What is an Extended Care or Partial Hospitalization Program?
A Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) is an intensive, structured form of outpatient treatment that provides comprehensive care for individuals struggling with substance abuse and mental health issues.[1] PHPs offer a higher level of care than traditional outpatient services but allow patients to return home or to a supportive living environment each evening.
At Maryland Addiction Recovery Center (MARC), we offer three distinct levels of PHP to meet the diverse needs of our patients:
In this option, patients receive treatment in PHP while living at MARC's fully supportive Community Living campus, focusing on life skills development and community reintegration. They are transported daily to the treatment center for their PHP sessions, ensuring a stable, supportive environment throughout their recovery journey.
In this option, patients may reside at one of MARC's sober living homes, which offer a safe, supportive, and high-accountability sober living environment that supports their ongoing treatment.
This option allows patients to drive from their homes daily to attend the program, and it is most suitable for those with stable living situations and strong support systems.
All PHP treatment options involve 5 days of treatment per week, with sessions lasting 6-8 hours each day. The program includes individual therapy, group counseling, medication management (if needed), family therapy, psychiatry, and various therapeutic activities. PHPs at MARC are designed to provide intensive treatment while allowing patients to practice newly learned skills in real-world settings, facilitating a smoother transition to independent living and long-term recovery.
How (and Why) PHP Works at MARC
PHP works by immersing patients in a structured, therapeutic environment for most of the day. This intensive schedule includes a mix of evidence-based therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and motivational interviewing. Group sessions foster peer support and shared learning, while individual therapy addresses your personal challenges and goals.
The program's effectiveness is enhanced by MARC's dual PHP options. For those needing extra support, the PHP with housing option provides a controlled, substance-free living environment, reducing exposure to triggers and reinforcing recovery principles around the clock. The commuter PHP option allows patients to immediately apply newly learned skills to their home environments, facilitating real-world practice and adjustment.
PHP at MARC is particularly effective because it:
Provides a high level of care without full hospitalization
Offers a gradual transition from inpatient to outpatient care
Allows for family involvement and support
Teaches critical coping and life skills applicable to daily situations
Addresses both substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions simultaneously
By combining intensive treatment with opportunities for real-life application, MARC’s PHP creates a firm foundation for lasting recovery, equipping our patients with the tools and confidence needed to maintain sobriety and improve mental health in the long term.
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The Efficacy of PHP
Research and clinical experience have consistently demonstrated the efficacy of PHPs in providing high-quality care while offering several advantages over traditional residential care or outpatient programs.
One of the key benefits of PHPs is their ability to provide intensive, recovery-oriented care while often avoiding the need for full hospitalization.[2] For many patients who might otherwise require inpatient treatment, PHPs offer a cost-effective alternative that can either prevent hospitalization altogether or significantly reduce the length of inpatient stays. This approach not only reduces healthcare costs but also minimizes disruption to patients’ daily lives.
Studies have also shown that PHPs are particularly effective for high-risk patients with various diagnoses, both addiction and mental health-related.[3] Many of these individuals show significant improvement during PHP treatment, highlighting the program’s ability to address complex, co-occurring conditions effectively.
Additionally, PHPs have demonstrated success in enhancing social role functioning among participants.[4] This improvement is likely due to the program’s structure, which allows patients to maintain contact with their environment rather than being fully removed from it, as in inpatient settings. This ongoing connection with daily life facilitates the application of newly learned skills and supports a smoother transition to independent living.
When considering factors such as symptom severity, cost, and family burden, PHP often emerges as a balanced alternative to both inpatient and traditional outpatient treatments. It provides the intensity of care needed for significant therapeutic progress while allowing patients to remain connected to their support systems and daily responsibilities.
What Our MARC PHP Alumni Are Saying
I am very fortunate and grateful I was able to be a patient at MARC for 9 months. It was a challenging program but it has helped me tremendously find footing in my early recovery. I have had multiple bouts of sobriety in the past but relapsed, I now feel very confident moving forward after experiencing the therapy I received at MARC. I would recommend this treatment facility to anybody who is willing to step outside of their comfort zone or has a window of willingness to change. It’s not an easy program to complete and I was challenged periodically but the professionals that I encountered pushed me to do the work on myself that was necessary. My family is just as grateful and that is a blessing.
MIKE H.
Recovering Patient
Without MARC, I would not have much of a life right now. Yes, this place is an addiction treatment center, and surely does intensive therapy for addiction and mental illness. But the residence/community living treatment program also teaches you invaluable life skills such as cleanliness, organization, work ethic, budgeting, communication, and interpersonal skills. Though some of these times for me were extremely difficult, and I hated being in treatment some of the time, I’m grateful to MARC for giving me a shot at an actual life. They don’t do the work for you, but they push you, and it’s up to you if you use the guidance/push to actually move forward.
THOMAS F.
Recovering Patient
I cannot recommend MARC enough. From the moment I arrived, I knew I was in the right place. The staff is incredibly caring and dedicated to helping patients overcome addiction. The treatment programs are top-notch and tailored to meet each individual's needs. The facility itself is clean, comfortable, and conducive to healing. I am grateful for the time I spent here and will forever be in debt to the staff for saving my life. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, this is the place to go. Five stars!
CASEY
Recovering Patient
Maryland addiction recovery center absolutely saved my life. Multiple times. I have been through several rehab facilities, and MARC was the only treatment center that showed a genuine care for my well-being. They continued to follow up with me afterwards, and 5 years after going through their program, they are still reaching out and extending their hand. I would highly recommend anyone to go through any of their programs.
DAVE D.
Recovering Patient
Marc’s therapeutic approach, mixed with AA/NA fellowships has saved my life ten times over. I came to Marc broken and scared. I had no idea how to live without the use of substances. Marc gives you the resources, and a community of people that show you, you can live a life beyond your wildest dreams. They offer a family program that allows you to improve on family dynamics, individual therapy, group therapy, rides to meetings, and a plethora of other services. It’s also important to note that even after completing Marc they still support me and my family. They genuinely care about their patients and I am forever grateful for the impact Marc continues to have on my life.
AUGUST J.
Recovering Patient
MARC’s Modalities for PHP
Our Partial Hospitalization Programs offer a comprehensive approach to addiction and mental health treatment. We provide two PHP options: one with supportive housing in our sober living facilities and another for patients who commute from home. Regardless of the option chosen, all our PHP patients benefit from a diverse range of evidence-based therapeutic modalities.
These modalities work together to address the complex needs of our patients, supporting their journey to lasting recovery.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps patients identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors. It equips individuals with practical skills to manage cravings, prevent relapse, and improve overall mental health.
This approach uses various art forms as tools for healing and self-expression. It allows patients to explore emotions, reduce stress, and increase self-awareness through creative activities.
Motivational interviewing helps individuals resolve ambivalence about change. It enhances motivation and commitment to recovery by exploring personal goals and values.
This form of treatment provides patients with information about addiction, mental health, and recovery. It empowers individuals with knowledge to better understand their conditions and make informed decisions about their treatment.
This kind of therapy addresses underlying trauma that may contribute to substance use. It helps patients process traumatic experiences and develop healthier coping mechanisms.
This service assists patients in developing job skills, creating resumes, and exploring career options. It supports individuals in building a stable and fulfilling life in recovery.
MARC has three expansive suites on our clinical campus covering over 25,000 square feet, conveniently located just north of Baltimore’s central hub in Towson. In addition to the clinical and administrative suites, we also have our extended care Community Living campus apartment complex, owned, managed, and staffed 24/7 by MARC, as well as men and women's sober living homes.
Your recovery journey is unique to you. MARC believes that effective treatment must be personalized, reflecting your own specific needs, experiences, and life circumstances. Our method for determining the most appropriate level of care is both meticulous and collaborative, working together to make a path that speaks to you.
The process begins with an in-depth assessment of each potential patient. This comprehensive evaluation provides our team with vital information, enabling us to decide on the most suitable level of care with precision. After the initial assessment, we evaluate several crucial factors, including your personal needs, goals, and the recommendations from our diverse team of specialists. This holistic approach ensures that your personal insights and preferences are integral to shaping your treatment.
As addiction treatment progresses, we continually reassess your individualized treatment plan and adjust the level of care as required. When you achieve the goals set out in your treatment plan or demonstrate significant stability, we may suggest transitioning to a less intensive level of care. This gradual shift supports a smoother transition back to everyday life while maintaining the necessary support for lasting sobriety.
Our commitment at MARC is to offer the right level of care precisely when you need it, ensuring that you receive the appropriate support to achieve long-term recovery.
✦ Frequently Asked Questions ✦
About Partial Hospitalization Programs in Baltimore, Maryland
A partial hospitalization program provides a higher level of care than an intensive outpatient program (IOP). PHP typically includes 5 days of treatment per week with 6 to 8 hours of programming each day, while an IOP offers fewer treatment hours and greater flexibility for work, school, and family responsibilities.
Yes. Our Extended Care and PHP services provide dual diagnosis treatment for individuals with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders. As a dually licensed treatment provider, MARC is licensed to treat both addiction and mental health conditions as primary diagnoses, allowing us to provide psychiatric support, medication management, trauma-focused care, and other evidence-based therapies that address both conditions together.
Some individuals may need medical detox before entering PHP, while others may not. If withdrawal symptoms or ongoing substance use create safety concerns, our team may recommend completing medical detox first before transitioning into a structured treatment program.
Medication-assisted treatment may be incorporated into a PHP treatment plan when clinically appropriate. Combined with therapy, psychiatric support, and relapse prevention planning, medication-assisted treatment can help support recovery from opioid addiction and alcohol dependency.
Many insurance plans provide coverage for PHP and extended care, although benefits vary by provider and policy. We can help with insurance verification before admission so you understand your coverage, treatment options, and any potential out-of-pocket costs.
[2] Khawaja, I. S., & Westermeyer, J. J. (2010). Providing Crisis-oriented and Recovery-based Treatment in Partial Hospitalization Programs. Psychiatry (Edgmont (Pa. : Township)), 7(2), 28–31. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2848466/ on July 31, 2024
[4] Schene, A. H., & Gersons, B. P. R. (n.d.). Effectiveness and application of partial hospitalization. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 74(4), 335–340. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3811995/ on July 31, 2024
