Over 25 million people require special treatment for illegal drug or alcohol use every single year, but only about 2.5 million of those people actually get the help they need. This staggering number shows just how many people are suffering from drug addiction on any given day.
Those that do receive treatment will likely find themselves in some sort of inpatient or outpatient rehab facility. These facilities provide the necessary support, resources, guidance, and medical assistance needed to overcome their addiction – setting them up for a sober and healthy life.
Rehab is often the difference between building a brighter future for yourself and continuing down the same dangerous road you’ve been on since you started using drugs. Those that take rehab seriously have a prime opportunity to better their lives and make the necessary changes in life.
What is the Importance of Aftercare in Recovery?
Although rehab plays a crucial part in learning how to live without drugs or other harmful substances, it’s not the end-all when it comes to applying those behaviors long-term – especially after you leave rehab and are forced to transition back into normal society.
That’s where aftercare comes into play. When former drug addicts leave rehab, there’s no guarantee that they will stay away from drugs, and there’s always a chance they relapse. With aftercare in recovery, the physicians and clinicians can monitor the patient’s progress.
These patients require continued support as they assimilate back into society, otherwise, they might fall down the same path they were in before rehab. At the end of the day, the goal behind aftercare in recovery is to do whatever possible to ensure the patient doesn’t return to rehab.
What is a Rehab Alumni Program?
A rehab alumni program is a form of aftercare for those who complete their rehab treatment program. It’s a way for those people to maintain a relationship with staff members that helped them overcome their addiction, as well as the friendships they made with other patients.
Patients that join a rehab alumni program will be invited to a wide range of gatherings and outings designed to help them maintain motivation as they continue their sober life. This might include cookouts, bowling nights, movie nights, dinners, volunteering, support groups, and more.
During these gatherings, patients meet with staff members and other patients – some that they know already and some that they haven’t met before. By surrounding themselves with like-minded individuals, they can feel more comfortable and motivated in the aftercare stage.
In fact, they might even set up an online support group through social media or meetings via video chat to ensure everyone is included. This also allows for a constant line of communication between former patients and staff members. They’ll always have the support they need.
What is the Role of a Rehab Alumni Program?
The role of an alumni rehab program is to ensure patients continue their recovery at home after they complete the rehab program – in hopes of preventing relapse and minimizing the possibility of them needing rehab again. It keeps them motivated and committed when they need it most.
Let’s take a look at some of the most prominent benefits of joining an alumni rehab program:
- Patients can effectively and successfully transition back into normal life without drugs.
- Decrease in relapse rates and minimize the temptation to use drugs again.
- Continue relationships with those they met while in rehab and meet other former patients that have similar goals.
- Access to educational materials and mental health professionals after leaving rehab.
- Attend fun, exciting, and rewarding social events that keep you motivated to continue sober living.
- Some alumni rehab programs offer assistance when finding work or attending school.
- Continued support when needed the most.
Not all rehab facilities offer an alumni program because it’s not a requirement or mandatory. With that said, those that do offer it are more likely to see their patients succeed beyond rehab. While all alumni programs are unique in their own way, the goal of an alumni program is the same.
How to Find a Rehab Alumni Program
A Santa Monica rehab center, Thrive Treatment understands how beneficial and necessary a rehab alumni program is to the continued support of each patient. That’s why we provide:
- Weekly group activities.
- Aftercare for striking a work-life balance.
- Financial advice.
- Relationship help.
- Access to resources.
If you’d like to learn more about our alumni rehab program and the lengths we go to ensure each patient sees long-term success with their recovery, don’t hesitate to contact us today. Our friendly staff is excited to help you stay happy, healthy, and drug-free for as long as you live.
Contact Thrive Treatment today to learn more about addiction and mental health treatment in Santa Monica.
