How PHP Treats Mental Health and Substance Use Together

Many individuals entering treatment for substance use disorders also struggle with mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, PTSD, or bipolar disorder. These co-occurring conditions often fuel addiction and make recovery more complex. To heal fully, both issues must be treated—together, not separately.

At Foundations Ohio, our Partial Hospitalization Program in Ohio (PHP) offers integrated dual diagnosis treatment that supports mental, emotional, and physical healing. With structured programming, psychiatric care, and therapeutic support, PHP provides a safe and effective environment to address both substance use and mental health.

What Is a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)?

A Partial Hospitalization Program is a comprehensive day treatment model that provides 5–6 hours of structured care daily, five days per week. It is ideal for individuals who are medically stable but still require intensive support.

PHP includes:

  • Individual and group therapy
  • Medication management
  • Psychiatric evaluations
  • Holistic therapy services
  • Case management and life skills training

PHP is often the next step after alcohol and drug detox in Ohio, offering a bridge between inpatient care and more flexible outpatient addiction treatment in Ohio.

Understanding Co-Occurring Disorders in Recovery

Co-occurring disorders, or dual diagnoses, refer to the presence of both a substance use disorder and a mental health condition. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA):

“Roughly 50% of people who experience a mental illness will also experience a substance use disorder at some point in their lives—and vice versa.”

This overlap requires an integrated approach to care, as untreated mental health symptoms can trigger relapse, and substance use can worsen psychiatric symptoms. At Foundations Ohio, we treat the whole person, not just the addiction.

How PHP Provides Integrated Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Unlike standard addiction programs, dual diagnosis PHP is designed to treat both conditions simultaneously through a coordinated treatment plan.

Key features include:

  • Clinical collaboration between addiction specialists, psychiatrists, and therapists
  • Customized treatment plans that address both mental health and addiction needs
  • Crisis stabilization services for clients struggling with severe symptoms
  • Education and coping strategies for managing mental health without substances

Clients work with a multidisciplinary team that understands how mental health and addiction are intertwined and require synchronized care.

The Role of Medical and Psychiatric Support in PHP

At Foundations Ohio, our PHP includes access to licensed medical and psychiatric professionals who oversee:

  • Psychiatric medication management
  • Treatment of anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and more
  • Monitoring of medication side effects and interactions
  • Adjustments to treatment plans based on mental health progress

This is especially important for individuals receiving alcohol addiction treatment in Ohio, as withdrawal symptoms can overlap with or mask psychiatric conditions.

Therapies Used in PHP for Mental Health and Addiction

Our PHP uses a variety of evidence-based therapies that have been proven to treat both substance use and mental health disorders, including:

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Challenges distorted thinking patterns
  • Helps reframe negative beliefs about self-worth, trauma, or relapse

2. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

  • Teaches emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness
  • Especially helpful for mood disorders and trauma recovery

3. Trauma-Informed Therapy

  • Provides safe processing of past traumas that may underlie substance use
  • Helps reduce symptoms of PTSD, hypervigilance, or emotional numbness

4. Motivational Interviewing

  • Strengthens a client’s internal motivation to stay engaged in treatment
  • Useful during moments of resistance or doubt

These therapies are delivered through individual sessions, group therapy, and experiential activities that support holistic recovery.

Why Structure Matters in Treating Co-Occurring Conditions

Recovery is not only about getting clean—it’s about creating a life that supports mental wellness. PHP provides the structure and consistency that many individuals with dual diagnoses need to stay balanced and focused.

Structured treatment offers:

  • A daily schedule that reduces idle time and triggers
  • Opportunities to practice healthy coping skills in a controlled environment
  • Repetition of therapy concepts that reinforce recovery habits
  • Stability during emotional highs and lows

This routine is especially beneficial for those with bipolar disorder, trauma history, or impulsivity linked to substance use.

The Power of Group Support in Dual Diagnosis Recovery

Group therapy is a cornerstone of PHP and offers more than just shared stories—it creates a therapeutic community of accountability and understanding.

Benefits include:

  • Validation from peers who understand your struggles
  • Shared learning through collective wisdom and feedback
  • Connection that reduces isolation and loneliness
  • Accountability that encourages commitment to sobriety

Peer support plays a powerful role in maintaining motivation and fostering a sense of belonging, both of which are vital in treating co-occurring conditions.

Holistic Therapies that Heal Mind and Body

Mental health and addiction both affect the body as much as the mind. That’s why Foundations Ohio integrates holistic addiction treatment programs in Ohio into every PHP schedule.

Our holistic therapies include:

  • Yoga and movement therapy to release trauma and improve focus
  • Mindfulness and meditation to calm anxiety and promote presence
  • Art and music therapy to explore emotions creatively
  • Nutritional counseling to support brain health and recovery

These services help regulate mood, reduce stress, and enhance mind-body awareness—critical for long-term stability.

PHP vs. IOP: Choosing the Right Level of Care for Dual Diagnosis

While both Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) are outpatient options, they offer different levels of intensity.

Feature PHP IOP
Clinical hours 25–30 hours/week 9–15 hours/week
Ideal for Moderate to severe co-occurring disorders Mild to moderate symptoms
Medical oversight Daily psychiatric support Weekly or bi-weekly
Flexibility Lower (full-day) Higher (evening options)

PHP is typically the best fit immediately after alcohol and drug detox in Ohio or when symptoms of mental illness are destabilizing daily function.

Addressing Trauma in Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Trauma is one of the most common underlying factors in both mental health disorders and substance use. Whether it stems from childhood abuse, neglect, violence, or unresolved emotional pain, untreated trauma can fuel addiction and worsen psychiatric symptoms.

At Foundations Ohio, our Partial Hospitalization Program in Ohio offers trauma-informed care that gently addresses the root causes of distress without re-traumatization.

How PHP addresses trauma:

  • Trauma-informed therapy models such as EMDR, DBT, and somatic experiencing

  • A safe, supportive environment where clients feel empowered to share and heal

  • Therapists trained in recognizing trauma responses and dissociation

  • Gradual processing of traumatic memories with professional guidance

By integrating trauma therapy into PHP, clients can begin to release emotional burdens that once led to substance use—supporting deeper, lasting recovery.

How PHP Treats Mental Health and Addiction Together

Building Emotional Resilience Through PHP

Emotional resilience—the ability to manage stress, adapt to change, and recover from setbacks—is essential for individuals with co-occurring disorders. Without it, the ups and downs of life can become overwhelming, triggering relapse or emotional instability.

PHP helps clients build and strengthen resilience by providing them with daily opportunities to learn, apply, and master emotional regulation strategies in a real-time, supportive setting.

Skills developed in PHP include:

  • Recognizing and responding to emotional triggers

  • Managing distress without resorting to substances

  • Practicing healthy communication and boundary-setting

  • Developing mindfulness and self-compassion

Through repetition, routine, and real-life application, clients develop the tools they need to face challenges with confidence—and sustain recovery long after treatment ends.

Transitioning from Detox to Dual Diagnosis PHP

Many clients enter our dual diagnosis PHP after completing medical detox. This transition is seamless and intentional, helping prevent early relapse or emotional regression.

We ensure:

  • A personalized care plan that begins immediately after detox
  • Coordination of medical records, medications, and mental health history
  • Immediate access to therapy and psychiatric care

This continuity is crucial in the vulnerable early stages of recovery when both mental health and addiction symptoms may fluctuate.

Preparing Clients for Long-Term Stability and Outpatient Care

Our PHP not only helps clients stabilize—it prepares them for the future. As clients progress, we gradually help them transition to lower levels of care, such as:

  • Intensive Outpatient Programs in Ohio
  • Outpatient addiction treatment in Ohio
  • Community-based peer support and therapy
  • Vocational training and life planning

This step-down approach ensures that recovery becomes a sustainable lifestyle, not just a temporary intervention.

Why Choose Foundations Ohio for Dual Diagnosis PHP?

Foundations Ohio is more than an addiction treatment center in Ohio—we are a partner in long-term healing. Our dual diagnosis PHP is rooted in:

  • Integrated psychiatric and substance use care
  • Licensed professionals with expertise in co-occurring disorders
  • A supportive, structured daily schedule
  • Access to holistic therapies and long-term planning
  • Personalized support every step of the way

Whether you’re transitioning from detox or struggling to manage mental health and substance use, we’re here to help you build a foundation that lasts.

Conclusion

True recovery isn’t just about quitting drugs or alcohol—it’s about building mental, emotional, and physical wellness. Through structured care, compassionate support, and evidence-based treatment, a Partial Hospitalization Program in Ohio helps you reclaim your life.

If you or a loved one is facing both mental health and addiction challenges, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Call Foundations Ohio today at 888.501.5618 to learn how our dual diagnosis PHP can help you heal fully—and thrive.

FAQs About Dual Diagnosis PHP Treatment

What is a dual diagnosis?

A dual diagnosis refers to having both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder at the same time.

How long do most people stay in PHP?

Most clients stay 2 to 4 weeks, depending on progress and clinical needs.

Is PHP covered by insurance?

Yes. Most major insurers cover PHP. Our team can help verify benefits.

Can I join PHP if I didn’t go through detox?

Yes, if you are medically stable. However, we can help arrange alcohol and drug detox in Ohio if needed.

What happens after PHP?

You’ll typically step down into IOP or outpatient care, with continued support and resources for long-term recovery.