-small-thumbnail.jpg?v=1731071636)
Recovery support services involve continued care following the completion of an addiction treatment program. This can include therapies, support groups, financial and housing support, and community engagement. Recovery programs can significantly benefit the recovery process and help prevent relapse.
- Recovery programs and support services can include ongoing therapy, family involvement and education, housing and employment support, and recovery coaching.
- A key element of recovery is relapse prevention, which will likely be discussed and planned within a treatment or recovery program.
- To find local support services, it can be helpful to speak to professionals already involved in treatment or access state governmental websites.
Importance of recovery support services after addiction treatment
Addiction treatment might involve weeks, months, or even years of professional interventions, such as inpatient rehab or outpatient treatment programs. Once this treatment is completed, it is likely that the individual has been abstinent from substances for some time, has learned new ways to manage their cravings and other addiction symptoms, and has begun making some lifestyle changes. [1]
At this point, continuing to receive support through other services can be crucial to sustaining and improving recovery outcomes. Although treatment episodes can be effective in reducing substance use, these benefits may be short-lived without continuing care and recovery support. [1][2]
Unfortunately, it is common for people to experience one or more relapses after engaging in addiction treatment. As such, recovery is an ongoing process, which may require lifelong support and commitment. Research shows that the longer a person engages in recovery services, the better their outcome and success in maintaining sobriety. [2][3]
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines recovery as: [4]
“A process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.”
SAMHSA also explains four key areas that are crucial to recovery support: [4]
- Health: Physical and mental well-being, abstaining from substances, and making healthy lifestyle choices.
- Home: Living in an environment that provides safety and stability.
- Purpose: Engaging in meaningful careers, activities, and hobbies that provide personal or societal benefits.
- Community: Building and being part of a community and strong support networks.
Recovery support services can help individuals improve these aspects of well-being through a range of services and interventions that can support the recovery process and help prevent relapse. [1][4]
Types of recovery support programs available post-treatment
After going through a treatment program, people will often be given advice and support on ways to continue with their recovery and appropriate services to aid in this. Recovery support programs can involve many different aspects, which will vary depending on the individual’s circumstances.
Recovery support programs will be tailored to meet the individual’s needs and might include ongoing therapy, group meetings, and psychosocial support to manage aspects such as finances and housing. [4]
Outpatient therapy and counseling
It is common for addiction treatment programs to involve some type of therapeutic intervention, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Continuing with this therapy after completing an initial treatment program can help enhance its benefits.
Therapies, such as CBT, can be crucial interventions for those with substance use issues. Often, substance use occurs alongside mental health symptoms, which may be an underlying cause of addiction development. Therapy can help people understand these underlying causes, manage emotional distress that contributes to substance use, and process any traumatic events they have experienced. [3][5]
For example, CBT can teach people to recognize negative thought and behavior patterns associated with harmful behaviors and substance use and teach skills and strategies to adapt these patterns. Continuing with this type of therapy long-term can support the recovery process by providing methods to recognize and manage cravings and triggers, aiding in positive decision-making. [5]
Peer support and recovery coaches
Peer support can provide many benefits during the ongoing recovery process and can be gained through support groups, peer recovery support services, and recovery coaches. Peer support differs from professional support in that it allows the individual in recovery to form a trusting friendship with a person who has lived experience of substance use issues and recovery. [6]
Support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), can provide ongoing support to individuals in recovery. They are often led by an individual who has gone through their own recovery process and can guide and advise others in the group. Many people continue to attend group meetings for years, finding them a source of community and support. These groups also tend to provide individuals with a ‘sponsor’ who can offer more personalized emotional and practical support. [2][7]
More recently, the idea of peer support has expanded beyond these groups into areas of peer recovery support services and recovery coaching. These services are also provided by someone who has experienced substance use issues and recovery. They also receive training to help provide a more comprehensive level of support, including emotional, practical, social, and informational services. [8]
These types of support require ongoing research into their efficacy, as they are still new, but so far, they have demonstrated many positive effects on recovery outcomes. They can provide a less formal type of support, improving therapeutic relationships, treatment retention, access to services, maintaining abstinence, and relapse prevention. [6][8]
Employment support and sober living homes
Initial treatment programs can help reduce substance use and manage the detoxification process. Following this, a holistic approach is necessary, focusing on the many aspects of the individual’s life that have been affected by their substance use.
For many people, aspects such as employment, housing, and social environments, are key areas that require support and improvement. Services that focus on these areas can be crucial in helping to provide the stability and purpose needed to support a successful recovery. [9]
This might involve community-based support provided as part of a continuing care program. Alternatively, this might be provided while the individual resides in a sober living home or recovery house.
These homes are intended to provide a drug-free environment with structure and support for people following a treatment program. In this environment, individuals can develop skills, connections, and behaviors that will help when they return to the community. Research shows that this can improve recovery outcomes, maintain abstinence, reduce criminal activity, and increase employment. [10]
Family therapy and education programs
Family therapy and education can be a significant aspect of addiction recovery, particularly for young people or those living with family members. Family members might have been included in certain therapies or interventions during treatment or may begin to be involved after initial treatment is completed. [3]
Involving family in recovery support can improve outcomes by providing family members with a better understanding of addiction causes, behaviors, and consequences, mechanisms to provide appropriate support, strategies to manage any challenges they encounter, and improved communication within the home. [11]
Various types of family-based treatment are available that can be implemented at any point in the recovery process and can improve the individual’s feelings of stability and the strength of their support network. This can also help reduce any feelings of shame, guilt, loneliness, or other negative emotions that may have contributed to their substance use, as well as increase their motivation for change and sustained recovery. [11]
Key elements of effective recovery programs
Successful recovery involves focusing on certain key elements, which can be implemented within each of the types of recovery support programs. These key elements include developing a relapse prevention plan, learning skills and coping mechanisms, and building strong support networks.
Relapse prevention planning
It is common for people in recovery to experience cravings, triggers, and temptations, at any stage of their recovery process, sometimes even after years of sobriety. Developing a relapse prevention plan can help mitigate this risk or provide a guideline to utilize if relapse signs occur. [1]
A professional, such as a therapist, may be able to help create a relapse prevention plan, which should be specific to the individual’s experiences and triggers. This will often involve ways to check for and identify relapse warning signs, coping mechanisms to manage these signs, and actions to take to seek support when needed. [5]
Life skills and coping mechanisms
Developing skills and coping mechanisms is crucial to sustained recovery, as this can significantly impact how an individual responds to challenging experiences. These skills can be learned and developed in individual therapy, support groups, or with family members, and can help manage physical, emotional, and social issues. [5]
Building a toolkit of coping strategies can help individuals feel empowered to maintain their recovery and work toward healthy habits and lifestyles. This can improve resilience to stress and triggers, helping to prevent relapse, which in turn improves self-esteem and confidence in their ability to recover. [4]
Building a support network for recovery
Having a good support network can provide many benefits to addiction recovery. These networks can be made up of family and friends, members from support groups, and peers met through addiction treatments. Support networks can improve abstinence, treatment retention, and self-efficacy. [4][12]
Accessing recovery programs and resources
Following treatment, such as inpatient rehab, partial hospitalization programs, or outpatient treatment programs, it is likely that individuals will be advised or referred to services to help with accessing recovery programs. This can help find appropriate services that are tailored to the individual’s needs, as the professionals involved in their initial treatment will understand their condition and circumstances. [1][3]
Alternatively, it can be beneficial to speak with a primary care clinician or substance use disorder specialist to gather information about local recovery support services.
Governmental websites provide directories to help find recovery support services by state, such as Tennessee and Maine.
-guide-detail.jpg?v=1722501470)
