What is Aftercare, and Why is It Important in Recovery?

Once you’ve made it through each phase of your recovery journey from detox to various forms of therapy to follow, you have hit the “home stretch”. You’re about to enter the recovery aftercare, although you’re not entirely sure what that means or what it entails. 

While it might sound as if it’s the end of your recovery, it’s still very much the beginning, so don’t put an unreasonable amount of pressure on yourself to live a perfect sober lifestyle. It’s often unrealistic expectations like that that cause people to relapse in the weeks or months following rehab; the premature embracing of total independence, or lack of preparedness for sobriety.

Recovery doesn’t end when an inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation program is completed; that’s why aftercare exists. Today, we’re going to take a closer look at this crucial phase of recovery.

What is aftercare?

Aftercare refers to the ongoing support you receive after completing the initial phases of addiction treatment, which generally includes a medical detox and a rehabilitation program.

The purpose of aftercare is to make the client’s transition from intensive treatment to their new day-to-day life as smooth as possible. Though not everyone enrolls in a residential program where they live 24/7 on-site for a few weeks or months. Even those who maintained some level of independence throughout their treatment can find the full adjustment to sobriety difficult.

Those who have completed a significant program, such as addiction recovery, mental health management or recovery, or trauma healing, often experience the revelation of other issues throughout their treatment. 

For example, someone who struggled with decades of substance abuse issues may discover through their consistent counseling sessions (sessions for substance abuse) a deep-seated trauma they had been suppressing since childhood. The revelation of such trauma would require additional counseling to heal from, which is an example of a service that would be continued in aftercare.

Why is aftercare important in recovery?

The number one reason why aftercare is such an important part of recovery is because the extra support and resources provided in aftercare can be crucial for someone’s sustained sobriety or other type of recovery.

After completing a treatment program, individuals might find themselves vulnerable to a variety of triggers or temptations when they return to independent living. Adjusting to the lack of formal structure can be difficult, as can relearning how to perform standard adult responsibilities — committing to a job, building credit, paying bills, maintaining relationships and more. 

Aftercare provides ongoing support to help individuals maintain their healthy progress, and reinforce healthy habits and coping skills. It also helps to provide them with the tools and strategies they need to navigate future triggers, stressors and temptations.

In addition, aftercare allows for the development of a strong, compassionate support network made up of peers, mentors, family members and medical professionals. These connections are not only beneficial for general well-being purposes but also helpful in increasing the chances of long-term success in recovery.

If you aren’t sure what kind of care you need at this stage of your journey, send us a message and we’ll help you figure out your next best steps.

Speak with an advisor today

Here at October Road, we specialize in providing personalized behavioral health and substance use treatments to men and women in all phases of adulthood. We have several locations throughout North Carolina.

We recognize the impact that all significant experiences can have in our lives, on our mental health and on our behavior, which is why each of our programs is administered through a trauma-informed approach. Our multidisciplinary staff is equipped to support people with a variety of different needs throughout the entire recovery process, from the initial assessment all the way through aftercare.

To learn more about how we can support you and help you reclaim your health, happiness and freedom, send us a message or call us today and we’ll respond to your inquiry shortly.