If you’re exploring addiction treatment options in Delaware, you may have encountered the terms “IOP” and “PHP.” Both are intensive programs that provide structured support, but they differ significantly in time commitment, clinical intensity, and who they’re designed to help.
This guide explains what intensive outpatient programs (IOP) and partial hospitalization programs (PHP) are, how they compare, and how clinicians at CORAS Wellness determine which level of care is appropriate for your situation.
What Is an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)?
An intensive outpatient program provides structured addiction treatment without requiring you to live in a facility. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), IOP provides a minimum of 9 hours of treatment per week.
At CORAS Wellness in Delaware, IOP includes:
- Group therapy three days per week: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. That’s nine hours per week of structured programming.
- Evidence-based curriculum: We use the Matrix Model, a research-based approach developed by SAMHSA specifically for intensive outpatient treatment. Every session focuses on practical recovery skills like managing triggers, understanding cravings, and building healthy relationships.
- Individual counseling: You continue meeting with your assigned counselor one-on-one to process what’s coming up in group and work on personal goals.
- Weekly drug testing: Mandatory urine screens help monitor progress and identify if additional support is needed.
- Hot meals provided: We order lunch for every group session.
- 12-week program: Most clients complete IOP in about three months, then step down to regular outpatient counseling for ongoing support.
Many of our IOP clients also participate in medication-assisted treatment (MAT), such as methadone or Suboxone. Dosing happens after group sessions end at noon, making it easy to coordinate your treatment schedule.
What Is a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)?
Partial hospitalization sits between IOP and residential treatment. It’s the most intensive level of outpatient care available.
According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), PHP provides treatment for a minimum of 20 hours per week, delivered five or more days per week.
At CORAS, PHP typically includes:
- Five days per week: Monday through Friday attendance, compared to IOP’s three days.
- Full programming days: Several hours per day of structured treatment, significantly more intensive than IOP’s three-hour sessions.
- Comprehensive clinical services: Group therapy, individual counseling, psychiatric support, medication management, and case management all integrated into daily programming.
- Higher level of monitoring: More frequent check-ins, closer clinical oversight, and more intensive psychiatric support than IOP.
- More frequent drug testing: Multiple times per week to provide closer monitoring of progress.
- Medication management: If you have co-occurring mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder, our psychiatric providers work with you more intensively than in IOP.
PHP provides the structure and clinical intensity of residential treatment while allowing you to sleep at home and maintain some connection to your daily life.
Learn more about PHP and IOP programs at CORAS.
Side-by-Side Comparison: IOP vs. PHP
| Feature | IOP | PHP | Outpatient (for reference) |
| Time Commitment | 9 hours/week (3 mornings) | 20-30 hours/week (5 full days) | 1-2 hours/week (bi-weekly or monthly) |
| Days Per Week | 3 days (Mon/Wed/Fri) | 5 days (Mon-Fri) | Flexible (every 2-4 weeks) |
| Hours Per Day | 3 hours (9am-12pm) | 4-6 hours per day | 45-60 minutes per session |
| Structure | Highly structured group curriculum with individual counseling | Very structured daily programming with multiple therapeutic components | Flexible individual sessions based on your needs |
| Clinical Intensity | Moderate – structured support 3x/week | High – daily clinical contact and monitoring | Low – periodic check-ins |
| Group vs. Individual | Group therapy is core, plus individual sessions | Both group and individual therapy daily | Primarily individual counseling |
| Drug Testing | Weekly | Multiple times per week | As needed |
| Mental Health Support | Standard psychiatric care as needed | Intensive daily psychiatric support | Basic psychiatric appointments |
| Length of Program | 12 weeks standard | Varies (typically several weeks to months) | Ongoing (months to years) |
| Work Compatibility | Yes – mornings only | Difficult – requires full weekdays | Yes – very flexible |
| Insurance/Payment | Medicaid, Medicare, commercial, DSAMH | Medicaid, Medicare, commercial, DSAMH | Medicaid, Medicare, commercial, DSAMH |
| Best For | Need structure 3x/week, can manage days between sessions | Need daily clinical support, co-occurring conditions requiring close monitoring | Stable, completed higher level of care, maintenance support |
Understanding the Difference in Clinical Intensity
The key difference between IOP and PHP is the level of daily clinical support and monitoring you receive.
IOP provides structure three times per week. You attend Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. On Tuesday, Thursday, and weekends, you’re managing your recovery independently. IOP teaches you skills and sends you back into your life to practice using them.
PHP provides structure five days per week. You’re at the clinic Monday through Friday for most of the day. You have daily contact with clinicians, immediate access to psychiatric providers, and more intensive monitoring. PHP walks alongside you every day while you’re learning and practicing recovery skills.
According to SAMHSA, the difference in intensity also relates to medical necessity. PHP is designed for individuals who require more intensive services than IOP but don’t need 24-hour residential care.
Common Situations Where IOP or PHP May Be Recommended
At CORAS, our clinical team determines the appropriate level of care based on a comprehensive assessment during your intake. Here are some common situations where IOP or PHP may be recommended:
When IOP May Be Appropriate
- You’re struggling with drug or alcohol addiction and need more structure than weekly outpatient counseling provides
- You’ve completed residential treatment or PHP and are stable enough to step down but still need structured support
- Your probation officer requires completion of a structured treatment program like DUI programs
- You’re in regular outpatient counseling but need increased accountability and community support
- You have stable housing and can manage your recovery between Monday, Wednesday, and Friday sessions
- You can maintain work, school, or caregiving responsibilities while attending morning sessions
When PHP May Be Appropriate
- You need more intensive support than IOP but don’t require 24-hour residential care
- You have co-occurring mental health conditions (depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD) that require daily psychiatric monitoring
- You’re stepping down from residential treatment and need continued daily structure during the transition
- You’re at higher risk and need more frequent clinical monitoring and support
- You’ve participated in IOP but need increased intensity of care
- You have stable housing but benefit from daily therapeutic programming
- Your substance use or mental health symptoms are severe enough that weekly or three-times-weekly programming isn’t sufficient
How CORAS Determines Your Level of Care
When you come in for intake, our clinical team conducts a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment. We don’t simply place you in a program based on your request. Instead, we evaluate multiple factors to determine what level of care will best support your recovery.
What We Assess During Intake
- Substance use history: What substances you’re using, how much, how often, and for how long. Are you experiencing withdrawal symptoms? Have you tried to quit before?
- Mental health: Do you have co-occurring conditions like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or PTSD? Are you currently experiencing symptoms that require daily monitoring?
- Physical health: Are there medical conditions that need to be considered? Do you need medication management?
- Housing stability: Do you have safe, stable housing? Is your living environment supportive of recovery?
- Support system: Do you have family or friends who understand what you’re going through? Are you living with people who are actively using substances?
- Legal involvement: Are you on probation? Do you have pending legal matters? Are there child welfare concerns?
- Employment and responsibilities: Do you work? Go to school? Provide caregiving? What schedule can you realistically maintain?
- Previous treatment: Have you been in treatment before? What worked? What didn’t work? What happened after you left treatment?
- Risk factors: Are you experiencing suicidal thoughts? Are you at risk of harm to yourself or others? How severe are your symptoms?
Based on this comprehensive assessment, our clinical team recommends either IOP, PHP, residential treatment, or regular outpatient counseling.
The Assessment Drives Your Treatment Plan
The biopsychosocial assessment determines your individualized treatment plan. We call them recovery plans at CORAS. It outlines what services you need, what referrals might benefit you, and what your goals are.
Sometimes people come in requesting IOP and we recommend PHP because the assessment shows they need daily clinical support. Sometimes people come in thinking they need PHP and we determine IOP is appropriate because they’re more stable than they realized.
Our recommendation is based on clinical judgment informed by the assessment, not on what program is available or convenient. The goal is to match you with the level of care that gives you the best chance at successful recovery.
What If the Level of Care Needs to Change?
Treatment isn’t static. Your needs may change as you progress through recovery or encounter new challenges.
Stepping Up to a Higher Level of Care
If you’re in IOP and our clinical team observes that you’re continuing to use substances frequently, struggling significantly between sessions, or experiencing worsening mental health symptoms, we may recommend stepping up to PHP.
This isn’t a failure. It’s an adjustment. It means you need more daily structure and clinical support right now. Many people start in IOP, step up to PHP when they need it, then step back down to IOP once they’ve stabilized.
Stepping Down to a Lower Level of Care
If you’re in PHP and you’re making strong progress, we may recommend stepping down to IOP. You’ve benefited from the intensive daily programming, and now you’re ready for three days a week with more independence.
Similarly, when you complete IOP, most clients step down to regular outpatient counseling for continued maintenance support.
Adjusting Within Your Current Level
Sometimes the program structure itself isn’t the issue, but other aspects of treatment need adjustment. Maybe you need more frequent individual counseling. Maybe your psychiatric medication needs to be changed. Maybe you need different community referrals or resources.
We continually monitor your progress throughout treatment. If something isn’t working, we address it. Our goal is to provide the right support at the right time.
The Role of Medication-Assisted Treatment in IOP and PHP
Many clients at CORAS participate in medication-assisted treatment regardless of whether they’re in IOP or PHP.
MAT involves medications like methadone, Suboxone, or Vivitrol combined with counseling and therapy. It’s the gold standard for treating opioid use disorder according to SAMHSA.
In IOP: Your medication dosing is coordinated with your group therapy schedule. IOP clients dose after group sessions end at noon on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. You pick up your medication on the other days of the week. Learn more about what to expect at a methadone clinic.
In PHP: Because you’re at the clinic five days a week, coordinating MAT dosing is simpler. You dose daily as part of your treatment routine.
The medication manages withdrawal and cravings while the group therapy addresses the behavioral and social aspects of addiction. They work together. As you progress in treatment, you may also qualify for methadone take-home privileges, reducing the frequency of clinic visits.
Common Questions About IOP and PHP
Can I work during IOP or PHP?
IOP: Yes. Many of our IOP clients maintain employment. Group sessions are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings from 9 to 12. If you work afternoons, evenings, or weekends, IOP can fit into your schedule.
PHP: It’s more challenging. PHP requires attendance five days a week for several hours per day. Some people take medical leave. Others work evening or weekend shifts only. It depends on your specific employment situation and your employer’s flexibility.
What happens if I continue using substances during treatment?
You will not be discharged from IOP or PHP for using substances during treatment. Addiction is a chronic condition, and continued use during treatment tells us we may need to adjust your treatment plan.
We might:
Increase the frequency of your individual counseling sessions
Reassess whether you need to step up to a higher level of care
Adjust your recovery plan to address what’s not working
Connect you with additional resources or support services
Work with your MAT provider to adjust your medication if applicable
The goal is to help you succeed, not to punish setbacks. Honesty about substance use allows us to provide appropriate support.
How long will I be in IOP or PHP?
IOP: 12 weeks is standard. After completing IOP, most clients step down to regular outpatient counseling for continued support.
PHP: Varies based on individual needs and progress. Some people participate in PHP for a few weeks before stepping down to IOP. Others need several months. There’s no predetermined timeline.
The length of treatment depends on your progress, stability, and readiness to transition to a lower level of care.
Do I need a referral to start treatment at CORAS?
No. You can walk into any of our Delaware locations Monday through Friday before 10:00 a.m. for intake:
Dover
Newark
Harrington
Millsboro
You can also call our intake hotline at 833-886-2277 to schedule an appointment.
No referral needed. Just show up or call, and our team will help you figure out the next steps.
What if I don’t have insurance?
CORAS accepts Delaware Medicaid, Medicare, and most commercial insurance. For uninsured Delaware residents, DSAMH (Delaware’s Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health) grant funding is available. Both IOP and PHP are covered at no cost to you.
With DSAMH funding, there’s no authorization required. You can start immediately. With insurance, authorization typically takes about a week.
Lack of insurance should never be a barrier to getting help.
What Progress Looks Like in IOP and PHP
Success doesn’t look the same for everyone. For some people, it’s complete abstinence. For others, it’s reducing substance use significantly. For others, it’s staying stable on MAT while rebuilding their life.
Here’s what progress often looks like:
In IOP:
- Attending all three sessions per week consistently
- Participating in group discussions when you’re ready
- Completing worksheets and skill-building activities
- Building relationships with other group members
- Applying recovery skills between Monday, Wednesday, and Friday sessions
- Reducing substance use or maintaining abstinence
- Improving relationships with family and rebuilding support systems
- Successfully stepping down to outpatient counseling after 12 weeks
In PHP:
- Daily attendance and engagement in programming
- Working with psychiatric providers on medication management for co-occurring mental health conditions
- Developing crisis coping skills that you can use when you leave each day
- Building daily structure and routine that carries into evenings and weekends
- Reducing substance use or achieving abstinence
- Demonstrating stability that allows for stepping down to IOP when ready
At CORAS, we don’t measure success by perfection. We measure it by effort, progress, and willingness to keep trying.
If You’re Ready to Explore Treatment Options
If you’re reading this and think you might benefit from IOP or PHP, here’s what to do:
Come in for an intake. Our clinical team will conduct a comprehensive assessment and recommend the level of care that best fits your situation.
You don’t have to know whether you need IOP or PHP before you arrive. That’s what the assessment is for. Our job is to evaluate your unique circumstances and match you with appropriate care.
How to Get Started
Walk in Monday-Friday before 10:00 a.m. at any CORAS Delaware location:
Or call our intake hotline: 833-886-2277
No appointment necessary for walk-ins. Our team will meet with you, conduct an assessment, and help you understand what level of care we recommend and why.
Maybe it’s IOP. Maybe it’s PHP. Maybe it’s regular outpatient counseling. Maybe you need to start with residential treatment and then step down. But you won’t know until you take that first step.
Recovery is possible. Treatment is available. And you deserve a chance at something better.