What Are Alumni and Aftercare?

Substance abuse and addiction treatment involve a number of services and interventions. It can be helpful to think of substance use disorder treatment on a continuum that doesn’t necessarily have a finite end. If you are thinking about seeking help to end an addiction, you will most likely start with more intensive services that can include detox and inpatient or residential treatment.

As you progress through stages of treatment, services lessen in intensity. It’s important to remember that although the intensity of services decreases as you progress, that doesn’t mean that the services diminish in importance. However, services may need to be intensified if you struggle with maintaining abstinence or diverging from your treatment plan. Your treatment plan will be constantly monitored and revised according to your changing needs and progress in treatment. Alumni and aftercare services can be a crucial element in your treatment plan and help you sustain recovery long after completing your treatment program.

Aftercare and Alumni Timing

The planning of aftercare services begins when you first enter treatment. You will receive a comprehensive assessment with a licensed medical or mental health provider that assesses your unique needs. The evaluation addresses individual elements such as physical and mental health challenges, your social support system, housing, and employment status so you can adjust anything post-treatment for a successful and sustainable recovery. These elements are constantly evaluated as you work through your treatment program.

Aftercare services are the supportive services you require when you transition from one level of care to another. For example, aftercare services can begin after you transition from more intensive inpatient treatment to less intensive outpatient care. Areas can include employment resources, housing referrals, access to healthcare, mental health referrals, and connections to mutual and self-help support groups. They also include alumni services.

In addition to aftercare, alumni services connect you with like-minded alumni working toward similar recovery and abstinence goals. Alumni support can be a vital source of strength and encouragement as you navigate life without the use of drugs and alcohol.

Goals of Aftercare in Recovery

Recovery is defined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as a process of change by which you improve your health and wellness, try to achieve your full potential, and live a self-directed life. According to SAMHSA, four important elements are necessary to sustain an enriching life in recovery.

The four elements are also addressed in alumni and aftercare planning, and they include:

1. Home Environment/Housing: A safe and stable place to live is essential to support your recovery efforts.
2. Health: Resolving or managing your physical health problems and making daily choices that support your physical and emotional health are key elements in recovery.
3. Community: Social support systems and healthy relationships that provide encouragement, support, hope, and love are essential in recovery.
4. Purpose: Living purpose-driven lives on a daily basis that include valuable activities such as volunteering, having a job, taking care of family members, financial independence, creative pursuits, and engaging in social events is important.

Alumni Support

Many substance abuse treatment facilities, such as Transformations Treatment Center, offer and encourage the support of fellow alumni after you complete your treatment program. Alumni meetings are arranged between you and others who have completed treatment. These meetings can be a source of guidance and help you create a sober social network that is one of the key elements of successful recovery. Furthermore, periodic telephone calls to check in with previous staff you worked with while in treatment can be beneficial.

How Alumni and Aftercare Can Help You

We recognize that it can feel overwhelming to transition from inpatient treatment to outpatient and that leaving the facility’s safety can be a vulnerable time. That’s why we require that you attend an alumni group a week before you complete treatment and provide you with the support of our Alumni Department, which can assist you upon discharge and for many years into the future.

The Alumni team can also help you coordinate care in other areas of life. If you require housing, the Alumni team can help you find suitable and sober housing where you can continue to put yourself and your recovery first. Regular contact – through social media, phone calls, and in-person – with the Alumni team strengthens your social support system.

You can expect to meet with your discharge coordinator before completing treatment. You will be provided a list of resources related to local support groups, recovery meetings, and any other help you may need. We understand that when treatment ends, your recovery journey begins, and you can rest assured that you will receive the support and resources you need to achieve lasting recovery.

Sources:

1.National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018). Principles of drug addiction treatment: A research-based guide (third edition)- Principles of effective treatment.

2.The Association for Addiction Professionals. (n.d.). Recovery definitions.

3.National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). Chapter 3. Intensive outpatient treatment and the continuum of care.