Addiction Recovery Support Groups in Ontario
Aftercare for life
A challenge many individuals face when completing a residential treatment program is that while in the protective environment of treatment, the person is away from everyday stressors and have a complete sense of safety. The individual goes from that safe setting back into their previous environment which got them to treatment in the first place. This is why we provide weekly online Aftercare groups for life.
Aftercare goes hand in hand with our Continuation of Care program. Attending the Aftercare groups helps with the transition into the real world, after being in a safe and protected bubble for several weeks or months. It may be one of the last steps in a process that leads to healthy living, however in many cases, it can be the most critical juncture of recovery. This program assists the individual to continue on their path of positive transformation.
A vital aspect to our Aftercare program starts with a focused relapse prevention program that takes place shortly after a Client begins treatment. Once the intensive inpatient process is over, the real work begins; ingraining new behaviors and ways of thinking that will replace the harmful behaviors of the past. The importance of the Aftercare process is simple; without it, there is a possibility that an addiction or mental health issue that has only recently been overcome, may return. Our Aftercare program also continues with therapy, though at a less intense level.
At this point, it is important for individuals to get a feel for a new, more independent way of living and constant therapy undermines that. There are occasional individual and group therapy sessions, which are a great means to build a sense of community and connect with other individuals in recovery. If required, there may also be family counseling to help both the individual and family members to work together on this new phase of their lives.
Aftercare is also about learning from mistakes. No one is perfect and sometimes a relapse may occur. With the proper counseling, group therapy and support from family, friends, peers and even professionals, these relapses do not have to mean that recovery was a failure. It is important during the recovery process to not just celebrate the victories, but learn from and address the down falls in a mature and compassionate manner. Counseling and group therapy can help to reinforce, re-engage and encourage individuals not to give up, even after mistakes have been made. It is giving people this resolve and courage, which ultimately allows them to overcome their challenges.
Overcoming an addiction or mental health issue is not just about cleansing the body and mind; it is about giving individuals the tools and emotional health, so they do not feel the need to take a substance to make life more bearable or fall into the trap of their old ways of thinking.
“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” – Theodore Roosevelt
Continue to Stay Sober with Aftercare Programs
