Completing a program for mental health conditions or substance use disorders does not mean treatment is over. In order to help young adults and teens stay on track, aftercare programs can be necessary, but what is aftercare? Learn more about treatment programs in Canada by contacting Venture Academy at 866.762.2211 or online.
What Is Aftercare?
An aftercare program is a kind of ongoing treatment service that can help those in substance use disorder recovery and those facing mental health challenges. It helps prevent relapses and encourages the client to continue making strides in their recovery.
Aftercare in Canada can take the form of outpatient services, with the exact number of treatment hours per week depending on individual needs.
Aftercare focuses on relapse prevention, which includes teaching teens and young adults how to:
- Manage stress
- Deal healthily with strong emotions
- Build a support system
Stress and the mismanagement of strong emotions are some of the most common reasons teens and young adults turn to drugs or alcohol or struggle with mental health conditions. By learning effective ways of dealing with stress and uncomfortable emotions in positive ways, relapsing is less likely.
Having a support system is also vital. Aftercare can help your child meet others who face similar challenges and start building relationships that can help them navigate recovery more effectively.
One of the most common components of aftercare is 12-step programs. These programs allow your child to meet with others and speak about what they are going through.
Aftercare services can last between three to six months, depending on the challenges your child faces.
Benefits of an Aftercare Program
Aftercare programs help prevent isolation. Dealing with substance use disorders or mental health conditions can make your child feel alone, adding to their stress and worsening symptoms.
While finishing a treatment program is an impressive accomplishment, it can leave your child feeling lost without the support of staff and peers. They may even be unsure of whether their difficulty maintaining sobriety is normal. By participating in an aftercare program, they can see that everyone faces challenges after treatment.
An aftercare program also makes the transition between treatment and everyday life a bit smoother. Leaving a highly structured program and having a lot of independence and free time can be stressful for someone in recovery. Attending group sessions or AA meetings will allow your child to feel that some of that structure is in place.
Aftercare programs also keep your child accountable. By attending support groups where others will hold them responsible for their actions and progress, teens and young adults feel the positive peer pressure that can keep them on track.
Another benefit that aftercare programs offer is the chance to engage with the community. Your child will be able to feel part of a group, reducing isolation while also participating in holistic activities that can help them grow and improve.
Aftercare also helps your child understand the triggers that might lead to a relapse. Helping them identify these triggers and showing them how to prepare a plan for what to do if they face them gives your child a greater chance of maintaining recovery.
Choose Venture Academy for Aftercare in Canada
Give your child the best chance at recovery by encouraging them to attend an aftercare program at Venture Academy. We offer services that provide support and guidance throughout every step of treatment, from detox services to aftercare.
At Venture Academy, your child can learn how to cope with stress and how to manage triggers that can affect their moods and behaviours. With holistic therapy options available, we can also help your child find who they are and what makes them happy.
Offer your child the help they need today. Call Venture Academy at 866.762.2211 or connect with us online.