One of the key factors of successful recovery is the aftercare provided to an individual who has completed a treatment program for addiction. This is even more crucial with teens who have an addiction. Teens who have gone through and finished a program of treatment should not now be left to fend for themselves. Alumni programs play a fundamental role in providing support for graduates of rehab on the long road of recovery.
Alumni Programs and What They Offer
It’s a big accomplishment for a teen to get through rehab. There are national statistics which show that 24% of patients drop out of rehab treatment, and another 31% don’t graduate for various other reasons. Alumni programs for teens celebrate their achievement in finishing rehab and offer continuing support.
As these teens re-enter the community as sober citizens, the alumni programs are a form of continuing care. Such care is therapeutic when the teens are facing new challenges in their new life, like finishing school or holding down an after school job, all the while dealing with the triggers that compelled them to substance abuse in the first place.
Increased stress can lead to relapse, and alumni programs give teens the chance to socialize with their peers. At meetings and activities teens and their families can share their experiences and learn new coping skills. Some of the most popular events conducted by alumni programs ar
- Sporting events for graduates and their families
- General outings or gatherings
- Hikes and camping
- Social networking
- 12-step meetings
- Community service outreach projects
The Benefits of Alumni Programs
Even more than activities and meetings, an alumni program is a support system for teens in recovery. Having been in treatment for many months, recovering teens may find the transition back into everyday life difficult. This is where a strong alumni program comes in. Aftercare services offered by a good alumni program may include:
- Counseling for families
- Advanced therapy
- Vocational counseling
- Assistance with employment placement
- Educational counseling
- Nutritional counseling
Taking advantage of all the recovery resources an aftercare program has to offer gives a recovering teen the structure they may be missing after having gone through rehabilitation. The right aftercare program encourages sobriety and provides unconditional support within a loving community.
Getting Ready for the Future
A teen who has completed rehabilitation and re entered society and their community is going through an exciting but scary time. They don’t know what to expect from friends, classmates, teachers and extended family members. Finding the right alumni program helps recovering teens deal with this new phase in their lives.
Recovery is hard work but you don’t have to do it alone. Call The Villa to find out how we can support your goals for sober living.