Alumni programs, or aftercare programs, provide ongoing support, community, and accountability for clients after they have completed treatment. Aftercare is a crucial part of addiction programs. Planning for aftercare begins when someone enters a recovery center, with the goal of setting them up to thrive in a sober life. Clients work together with their treatment team to build an individualized aftercare program that offers all the resources they need. Call A Better State today at 781.412.1488 to learn more about how our aftercare programs can support you or a loved one.
What Is an Addiction Aftercare Treatment Program?
Aftercare can refer to any ongoing treatment and support a person receives after they complete rehab, such as:
- Outpatient medical care
- Sober living homes
- Individual therapy
- 12-step meetings and other support groups
- Sober recreational activities
The primary goal of aftercare is relapse prevention. To keep people on track, aftercare programs provide ways to stay connected to a supportive recovery community. People in this community can give advice and encouragement, and groups provide a safe place to discuss the challenges of sobriety and life. Addiction aftercare treatment is highly effective at helping people remain sober and committed to recovery.
Aftercare treatment typically begins immediately after a client transitions out of a treatment program into their daily life. It can also begin while a client is still in treatment. Most rehab programs recommend that clients stay involved with aftercare for up to one year after their treatment program ends. However, clients can continue to be involved in sober communities for as long as they want since recovery is a lifelong process.
Support Offered in Aftercare for Addiction Treatment
The best plan for addiction aftercare treatment depends on the client’s needs. Some resources and activities that help many people in recovery include group counseling sessions, follow-up therapy sessions, and regular check-ins with staff members in their treatment program.
If you need a safe, stable living space, a rehab center might help you find a sober home. Sober living spaces provide structure, regulations, and accountability, features that can help people get their lives back on track in early sobriety. Sober living also provides a way to build community.
For clients who live independently, group counseling sessions and 12-step meetings can be great ways to stay plugged into a sober support network. You can learn new coping strategies, celebrate recovery milestones, and encourage others in their recovery process. Recovery meetings in aftercare are usually more informal than meetings in residential or outpatient treatment, but they discuss similar techniques and strategies.
The 12-step process is time-tested and involves working through a series of “steps” to achieve recovery goals. Many 12-step meetings are part of national or international recovery support networks like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. That means wherever you end up living, you’re likely to be able to find a meeting. A similar group called SMART Recovery, which bases its techniques on cognitive-behavioral therapy methods, is also widely available. These ongoing aftercare addiction treatment programs are free to attend. Participation is kept confidential.
In many cases, individual therapy is an important aspect of aftercare for addiction treatment. You’ll meet with a therapist in person or remotely to discuss your progress and update your treatment goals. Recovery is difficult, and individual support can make all the difference.
Learn More A Better State’s Addiction Aftercare Programs in New Hampshire
Confidence, responsibility, and self-efficacy have all been proven to protect against relapse. A strong aftercare program will help you develop all three. At A Better State, aftercare is a priority in clients’ treatment plans. We take a trauma-informed, holistic approach to treatment, and each person who comes through our door for treatment is seen as a full individual. We want to work with you to give you the best possible chance at recovery.
Our outpatient programs are designed so clients can transition through different levels of treatment as they progress in their recovery or as their needs change. We offer intensive and evening intensive outpatient programs for clients who do not need constant support but who can still benefit from a structured environment. Through our trusted partners, we help clients who need sober living homes find locations in New England that will support their sobriety. We offer family therapy, trauma therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and many other forms of therapy so you can work on the issues that are most important to you.
Our addiction aftercare treatment team in New Hampshire is here for you throughout your recovery process and beyond. To learn more about building a sober life with us, contact us at 781.412.1488.
