Rehabilitation Aftercare Program

In many ways, the aftercare program is just as important as the rehabilitation treatment itself. It should not be seen as a distinct process, but rather as a part of the continuum of care that any respectable luxury drug rehab offers. People automatically assume that the aftercare would include weekly meetings, but this is only the case for 12-step programs. It is true, however, that every individual who completes a rehabilitation program needs a good group of people to provide support in their newfound lifestyle away from alcohol and other substances. Even though it is the end goal to have the person be stable enough to avoid relapse regardless of their environment, this may be a gradual process. If the person returns home immediately after leaving the facility and falls into the exact same patterns and routines as before, which includes hanging out in the same places with the same people, the likelihood of relapse is very high. The risk someone takes when having relapse is serious and may even be fatal.

What Should a Good Aftercare Program Have?

A good aftercare program from a private drug rehab should include some, or preferably all of the following:

·     A report-in system for follow-up and support from the treatment center staff.

·     A safe and supportive place to live. Even though it seems drastic to some, this may include moving to another town or another part of the country completely in order to avoid certain triggers.

·     A plan for a job, career path or at least some type of productivity (possibly work or school) to stay busy and contribute to society.

·     A good, drug-free group to associate with for support. This could include family, people at work, athletics, church, community clubs, or other organizations. A place where someone can feel as though they are busy.

·     Other long-term goals for the patient's personal life, family and relationships, career advancement, helping others and contributing to society, etc. This is part of the final discharge planning process when completing the rehabilitation program. The designated support staff that works directly with the clients will monitor this progress.

Sometimes the patient may also sign up for services for continuing counseling and education in their own hometown. This may be done with an outpatient counselor, church pastoral counseling, life coach, or even someone else who has successfully gone through what the person is now faced with – perhaps another person who completed the same program. All of these together combine to create an effective relapse prevention plan.

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