A substance use disorder, like arthritis or diabetes, is a chronic illness. While a chronic condition can affect someone all that person’s life, it is possible to manage it with detox programs, addiction treatment programs, and addiction aftercare programs for substance abuse. If you are looking for a health center facility in Portland, Maine that offers quality aftercare programs for substance abuse, look no further than Casco Bay Recovery!
What Are Aftercare Programs For Substance Abuse?
Going through a medical detox and an addiction treatment program is a huge accomplishment, but addiction recovery doesn’t stop there. It is typically a lifelong process that involves commitment and extra help in some cases. Aftercare programs for substance abuse provide clients with ongoing assistance that helps people in recovery maintain sobriety.
Sometimes, rehab aftercare can come in the form of inpatient rehab. However, for most people, all-encompassing outpatient rehab services are more helpful. In general, an addiction aftercare program is any follow-up treatment for initial substance use disorder treatments that are often inpatient and more intensive.
The goals of aftercare programs for substance abuse are:
- Maintaining addiction recovery and lifelong sobriety
- Achieving a life filled with purpose and supportive and rewarding relationships
- Preventing setbacks or relapses
The Benefits of Aftercare Rehab Program in Maine
To achieve a happier life, free of addiction, a person must stay consistent while using all available resources. There are many benefits to utilizing aftercare programs for substance abuse for sobriety and relapse prevention. After the main treatment has ended, it can be extremely beneficial to continue into rehab aftercare to ensure sobriety for years to come.
Some of the benefits of aftercare programs for substance abuse include:
- Continued support after initial treatment
- Allows a person to learn valuable coping techniques and strategies for the future
- Reduces the risk of relapse substantially
- Allows for ongoing treatment even after main treatment has ended
- Creates a support group you can count on after treatment
Above all, aftercare programs for substance abuse go the extra mile in ensuring that a person stays away from relapsing into drug use. At Casco Bay, we provide several avenues for continued care after treatment has ended.
How Does an Effective Aftercare Program Help With Addiction Treatment?
People in recovery will often experience ongoing issues after addiction treatment. These issues often pop up when they’re already back to living their lives and maintaining their sobriety without medical support. Our addiction aftercare programs for substance abuse will link clients to services that help them secure jobs, affordable housing, legal help, financial aid, and more. Stress, overall, can be a significant trigger. As a result, addiction aftercare programs for substance abuse usually have an overarching goal to improve the lives of clients.
Many services are available in our rehab aftercare programs. However, each one should fit somewhere in the following components of successful rehab aftercare:
- Home – Aftercare should include help in accessing stable and supportive residential options during and after initial addiction treatment programs.
- Health – Aftercare should also provide treatment services to reduce withdrawal symptoms or overcome triggers for relapsing. This can include regularly scheduled mental health assessments and drug tests.
- Community – Aftercare should also help clients to build new and healthy social networks and improve current relationships. The community aspect of aftercare focuses on securing that sense of belonging and helping clients to engage in strong relationships.
- Purpose – It’s no secret that having a stronger sense of purpose can help with recovery. Helping people to find meaning can also give people the motivation to maintain their sobriety.
Types of Aftercare Programs for Substance Abuse
There are several different types of aftercare programs for substance abuse that are available to our clients. Each case of addiction is different so it’s important to know what is available and what will work best. Substance abuse treatment is best applied under the guidance of qualified professionals. Whichever program works best for you, our team will be by your side to make sure you stay clean and responsible. Some of the more common forms of rehab aftercare involve:
- 12-step programs
- Outpatient treatment programs
- Career counseling/support
- Other addiction resources
These are just some of the many aftercare program resources available for recovery management. A combination of these resources and programs can make for a quality routine to combat relapse down the line. Keeping a set routine with professional help can make a big difference after treatment has ended. Let’s take a closer look at each of these programs.
12-Step Programs
12-step programs are some of the most popular forms of aftercare treatment due to their sense of community and consistency. Such programs are usually done in an anonymous group setting and are voluntary. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are two of the most popular forms of 12-step programs. By following the 12-steps and holding each other accountable, these programs provide a great outlet in aftercare.
Outpatient Treatment Programs
There are several different kinds of outpatient programs, each with their own hours and structure. Overall, outpatient programs follow the same principle which involves attending weekly sessions for a few hours each day. The exact hours a person attends sessions for depends on the program and the person. There are also day-time and night-time outpatient programs to accommodate a person’s schedule if needed.
Outpatient programs include:
It is best to consult with a medical professional to determine which is best for you or your loved ones. Casco Bay also offers addiction treatment for men and women (gender-specific).
Career Counseling/Support
Returning back to normal life and society can be a daunting task for those fresh out of recovery. Finding a job or returning to one can be a burden for some. Luckily, one of the aspects of an aftercare program for substance abuse is career counseling. A person can get help looking for a job with references and job interview practice, among other support. This is just one of the many aspects of aftercare programs for substance abuse that help keep a person responsible and away from drug use.
Other Resources Available in Aftercare Programs
Apart from some of the main programs like outpatient treatment and support groups, there are many resources. As mentioned, there may be some hesitation or worry when returning back to life. Besides finding a job or creating a routine, a person may need some extra help in the process.
Aftercare programs provide a wide variety of resources and programs available to help a person get back into regular life. Some resources available in aftercare programs for substance abuse include:
- Legal support or advice
- Case management
- Coaching/goal-setting
- Academic support
- Financial budgeting assistance
- Substance monitoring programs
- Community buildings
Among this list are other more personalized options for those in aftercare. Life after treatment does have to be scary or uncertain, aftercare programs for substance abuse can be the tools needed to move forward and avoid relapsing. Casco Bay Recovery offers quality aftercare for all our clients because our work is not done until you’ve reached a better life, free of addiction.
What Happens If You Relapse During Addiction Recovery?
If you’re part of addiction aftercare programs for substance abuse and you relapse, it doesn’t mean that all of your addiction recovery progress up until now is worthless. However, it could mean that your customized rehab aftercare program needs some tweaking. Consider asking your treatment provider for support group recommendations. You can also ask about options such as living in sober living houses or residential reentry centers after going through a detox program again. Ask about other outpatient treatments you can access in your area, too.
Aftercare Rehab Program at Casco Bay Recovery
Our aftercare programs for substance abuse continue to help recovering addicts every day. By providing a consistent and supportive foundation after treatment, a person has the tools to succeed through them.
If you or a loved one is suffering from an addiction, don’t wait for things to get worse, get help. If you are looking for an addiction treatment health care facility in Portland, Maine that offers rehab aftercare, look no further than Casco Bay Recovery. Contact us today to start your journey after treatment.