Starting and completing any addiction program is one of the hardest things. Taking time to heal from an addiction is equally important to finding the right women’s recovery centers that offers effective aftercare programs. Aftercare helps addicts practice the principles taught during treatment for them to live a long life free from substance abuse.
Different women’s retreat centers offer aftercare services which can be in different forms. Aftercare programs can include family support, peer support, sober living homes, support groups, counseling, therapy, outpatient programs, partial hospitalization programs and intensive outpatient programs. Whichever type of aftercare program an individual chooses, it should help them finalize the recovery process.
Occasionally, the ‘step down’ method is included in aftercare. When using the method, a person who has successfully completed the inpatient programs steps down to a program that requires less commitment as they get back to their daily routines. The aim of the step down method is to ensure individuals heal at the right pace needed so as to maintain sobriety for a long period.
There are individuals who might not see the necessity of joining a secondary treatment program and opt to seek aftercare from sobriety sponsors, counselors or self-help groups. Irrespective of the form of aftercare chosen, it is important for anyone on the journey to recovery. Below are some types of aftercare forms offered in women’s retreat centers.
- Intensive outpatient programs- such programs work best for people who do not need detoxification and are stepping down from inpatient treatment. The programs require individuals to dedicate between 2-3 hours in a day for four or five days in a week totaling to 10-12 hours in a week. Individuals in these programs can take part in their daily routines like school or work.
- Partial hospitalization programs- such programs have a close similarity with the outpatient programs but individuals have to dedicate more time. There are hospitalization programs that last for eight hours, six hours, four hours or three hours. Individuals visit treatment facilities and are given access to some services depending on the individual needs. Types of treatment here can be counselling, individual therapy, group therapy or clinical assessments.
Self-help groups- individuals might choose self-help groups while undergoing other programs. On very rare occasions, individuals choose this as the only type of aftercare program if they have been in recovery for a long period. Some groups have less formal structures while others surrender to a higher power.
