days/week. Stepping down intensity. Graduation to IOP or outpatient with solid aftercare plan.
In Canada: Accessing PHP
Availability varies by province and location.
- Public PHP: Available in major cities (Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary). Often free or minimal cost. 6-12 week programs. Wait time: 1-4 weeks typically.
- Private PHP: $5,000-$20,000 for full program. More common than public. Flexible scheduling, faster access (sometimes immediate).
- Hospital-based PHP: Psychiatric hospitals in larger centers offer PHP adjacent to inpatient beds—good for complex dual diagnosis.
Treatment Components in PHP
🧠 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Daily skills applied in evening real-world testing.
💬 Motivational Interviewing
Build intrinsic motivation for sustained recovery.
👥 Group Therapy
Daily groups with 8-15 peers. High accountability.
1️⃣ Individual Counseling
2-3x/week personal work with addiction counselor.
👨⚕️ Psychiatric Services
Daily access to psychiatrist for medication management.
👨👩👧 Family Therapy
Weekly sessions including family members when possible.
PHP Success Rates
PHP has excellent outcomes, especially for people with stable housing:
- • 55-70% sustained recovery at 6-12 months
- • Comparable to residential when home environment is supportive
- • Better relapse prevention than IOP due to daily intensity
Ready for Intensive Day Treatment?
PHP gives you the structure of residential with the real-world practice of living at home. Find the right program for your recovery.
Sources & References
- • SAMHSA: Partial Hospitalization standards and outcomes
- • American Journal of Psychiatry: Day treatment efficacy in addiction medicine
- • Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment: PHP vs. Residential comparison studies
- • ASAM: Criteria for PHP level of care recommendation
- • CAMH: Ontario day program guidelines and outcomes
Medical Review: Michael Leach, CCMA, ISSUP Certified