When you or a loved one is suffering from addiction, choosing a rehabilitation center is an important step. While treatment works for many, there are countless others who complete treatment only to relapse shortly thereafter. Finding a structured after-care program that specializes in addiction recovery monitoring is a critical step to success. To this end, there are certain elements that should be part of any after-care program to increase the chances for a long-term recovery.
Follow-Up Care Coordination
Begin your search for a structured addiction recovery monitoring program by inquiring if there is staff on hand to coordinate post-rehab appointments with the necessary medical personnel. This can include treatment with psychiatrists, psychologists and therapists who can provide follow-up counseling as well as medication management. This is particularly important if a loved one has a dual diagnosis or another disorder that exists in addition to substance addiction. Top addiction monitoring programs are able to refer patients to professionals who specialize in addiction as it relates to mental health issues.
Tracking and Testing
Look for an addiction recovery monitoring program that features drug testing and attendance tracking as a key part of its program. According to the website Addiction Recovery Management Services, drug testing is an added motivational factor for newly recovering people and helps demonstrate abstinence to skeptical or doubtful employers, friends and family. In addition, some recovery monitoring programs also track medical appointment and group outreach or support program attendance so loved ones do not need to carry this burden.
Group Support
Social and spiritual support are an essential element to any successful addiction recovery. With that in mind, it is important to select a recovery monitoring program that offers a sober mentor who can provide phone coaching or face-to-face support to the patient. Many groups will help to locate local 12-step support group meetings at groups such as Alcoholics or Narcotics Anonymous. Group support is vital for identifying and managing points of concern.
