What is Extended Care Addiction Treatment?

Great explanation of extended care treatment – Taylor Brown B.A.Com., MAADC II

As a first step in addiction recovery, residential treatment facilities typically offer programs of 30, 60, or 90-day durations. Clients undergo an initial medical evaluation and on-going medical supervision. Recovering addicts are expected to actively participate in individual and group therapy, 12-step meetings, and other activities during which they are closely monitored 24/7.

After the primary residential treatment program has been completed, clients can receive continued support for drug or alcohol addiction recovery in the form of extended care treatment. Extended care treatment ranges from 60 days to 2 years and utilizes a blend of both therapeutic and structured sober living programs. This phase gives the recovering addict more privileges and decreasing structure as they transition back toward the “real world.” Clients and their families are given tools and support as the recovering addict moves toward independent living.

Extended care treatment greatly increases continued sobriety

It has been demonstrated that extended care treatment leads to better recovery outcomes, greatly improving odds that an addict remains sober after returning to independent living. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “staying clean for one year reduces the chances you’ll relapse by 50 percent.” Longer stays in extended care programs may increase the odds even more. Studies by the NIDA have found that stays of at least 6- 12 months in extended care rehab programs are extremely beneficial for recovering addicts.

Midwest Recovery Centers achieves successful outcomes with extended care treatment

For maximum success, Midwest Recovery Centers utilizes a multi-phasal recovery program. Phase I is the initial 90 days of the client’s stay. Phase II may last up to 6 months – and includes group therapy, UA testing, daily 12-step meetings, and ongoing supervision and support from staff. In this second phase, clients are encouraged to seek employment and begin contributing to their own living expenses.

The importance of family support and education in the recovery process

Recovery is an ongoing process, and family support plays a vital role in that process. Learning to trust a person who has been the source of turmoil and pain in the family can be difficult. But family support of the recovering addict greatly increases long-term sobriety. In order to effectively support the recovering addict, family members must learn healthy ways to communicate with their addicted family member, and how to defuse trigger situations.

The extensive aftercare treatment program at Midwest Recovery Centers serves to reinforce principles and behaviors learned during the recovery process and to educate families as to how they can help. The family program is an important part of Midwest Recovery Centers’ extended aftercare model. Through support group participation and interaction with support staff, family members learn how they can be an important part of the recovery process – for the addict and for the family.

Reviewed and Assessed by
Taylor Brown, B.A.Com., MAADC II
Tim Coleman, M. of Ed.