Aftercare, Continuing Care, Post Treatment Care, are all terms that speak to the types of programs that are designed to continue giving a patient or recovering person some kind of support after they leave a more intensive therapeutic program.

What can I expect from an Aftercare program?

Most for-profit treatment centers are driven by the obvious...profits. Insurance companies, Federal and State alcohol and drug rehab funding doesn't usully pay for anything other than the original program, and even then it isn't usually adequate funding.

So, when one reviews the types of Aftercare programs that are offered by for-profit organization, you usually find a camoflaged hole, meaning there is a person or maybe two, who have the titles of Aftercare Specialist or Director, but when you look into the program, you will find that it consist of something that is treated as a necessary evil to fulfill the company's marketing needs.

Generally they will offer a group meeting once or twice a week and an ability to call a counselor, as needed.

When you track the outcomes of these "aftercare" programs, you find that the graduates of the original program usually quit coming after the first one or two weeks.

Are Aftercare Programs Successful?

The short answer is: "not usually of much help". The idea of needing more therapeutic attention and treatment than 30-days is certainly correct, but most people that are addicted to alcohol or other drugs will not be able to stay clean and attend an aftercare program.

It has been found that if a program keeps it's patients long enough and does the essential therapeutic practices so that they can confront and withstand the temptations of their cravings after they graduate, then what is important is to have someone checking in on them to validate their good work and efforts in staying clean and, if they relapse or slip, then to recover them back into the residential program to find out what went wrong or wasn't covered completely.

There is an old saying amoung Rehab Professionals: "if you leave any stone unturned, you will soon get another opportunity to handle it." Meaning that the secret that an addict holds onto is usually that issue that will raise its ugly head the moment he is in an enviroment where he is free to drink or use. Therefore, aftrercare really takes place while the person is in treatment and that is why short-term treatment is unrealistic and even longterm treatment is a real challenge to get all of those stones turned over and deal with the emotions that lie within.

All of us want to find a program that can guarantee that our loved one will never use alcohol or drug again or need to attend another longterm alcohol and drug treatment program.

Unfortunately, there are no real guarantees in drug rehabilitation, however, some long-term drug rehab centers will offer a re-admittance at no charge if the individual relapses within a short period of time after leaving the facility. Other long-term programs may offer a reduced rate for a review of the program (even though it is not a shortened version) as a way of taking equal responsibility for the situation.

Most longterm drug rehabs that are providing treatment that is requires three to six months are doing effective alcohol and drug treatment. Some, however, are doing the same thing that you see in short-term treatment, but dragging it out over a longer period.

Of course, a major factor in ensuring continued success is the follow-up and/or aftercare. A good long-term program will continue correspondence with the former client as well as the family to ensure they're on track with their discharge planning. It is important that these communications are taken seriously and followed since there will be many challenges once the addict or alcoholic re-enters society and begins to relate to those that knew him/her during the embarrassing times when they were impaired. The graduates must have adrug-free supportive environment for them to continue their sobriety and "groove-in" their new behaviors. In many cases, it means finding a new job, new friends and possibly even a completely new place to live. An experienced discharge counselor can help set up such a plan.

These value-added services are only available at a limited few private facilities and have proven to be invaluable and unnecessary to families and addicts.

What is a Reintegration program?

Some programs offer an extended care component called a reintegration program. You can see from the name that it is about a person reintegrating into society after longterm drug treatment. These programs are more than the typical aftercare programs, becasue they connect the graduate with services from other organizations in his local community that offer those areas in his life that still need enhancement so that the ex-addict can live at a level that will give him the kinds of rewards in life that will keep him from resorting to alcohol and other drugs again.

After a person has completed a good longterm drug rehab, they shold be rid of their cravings and have the resiliency to handle temptations to use addictive substances again. However, many ex-addicts never developed their lives fully enough to have the wherewithal to secure gainful employment, thrive in a relationship, be a good father or mother, and many other necessary skills that are needed to continue to have the self-confidence needed to be successful in his recovery.

Many graduates do not understand how to manage their incomes, apply for work, socialize with postitive people that are drug-free and many other skills that are needed to be successful in life.

Therefore, one of the things you will want to look for in finding a quality longterm drug rehab is what kind of reintegration program exist. Ask the intake counselors about this concept and see what they have to offer. If you call one of our counselors at the number below, we will connect you with a longterm drug rehab that has a sound reintegration program and you can then compare that program to others you many have investigated. It is so very important to have this tranistion back into society supproted by the kinds of services that will keep you or your loved one feeling more and more capable. They need to reward themselves with successes in life to ensure that they stay alcohol- and drug-free.

Call to Discover Your Best Course of Action, Post Treatment.