I’ve been sober for a while now. Technically. I haven’t picked up a drink in over two years.
But last November? I came closer than I ever had.
No one knew. On paper, I was fine. Still employed. Still attending meetings (sort of). Still showing up to Thanksgiving with a pie and a clean shirt.
But I was exhausted. Emotionally fried. Spiritually flat. I couldn’t stop thinking about having a drink—not to party, not to celebrate, but to escape the numbness.
And that scared me.
I wasn’t about to go back to square one. But I could feel the old pattern creeping in. Isolated. Dissociated. Going through the motions, all while fantasizing about relief.
That’s when I reached out to Foundations Group Recovery Center in Upper Arlington. I didn’t need detox. I didn’t need rehab. I needed something in between—something honest, supportive, and strong enough to hold me before I unraveled.
Their Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) did exactly that.
You Can Be Stable and Still Be at Risk
If you’re high-functioning like me, you know what it’s like to mask. You know how to keep the bills paid, the texts answered, the check-ins short. You don’t miss work. You don’t cancel plans. You’ve got just enough energy to keep the people around you from asking too many questions.
But inside, you’re sinking.
For me, the danger wasn’t a binge. It was erosion. Quiet, consistent erosion of my reasons for staying sober. A voice that whispered, “Maybe you were overreacting. Maybe you don’t have to be this rigid anymore.”
That voice shows up more often during the holidays.
Why Thanksgiving Almost Took Me Out
The holidays are brutal for people in recovery—especially the ones who “look like they’ve got it together.”
Because here’s what no one tells you:
- You’re expected to be grateful, even when you’re unraveling
- Family triggers are real and often unspoken
- You’re surrounded by alcohol, social performance, and nostalgia
- It’s easier to lie and say “I’m fine” than to admit you’re slipping
Last Thanksgiving, I sat at a table full of people I loved and felt completely alone. I felt like a ghost of my old self—someone who knew how to smile on cue but couldn’t feel a damn thing.
And the truth is, I wanted to drink more than I wanted to be sober. But I also didn’t want to start over.
That’s what made PHP the perfect fit.
What the Partial Hospitalization Program Gave Me
Foundations Ohio’s PHP wasn’t about treating me like I’d failed. It was about stabilizing before I collapsed.
Here’s what my days looked like:
- 5 days a week of full-day structure
- Therapy that didn’t waste time—real work, real challenges
- Medical and psychiatric support to check in on my mood and sleep
- Group sessions that reminded me I wasn’t the only one slipping quietly
- A place to tell the truth without having to explain everything from scratch
I wasn’t treated like a newbie. I wasn’t asked to “start over.” I was treated like someone who mattered enough to fight for—even at the “maintenance” stage of recovery.
Why PHP Was Better Than Going It Alone
Could I have white-knuckled it through the holidays? Maybe. But I would’ve paid the price.
The holidays are slippery. You don’t always feel the fall until you’re on the ground.
This program gave me traction again. It reminded me that sobriety isn’t just about not using. It’s about being alive—clear, present, capable of connection.
And the longer I was in PHP, the less I felt like I was barely hanging on—and the more I started to feel awake.
If you’re looking for a Partial Hospitalization Program in Columbus, Ohio, I can’t recommend this program enough. You don’t need to be falling apart to need support.
High-Functioning Is Not the Same as Healthy
I wish someone had told me this sooner.
You can keep your job, your relationships, your reputation—and still be in relapse mode. Quiet relapse. Emotional relapse. Soul-level relapse.
That’s where I was. Not drinking, but fantasizing. Not acting out, but checked out.
And it almost cost me everything I worked for.
That’s why I’m writing this. Because if this sounds familiar—if you’re in early warning signs territory—this is your sign. You don’t need to wait to crash.
Foundations’ Partial Hospitalization Program in Franklin County, Ohio sees high-functioning relapse for what it is: dangerous. And they respond with real help, not just empty reassurance.
What I Found at Foundations That Changed Everything
- Honesty without shame
- Accountability without judgment
- Tools I’d forgotten I needed
- Community that didn’t need me to perform
- Time to recalibrate without having to restart
I walked into that program afraid I didn’t “deserve” it—because I hadn’t fallen hard enough.
I walked out of that program knowing I’d stopped something before it swallowed me whole.
FAQs: Partial Hospitalization Program for High-Functioning Adults
Is a PHP only for people in crisis?
No. PHP is ideal for people who need more than outpatient therapy but aren’t in need of inpatient detox or residential care. It’s also perfect for people in emotional or relapse warning zones.
Will people judge me if I’m “too functional” for PHP?
No. In fact, PHP often includes high-functioning professionals, parents, and people like you—who are managing externally but struggling internally. Foundations treats all clients with confidentiality and respect.
Can I work while in PHP?
The program is daytime intensive, so you may need to adjust work hours or take a short leave. However, many employers support mental health-related accommodations—and the short-term disruption can prevent long-term damage.
What happens after PHP?
You’ll work with the team to plan next steps, which may include intensive outpatient care (IOP), continued therapy, or alumni support. Foundations doesn’t drop you—they help you transition with intention.
Is it covered by insurance?
Often, yes. Foundations Group can verify your benefits and walk you through your options. Financial fear shouldn’t stop you from reaching out.
Will I be treated like I “relapsed”?
No. If you haven’t used, you won’t be labeled. If you have, you won’t be shamed. The goal is support—not scolding.
If you’re white-knuckling your way through the holidays, please don’t wait.
Call (888)501-5618 to learn more about our Partial Hospitalization Program services in Upper Arlington, OH.
Because surviving the season isn’t the same as being okay.
And you deserve more than just making it.
