Aftercare

Aftercare plans are unique and individualized plans put into place at the end of a thirty, sixty, or ninety-day primary treatment program. Proper aftercare plans are designed based on the specific needs of the individual to help them navigate life after addiction and addiction treatment. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a successful aftercare plan supports ongoing recovery by using evidence-based practices and a range of services designed to help maintain motivation and momentum as one moves forward in sobriety. 

Although aftercare programs differ due to their unique design, there are common elements found across all programs. A typical aftercare program will include ongoing therapy. Depending on one’s specific needs, this may consist of individual therapy sessions, group or family sessions, or a combination of the above. Another essential component of aftercare consists of participation in support group meetings. Examples of these include Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA), among others. Attending these groups provides recovering addicts an outlet to discuss their struggles in sobriety with a group of peers also in various stages of recovery. Also, they provide a means for developing new, healthy social circles. Depending on the plan and the individual’s needs, other components may be added to an aftercare plan to help ensure comprehensive support. Some examples may include staying in a sober living environment, mental health monitoring, relapse prevention medication management, and ongoing medical support. Some aftercare programs also work with participants to pursue continuing education, secure permanent employment, and find safe housing. 

Relapse is an all to frequent part of recovery. Data indicates as many as sixty percent of recovering addicts will experience at least one incidence of relapse after completing addiction treatment. Because of this, some elements of an aftercare plan may require random drug or alcohol testing. This is especially true of programs providing transitional housing (sober living homes or “halfway houses”) and those providing medication administration services. How often and at what frequency tests are conducted will depend on the program’s nature and guidelines. Such testing aims to ensure other participants in the program remain safe and potentially identify participants who are at risk for (or who are experiencing) relapse as soon as possible to ensure a quick and safe return to treatment.