Partial Hospitalization for the Employed

Drug and alcohol addiction can occur virtually anywhere within a society. The homeless, working poor, middle class, and very wealthy can all experience addiction if they engage in substance abuse. In recent years, there has been an alarming trend of patients becoming addicted to opioid drugs prescribed by their doctors. Therefore, it is not uncommon for addicts to raise concerns about balancing their ongoing work schedule and career obligations with participating in a drug or alcohol rehabilitation program. For people who are considering taking the life-changing step of asking for professional help with staying clean and sober, a partial hospitalization treatment program may allow the flexibility to maintain a job that works with the program’s schedule.

What Is Partial Hospitalization?

Also referred to as a day hospital program, a partial hospitalization program offers a very structured approach to drug and alcohol treatment while allowing clients to go home each night. This type of program is slightly less structured than inpatient residential treatment but much more intensive than an outpatient program. During the day, clients in partial hospitalization programs participate in thoroughly-planned therapeutic sessions and treatment activities from early morning to late afternoon or evening. Clients receive one-on-one treatment from clinicians in addition to participating in group therapy sessions, workshops, and other activities to support their long-term recovery. At the end of the day, patients return home, where they are ideally able to relax, have healthy interactions in their homes and communities, and prepare for the next day. Depending on the guideline’s within the client’s personalized treatment plan, he or she may be able to work a job that permits an evening schedule. However, there are some very important considerations people who are seeking treatment should consider prior to deciding to attend a partial hospitalization program while maintaining a job.

Determining Whether Partial Hospitalization Is The Right Option

In some cases, a treatment center’s addiction specialists may not permit a client to participate in a partial hospitalization program, or they may strongly advise against doing so. A patient who continues to reside in his or her home setting should ideally be able to adequately rest in the evening prior to returning to the treatment center for the next full day of rehabilitative activities. Therefore, if the individual’s work schedule would not permit a healthy sleep schedule, the treatment center may recommend a different program structure. The treatment center may also make an alternative recommendation if the individual’s evening work schedule may otherwise trigger substance abuse or be counterproductive to the client’s decision to remain clean and sober. Partial hospitalization is also not an appropriate option for clients who are better suited for inpatient residential treatment because their home setting is not supportive of the client’s recovery needs.

Alternative to Partial Hospitalization

Clients to need to maintain a work schedule while committing to substance abuse rehab may consider an outpatient program. Outpatient treatment is less structured. However, the client is typically required to adhere to a daily schedule of visiting the treatment center to receive therapeutic services. In some cases, clients may only be required to go to the rehab facility for outpatient services only a few times within the week. Treatment can be scheduled around the client’s work schedule. The treatment center may require a daily drug or alcohol test to monitor compliance. Outpatients return home to sleep at night and continue to follow their work and treatment schedule the following day. Addiction specialists do not recommend an outpatient program to clients who have very severe addictions, require more a more intensive or highly-structured treatment plan, or who would benefit the most from completing rehab in isolation from their daily work and home environments.

Contact a Substance Abuse Counselor for More Information

The best way to decide on a substance abuse treatment program is to contact an addiction specialist to learn more about all the program options. Our counselors will work with you to create an individualized plan to help you receive all the encouragement, treatment, and support you need in the way best suits your unique circumstances. Call us today at 844-639-8371 to explore the details of what your path to long-term recovery may look like. We are available to answer all your questions and help you make informed decisions as you take one of the most important first steps of your life.

Scroll to Top