What Is Aftercare?

Aftercare planning is one of the many ways in which the treatment of addiction mirrors the treatment of any chronic condition. An aftercare plan is, in many ways, similar to a discharge plan from hospitalization to treat a chronic condition like asthma or heart failure. In the treatment of chronic medical conditions and substance use disorders, aftercare planning must include:

• Proper Understanding Of The Severity Of The Condition

• Identification Of Potential Barriers To Successful Treatment

• Outpatient Care Expectations

• Appointment Setting

• A Realistic, Sustainable Self-Management Plan

• A Protection Plan To Activate In The Event Of Triggers

• A Regrouping Plan In The Event Of A Recurrence Of Symptoms

Creating An Aftercare Plan

Aftercare is far from an “afterthought” to acute care — it’s one of the most important stages of the rehab process. It allows for the creation of strategies for relapse prevention and for the development of coping skills. Technically, aftercare begins once you’ve completed a recovery program and are ready to make the transition back to your community. In reality, the aftercare phase of recovery begins from the time you enter treatment. Even as you go through drug or alcohol detox and rehab, your treatment team will work on identifying the tools and skills that you’ll need to be successful after you finish the program. Therapists and staff with thorough knowledge of a program’s resources can usher clients through the process of setting up schedules, contacts and effective treatment regimens for ongoing support after completing treatment.

Types Of Aftercare Programs

There are many ways to maintain the connectivity and accountability needed to increase the chances of treatment success after completing acute care. Participation in aftercare programs can begin occurring as a client is winding down treatment, after a client resumes work or school or at other times, though it is usually recommended that clients begin aftercare immediately after acute care ends. Many of the aftercare programs described can take place concurrently.

The transition from rehab back to life in the community is one of the most vulnerable periods for a person in recovery. Sober living homes, or halfway houses, provide a secure, stable environment where rehab graduates can continue to practice their coping skills in a drug- and alcohol-free setting. Sober living homes usually have strict rules, such as no substance abuse, mandatory house meetings, regular drug screening and participation in household chores. These rules help provide structure and accountability and contribute to self-efficacy. A study of 300 residents of sober living homes published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs found that the majority of participants had positive outcomes: more days of sobriety, more social support, and fewer legal problems after rehab.

What Is Aftercare?

Aftercare planning is one of the many ways in which the treatment of addiction mirrors the treatment of any chronic condition. An aftercare plan is, in many ways, similar to a discharge plan from hospitalization to treat a chronic condition like asthma or heart failure. In the treatment of chronic medical conditions and substance use disorders, aftercare planning must include:

• Commit To Lifelong Recovery

• Find And Embrace A Support Network Outside Of Rehab

• Stay Healthy Physically, With Follow-up Appointments

• Continue Mental And Emotional Healing From Addiction

• Avoid Relapse Through Proper Maintenance And Treatment, If Applicable

• Start Sobriety On The Right Track

Avoiding Relapse In Recovery

Addiction has similar rates of symptom recurrence (in the case of addiction, a return to drug or alcohol use) to other major chronic health conditions like depression, emphysema or high blood pressure. As with these conditions, a thoughtful aftercare plan developed to help clients utilize their relapse prevention skills reduces the chances for a return to drug or alcohol use. One primary function of aftercare is to help you understand how to effectively deal with triggers and steer clear of factors that increase the risk of returning to use. The purpose of aftercare is more encompassing than relapse prevention alone. The ultimate goal of aftercare is to keep you engaged in recovery as you make the transition from rehab to the rest of your life.