Extended care Rehab Programs

What is extended care?

Extended care drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs are treatment programs that are open-ended and last beyond traditional, time restricted programs. The concept is also applied to aftercare programs for individuals who are leaving, or have left, inpatient treatment facilities. The essential purpose of an extended care program is to ensure that recovery is achieved and to prevent a relapse of the addiction.
Extended care rehab programs may take a number of forms. Among the more common types of extended care are:

• Extended time in a treatment facility – Clients may need a longer time in an inpatient facility to help with the recovery process, especially if milestones and not being met. The addition time may be needed if there was a co-occurring disorder, multiple addictions, or any of a number of factors that the healthcare staff believes will retard or inhibit recovery.
• Participation in a 12 Step or other peer support group – These types of extended care are a form of aftercare and provide the person in recovery with ongoing, regular opportunities to find help in dealing with addiction.
• Outpatient treatment –This is a formal aftercare approach, and may require participation in a 12-step program, or attending individual or group therapy sessions on a regular basis. Outpatient therapy is considered extended care because release from treatment depends on the progress of the patient and recommendations of the counselors.
• Sober living homes, companions, or escorts –Sober living homes provide structured environments with strict regulations to assist residents make the transition to living a sober life. Sober companions and escorts are for those whose business or living situations present problems in trying to remain sober. Sober escorts and companions provide regular guidance and mentoring on a one-on-one basis, and accompany people in recovery when they must attend locales where drug and alcohol temptations are great.

Studies are consistently reinforcing the knowledge that extended care programs help reinforce inpatient treatment practices, and provide the greatest chance of successful recovery.

Benefits of extend care

The greatest advantage to extended care is that the client/patient has steady and immediate access to help with recovery. While it is still the choice of the individual, the knowledge that assistance is always available helps with recovery. There is no needing for someone in recovery to be isolated, and have to face alone conditions that will contribute to a relapse. This you-are-not-alone aspect of extended care is a positive enabling situation – enabling the maintaining of sobriety.