Aftercare programs are designed for recovering individuals who have graduated from inpatient or outpatient treatment and are now living out in the broader world. An aftercare treatment program often involves a combination of counseling sessions, 12-step programs or other support groups, and sober mentoring.
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What is aftercare and how does it work?
Individual counseling and group therapy are two common parts of an effective aftercare program. Individual sessions give you the space to process things you didn’t work through entirely during your stay in treatment. Group therapy provides you with support from your peers that helps you feel less alone as you transition out.
What is an aftercare plan for substance abuse treatment?
Substance abuse treatment programs that make lasting recovery a priority will not send program participants on their way without a solid discharge plan and connecting them with quality aftercare programs. “Aftercare” is a general term used to describe any ongoing or follow-up treatment for substance abuse that occurs after an initial rehab program.
How do I choose the best addiction aftercare programs?
There will be a tremendous variation among addiction aftercare programs, but effective treatments will share a common philosophy that the best treatments account for the entire person and all their needs. Based on this treatment principle, the best aftercare programs will offer comprehensive services that address the individual’s: Relationships.
What are the goals of addiction aftercare?
“Aftercare” is a general term used to describe any ongoing or follow-up treatment for substance abuse that occurs after an initial rehab program. No matter the setting, treatment provider, or methods used, the goals of addiction aftercare programs are the same and include: To maintain recovery from substance abuse. To find ways to prevent relapse.
What Is An Aftercare Program?
Aftercare refers to a form of treatment planning that occurs just before or after the completion of an intensive treatment program, such as residential treatment.
What Does Aftercare Look Like?
Aftercare is a customizable treatment plan for addiction recovery that’s developed according to the needs of those on the road to recovery.
What Are The Benefits Of Addiction Aftercare?
Research shows that continuing care, or aftercare, can offer a number of benefits for adolescents and adults who are on the road to addiction recovery.
Who Needs Addiction Aftercare?
Aftercare can be useful for anyone with a history of drug or alcohol abuse problems. This is especially true for people with chronic addiction or a co-occurring mental illness.
Find An Aftercare Addiction Recovery Program Today
Aftercare can be a crucial component of the recovery process for people who are overcoming a years-long addiction, as well as others who are at a greater risk for relapse.
What is the goal of addiction aftercare?
No matter the setting, treatment provider, or methods used, the goals of addiction aftercare programs are the same and include: To maintain recovery from substance abuse. To find ways to prevent relapse. To achieve a life filled with rewarding relationships and a sense of purpose.
Why is it important to continue treatment?
One reason that continuing treatment is essential in all situations is because longstanding substance abuse can, in some cases, alter the normal functioning of the brain. Some of these changes do not instantly reverse once use ends. In fact, they can last long after substance use has terminated.
What is the substance abuse and mental health administration?
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2014). Recovery Services Provided by Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities in the United States.
Why do we need to do a detox protocol?
Whether or not medications are involved, all formal detox protocols are conducted to allow for the safe, comfortable clearance of substances and their toxic influence from the systems of people in early recovery from drug or alcohol addiction.
How many people receive treatment for substance abuse?
According to a report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), only about 11% of people who needed treatment for substance abuse received it.
What is the medical status of HIV/AIDS?
Medical status including HIV/AIDS testing and treatment. Mental health. This system is based on the understanding that imbalance with any of these components could lead to increased stress and a greater chance of relapse. If aftercare only focuses on one area, it may not be addressing the root of the greater issue.
How many people have sought treatment for alcohol addiction?
If you are one of the 2.5 million people that have already sought out treatment or successfully completed your initial level of care in the last year, congratulations. Taking the first step towards treatment for an addiction to alcohol or other drugs is a monumental step that many people never take. But there is more work to do.
What are the different types of aftercare programs?
There are different types, formats, and modalities of aftercare programs, such as group counseling, individual therapy, telephone counseling, brief check-ups, and self-help meetings . These programs may be conducted in outpatient facilities, within the abuse treatment facilities, or in independent facilities.
What is aftercare in rehabilitation?
Aftercare is an integral part of the rehabilitation process. It is a long-term, patient-focused intervention. It comprises medical, psychosocial, and economic programs. These programs are specially designed to maintain abstinence and reduce the risk of relapse.
How long is aftercare for substance use disorder?
Aftercare for Recovery from Substance Use Disorders. Participants using aftercare services are approximately three times more likely to be drug-free. Moreover, they are four times more likely to be opiate-free for 26 weeks later. Interestingly, they are also five times less likely to be using any drugs weekly or more often during ...
What are the goals of aftercare services?
The main goals of aftercare services include: 7, 8. Help recovering drug users cope with cravings during the period of abstinence. Educate them about measures to reduce and manage cravings. Provide the necessary skills and lifestyle changes to prevent relapse.
Why is aftercare important?
It starts immediately after the completion of intense initial treatment. The main aim of aftercare is to facilitate the reintegration of drug-dependent persons into the community.
Why is it important to participate in post treatment aftercare?
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), a novel text-based aftercare program reduces the risk of relapse to almost half compared to standard aftercare.
Why is one on one therapy important?
Moreover, one-on-one therapy promotes effective communication between the therapist and the individual. Individuals who are overwhelmed in a group may find individual therapy more effective.
How Does Aftercare Recovery Work?
Any chronic condition requires aftercare planning, and addiction is no different. An addiction aftercare plan is similar to a discharge plan from a hospital. Just like a doctor would advise a patient after leaving a hospital stay for asthma or heart failure, treatment professionals will advise your teen after leaving our addiction treatment programs. Aftercare planning includes:
What is Stonewater aftercare?
At Stonewater, we customize aftercare programs for teens to each boy’s recovery plan. In addition, we offer extended sober living skills that your teen can implement in everyday life. Within each aftercare recovery program or activity, the intention is to help adolescents build upon what they have learned at Stonewater to help them conquer stress and establish trust so that they can work through difficult situations. Additionally, Stonewater stays in touch with our alumni for at least one year after they leave to offer support and resources to prevent relapse and identify struggles. Our aftercare recovery program includes:
What is Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center?
Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center helps your teen learn the tools he needs for success upon his return home. Our team will help guide you to the extended care step that makes the most sense for you and your family.
What are the components of an aftercare plan?
Common components of an effective aftercare plan include: Moving into sober living for some time. Transitioning into an intensive outpatient program. Checking in with your counselor or case manager. Going to individual or group therapy sessions. Participating in the alumni program at your treatment facility.
How to do aftercare?
Common components of an effective aftercare plan include: 1 Moving into sober living for some time 2 Transitioning into an intensive outpatient program 3 Checking in with your counselor or case manager 4 Going to individual or group therapy sessions 5 Participating in the alumni program at your treatment facility 6 Attending recovery meetings, such as 12-step or another option 7 Finding a sponsor or sober mentor 8 Establishing a set support system to lean on after treatment
What is aftercare in medical?
Aftercare is the part of treatment that comes after a person finishes their program in a higher level of treatment. It is the collective plan to support an individual during their early recovery and help them prevent relapse while working on their new life.
What is the first stop for someone who is addicted to drugs?
Alcohol or drug detox is oftentimes the first stop for someone attending addiction treatment. Once they’re safely and successfully detoxified from all substances, they transition into an inpatient treatment program. Their entire life is structured and centered around building a solid foundation for their recovery.
What is aftercare counseling?
Individual counseling and group therapy are two common parts of an effective aftercare program. Individual sessions give you the space to process things you didn’t work through entirely during your stay in treatment. Group therapy provides you with support from your peers that helps you feel less alone as you transition out.
What are some alternative 12-step programs?
SMART Recovery and Refuge Recovery are two common 12-step alternatives. These programs put forward their own approach to staying alcohol and drug-free. If you have a hard time getting involved in a 12-step program, try a few meetings from one of these programs instead.
Is there a cure for addiction?
There is no cure for addiction; it’s a chronic brain disorder that requires ongoing care and management. Instead, treatment equips individuals with tools they can use to stay clean and sober one day at a time. Aftercare provides another avenue of ongoing support after an individual leaves the facility.
The Importance of Aftercare
Stopping your substance use and completing rehab is really only the first step of your journey. This is why developing an aftercare plan (a structured plan for continuing your recovery efforts) is an incredibly important step in preventing relapse.
Planning for Aftercare While in Rehab
A good inpatient program will have a treatment team that focuses not only on your care during your stay but also your recovery once you leave. Prior to the completion of your treatment stay, they will help you work out an aftercare plan.
Entering an Outpatient Program
When planning for your aftercare, it is important that you find a good fit both in terms of the level of care and how well you can work the steps into your daily life.
What Happens in an Outpatient Program?
What happens next will be determined by your particular level of care.
Services
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) delineates core services that you can generally expect outpatient programs to provide.
What Happens Next?
Once you complete an outpatient program there will likely be an evaluation of whether or not you met your treatment goals. This will determine where to go from here. In other words, if you felt your outpatient treatment wasn’t enough, you can consider stepping back up to a higher level of care.
Defining Aftercare
Getting Started
- An aftercare plan is not done in a vacuum. Therapists, trained counselors, and others will create a support network to develop strategies and plans for how to deal with what comes up in recovery. A therapist can help consider what to do with housing, employment, or continued treatment. The plan may also depend on how far into treatment a person is and how long they need care. With t…
Alumni Programs
- When someone wants tojoin an alumni program, they are stating they have finished treatment in a facility and are wanting to challenge themselves further in recovery. Aftercare plans that include alumni programs provide tools and support to help a person cope with a substance use disorder as they transition home following treatment. A healthy treatment program will likely offer lots of …
Seeking Ongoing Therapy
- The therapeutic work does not end when treatment does. People who complete inpatient or outpatient work often find they need additional support to face real-world challenges. Transitioning to an outpatient program or meeting with a therapist can help that person continue to address critical issues. Counseling and therapy are not just for that person, but the whole fam…
Support Network
- Strong aftercare has to incorporate family, friends, loved ones, and community. There are many ways to do this, and no two ways are alike. There are some key things to keep in mind when building a healthier support network in recovery: 1. Know that not everyone will be happy with sobriety goals or recovery. Focus on being educated about how to handle life’s challenges and d…