Recovering from a substance abuse issue is a multi-phase process.
It begins with detox and accelerates with rehab. But what happens after that? That’s where aftercare comes in. It’s an often underrated aspect of the substance abuse recovery process that could be the key to achieving your long-term sobriety goals.
We put together this page to explain aftercare to you and help you get a better sense of how it works. Keep reading to learn more or feel free to give us a call at (855) 906-4088 at any time if you have more personalized questions about this form of care.
What is Aftercare?
As the name implies, aftercare is the phase of substance abuse recovery treatment that comes after rehab. It’s when you begin transitioning your healing journey away from the structure of rehab and back out into the comparable freedom of daily life.
Aftercare is very important because the recovery challenges you face in rehab are likely to be different than the ones you encounter while back in your normal life. You need to have support as you deal with these challenges. Otherwise, you may face an increased risk of relapse and lost progress.
Who Needs Aftercare?
Aftercare is something that everyone who is in recovery from substance abuse needs. However, the specific aftercare treatments that you receive can vary based on what your care team recommends.
Ignoring aftercare entirely is a recipe for relapse. But you don’t necessarily need to spend time in a sober living home to get the structure that you need to heal. As always, it will be best to consult with your care team before making a decision about which type of aftercare treatment is right for you.
What Does Aftercare Include?
There are several different forms of care that your aftercare plan may include. Here’s a look at the three most common types of support your care team may recommend after you complete rehab.
Therapy
Therapy is something that we recommend to all of our patients who complete rehab. It’s important to continue working with a therapist because they will be your support system when you need help with the challenges you experience while transitioning your recovery into the real world.
Ideally, you will continue working with the therapist that you began seeing in rehab. But even if you can’t, you will still need to find someone else to work with, or else risk increasing your chances of relapse. This is something we can help you with at Harmony Junction.
Group Work
Group work will also likely be part of your aftercare plan. It can involve either 12-step or non-12-step meetings. We may also recommend participating in group therapy sessions.
The benefit of group work is twofold. First, it gives you the chance to learn from the experiences of others. Someone in your group may have already gone through challenges that you’re just experiencing for the first time. You could benefit from their advice and support, which could help you stay on the path to lasting recovery.
Sober Living
Finally, your care team could also recommend spending some time in a sober living home. Sober living is a transition between the structure of rehab and the full-fledged freedom of your normal life.
In a sober living home, you have to follow certain rules. These can vary from facility to facility but often include completing random drug tests, meeting curfew obligations, and taking care of your assigned chores around the house.
Most sober living homes will also have scheduled group therapy or 12-step meetings. These help to bring the people living in the home together so that they can begin benefitting from one another’s support.
Does Insurance Pay for Aftercare?
Unfortunately, health insurance providers aren’t required to treat aftercare in the same way they treat rehab. This means that you may not be able to pay for time in a sober living home with your insurance.
However, health insurance providers are required to treat mental health challenges as necessary conditions that require treatment. This means that if you want to continue working with a therapist after you complete rehab as part of your aftercare plan, there’s a good chance you’ll have some coverage for it.
Just keep in mind that deductibles and copays can vary based on your insurance plan and provider. You may have to pay a certain amount out of pocket before your coverage kicks in.
If you’re unsure about your insurance coverage but want to make sure you can get the care you need, give us a call at (855) 906-4088 at Harmony Junction Recovery. Our addiction specialists will verify your insurance plan for you to let you know exactly how much coverage you can expect to receive.
How Do I Know What Aftercare Plan Is Right for Me?
As you begin considering which aftercare plan could be right for you, there are several important factors to consider. Here are three you should keep in mind.
Home Environment
First, consider how supportive your home environment is. If you live in a place where other people abuse substances, that could make it easier for you to relapse. This would make sober living an attractive aftercare option.
Recovery History
You can also think about how you’ve done with recovery in the past. If you’ve completed rehab before and relapsed, then maybe you need a more structured aftercare program this time around.
Pricing
Finally, consider pricing. How much are you willing or able to spend on an aftercare plan? This could impact the types of care that you’re able to choose from as well as the providers that are realistic for your situation.
Find Your Ideal Aftercare Plan with Harmony Junction Recovery
Ultimately, the best way to find your perfect aftercare plan is to speak with a professional. They can walk you through your options, evaluate your situation, and make personalized recommendations based on your unique needs.
That’s exactly what we can do for you at Harmony Junction. You can call our 24/7 addiction hotline at any time to speak with a specialist who can help you move forward.
So why wait any longer? Contact us today at (855) 906-4088 to get started.
