Aftercare Programs

Aftercare is a plan to support someone through recovery, prevent relapse, and work toward future goals. An aftercare plan includes resources, interventions, and activities to help those in recovery cope with triggers, cravings, and stress they may encounter. Your aftercare plan will vary from one person to the next, depending on their individual needs.

aftercare plans may include:

• Relapse prevention tools
• Attending 12-step meetings
• Obtain a sponsor
• Attending individual therapy/group therapy
• Staying in a sober living facility
• Participation in alumni programs

It is crucial to have an aftercare plan, especially in early recovery, to help prevent relapsing. The risk of relapse is at its highest in the first few months after treatment. 40 to 60 percent of individuals in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction will relapse at some point.

Developing an aftercare plan before leaving treatment can help make you part of the 40 to 60 percent that does NOT relapse. A complete and thorough aftercare plan can give you the freedom of mind to focus on the issues surrounding your addiction.

As a person’s time in treatment comes to an end, their therapist will help them develop an aftercare plan. An aftercare plan will consider all your needs; housing, employment, and continued treatment if needed. A person’s continued treatment needs will also be based on their progression in substance abuse treatment.

Once all a person’s needs have been decided on, their therapist will help find community and online resources to address the needs. Aftercare programs can last for weeks, months, and even years, depending on the individual’s needs. It is recommended that people stay actively engaged in aftercare programs for a minimum of one year after leaving inpatient treatment.

12-Step Programs

A 12-step group is a group of like-minded individuals founded on the 12 steps of recovery. 12-step programs are peer-led by others in recovery. There are a variety of 12-step meetings help at churches and community centers as well as treatment centers.

12-step programs include:

• AA – Alcoholics Anonymous
• NA – Narcotics Anonymous
• CA – Cocaine Anonymous
• MA – Marijuana Anonymous

Support Groups

SMART Recovery, founded in 1994, is an alternative to transitional 12-step programs. Based on a 4-step process that uses cognitive therapy. Cognitive therapy helps change one’s thinking to manage their emotions. The 4-step process is:

• Building and maintaining motivation
• Coping with urges
• Managing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
• Living a balanced life

Recovery is an ongoing process, and support groups can be vital to relapse prevention.

Individual Therapy

It is crucial once people enter the aftercare process to find an addiction therapist. An addiction therapist offers education, support, guidance, and monitoring during the aftercare process. Continuing in individual therapy in aftercare can help hone the skills learned in treatment to prevent relapse.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps individuals understand negative thinking and how it affects their behavior. CBT will help individuals develop healthy, positive thinking and increase their chances of continued sobriety.

Sober Living Homes

The transition from treatment back into your regular life, and the community is the most vulnerable phase of recovery. Sober living homes, or halfway houses, provide individuals a secure, stable, and sober environment. Sober living homes have very strict rules, such as:

• No substance abuse
• Mandatory house meetings
• Drug testing
• Household chores

Individuals who participate in sober living homes have more days in sobriety, a stronger support system, and fewer legal issues.

Alumni Programs

Many inpatient treatment centers offer alumni programs for those who successfully completed treatment and have maintained their sobriety. Alumni programs help individuals transition back home and cope with your addiction.

Alumni programs may offer:

• Weekly or monthly sober events
• A support hotline
• In-person telephone/video call check-ins
• Online support – emails, message boards, and social media

Having stable and sober living arrangements is a crucial component of addiction recovery. A living environment with drugs and alcohol can lead to cravings and urges to use, which can lead to relapse. Sober living homes may be beneficial if you are concerned about your living environment.

Sober living homes provide a drug and alcohol-free environment to continue the recovery process. The goal of sober living is to help people build resources to transition into independent living. Some sober living homes require individuals to maintain employment to stay there.

Individuals are expected to refrain from using drugs and alcohol, actively work on their recovery, and follow the sober living house rules. Every sober living home has its own set of rules. Still, standard rules include following a curfew, completing house chores, maintain sobriety, and participate in house meetings.

Many individuals attend 12-step meetings such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. Some sober living homes may suggest that people attend, while others require attendance. Studies show that active participation in 12-step programs increases the likelihood of continued sobriety.

Individuals usually pay weekly or monthly fees and commit to a minimum length of stay. The length of stay may vary since sober living homes are temporary living arrangements. Individuals use their time in sober living to set up healthy living arrangements or transition into a different level of support.

Treatment teams will assist individuals in finding a sober living home. It is important to discuss all your needs when you leave treatment. Individuals can reach out to sober living homes on their own to acquire information and availability status. This allows individuals to tour the sober living home and get all their questions answered.

While attending 12-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, finding a sponsor is highly encouraged. Sponsors have been in successful sobriety for a minimum of a year. A sponsor provides support and guidance to others new to recovery.

Acquiring a sponsor as soon as you transition out of inpatient treatment is vital. A sponsor can provide support when cravings hit and prevent relapse. Sponsors are available at all hours to listen to your feelings and help you develop a plan to avoid turning to drugs and alcohol.

Typical responsibilities of a sponsor include:

• Be an excellent example of sobriety
• Encourage attendance and participation in meetings and activities
• Helps work through the 12 steps
• Provide support

It sometimes happens that you may not end up getting along with your sponsor. It is ok. Do the responsible thing and have a conversation with your sponsor. Your sponsor may even help you find someone you are more compatible with.

For many, relapse is part of the recovery process. However, there are specific steps you can take to avoid relapse.

• Attend recovery meetings – Participating in recovery meetings provides extra support to help avoid relapse. In early recovery, it is recommended to attend at least one meeting a day.
• Attend individual and group therapy sessions – Therapy sessions are a safe place to discuss cravings and build your arsenal of tools to combat them.
• Build a sober support system – Having a strong support system can help you get through the cravings and prevent relapse. A sober support system can include family, friends, members from support groups.
• Be aware of triggers – Triggers are people, places, and things that cause you to crave drugs and alcohol. Write down ALL the triggers you can think of and make a plan-of-action should the situation arise.
• Develop a relapse prevention plan – When cravings occur, a relapse prevention plan is your plan-of-action. The plan should include a list of people to call and coping strategies.
• Spend time doing activities and hobbies that interest you – Participation in healthy, sober activities is a great way to cope with stress and cravings. Meditation, yoga, reading, journaling, and playing sports are all great activities to keep your mind off drugs and alcohol.
• Self-care – Take care of yourself. Eat well, get enough sleep, and exercise every day can increase your mental and physical health.
• Sober living homes – It is crucial to your sobriety to have a living environment free of the temptation of using drugs and alcohol. If your home is not conducive to sobriety, a sober living home may be your best choice after treatment.

If you or a loved one relapses, it does not mean you are a failure. It only means that you need to re-enter a more intense treatment program. If you have relapsed, seek help right away and get your life back on track.

We at Harmony Ridge Recovery Center pride ourselves on living by the Golden Rule, treat others the way you want to be treated. Each member of our staff has been affected by addiction in some manner. Our primary focus is to help individuals live a sober and fulfilled life.

The aftercare program for substance abuse at Harmony Ridge Recovery Center offers continued comprehensive care to promote a sober lifestyle and prevent relapse. If you or a loved one is battling substance abuse, our professional staff can help you get on the right track.

We look forward to encouraging you down the path to sobriety. Contact us today and let our staff answer all your addiction and aftercare questions.

References:

https://cabhp.asu.edu/sites/default/files/session_5a_and_5b_substance_abuse_aftercare.pdf