What to Expect From a Day Treatment Program for Addiction in North Carolina

Medically Verified: 2/1/24

Medical Reviewer

Chief Editor

All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional.

Drug and alcohol abuse and addiction can impact every aspect of your life. Living with an untreated substance use disorder (SUD) can lead to significant harm to your mental and physical health, as well as social, legal, and financial problems that can last for years.

Those living with substance abuse and addiction must find the treatment they need as soon as they recognize a problem. No two people have the same experiences with addiction or recovery, and tailored treatment is essential to success and lifelong change.

To meet people’s different needs, addiction treatment is offered in several levels of care and many settings. It’s crucial to find the course of treatment that will best meet your needs and address the emotional, behavioral, and physical aspects of your addiction.

Day treatment programs–also called partial hospitalization programs (PHPs)–are one level of care in addiction treatment. Day treatment programs in North Carolina provide an intensive level of care and offer high-quality, holistic treatment for people living with substance abuse or addiction.

Understanding what to expect from a day treatment program for addiction can help you prepare for your time in treatment. Contact the Carolina Center for Recovery team to learn about our comprehensive treatment programs or schedule an intake assessment.

What to Expect from a Day Treatment Program for Addiction in North Carolina

Day treatment programs are an outpatient level of treatment that provides intensive care for people living with a substance use disorder. Day treatment programs are also called partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) because they follow a rigorous schedule of treatment activities, therapy, and medical and mental health treatment.

Day treatment programs in North Carolina typically require participants to attend treatment sessions every day of the week for several hours per day. In total, people usually spend between 25 and 40 hours per week engaged in therapeutic activities.

Typical therapeutic activities included in a day treatment plan include:

• Individual counseling and behavioral therapies
• Family therapy, education, and planning sessions
• Medications and med management
• Mental health treatment
• Medical screenings and care
• Drug screenings
• Relapse prevention education
• Coping skills practice
• Aftercare planning

While a day treatment program is an outpatient level of care, many people find that the intensive schedule of therapies prevents them from working, attending school, or caring for family members as usual. However, participating in a day treatment program for addiction allows people to receive intensive, high-quality care while continuing to live at home and remain close to their support network.

Who Can Benefit From a Day Treatment Program for Addiction?

Day treatment programs provide a high level of care, support, and supervision in an outpatient setting. Participants attend treatment sessions on most or all days during the week. It is often an ideal level of care for people who:

• Have completed an inpatient addiction treatment program
• Live in an environment that increases their risk of relapsing
• Need intensive treatment to manage the symptoms of their substance use disorder
• Have recently experienced a relapse and need significant support to get back on track
• Have not been able to maintain sobriety with lower levels of outpatient care
• Require substantial mental health or medical care during substance abuse treatment
• Do not feel confident that they can avoid triggers or prevent relapse without significant support

Day treatment programs in North Carolina require a strong commitment from participants and a reliable form of transportation to and from their daily treatment sessions. It is often an ideal choice for people who need a high level of support during the transition from inpatient care or for those who have co-occurring mental health conditions.

Which Level of Care is Right For Me?

Before starting an addiction treatment program in North Carolina, it’s crucial to find the level of care that will best meet your needs. A doctor or addiction specialist will assess your needs by performing a substance abuse evaluation. This evaluation will help your treatment team recommend the right level of care.

A substance abuse evaluation consists of:

• Questions about your substance use: what substances you used, when you used them, how much you used, etc.
• A family history of substance abuse or addiction
• Questions about your history of substance abuse treatment
• A physical exam
• Lab testing

The information your team gathers will help determine if a day treatment program is right for you.

Many people begin treatment in an inpatient treatment program that includes a medically supported detox program. After stabilization, people may move into an outpatient program, such as a day treatment program.

Your needs will change during treatment as you progress in your recovery or experience setbacks. You may require treatment in several levels of care throughout your recovery journey.

Find a Day Treatment Program for Addiction in North Carolina

If you or someone you love needs treatment to overcome addiction and live the healthy life you deserve, reach out to the Carolina Center for Recovery team now. Our specialists can answer your questions, help you explore our comprehensive treatment programs, or schedule an intake assessment.

Don’t wait for another day to get the help you need. Contact us now to get started toward a healthier, sober future.