Aftercare Program for Substance Abuse

Changing your life is never easy. Recovery from drug or alcohol addiction is an ongoing process that takes time and support.

If your greatest fear about recovery is what happens after treatment, Mississippi Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center offers hope. Our drug treatment facility in Biloxi, Mississippi has created an individualized aftercare program that’s designed to give you the guidance and support you need for a successful life after rehab.

What is an Aftercare Program?

Aftercare is a long-term program that’s geared toward continued sobriety after leaving active treatment. Each aftercare plan is tailored to the participant, dependent upon:

• Type of initial treatment
• Length, severity, and nature of your addiction(s)
• Type of substances abused
• Co-occurring mental health concerns
• Previous trauma

This program also takes into account real-world circumstances like housing and employment stability and the need for continued medical maintenance. Support systems in place could include transitioning to a sober living facility, 12-step programs, group counseling, and individual therapy.

What your aftercare program looks like will be determined by you and your treatment team. It’s based partially on your situation and mindset at the end of your treatment program.

What Does Aftercare Consist of?

The first few months of sobriety are when you’re most vulnerable to relapse. Aftercare is rarely a standalone treatment option, but rather the final phase of your journey toward long-term recovery. Whether you’re a resident of our rehab center or receiving outpatient services, we want you to know that you’re never alone in your struggle to live a healthier, happier life.

Once you have successfully completed your initial drug or alcohol treatment, your therapist will sit down with you to discuss your goals and ongoing concerns post-rehab. Your options could include continued care in our intensive outpatient program (IOP) or moving to a sober living home. Sober living homes are drug and alcohol-free. These safe, homelike environments offer a long-term option for structured living. This is also when we’ll determine whether you’ll need ongoing medical maintenance, which will be administered and supervised by a qualified medical practitioner.

All of the people who participate in one of our treatment programs will also receive assistance finding and attending support groups in their local community. The most well-known and effective groups are 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA). Both programs provide group support and individual sponsors who provide the following:

• Act as an example of successful sober living
• Encourage regular attendance and participation with group meetings and activities
• Guide you through the literature and concepts of the program and how the 12 steps work
• Explain the concepts of the 12 step program to family and friends, with your permission; the point of AA is anonymity when you need it
• Act as a support contact when you’re feeling vulnerable, overwhelmed, or tempted to use

There is also a program for family and friends of recovering individuals called Al-Anon.

Additional services could include family counseling and group sessions with peers who understand your struggle. We’ll also assist you with scheduling medical appointments or individual therapy to address mental or physical health problems. We can even help you resolve concerns about employment or stable housing, which are a huge factor in relapse prevention.

Successful alumni have an opportunity to give back by mentoring others who are ready to live a drug- and alcohol-free life. We’re proud to inform you that MDATC has an active, robust, and supportive alumni program.

What Happens if I Relapse?

First of all, there’s no shame in relapse. Sobriety is a journey, not a destination. Few of us get it completely right the first time. In fact, more than half of individuals who have been through rehab will relapse at some point. This highlights the power of addiction.

The main goal of your aftercare plan is to promote long-term recovery and reduce the chances of relapse. Most aftercare programs will last through the first year after recovery. However, patients who are at higher risk for relapse may remain in aftercare for much longer.

If you do experience a relapse, no matter how small the slip, contact your counselor, or therapist immediately. They’ll help you understand the conditions that led to your setback and help you devise a plan to identify and neutralizer triggers in the future. You’ll also be encouraged to refresh the concepts you learned in rehab and make a plan to address any new issues.

More serious, ongoing usage may require detox and additional rehab. The main priority is, to be honest with your support network and yourself and to continue to explore your treatment options.