Alcohol Addiction Aftercare
Are you trying to choose a suitable rehab clinic near you to treat your alcohol addiction? What you may not know is that alcohol rehab comes in stages. You should consider all these stages before you sign up to a rehab clinic, this will help you determine if the centre is right for you. One of these stages is the aftercare offered by the rehab.
Some Clinics offer a Lifetime of Aftercare for Each Patient.
All rehabs we recommend offer exemplary treatment for. The rehab will see you safely through every stage of the rehab process, so that you get the best possible chances of recovery. Alcohol addiction can eventually kill you if you leave it untreated. We are here to support your treatment and bring you back to full health.
Here we will discuss the stages of rehab, then cover the final stage – aftercare – in more detail. Some clinics will offer 12 months of aftercare, some will offer a lifetime, but it will always be up to you to engage with that aftercare proactively.
What are the Stages of Alcohol Rehab?
There are between 3 and 5 stages of rehab. This depends on what you consider the first step to be. Some consider the three stages detox, rehab, and aftercare. Some consider the first stage to be deciding to stop drinking, and the second stage to be choosing a rehab clinic. There should be no doubt as to the importance of that decision making process. Below, we have chosen to stick to the 3 stages for clarity purposes.
The Stages of Rehab
There are three main stages of the rehab process. They are as follows.
1 – The Detox Stage
Detox takes place from the first day of your stay in rehab. It involves abstaining from your substance or behavioural addiction until you are able to control your cravings. When you are addicted to alcohol, abstaining can cause sickness and stomach problems. You will feel dizzy, aching, and have multiple unexplained pains in your body, the rehabs doctor should be able to offer medication to ensure this stage is as comfortable and safe as possible. These are alcohol withdrawal symptoms and they will pass in time.
2 – Rehab for Alcohol Addiction
Alcohol rehab starts when you are well enough to join in with the rehab activities, this could be from day one. While in rehab, you will receive care from a therapist and in a group setting for therapy. You may be able to engage in exercise routines, manage your diet, and take workshops and classes. All of the things you do during your rehab stay will maximise your chances of beating alcohol when you return to your old life and prevent relapse.
3 – Aftercare and Secondary Treatment
There are two names for this third stage. Aftercare and secondary treatments for alcoholism are the same thing. Aftercare is there to ease the transition from full time residential rehab clinics, back to normal life. This is a tricky time for the recovering addict. You are returning to the environment, triggers and troubles which pushed you towards alcohol to begin with. Now your fight is to stay away from drinking while you battle those same problems.
What is Aftercare in Alcohol Rehab?
Aftercare varies in precise definition from rehab clinic to rehab clinic. Its role remains the same. When you leave rehab and return to your old life, you are vulnerable. You don’t have the same nurturing support that you have had for the last few weeks or months. You are returning to old life and triggers. This is when you’re most likely to relapse.
A good rehab clinic provides aftercare support to make this transition easier. Aftercare covers things like online support, continued group therapy with your 12 steps for Alcoholism group, and even dropping in to chat to the therapists or to share with current clients, but it will be up to you to ensure you engage with these options.
How Long Does Aftercare Last?
There is no set limit or recommendation on how long aftercare should last in a rehab clinic. You can expect anything from no aftercare up to lifetimes worth. Industry standard doesn’t tend to go beyond the first 12 months.
What is Lifetime Aftercare for Alcohol Rehab?
Lifetime aftercare means that you receive this type of ongoing support to return to normal for your whole life – or for the life of the centre. It can include any number of treatment aids to help you navigate the difficult world of beating alcoholism on your own.
Including:
· A phone number you can call
· Online group meetings
· A peer support App
· Visits back to the rehab centre
What is Included in Lifetime Aftercare for Alcohol Rehab?
When you seek treatment for an alcohol addiction with certain rehabs, the clinic will support you for a full lifetime. This means you can call them every day if you must for those first 12 months after you finish your rehab stay. Once you are beyond the 12 months of aftercare support, you can still receive help when you need it.
Some will run an online resource where former patients can check in and chat with one another. This online forum operates in conjunction with a mobile app, accessible only to residents and former residents. This online platform supplies a supported, supportive, nurturing space where you can benefit from ongoing peer support for the entirety of your life. Moderated forums ensure you don’t run into adverse treatment or advice.
Which Rehab Clinic has the Best Aftercare Package?
We cannot categorically say which aftercare package is the best. If you are choosing a rehab clinic near you for alcohol addiction, consider the aftercare package and give us a call.
At Findrehab.co.uk we will always call you after your treatment. The day you leave, 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year thereafter to check in on you. You are welcome to call us if you need additional care or support
Frequently asked questions
- What is addiction aftercare?
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Addiction aftercare refers to ongoing treatment programs and support systems that help people in recovery maintain sobriety after completing an initial addiction treatment program. Aftercare may include: • Outpatient counseling or therapy • Support group meetings like AA or NA • Medication-assisted treatment • Peer recovery coaching • Life skills training programs Aftercare is important because it helps people in early recovery avoid relapse, develop new coping skills and build a support system outside of treatment.
- Why is aftercare important for addiction recovery?
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Aftercare is crucial for several reasons: 1. Relapse rates are high - Without aftercare, 40–60% of people relapse within a year of rehab. Aftercare helps reduce this risk. 2. New skills take time - It takes consistent practice of new coping skills to change behaviours reinforced by addiction. 3. New triggers arise - People encounter new challenges and triggers as they reintegrate into the community. Aftercare helps them cope. 4. Support decreases - The structured support in rehab decreases after discharge, so aftercare programs fill that gap. 5. Recovery is lifelong - Addiction is a chronic condition that requires ongoing management to prevent relapse. 6. Comorbidities often remain - Co-occurring mental health or medical conditions still need to be addressed.
- What are the most effective types of aftercare?
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The most impactful types of aftercare include: • Intensive outpatient programs (IOP) - Patients attend 9-15 hours of therapy per week. IOP has a 94% 1-year abstinence rate. • Follow-up residential care - Short-term stays (days or weeks) provide respite during critical early recovery. • Peer support groups - Attending 12-step or smart recovery meetings multiple times per week increases success. • Continued medications - Ongoing use of drugs like Suboxone and Vivitrol for opioid use disorder reduces relapse risk. • Intensive case management - Individual recovery coaches keep patients accountable and help problem-solve triggers. Research shows that combining several types of aftercare, especially those that involve peer support and accountability, produce the best long-term outcomes for patients and families.
