Day Treatment in Sacramento

Here at Fair Oaks, we know the importance of choice. We also know that each client who comes to us has a unique situation that cannot be addressed with a cookie-cutter treatment approach. To provide our clients with the option that will best fit their needs, we offer several levels of treatment programming, including our partial hospitalization program. 

What is a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)? 

A PHP (partial hospitalization program), also known as day treatment, is for those individuals whose mental, emotional, and/or addictive disorders do not require twenty-four hour inpatient care. At the same time, they need more intensive care than traditional outpatient programming and are in a position to take a break from full-time work and home responsibilities. PHPs typically require clients to attend five days a week for six or more hours a day.  

How Long is a Typical PHP? 

The treatment process is highly individualized, so the length of time a client will spend in our PHP depends on the severity of their addiction (which substances they used, how much of those substances, the length of time of the addiction, etc.). Clients can stay in a PHP for anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. 

Does a PHP include Detox?

If a person is in active addiction, they will need to rid their body of substances before starting our PHP. A medically supervised detox at our facility will be recommended if the addiction is severe or if the substances involved are alcohol or opioids, both of which can pose life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. 

Our detox program is separate from our PHP. Detox can last anywhere from 3-7 days, perhaps longer, depending on the substances used and the person’s overall health. If medical detox is deemed necessary, you can rest assured that our doctor-supervised team of nurses and therapists will make the experience safe and as comfortable as possible. 

Once a client is discharged from detox, they can begin the partial hospitalization program. Please note that it’s of utmost importance to be honest with our admissions counselors about what you are using and the level of your use. Our goal is to keep you safe and to make sure we offer the most effective treatments. 

What Type of Client is a Good Fit for Partial Hospitalization? 

We generally recommend our PHP to clients who meet the following criteria:

• They have a stable, clean, and sober home environment. Because our PHP is designed to allow clients to return home each night and on the weekends, it’s crucial that the home does not cause undue stress or provide access to substances. Clients will have an extremely difficult time sustaining recovery if they are triggered every time they go home. 
• They have a strong support network of family and friends who are actively committed to helping them recover. 
• Their addiction is not so severe that relapse will be an immediate danger. Clients who have been addicted for a long time and who have tried and failed to quit using substances one or more times generally need our more intensive inpatient/residential treatment option. 
• They are unable to afford residential treatment and/or are unable to take time off from work or childcare responsibilities. In general, a PHP provides most of the essential tools and amenities that an inpatient facility provides, with the benefit of lower cost and going home at night. We encourage clients to check their insurance policy, as most day treatment centers may be covered fully or partially.

What is the Difference between Partial Hospitalization and Residential Treatment? 

The main difference between PHP and residential treatment is time spent on our campus. Our PHP clients are with us for a minimum of six hours per day, five days per week. Our residential clients live on campus 24/7 for a minimum of about 30 days. They do not go home during this time. 

For the most part, our PHP and residential treatment programs offer the same core services: medication management as needed, therapy, psychoeducation, relapse prevention planning, holistic care, and aftercare support. The difference is in the amount of time spent in each activity. Our residential clients spend all day every day following a highly structured schedule of classes, therapy sessions, group meetings, and more. They have more opportunity to take advantage of our holistic and recreational therapy options, such as yoga, meditation, and exercise, and they may be more likely to bond with other residents simply due to the time spent together.  

Because an outpatient partial hospitalization program is less structured and more flexible than inpatient treatment, it appeals to clients who need a high level of care but can’t commit to a traditional residential program due to work, school, or family concerns.   

Adult Partial Hospitalization Program Services

• Individual counseling/ therapy – We utilize a variety of evidence-based therapeutic modalities, with emphasis on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps clients become more aware of their thoughts and feelings and how they influence their behaviors. Over time, clients learn that by monitoring their thoughts, they are able to better manage their emotions and behaviors. 
• Group therapy – The power of group therapy is that it shows clients they are not alone in their struggles. Our therapists work with groups to help clients develop social and communication skills, explore substance use and mental health topics, and create bonds that will last after treatment ends. 
• Creative therapy – Clients use creative outlets like writing, painting, and making collages to help them uncover issues that may feel too vulnerable to articulate in words. Creative therapy gives the client and therapist an inroad to talk about difficult subjects. 
• Family therapy – All of our clients’ families are invited to participate in therapy sessions with the clients. These sessions educate families about addiction, foster healthy communication, and set families on the path to rebuild trust. 
• Drug and addiction education – We educate clients on the nature of addiction, how it affects the body and brain, and the stages of recovery.
• Solution-focused groups – Clients work with each other to devise solutions to the problems they face, based on their individual strengths and goals.
• Relapse prevention planning – Our therapists help clients create a plan to prevent relapses. Plans include developing an awareness of one’s social and environmental triggers and how to avoid them; learning stress management techniques; and compiling a list of resources to turn to for support. 
• Aftercare plans – We help clients connect with local resources in their community to support them in their continued journey toward long-term recovery. We also invite all clients to join Fair Oaks’ alumni group, a free program that helps clients maintain the friendships they formed in treatment.
• Personalized treatment plan – Each client is unique. Treatment approaches that work for some clients do not work as well for others. The treatment plans we create for each client are personalized to their specific situation and goals. 
• Recreational activities – To break up time spent in group and individual therapy sessions, and to help clients process what they’ve learned, we offer recreational activities in our gym and outdoor spaces.