Enrolling in an addiction treatment facility and receiving behavioral and psychological counseling is a difficult step that requires bravery and strength. Despite that, finishing an addiction treatment program isn’t the last stop in the recovery journey.
After all, addiction is a chronic condition that requires long-term treatment to manage. That’s why aftercare treatment programs are an integral part of the recovery process.
If you’re interested to learn more about aftercare programs, this post will cover everything you need to know.
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What Are Aftercare Programs?
Aftercare programs are follow-up treatments designed to help people who’ve just finished an addiction treatment program achieve long-term sobriety.
These programs equip patients with the necessary tools and healthy coping skills to resist potential temptations and naturally transition back into their normal lives.
The nature and longevity of an aftercare program differ from one patient to another. Your therapist and a case manager will evaluate your physical, psychological, and emotional needs and build your aftercare plan accordingly.
Why Are Aftercare Programs Important?
Early sobriety is usually where patients are most vulnerable. Staying clean/sober is more challenging, and relapse rates are higher. Aftercare programs aim to help patients overcome that vulnerable phase by reinforcing the valuable lessons they learned during treatment.
Besides, long-term drug abuse alters the way your brain functions. These alterations can be both psychological and behavioral.
Although inpatient, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient programs can decrease the intensity of these changes, they’re not enough to reverse them altogether.
So, even after finishing treatment, patients can still struggle to deal with the way their brains are functioning. Aftercare plans can help them understand and adapt to these changes.
Re-entering normal life is usually a challenge for patients fresh out of a recovery program. Besides facing social stigma, the overwhelming responsibilities of everyday life can put too much pressure on them, prompting them to resort to substance abuse to cope with the stress.
Aftercare services teach patients to build a healthy support system with their family members and loved ones to help them overcome the challenges that come with a drug-free life.
What Are the Different Types of Aftercare Programs Out There?
There are different types of aftercare treatment programs, and each type serves a different purpose. Choosing the one that suits you depends on your symptoms and the level of care you need.
1. Sober Living Housing
Sober living houses are residences people who’ve finished a substance abuse treatment program can stay in afterward. They offer a haven away from the toxic environment that led to drug addiction in the first place. They also build a unique community that celebrates achievements and tolerates setbacks.
Creates a Healthy Environment
You don’t usually live in these residences alone. You have 24/7 access to healthcare providers and staff members who can help with any issue that might hinder your addiction recovery process.
You’ll also live with people going through the same struggles as you. They’ll understand your fears, cravings, depression episodes, and urge to distance yourself from others.
Most importantly, though, they’ll help you when you feel like you’re losing control without judgment or shame. That creates an uplighting environment that increases the chances of recovery.
Teaches Accountability
Sober houses usually have strict rules to keep everyone happy, healthy, and functioning. These include forbidding alcohol and drug use inside the houses, following a time curfew, and setting up drug tests to ensure that everyone is sober.
Not abiding by these rules can prompt the managers to suspend you from these houses. So, it teaches you the meaning of responsibility and taking accountability for your actions.
Encourages Independence
With competent staff members and a supportive environment, you’ll start to take matters into your own hands and learn to be independent.
You’ll have the chance to find a new job, form meaningful friendships, and learn the skills you’ve been wanting to learn. Ultimately, sober houses offer you the opportunity to live life the way it’s meant to be lived. All you have to do is put in the effort.
2. Support Groups
Support groups are collective meetings for people struggling with alcohol addiction or substance use disorder. Everyone gathers to share their experience with addiction and the progress they made.
The purpose of these groups is to create a supportive environment where each member receives peer support that pushes them toward a healthy recovery.
12-Step Groups
As the name suggests, 12-step groups are support groups that incorporate the traditional 12-step program in their treatment plan. Each step is meant to help patients understand the nature and origin of addiction and how to overcome it.
The most common 12-step support groups are Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, SMART Recovery, and Women in Sobriety.
Adolescent Programs
This treatment option focuses on supporting teens and young adults struggling with substance abuse. The services the groups offer differ from one program to another, but they often focus on building social skills and self-esteem to help adolescents resist temptations.
3. Therapy and Counseling Sessions
Mental health struggles can cause patients to relapse quickly after finishing a treatment program. That’s why continuing therapy and counseling is essential for relapse prevention.
Health experts advise patients to attend therapy sessions at least once a week and gradually reduce their frequency as they improve.
These sessions include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and adventure therapy.
4. Alumni Programs
Our alumni program offers patients continued support to ease their transition into normal life. We connect you with former patients who have walked the same path as you.
You get to hear about their experience/struggle with addiction and receive tips about sobriety and returning to normal life. We also encourage you to engage in fun activities, helping you understand that you don’t need alcohol or opioids to enjoy your time.
How to Build a Personal Aftercare Program?
Just because you’re following an aftercare program with healthcare professionals doesn’t mean you can’t build a personal aftercare program.
After all, you can only spend so much time in therapy sessions and support groups. But if you build healthy habits and follow them outside the program, you’ll increase the chance of making a successful, lifelong recovery.
Personal Aftercare Program Day 1-30
- Develop a short-term plan with your future aspirations and how to achieve them.
- Build a healthy daily routine/schedule that includes enjoyable activities and hobbies.
- Learn to identify and cope with negative impulses.
- Include exercising in your everyday life.
- Find a support system that you can resort to whenever the urge to use substances occurs.
- Avoid taking too many responsibilities so as not to overwhelm yourself.
Personal Aftercare Program Day 30-90
- Continue engaging in counseling and therapy sessions.
- Keep a recovery journal and write about the events happening to you and how you feel about them.
- Identify your professional goals and discuss them with a career counselor.
Personal Aftercare Program Day 90-180
- Start rebuilding relationships that fell apart because of addiction.
- Try new hobbies and make them an essential part of your day.
- Develop long-term plans, whether it’s professional, financial, or social.
Personal Aftercare Program Day 180-365
- Celebrate the progress you’ve made throughout the year.
- Find new motivations to maintain your momentum.
- Help those who are starting their recovery journey by offering practical tips and insights.
Can a Patient Relapse in an Aftercare Program?
Yes, relapses can happen even in aftercare programs. It’s expected (to an extent) and understood. Don’t overwhelm yourself with guilt if it happens. It’s part of the recovery journey.
So, try to approach this setback with a positive mindset and work with your counselor to identify the reasons behind it and how to prevent it in the future.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, aftercare treatment programs are just as essential in the recovery process as the addiction treatment itself. So, once you finish your treatment, make sure to create an aftercare plan as quickly as possible to reduce the chances of relapsing.
