Steps For Continuing Care
It took courage to admit you have a problem with drugs or alcohol. Entering treatment might also have been scary. Pat yourself on the back for making those tough decisions. Maybe you went to a residential facility and then continued with outpatient services. Or, perhaps you chose a non-residential facility and are now finished with the program. After completing an outpatient treatment like Centered Recovery Programs, what does aftercare look like? What happens next?
What Is Aftercare and Why Does It Matter?
Aftercare is a plan that you and your therapist create to help you with long-term sobriety. Keeping yourself connected to a sober support system increases your chances of maintaining the sobriety you worked so hard to achieve. Research shows that the longer a person receives treatment, the better the long-term outcome for sobriety. In one study, researchers found that between 23% and 48% of clients had maintained sobriety at 12 months post-treatment.
What Are My Options?
My 3-year-old granddaughter once asked about dinner, “What are my options?” I was amazed by her insight at such a young age. She knew she had a choice. You also have a choice. Creating a plan that fits your needs is far more reachable than if someone else makes it for you. There are several things you can do for an aftercare plan including support groups, books, web-based resources, or peer support. This is not an all-inclusive list. If you are nearing the end of your outpatient, talk with your therapist to help you decide what would be best for you.
Types of Aftercare Support
We know that successful, long-term recovery doesn’t stop when you leave our program. Recovery is a long-term lifestyle change that requires support and connection to thrive. This is exactly why we make it a strong point to offer a variety of aftercare support resources that help you in whichever appeals most! Centered Recovery wants to make it as seamless as possible for you to incorporate aftercare for connection, engagement, and motivation. Here are some types of aftercare support that we have available to our clients!
Support Groups
We host two free support groups monthly at our Roswell location, offering a safe space for individuals to share experiences, gain insights, and maintain the sense of community they built during treatment. Our SMART Recovery facilitator, Jennifer, hosts these free community meetings on the first and third Wednesday of every month. Meetings are open to current clients, alumni clients, and the general public!
Facebook/Alumni Groups
We also have an exclusive Facebook group for our alumni, as well as a Centered newsletter with updated information for clients who have completed our program! We also have a direct text line that alumni can reach out to for immediate support or questions. This online space allows alumni to stay connected, share progress, and encourage one another in their ongoing recovery journey. We also have alumni events and open monthly groups for our alumni to join to stay connected to our program!
Peer Support Resources
MAP Peer Recovery Support is another resource we provide to offer ongoing guidance and encouragement. MAP supports clients as they navigate life after treatment, complementing their personalized aftercare plans. You can learn more about MAP and how it supports our clients here.
These diverse aftercare options are designed to empower individuals with the tools and community they need to maintain long-term recovery. Whether through group meetings, online resources, or one-on-one peer support, Centered Recovery Programs is dedicated to walking this journey alongside our clients.
Books
Supplementing treatment with reading materials can be a powerful way to reinforce what you’ve learned. Some favorites at Centered Recovery Programs include The Inside-Out Revolution by Michael Neill, Clarity by Jamie Smart, Victim of Thought by Jill Whalen, 10-Minute Mindfulness by SJ Scott, and I Hope I Screw This Up by Kyle Cease. Books by Jon Kabat-Zinn and Dan Siegel are also highly recommended for deepening mindfulness and understanding the mind.
Website Based Resources
For those who prefer digital resources, our website features blogs, articles, and videos that provide valuable insights and reminders. Additional online resources like Mindful offer a wealth of meditation guides, inspirational content, and practical tools for mindfulness. We also recommend exploring Jon Kabat-Zinn’s content on YouTube for excellent guidance on mindfulness and stress reduction.
Aftercare Is Essential
Regardless of what aftercare looks like, at Centered Recovery Programs, your therapist will help you develop an aftercare plan that is right for you. Centered Recovery Programs is dedicated to helping you flourish. Your success is our success!
