What is Addiction Aftercare

Aftercare is a term typically used for some form of treatment that is planned for when an addict in residential treatment is about to leave and will need a “continuing care” program. Addiction aftercare is an important part of addiction treatment and any good treatment program will have some form of an aftercare plan. It has been proven in research time and again that the longer the course of treatment is, the better the chance for the addict to find success at staying in recovery and rebuilding his, or her life. In fact, one of the most, if not the most, successful addiction treatment programs is for commercial airline pilots. It is a five-year long program and the success rate is nearly 100%. There are two reasons for this – one is definitely the length of the program, the other is that, unless these pilots complete the program, they will lose their license to fly. Having that kind of leverage is very helpful in giving someone a reason to stay sober. Especially one that is as central to someone’s life as a career can be. These people have trained a long time to get a commercial pilots license. Losing it is incomprehensible to them.

Speaking, again, solely of coming out of a residential program, the typical forms of aftercare are PHP (partial hospitalization program) or IOP (intensive outpatient program), or simply outpatient treatment. All three of these are performed in an office setting. PHP is typically five days a week for four to five hours a day, IOP is at least three days a week for at least three hours a day, and outpatient is normally by the session. PHP and IOP consist of group therapy and individual one-on-one sessions with a therapist, as well some educational sessions to learn more about addiction, and lifestyle sessions. Lifestyle sessions are designed to help reintroduce the addict to handling, or coping with, the responsibilities of everyday life. Some people will go to a sober living home while in PHP and IOP. However, there are some people who go home and only go to 12 step meetings, which is great for support. But it isn’t continued treatment or care.

At Lanna, we are very focused on the success of everyone who comes to us for addiction treatment. We’ve gathered a staff of the top people in the field and created a program second to none, in an environment that is the envy of all. Here, you get the help you need in a customized program created around you and your needs and desires. Many people who come to Lanna stay longer than they would at other treatment centers – because they can, it’s affordable. After all that, we also want to make sure that when you get back home you’ll have the best chance of continuing your recovery. After all, most relapses happen once the addict gets back to familiar territory, among familiar people, with the same old pressures and problems he, or she, left behind in the first place. We’ll network with our treatment partners around the globe to find continuing care in your area, 12 step meetings you can attend, therapists and anything else that would help you. We’ll structure a continuing care program with you so you have that in hand once you leave and have the security of knowing what to expect when you get home. If you’re looking for serious addiction treatment with a progressive program, call us today for more information or to get started on reclaiming your life.