Addiction Recovery & Aftercare: Programs, Activities & Support Groups

What Is Aftercare?

Aftercare, or continuing care in the substance use disorder context, has evolved to mean a few things. As originally conceptualized, continuing care was a period of lower-intensity treatment following a more intensive initial period, such as residential treatment or an intensive outpatient program (IOP). Thus, the concept of aftercare was known as a “step down” in the continuum of care. The objective of continuing care was and still is to solidify and sustain the gains made during treatment and prevent relapse. Now, SUD treatment is sometimes delivered in a primary care setting, so continuing care includes managing patients over an extended period of time. Either way, aftercare is intended to support someone in their early recovery, help them avoid relapse, and assist them as they work toward their life goals.¹

Having an aftercare plan is important because many people face difficulties when transitioning from treatment back into everyday life. The risk of relapse is highest in the first few months after someone leaves rehab.¹ Between 40% and 60% of people recovering from drug and alcohol addiction experience a relapse at some point in time. This rate is comparable to other chronic conditions such as type I diabetes, hypertension, or asthma.²

Developing an aftercare plan in early recovery can help prevent a relapse by providing an individual with support and allowing them to continue to work on issues surrounding their addiction. Once they feel established in their sobriety, they can also begin to give back to others who are newly sober.

Types of Addiction Aftercare

An aftercare plan includes activities, interventions, and resources to help an individual in recovery cope with triggers, stress, and cravings after completing a formal treatment program. Each person’s aftercare plan varies based on their needs and may include:

• Stepping down to an outpatient program after completing a residential or inpatient program.
• Participating in a treatment center’s alumni program.
• Staying in sober living for a period of time.
• Attending 12-Step and/or other recovery meetings.
• Reaching out to a sponsor and other members of an individual’s sober support system.
• Attending individual and group counseling sessions.

Outpatient Aftercare Treatment

People who have completed inpatient or residential addiction treatment often find that they continue to face triggers and stressors that challenge their recovery. Transitioning to an outpatient program can help them continue to address these issues.

Outpatient counseling or therapy can also help them work through mental health issues and assist them in developing a relapse prevention plan, improving communication with family members, even finding a job. Individuals, who are completing an inpatient or residential program, can discuss their need for ongoing therapy with their rehab treatment team. The team will help find an outpatient program as part of the aftercare plan.

Structured outpatient treatment programs vary in levels of intensity and duration. Some meet daily; other programs have sessions a few times a week. Outpatient programs benefit those who can attend regular therapy and counseling sessions, have reliable transportation, live in a stable housing environment, and have support from friends and family.³

According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), outpatient treatment covers several levels of care, including:⁴

• Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs). Individuals in PHPs, which are sometimes referred to as day treatment programs, typically visit the hospital or treatment center for therapy and counseling sessions for 6 to 8 hours each day.⁵ That said, treatment times vary by facility but generally include several hours each day, multiple days each week. Services may include individual and group therapy, medication management, family therapy, education groups, and occupational and recreational therapies.⁶ Individuals may enter a PHP following inpatient treatment as a form of continuing care.
• Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs). Individuals in IOPs generally attend treatment for at least 9 hours per week, often in 3, 3-hour sessions.⁵ While no two programs are identical, IOPs typically offer a combination of evidence-based therapies and interventions, including individual and group counseling, behavioral therapies, psychoeducation, case management, medication management, family services, alcohol and drug monitoring, peer services, wellness programs, vocational and educational services, and mutual-help groups.⁷
• Standard outpatient. Standard outpatient programs focus on helping patients achieve changes in behaviors associated with substance use. In this level of care, there are minimal—if any—medical services offered. Treatment typically consists of less than 9 hours of treatment each week.

Alumni Programs

Many residential or inpatient addiction treatment centers offer alumni programs for people who have successfully completed treatment. Alumni programs provide tools and support to help individuals in recovery cope with addiction as they transition back home after treatment.

Alumni programs differ by facility but may offer activities and services, including:

• Sober events on a monthly or quarterly basis.
• A telephone hotline or texting line to contact for support.
• In-person or telephone check-ins.
• Online support through apps, email, message boards, and social media.

The goal of alumni programs is to connect people with continued support. In-person events allow individuals to meet other people in recovery, discuss their experiences and struggles, and receive advice and encouragement. These events may also involve participating in fun sober activities.

Actively participating in a treatment center’s alumni program can help individuals stay strong in their recovery and prevent future relapses.

Sober Living Homes

Having stable and sober housing is an important component of addiction recovery. Living in an environment where drugs and alcohol are present can lead to cravings and urges to use, which may be difficult to control. Sober living homes are drug- and alcohol-free residences that provide a safe and supportive environment for recovery. These homes promote a person-centered and strength-based approach, helping residents meet their needs and goals.⁸

Residents are expected to abstain from drugs and alcohol, actively work on their recoveries, and follow the house rules. Each sober living home has its own rules, but common expectations include completing chores and following a curfew.

Many residents are involved in 12-Step meetings such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. Some sober living homes may encourage attendance at these meetings; others may require it. Research indicates that higher involvement in 12-Step meetings and programs yields better outcomes in sustained recovery.⁹

Residents usually pay monthly or weekly fees or rent and can typically stay as long as they like—provided they follow the house rules and continue to pay.

Treatment teams can assist with finding a sober living environment that meets an individual’s needs and budget, but individuals may need to interview for a spot in a house to ensure the fit is right for both parties.

Recovery Meetings

Recovery meetings are free, informal mutual-help groups for people recovering from addictions and their families. While many different types of recovery meetings exist, they all provide members with an opportunity to meet and support peers.¹⁰ Attending recovery meetings is also an effective way to build a sober support network.

There are national and local mutual-help groups. Some of the most well-known are the 12-Step groups. They stress abstinence and use a set of 12 steps to help people recover from addiction. Members take responsibility for their own recovery, share their experiences, help others, and establish a relationship with a higher power.

To find local or virtual 12-Step meetings, search the websites of different groups, including Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. Find a local chapter to find meetings nearby, or search for virtual meetings. Some 12-Step meetings are targeted at specific populations, such as men, women, or members of the LGBT community.

Other types of recovery meetings exist for individuals looking for an alternative to the 12-Step approach. SMART Recovery is a research-based mutual-help group based on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) that helps members change negative emotions, thinking patterns, and behaviors to live a more balanced and fulfilling life without drugs and alcohol.¹¹ Search for local SMART Recovery meetings online.

Consider trying several different types of meetings and 12-Step groups to find the best fit.

How Do You Create an Aftercare Plan?

As your time in treatment comes to an end, you will likely meet with therapists, counselors, or case managers who will help you set up an aftercare plan. You can also work with an outside therapist or addiction professional to come up with a plan.

When creating your aftercare plan, members of your treatment care team help you consider your particular situation, including whether you need housing, employment, or continued treatment. Your plan depends on your your recovery journey—the progress you’ve made and your continuing needs. For example, if you lack a stable and safe living situation, then finding a sober living facility will be an important component of your plan.

You may continue your aftercare plan for weeks, months, even a year or more, depending on your needs and your progression through treatment. Most programs recommend that a person stay actively engaged in follow-up or aftercare for at least 1 year.³

Aftercare plans may be modified over time as your needs and goals change.

Should I Get a Sponsor?

Generally speaking, the 12-Step approach encourages getting a sponsor. A sponsor is a more experienced member of the recovery community who shares their experience and provides guidance to another person who is trying to get or stay sober through the 12-Step program. Typically, it is recommended that individuals find a relatable sponsor who seems compatible and is successfully using the program in their everyday life.¹²

Finding a sponsor, who has worked the 12 Steps can be helpful in early recovery. The responsibilities of a sponsor include:¹²

• Presenting a good example of sobriety.
• Encouraging regular attendance at meetings and participation in group activities.
• Introducing a person to other members.
• Introducing a person to 12-Step literature, such as the Big Book.
• Providing support as needed.
• Explaining the 12-Step program to the person’s family and friends.

Sometimes the first sponsor isn’t the best fit. Discuss this with your sponsor and find one that’s a better fit.

The Role of Ongoing Therapy or Outpatient Services

American Addiction Centers (AAC) understands the importance of ongoing care. As previously mentioned, some aftercare plans include stepping down to another level of care, such as a PHP, IOP, or standard outpatient care. All AAC treatment centers provide outpatient services. Additionally, many AAC facilities offer recovery residences or sober living nearby—including Resolutions Las Vegas, Resolutions Arlington in Texas, the Resolutions Facility in Oxford, Mississippi, and the on-site recovery residences at River Oaks Outpatient Treatment in Riverview, Florida—each of which allows residents to live in a drug-and alcohol-free community while attending outpatient care at the nearby AAC facility.

Regardless of the level of care received at an AAC treatment center, every patient who completes a treatment program at any AAC facility is eligible to join the AAC Alumni Community, which provides ongoing support, virtual and in-person events, and lots more. There’s also an app to support alumni after they complete treatment. The app allows alumni to:

• Monitor recovery progress.
• Keep a gratitude journal.
• Continue to make progress through recovery and stay healthy through wellness challenges.
• Watch, listen to, or read recovery-related content.
• Create and maintain connection with other AAC alumni.

How Can Family and Friends Support a Loved One’s Recovery?

Family and friends are a vital component of recovery and aftercare. If you have a loved one struggling with addiction, there are many ways you can provide support to help them maintain sobriety after rehab, including:

• Educating yourself. Learn all you can about addiction, recovery, and aftercare. Learning about what your loved one is experiencing can help you learn to set healthy boundaries and support them after treatment. Treatment centers typically offer group sessions to educate family members about addiction. Mutual-help groups specifically designed for families like Al-Anon, Nar-Anon, and Alateen can also help you learn to cope with a loved one’s addiction.
• Celebrating your loved one’s successes. In early recovery, achieving a few days of sobriety can feel like a victory. Celebrating milestones in sobriety with your loved one can help give them the motivation to continue working on their recovery.
• Encouraging healthy behaviors and habits. Your loved one may initially have a hard time finding enjoyment in things other than drugs and alcohol. Encouraging them to develop healthy behaviors and habits, such as exercising, eating well, getting enough rest, and participating in hobbies can help them find healthy ways to cope with stress.
• Keeping drugs and alcohol away. Seeing or talking about drugs and alcohol can be triggering for people in recovery. You can help your loved one a great deal by not drinking or using substances in front of them and encouraging them to avoid places with drugs and alcohol, such as bars, restaurants, and nightclubs.
• Attending couples or family therapy. Couples or family therapy provides a safe place to address issues related to your loved one’s addiction, such as communication problems, lack of trust, and setting boundaries.
• Practicing self-care. Taking care of yourself physically and emotionally can help you better cope with your loved one’s addiction and recovery. It is common to feel a range of emotions when a family member or friend is addicted to drugs or alcohol, including guilt, anger, and worry. Dealing with your own feelings by participating in positive and healthy activities or by going to therapy on your own is important.
• Learning about the signs of relapse. Being aware of the signs of relapse can help you identify if your loved one is headed for one. Signs include isolation, skipping 12-Step meetings or therapy sessions, sleeping or eating habit changes, drug cravings, and romanticizing past drug use or experiences.¹³ You can learn more about the signs of relapse by talking to other people in recovery, reading about addiction, and attending Al-Anon, Nar-Anon, and Alateen meetings.

Addiction Relapse Prevention

It’s not uncommon for individuals who struggle with addiction to relapse after completing treatment, and it doesn’t mean that treatment failed. Instead, a relapse indicates that additional treatment is needed or a different form of treatment is needed.

Finding Addiction Aftercare That Works For You

As previously mentioned, aftercare plans are put in place prior to the completion of a formal treatment program. You collaborate with your treatment team to assess continuing care that best fits your needs. This may include stepping down to an outpatient program. AAC offers various outpatient programs at all facilities throughout the country. Call to speak to a compassionate and knowledgeable admissions navigator—many of whom are in recovery—to explain your needs, understand your options, and continue your journey to recovery.