Levels of Care – Aftercare
Get Support for Continued Recovery with Addiction Treatment Aftercare
Recovery Doesn’t End at Discharge — We’re With You Every Step of the Way
Completing a formal treatment program for addiction is a major achievement in your recovery process; however, for many people, the work of recovery continues even after completion of formal programming. The transition back to daily life with all its stressors, relationships, and responsibilities that come along with it makes it a very vulnerable time for many. This transition is when you absolutely need to have support.
At Meridian Recovery, our aftercare program focuses on how to develop long-term recovery through continuing care, building community, and creating connections. We work with individuals from throughout South Jersey to develop individualized aftercare plans that are as customized and detailed as the treatment that was provided.
What Is Aftercare in Addiction Treatment?
Aftercare refers to the continued care and support services that help people maintain sobriety and wellness following the completion of a formal addiction treatment program.[1]
Aftercare is the link between the structured treatment environment and independent recovery, and there is consistent evidence that continued engagement greatly enhances long-term recovery success.[2] The National Institute on Drug Abuse and SAMHSA agree that continuing care is an essential element of effective addiction treatment.[3] Substance use disorder is a chronic condition and, like any chronic health condition, requires ongoing care rather than a single solution. Aftercare is how the ongoing care is delivered in the day-to-day lives of individuals.
At Meridian Recovery, aftercare planning is integrated into every step of your care while you are receiving treatment. Your continuing care plan will evolve as you are receiving care to ensure that you are not left alone to figure out the next steps once your initial treatment concludes.
Why Aftercare Matters
The time immediately following the completion of formal treatment is generally the time when the risk of relapse is greatest.[4] This is not a reflection of an individual’s commitment or character; it is a clinical fact. The neurological changes that occurred from the use of substances will not be remedied the very moment that treatment is completed. Additionally, returning to daily living will place individuals under tremendous pressure, even those most committed to their recovery.
Aftercare matters because it keeps people connected to the things that protect their recovery:
- Ongoing professional support and clinical guidance
- Access to peer support groups with those who truly understand the recovery process
- The coping mechanisms and relapse prevention strategies presented during treatment
- A network of people and resources that foster sobriety in your day-to-day living
The research is clear: people who participate in a structured aftercare program following treatment have much better long-term recovery outcomes than those who do not participate, making aftercare one of the best long-term investments that a person in recovery will make for themselves.[5]
Who Benefits from Aftercare?
The truth is that everyone who completes a formal addiction treatment program can benefit from aftercare. Recovery does not end at discharge, so the type of support systems that a person has after completing their treatment is one of the most important predictors of a person’s long-term recovery success. Aftercare is especially important for people who:
- Have previously relapsed after completing a treatment program
- Have experienced mental health issues
- Are returning to an environment or to individuals that may place them at risk in their recovery journey
- Are just starting to rebuild their support system and their daily routines
- Are transitioning from a higher level of care and need a greater amount of structure during their transitional period
What Aftercare Looks Like at Meridian Recovery
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to aftercare; everyone’s recovery is different. At Meridian Recovery, we work collaboratively with each client to develop an individualized aftercare plan. This plan includes information about the client’s personal recovery support networks, any co-occurring mental health conditions they have, and other factors that impact their individual aftercare experience.
A comprehensive aftercare plan may include:
- Ongoing therapy and clinical support — Clients have access to individual therapy and clinical support at a less frequent rate than they had during active treatment. This type of support helps clients process their recovery experiences, address new challenges prior to escalation, and continue to grow personally. Family therapy may also continue if it supports both the client’s recovery and their relationships.
- Relapse prevention planning — An effective aftercare plan also includes developing a personalized relapse prevention strategy. During treatment, all plans are refined and revisited in aftercare to help clients meet the challenges they face as they begin to live their everyday lives.
- Peer support and community — Clients will be assisted in developing a network of others in recovery so that they can remain sober while continuing to rely on one another for support.
- Sober living guidance — Clients who live in environments that may jeopardize their sobriety will receive assistance in finding sober living options that will provide accountability, peer connections, and stability in the early stages of their recovery.
- Wellness and self-care — Clients will receive assistance and encouragement to develop healthy routines that support their physical, emotional, and mental well-being. This includes holistic practices, such as yoga and mindfulness, to help decrease cravings and stress.
Dual Diagnosis Aftercare
Someone who received dual diagnosis treatment has specific aftercare needs related to both their substance use and their mental health conditions.[6]
Our aftercare planning process will ensure that dual diagnosis clients are able to maintain access to mental health services, including ongoing psychiatric care, medication management (where applicable), and therapeutic services after completing formal programming. Mental health services provided during aftercare will be consistent with the treatment model for dual diagnosis clients at Meridian Recovery.
Aftercare Planning Starts on Day One
At Meridian Recovery, aftercare planning is incorporated into your treatment plan from the very first day you enter treatment. Your care team will work closely with you to develop a plan, identify resources and support for you, and provide you with a clear and actionable continuing care plan prior to your discharge.
Leaving a treatment center with no continuing care plan is one of the most significant risk factors for relapse.[7] However, having an aftercare plan increases the likelihood that the progress you made in treatment will continue.
Contact Us
Your Recovery Deserves Ongoing Investment
If you or a loved one is looking for a treatment program the understands the importance of continuing care support following your treatment experience, Meridian Recovery is here to help. Our aftercare program is built on the same foundation of compassion, clinical expertise, and individualized care that defines everything we do.
Reach out to our team today to learn more about our aftercare and continuing care options.
Frequently Asked Questions About Aftercare
What is aftercare in addiction treatment?
Aftercare means the continuing care and support that will assist someone to stay sober and healthy after finishing a formal addiction treatment program. This includes such things as ongoing individual counseling or therapy, creating a relapse prevention plan, finding peer support groups, connecting with sober living recommendations, and getting psychiatric services.
How long does aftercare usually last?
There is no specific answer. The length of aftercare support is based solely upon the individual using the support. Some individuals require several months of aftercare support or assistance, while others may use the support provided through aftercare services for many years as part of their continued recovery.
Is aftercare necessary following addiction treatment?
Yes, aftercare is an important part of the recovery process. While completing a treatment program is a major step, ongoing support helps individuals maintain progress and reduce the risk of relapse by providing structure, accountability, and guidance as individuals transition back into everyday life, helping to strengthen long-term recovery.
Sources
[1] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2024). The importance of aftercare and continuing care in recovery. https://www.samhsa.gov/substance-use/recovery
[2] [5] [7] McKay, J. R. (2009). Continuing care research: What we’ve learned and where we’re going. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 36(2), 131–145. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2670779/
[3] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2016). Table 4.2, Principles of effective treatment for substance use disorders. In Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health. National Center for Biotechnology Information. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK424859/table/ch4.t2/
[4] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2016). Recovery: The many paths to wellness. In Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s report on alcohol, drugs, and health. National Center for Biotechnology Information.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK424846/
[6] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2005). Substance abuse treatment for persons with co-occurring disorders. (Treatment Improvement Protocol Series, No. 42). National Center for Biotechnology Information. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64197/
