Guides
Aftercare: staying well after rehab
Finishing a program is a big step. The months after it matter just as much. A plan made before discharge makes recovery more likely to last.
A good aftercare plan includes
- A next level of care, such as IOP or outpatient, with a start date
- Ongoing therapy and, if helpful, medication
- A safe place to live, at home or in sober living
- Support groups, such as AA, NA or SMART Recovery
- A written relapse plan: warning signs and who to call
Relapse does not mean failure. If it happens, reach out to your program or a doctor quickly.
The first 90 days
The weeks right after a program ends are often the hardest. Routines change, stress returns and old people and places are close by. That is why many programs talk about the first 90 days. A simple structure helps: a set wake-up time, treatment or meetings on the calendar, regular meals and sleep, and a short list of people you can call any time.
- Start your next level of care within a few days of discharge, not weeks.
- Keep every follow-up appointment, even when you feel fine.
- Tell one or two trusted people your plan and your warning signs.
- Remove alcohol and drugs from your home.
- Plan for high-risk times: evenings, weekends, paydays, holidays.
Your relapse prevention plan
Write it down before you leave treatment, and keep a copy on your phone.
- Warning signs: skipping meetings, isolating, poor sleep, romanticizing past use, sudden mood changes.
- Triggers: specific people, places, feelings and times that raise cravings.
- Coping steps: call someone, leave the situation, use a skill from treatment, go to a meeting.
- Who to call: your sponsor or peer, your therapist or program, a family member, 988 in a crisis.
- If you use: what you will do in the first 24 hours, such as calling your program or doctor and, for opioids, never using alone and keeping naloxone nearby.
Aftercare options in Orange County
- IOP and outpatient programs, including evening groups
- Alumni groups run by many treatment programs
- Mutual-help meetings: AA, NA, SMART Recovery, Refuge Recovery and others meet across the county, in person and online
- Medication-assisted treatment with a primary care doctor or addiction specialist
- Sober living while you rebuild routines
- Medi-Cal recovery services through the county system: call (800) 723-8641
Before you call a program
- Ask for the DHCS license or certification number and check it.
- Ask which levels of care they provide on site.
- Ask what your insurance covers and what you will owe.
- Ask where you would go next when this level of care ends.
Frequently asked questions
Is relapse a sign treatment failed?
No. Addiction is a chronic condition, and relapse rates are similar to other chronic illnesses like high blood pressure. A relapse means the plan needs adjusting. Reach out quickly.
How long should aftercare last?
At least several months, and many people stay connected to some form of support for years. Step down gradually rather than stopping all at once.