Leaving treatment can feel hopeful and overwhelming at the same time. You may have a new sense of hope, many more tools and strategies for dealing with stress, and more confidence than when you started.
But real life still brings back stress, triggers, relationships, obligations, and unexpected situations and emotions. This is normal. And it is exactly why we believe that addiction recovery support should continue beyond completion of formal treatment.
SOBA New Jersey’s addiction treatment aftercare provides clients with the means to connect with their recovery after treatment is finished. We offer our clients discharge planning and alumni support, provide opportunities for them to develop peer connections, and provide access to ongoing recovery resources. The purpose is to help the client continue building the life they were starting to build during their time with us.
What Is Addiction Treatment Aftercare?
Addiction treatment aftercare is post-treatment recovery-related services and support provided to individuals who complete a treatment program.[1] It may begin after detox, residential treatment, PHP, an intensive outpatient program, outpatient care, or another level of care.
There is no set amount of time that it takes to recover. Addiction is considered a chronic condition; because of this, it will require ongoing management over time. Providing a supportive and structured aftercare program is helpful in reducing the risk of relapse and supporting long-term recovery.[2]
The goal of aftercare is to make the transition out of treatment safer and more supported. Instead of leaving treatment and trying to figure everything out alone, clients can move forward with a plan, a support network, and clear next steps.
How and Why Addiction Aftercare Works
Aftercare programs exist to help clients transitioning out of the treatment environment. While in treatment, the client develops a multitude of skills to manage their addiction. These skills are then tested once the client transitions into real-world environments: going through a stressful work week, conflict with a significant other, feeling a craving after spending time with someone from their past, or feeling lonely and isolated during weekends.
A well-designed aftercare plan prepares clients for these types of experiences before encountering them. It identifies potential relapse warning signs, the people who can be relied on for support, lists upcoming therapy or counseling sessions, discusses available sober living arrangements or support groups, addresses current medication needs or mental health symptoms, and describes what the client should do if they are unsure whether their recovery is stable.
Aftercare programs also help keep clients connected. Early recovery can be isolating, especially when returning to one’s own home or work environment from a structured treatment setting. Many of these programs provide opportunities for peers to interact with each other who share similar experiences in terms of recovering from an addiction. These interactions allow peers to hold one another accountable while being surrounded by like-minded individuals who understand the recovery process.
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What Can Be Included in an Aftercare Plan?
One of the most critical aspects of an aftercare plan is making sure that it is tailored to meet the specific needs of the person it’s for. While some people may benefit from sober living, group therapy, and family therapy, others may find it necessary to attend outpatient care, receive medication management, participate in 12-step meetings or other non-12-step-based support groups, and receive assistance in addressing co-occurring mental health issues.
An addiction aftercare plan may include:
- Continued individual therapy, group therapy, or family therapy
- Relapse prevention planning and coping skills practice
- Alumni program participation and peer support
- Sober living homes or recovery housing when appropriate
- 12-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous
- Non-12-step options like SMART Recovery
- Medication management or medication-assisted treatment when clinically appropriate
- Support for co-occurring mental health issues
- Case management, referrals, employment support, or education planning
- A plan for handling cravings, lapses, relapse risk, or high-stress situations
The best aftercare plans are realistic. They do not assume life will be perfect after treatment. They prepare clients for the fact that recovery can include stress, setbacks, and difficult days without those moments having to become a full return to substance use.
Addiction Aftercare and Mental Health
Substance abuse and mental health are likely to influence each other even after treatment. Someone may have more stability in a structured program, then realize they have been dealing with anxiety, depression, traumatic memories, or changes in mood since stepping out of the program into the normal flow of everyday life. If that person does not receive some type of support for these issues, that could increase their relapse risk.
Aftercare provides people with a link to recovery support and mental health services. For those with dual diagnosis conditions, continuing care may be necessary and involve therapy, medication management, participation in support groups, stress management, and development of a relapse prevention plan, including identification of mental health-related warning signs.
Long-term recovery from addiction is not simply about abstaining from the use of alcohol or drugs. Long-term recovery is also about learning to cope with emotions, relationships, responsibilities, and mental health symptoms without reverting to past, unhealthy methods of coping.
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