When you or a loved one struggles with mental health challenges or substance use, finding the right level of care can feel overwhelming. You may wonder if our day treatment, the partial hospitalization program (PHP) is the right step toward healing. Let’s explore what PHP is, how it works, and why it might be the key to keeping a steady, sustainable pace of sobriety in recovery.
At Miramont Behavioral Health, we structure our PHP as an intensive outpatient service option for families and individuals seeking mental health treatment in Wisconsin. Day treatment can help people who struggle with both primary and secondary psychiatric disorders. But what’s the difference between the two?
A primary psychiatric disorder means mental health symptoms come directly from the mental health issue, not from another medical condition or substance use. For example, if you struggle with schizophrenia as your main issue, you might also deal with alcoholism. But alcoholism happens as a separate, co-occurring condition. That’s why focusing only on treating alcoholism won’t fix your schizophrenia symptoms.
With secondary psychiatric disorders, something like meth addiction can cause psychosis symptoms. The addiction triggers those symptoms, not a separate mental health issue, which makes the psychosis a secondary disorder. In this case, meth addiction is the main problem, and psychosis is the secondary issue. Treating the meth addiction would reduce the psychosis symptoms.
You don’t have to fall neatly into either primary or secondary disorder categories to benefit from PHP. The program supports anyone who needs more support than traditional outpatient therapy but doesn’t necessarily need round-the-clock care.
You can use PHP services in Waukesha five days a week, six hours a day. This schedule lets patients return home each evening to the comfort and privacy of their homes. The balance between treatment and personal time can help your loved one feel less overwhelmed while getting treatment for critical mental health needs.
What’s The Science Behind Outpatient?
While many factors can challenge the effectiveness of outpatient care for any given person, research comparing outpatient and inpatient treatments found that outpatient works. When it comes to peer support and learning coping mechanisms that reduce relapse, outpatient may be the solution you’re seeking.
A Look Into How Outpatient Breaks Social Isolation
Imagine a hypothetical Miramont Behavioral patient named Sarah. Sarah is a 35-year-old personal stylist and single mother of two kids. In balancing work and a family, she battled intense anxiety and alcohol dependence but hesitated to seek help. The thought of leaving her children for inpatient care felt impossible.
After researching her options, she discovered PHP. Sarah spent her days in PHP in group therapy, individual counseling, and educational sessions that taught her how to manage triggers and build resilience without shame.
By dinner time, she was home with her kids, applying what she learned in real-time. Over the course of the program, her anxiety decreased, her relationships improved, and she started to reclaim her life—without pausing it entirely.
The best part about outpatient options like ours is that they can offer the flexibility that worked so well for someone like Sarah. The PHP can also be a more affordable option for some people depending on their insurance or professional situations.
PHP Benefit Takeaways for Mental Health and Substance Use
Enrolling in PHP might give you the chance to empower yourself, practice recovery strategies in the real world, or support in managing addiction cravings while navigating therapy, family, and work commitments. If you’re still unsure about the benefits of outpatient versus inpatient, read over these main PHP benefits:
- Daily structure: PHP gives you consistent support without uprooting your life, helping you create a realistic routine essential for recovery.
- Evidence-based treatments: Programs like PHP use proven methods, including individual therapy and addiction and mental health education.
- Flexibility and accessibility: Unlike inpatient care, PHP structures might also include telehealth options that add another layer of convenience and privacy to your busy life.
- Cost-effective care: PHPs can be more affordable than residential programs, making them a practical choice for many families.
If you’re managing intense emotions, struggling with relapse triggers, or feeling stuck in your recovery journey, PHP could be your bridge to a better tomorrow. It’s a space where you’re supported by experts who understand what you’re going through. Even for those who’ve tried other forms of care, PHP can provide a fresh start—an opportunity to deepen healing and discover lasting change.
Take the First Step To Outpatient Care in Wisconsin
Recovery is possible, and you don’t have to face it alone. Reach out to learn more about how our trauma-informed outpatient programs can help you or your loved one thrive in recovery from addiction or another primary psychiatric disorder. The right support makes all the difference. Contact us to schedule a consultation or to simply ask questions today.