Drug Rehab Aftercare: What You Need to Know

Rehabilitation is just the beginning of recovery. Learn about drug rehab aftercare and why it’s important here.

What is Drug Rehab Aftercare?

Drug rehab aftercare follows rehabilitation treatment to help people maintain and build on the skills learned during their recovery program. It also helps prevent relapse. 

It is estimated that 40-60% of those struggling with a substance use disorder relapse. Keeping up with treatment by having a drug rehab aftercare plan is key to reducing this risk.

Recovering from a substance use disorder (SUD) is a life-long journey, and effective drug rehab aftercare is a crucial aspect of maintaining recovery. At Continuum Outpatient Center, we’re wholly committed to helping you or your loved one sustain sobriety in the long-term.

Why is Drug Rehab Aftercare Important?

It’s easier to refrain from using drugs and alcohol in an environment like rehab than it is post-treatment. Inpatient rehab is highly structured and doesn’t provide the opportunity to slip up. The real challenge comes upon graduating from a rehabilitation program and transitioning back into day-to-day life. 

Temptations and triggers will arise, and it’s important for people to have the right type of support to keep them from falling back into old patterns. This is where drug rehab aftercare comes in. Drug rehab aftercare provides people with services to support sobriety after completing a treatment program.

What Does Drug Rehab Aftercare Look Like?

Drug rehab aftercare looks different at different stages of recovery. Some components of drug rehab aftercare include:

  • Taking part in an intensive outpatient program (IOP) or partial hospitalization program (PHP)
  • Taking part in the treatment center’s alumni program
  • Choosing a sober living arrangement
  • Regular check-ins with the case manager
  • Ongoing counseling and therapy
  • Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
  • Group sobriety meetings, such as AA or NA
  • Peer support and mentorship 
  • Developing a good support system
  • Community involvement 
  • Vocational training/job placement 
  • Proper diet and exercise

Drug Rehab Aftercare and the Recovery Journey

Recovering from addiction is possible, but because addiction is a complex disease, recovery can take time. Recovery involves more than just addressing chemical dependence. 

Through the recovery process, patients will learn new skills to:

  • Handle adversity
  • Heal relationships
  • Improve physical and mental health
  • Overcome trauma
  • Manage triggers and prevent relapse
Drug rehab aftercare provides people with the support they need once they emerge from the security of an inpatient program. Aftercare allows them to flesh out the skills learned and build upon them.

Drug Rehab Aftercare and Relapse Prevention

Each stage of recovery has its own set of relapse risks. Different prevention strategies work for different times, and preventing relapse is more than just learning how to say “no” to substance use. It’s about developing new coping skills and redefining self-care.

Another component of relapse prevention is understanding how it works and why it happens. Rehabilitation centers offer different levels of drug rehab aftercare in which patients will be equipped with the tools needed to be successful after treatment.

Drug Rehab Aftercare at Continuum Outpatient Center

There is a definite need for quality drug rehab aftercare in Bexar County, Texas. Aftercare prevents relapse and overdose-related death. 

Last year, 4,721 Texan lives were lost to drug overdose. Of all of the counties in Texas, Bexar County ranked third highest for overdose-related deaths. This is why the services offered at Continuum Outpatient Center are so important.

By providing access to high-quality aftercare, our team at Continuum aims to reduce this number. We offer a few different options for care, including telehealth. 

Here are some of the benefits of choosing Continuum for your recovery needs:

Effective Care for All

Substance use disorder affects people from all walks of life. Last year, it was estimated that a little over 17% of the U.S. population above the age of 12 had a substance use disorder. That comes out to 48.7 million Americans. 

While it’s true that some groups of people are at higher risk for developing a substance use disorder, anyone can develop SUD. At Continuum, we proudly offer individual care to a diverse audience. We offer programs for both adults and teenagers struggling with mental illness and substance abuse.

Drug Rehab Aftercare for Teens at Continuum

Teens are at higher risk of developing a substance use disorder than older adults. On a national level, a little over half of all teens have tried illicit substances in their life.

Texas teens are not an exception to this. Almost 20% of Texas teenagers have taken a prescription that doesn’t belong to them. Additionally, one out of ten teenagers aged 12-17 report binge drinking regularly. By the time these teens reach senior year, the number jumps to one out of four. 

Due to the hormonal changes and social learning that occur during the teenage years, it’s important to take special care when treating teens. We’re proud to offer a drug rehab aftercare program specifically designed to meet the needs of adolescents. Our program for teens meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5-8 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Personalized Aftercare to Help You Succeed

All of our aftercare programs are tailored to meet each person’s unique needs. Our master-level treatment providers take the time and effort needed to understand you as an individual.

Our staff will work together with you to come up with a drug rehab aftercare plan that works for your treatment goals.

Here’s how we do it:

Dual Diagnosis Model

60% of people struggling with a substance use disorder also have an additional mental illness. Often, untreated mental illness can lead to substance use as a way to self-medicate.

At Continuum Outpatient Center, we understand that substance use is often an indicator of deeper issues.

That’s why we operate on a dual diagnosis model, meaning that in addition to receiving care for substance use disorder, you will also receive treatment for any underlying mental health conditions. 

Trauma-Informed Care

Substance use is also often related to unresolved trauma. It is estimated that anywhere between a quarter and a third of people with a substance use disorder also have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

To be sensitive to this, we offer trauma-informed care and provide a shame-free environment for processing.

Holistic Model of Care

We operate on a holistic model of care. This means that not only will you learn the skills you need to recover, but you will also be given the tools to improve every area of your life.

Break Free From Substance Use Disorder!

Call Continuum Outpatient Center today for an individualized treatment plan designed to fit your needs.

Aftercare Options at Continuum Outpatient Center

As mentioned before, drug rehab aftercare looks different for everyone. Our attentive staff will work with you to develop an aftercare program that works for you. Whether you need a highly structured program or just a little extra support, we’ve got you covered.  

Here are some of the treatment options available at Continuum Outpatient Center:

Partial Hospitalization Programs as Drug Rehab Aftercare

Having structure and developing a strong routine is important following treatment. Partial hospitalization programs offer a high level of structure and often follow inpatient treatment. 

A PHP is considered a “step down” from inpatient rehab, meaning you’ll participate in a highly structured four-week program, but still be able to return home each night. Like inpatient care, partial hospitalization programs provide both medical care and counseling services.

At Continuum, our PHP runs Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. with a lunch break at midday. Throughout the day, you’ll participate in group activities, therapy, and skills training. This type of drug rehab aftercare is perfect for those who’ve completed an inpatient treatment program but aren’t completely ready to return to their day-to-day life.

Intensive Outpatient Drug Rehab Aftercare

In addition to partial hospitalization, we also offer intensive outpatient care. Our intensive outpatient program is a “step down” in care from partial hospitalization and allows for a more flexible schedule.

Intensive outpatient programs are perfect for those who have just completed partial hospitalization or who can’t commit to an inpatient stay but still need help. Participation in our intensive outpatient program consists of a commitment to a few sessions a week, each lasting a few hours.

In order to make our outpatient aftercare as accessible as possible, we have both morning (9 a.m.-noon)  and evening (6 p.m.-9 p.m.) offerings. Our IOP is offered Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. For those living further away, or who cannot attend in-person, we also offer telehealth services.

Drug Rehab Aftercare Options for Continuum Alumni

If you’ve already completed a program at Continuum and are looking for the next steps in drug rehab aftercare, we offer aftercare services for our alumni every Tuesday. We understand life is busy, so we also have virtual drug rehab aftercare offerings.

Drug Rehab Aftercare As Community Care

Substance use disorder affects more than the person suffering from it. Substance use disorder takes a massive economic toll on society as a whole and is damaging to communities. Combined, alcohol use disorder and illicit drug use cost the United States $442 billion each year.

Outside of the monetary costs, substance disorder leads to:

  • Increased crime
  • Car accidents
  • Low employment rates
  • Homelessness
  • Transmission of blood borne diseases like HIV and hepatitis
By healing yourself, you can begin to heal your community. With peer mentorship opportunities, you can also begin to directly impact your community and help others find healing as well.

Benefits of Drug Rehab Aftercare

There are many reasons to continue care after initial inpatient treatment. Developing and sticking to an aftercare plan pays off in the long run. You, your family, and your entire community benefit from quality aftercare options.

Individual Benefits

The individual benefits of receiving aftercare are numerous. When you participate in a drug rehab aftercare program, you will:

  • Learn how to prevent and minimize relapse
  • Retain all of the valuable skills learned during treatment
  • Refine your coping skills
  • Receive support for challenges that arise in your life
  • Receive ongoing counseling
  • Be given the support you need to maintain your sobriety

Family Benefits

Substance use disorder affects the whole family. When you seek treatment for substance use disorder, you are beginning a journey that will help heal your entire family. In addition to the personal benefits, your family will also benefit. 

Seeking drug rehab aftercare can help: 

  • Strengthen family bonds
  • Address familial trauma 
  • Begin to rebuild trust in your close relationships
  • Learn more effective communication skills
  • Put your family in touch with resources to best support themselves and you
  • Reduce the emotional burden of substance use disorder on the family

Community Benefits

As mentioned earlier, addiction care is community care. When you heal yourself, the whole community benefits. Liberating yourself from substance use disorder allows you to contribute to the bigger picture.

Continuum Outpatient Center’s Values

Quality care comes from having quality values and putting them into practice. Our programs are backed by values that you can feel. We believe in empowerment, self-awareness, respect, and support.

Resilience and Empowerment

Treatment and aftercare work best when you feel good about yourself. We believe in helping you find your strengths and use them for recovery. 

Finding your strengths also means recognizing your resilience. Resilience is our power to recover from difficulty. Our programs are designed to help build up your resilience so you can be successful.

Self Awareness

Understanding the “why” behind certain behaviors is a powerful way to stop or change them. Our evidence-based approach will help you build your self-awareness. As you become more self-aware, you will learn how to take control of your own thoughts and behaviors.  

Respect and Support

Respect is an essential element of recovery, and our team at Continuum is dedicated to treating each of our clients with the utmost respect.

This means that we:

  • Are mindful and attentive to your needs
  • Operate empathetically 
  • Treat you with dignity 
  • Recognize your individuality
  • Support you in your choices regarding care
When you feel respected, it becomes easier to respect yourself and heal. We offer a respectful and supportive environment, no matter where you are in your journey.

Contact Continuum Outpatient Center Today

If you or someone you know is interested in pursuing treatment or drug rehab aftercare or joining our alumni program, reach out to us today. We’d be thrilled to have you. 

Our client care specialists are just a phone call away.