Continuing Care and its Role in Addiction Treatment

We know that recovery is a lifelong process, and not only is there no cure for addiction, getting your life back on track requires a lifelong commitment. Without this mindset, no amount of drug and alcohol addiction treatment will work to salvage your sobriety, to enact the kind of recovery that will guide you through the entirety of your life toward positive choices and uplifting experiences. Recovery begins in treatment and continues with comprehensive continuing care as you transition from the confines of a supportive, safe environment into the world.

Upon completion of an addiction treatment program, transitioning to the day to day of a “normal” life may be difficult, thus requiring additional support, encouragement, and a sense of solidarity. Without the availability of such an option, an addict may find themselves prone to temptation and relapse, particularly when considering the severity of the addiction and the substance abused.

Continuing care group therapy can be the life line in maintaining a continued recovery program and lifestyle. Without having the support of your continuing care provider and group therapy peers, put simply you most likely will struggle in high risk situations. Support enables you to get through any challenge you encounter. Developing healthy new ways of living, including good nutrition, adequate rest, exercise and emotional support requires community.  Participating fully in your continuing care program is as vital as complete involvement in your treatment experience. You will be able to encounter challenges that previously would have sent you searching for substances and use the new behaviors you developed in treatment, resist triggers, prevent relapse and improve your ability to pursue long-term recovery.

Continuing care programs help restore wellness to all aspects of your life, the stress, resentments and dysfunctional relationships developed in your active addiction will be improved. Last but not least many have found that being in continuing care has lifted them out of isolation and loneliness.  All in all continuing care is proven to be vital to establishing a solid recovery foundation on which to build your life!

By Aidan Toal and Piper Deggan