Aftercare Program at Defining Wellness Centers
Aftercare is inclusive of many modalities and techniques and the goal is to provide a support plan so that clients can maintain sobriety long-term. Defining Wellness Centers looks at aftercare as something that’s wholly inclusive. We focus not just on the addiction component of aftercare, but also on comprehensive health and wellness.
What is Aftercare
A plan to support a client in recovery, aftercare consists of putting together a variety of services and support systems that will aid a client after they’ve discharged from an inpatient treatment program. Aftercare plans are designed like any other care plan to treat a chronic condition. Therapeutic recommendations, along with an outline of coping strategies and tools, relapse triggers and prevention planning, and more, are developed collaboratively between each client and their therapist.
The focus is to make sure that ongoing support is present and prevalent in one’s life. This includes providing clinical recommendations, identifying a therapist for continuing intervention and setting up appointments, and identifying recovery and wellness goals for each individual. Aftercare plans are based on each client and their situation. The Defining Wellness Centers team of licensed treatment professionals is passionate about making sure each client has a solid plan of action prior to discharging our program.
How An Aftercare Plan Is Developed
To assist clients with staying committed to their recovery, we work collaboratively to create a plan that will best aid them as they move forward. We pull information together to provide background and context, including the client’s diagnoses, the severity of their condition, barriers to a successful outcome, and more so that we can create a self-management plan that clients can sustain. Additionally, we put protocols in place to deal with triggers as well as a plan of action should a lapse occur.
Much like our clinical team works together with clients to create their treatment plans, we do the same for aftercare planning. Clients must be able to manage this plan themselves, continuing to follow it without direct oversight from someone else. Therefore, the plan must be created with strong client input. We dedicate time at every level of care to our clients to develop a strong aftercare plan that can transition with them as they move through different treatment levels, from residential to outpatient.
Relapse rates are high and fear of a lapse or relapse is a concern for every client. In order to best prepare for this, planning and prevention are key. In residential treatment, aftercare planning is one of the most important parts of the treatment process. The same goes for PHP, IOP and OP levels of care.
Holding Your Hand Every Step of The Way
Individuals who maintain long-term sobriety often credit having a strong foundation and plan in place as a direct contributor to their success. From relapse prevention to coping skills, aftercare planning identifies potential pitfalls and plans accordingly so that clients can navigate their recovery journey to a positive outcome. Transitioning home post-treatment can be difficult. Clients go from a strong, supportive environment to feeling like they’re on their own. With a solid plan, however, clients are never on their own.
A huge part of ongoing support can come from peers in recovery. Finding a support group that one believes in is integral. For some, this can be 12-step based, and for others, this may be an alternative form of support, such as SMART Recovery or Celebrate Recovery. There are a variety of different types of peer-run support services available and we share all of the options with our clients. Clients can attend a variety of support groups to see what’s comfortable for them and ongoing participation is scheduled into their aftercare plan.
Having an outlet for stress and nervous energy can make a huge difference in one’s ability to maintain successful health and wellness. While in our treatment programs, our clients begin to identify the techniques that work for them to de-stress. We develop ways to utilize these techniques to support ongoing recovery. These are client-centric and can include meditation, exercise, spending time with loved ones, reading, listening to music, creating art, and more. Each individual copes differently and our aftercare plans are tailored to reflect that.
The Defining Wellness Centers Wellness Lab offers many biotechnology-based addiction treatment services. By combining technology with clinical therapy and wellness, we’re using cutting-edge scientific resources to assist our clients. We offer many biotechnological interventions in our program and track the tools that clients derive the most benefit from. We set up ongoing sessions so that they can continue participating in these amazing therapeutic offerings post-treatment.
Your Success is Our Success
Planning, prevention, and accountability are key to achieving success. Defining Wellness Centers definition of success is that clients meet the goals identified in their treatment plans along with maintaining lasting sobriety. A contributor to this is the accountability piece, through which clients’ behaviors and actions are monitored. This can occur through a monitoring program, via living in an accredited sober living home, engaging in alumni programming and events, attending peer support groups, and participating in ongoing therapy sessions.
Sober life can come with challenges – emotional regulation is often a big one. When in active addiction, emotions are barely present and when sober, they come rushing back. Much time is spent in our program addressing emotional regulation and coping skills. Getting to a good place with one’s ability to regulate and cope can result in a better ability to make healthy choices, reinforcing positive skills, being aware of triggers and preventing lapse or relapse, and developing healthy, supportive relationships.
Our clinical team stresses the importance of collaborating to develop a strong aftercare plan that will serve the client. If our clients follow clinical recommendations, including the aftercare plan, they can be successful in their recovery and wellness journey. If you or your loved ones have any questions about aftercare planning at Defining Wellness Centers, please call us today at
Begin your Recovery Today
(855) 790-9303
