Discovery Place’s continuing care and aftercare program for substance abuse in the Nashville area provides ongoing support. It also provides direction, and encouragement for our alumni in their first year of recovery. Providing support after formal treatment ends elevates a person’s ability to stay strong in their sobriety. For this reason, we make sure the people we treat have the opportunity to take advantage of our aftercare programs.

executive directors of Discovery Place substance abuse treatment center

Addiction Aftercare Programs

Addiction treatment is not a process that ends after detox, or even the initial rehab program. Living a drug-free life requires a long-term commitment. As part of that commitment, aftercare programs are an important part of a person’s recovery journey.

The term “aftercare” describes any ongoing or follow-up treatment for substance abuse. It occurs after the initial addiction treatment program. No matter the setting, treatment provider, or methods, the goals of any aftercare program should include:

  • Ways to maintain recovery from substance abuse
  • Skills to cope and prevent relapse
  • Approaches to strengthen relationships and achieve a sense of purpose in life

One reason why addiction aftercare programs are so important is that, in many cases, long-term substance abuse can alter normal brain functioning. Some of these alterations do not automatically reverse once the substance abuse stops. The physical impact of addiction comes with serious psychological changes.

These changes can affect a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. An effective aftercare program addresses these changes and alterations. As a result, people are enabled to prepare for and cope with these if and when they arise.

What Does Aftercare Consist Of?

Our aftercare program for substance abuse near Nashville acts as a continuation of the treatment received by an individual via formal care. The goal is to make sure a person has a plan for continuing to work on their recovery over the long term. Treatment facilities with aftercare programs provide vital services as people transition to their regular lives. 

Some aftercare programs consist of helping a patient make plans for the care they will receive after they end treatment. Suggestions can be made for what will work best for them. Then, staff members can assist with making arrangements for it. Aftercare programs provide a healthy bridge between initial treatment and the time frame when a person no longer receives addiction treatment. Lastly, aftercare programs prepare them to thrive when that time comes.

Benefits of Aftercare Programs

When a person only briefly seeks treatment for their substance use disorder, they place themselves at risk of relapsing. Our aftercare program is committed to helping alumni accomplish sobriety throughout their first year of recovery.

Benefits of aftercare programs include:

Relapse reduction: One of the biggest benefits of an aftercare program involves how it reduces the rate of relapse. Research demonstrates that men who stay sober for one year dramatically increase their chances of remaining sober for a lifetime. 

Accountability: For many people, having check-ins fosters an elevated sense of accountability. People want to do well in recovery and enjoy reporting their progress to those who understand staying sober.

Help with life challenges: Once a person migrates back into their daily lives, challenges come up. Additionally, these can be related to things like jobs or schooling, relationships, and planning for the future. Aftercare reps can help brainstorm ideas to make sound decisions, keeping recovery in focus.

Knowing someone cares: A sense of loneliness occurs during addiction and can settle in again once a person ends treatment. Aftercare programs provide caring outreach. In turn, this increases a person’s need to know that others care about them and can provide assistance.

How Do I Know If I Need Aftercare?

Our aftercare program for substance abuse around Nashville can benefit just about anyone, regardless of how much time they spent on their initial treatment. Aftercare proves particularly beneficial to those who only attend one treatment program. It also benefits those who attended programs for a short amount of time.

People who finish detox are often lured into thinking they have completed all necessary treatment. For them, aftercare provides a way to stay strong in their recovery once they return home. Aftercare consists of moving into a sober living home, which allows people to road-test their sobriety.

In addition, it addresses the temptations to relapse while they still live in a safe and monitored environment. A person who returns home to a living situation often needs aftercare to help them navigate stressful situations. Aftercare programs for substance abuse can be a lifeline for those coping with life after addiction. Activities like ongoing individual or group therapy offer an outlet to discuss feelings.

Also, they instill healthy coping skills. That is why those enjoying lifelong sobriety often use aftercare for months or even years after addiction treatment. Aftercare has no downside. For example, the benefits include attending outpatient sessions several days a week, weekly 12-Step meetings, and the ability to call alumni reps of their treatment center.

participants of our men's only aftercare program for substance abuse in Nashville

Types of Aftercare Programs for Substance Abuse

Discovery Place incorporates an aftercare program for substance abuse in the Nashville area into its treatment plans. This provides a blanket of care that covers patients after graduation. Before our 30-day residential rehab program, our staff works with guests to formulate a detailed aftercare plan.

Designed to allow our guests to sustain their sobriety, aftercare programs can consist of things like:

  • 12-Step recovery meetings in their area
  • Working on completing the 12 Steps 
  • Sponsorship
  • Ongoing events and communication with Discovery Place
  • Planning for peaceful activities such as meditation and prayer

For approximately one month after the 30-day program, our alumni receive weekly check-in calls. This helps to document their progress in recovery. We offer encouragement, validation, and any needed advice or direction. Weekly phone calls serve to reinforce the recovery spirit in a man’s first 30 days outside of Discovery Place.

Once our alumni transition into their second month out of the 30-day program, Discovery Place staff make check-in calls once a month up until the 90-day mark. Following that, they make one call in the following 90-day to six-month period, and then another phone call at the one-year mark. During these calls, we make inquiries concerning our former guests’ sobriety, document the results, and offer encouragement if needed. 

In addition to providing ongoing support, our aftercare program allows us to measure the success of our programs. We are pleased to report that over the past three years, 61% of Discovery Place alumni are sober. To add, this is a year after leaving our residential and long-term programs.

Join Our Aftercare Program for Substance Abuse in Nashville, TN

Drug and alcohol addiction treatment doesn’t just end as soon as formal care concludes. Aftercare programs for substance abuse (from opioids like fentanyl, to stimulants like meth or alcohol) allow individuals to continue the important work they began in their treatment programs. This improves their chances of staying sober for life.

Contact Discovery Place to get started with our unique program. We are proud to teach men how to embrace sobriety and remain strong in it long after they leave.

Testimonials

  • Discovery Place was the answer for my son. He did the 90 day and then the step down program and sober living. We give this organization 10 stars. They met my son where he was …emotionally, mentally, physically. They helped him put his life back on track. Discovery Place employees care about their guests. If your son, brother, nephew, grandson or husband needs excellent supportive care THIS is indeed the facility.

    Kim Morton
    Alumni Parent
  • I have remained sober and it is because of DP. DP is the best place there is, hands down. I keep everyone there in my prayers, and I encourage everyone there to take what they are practicing and do it in their lives, after.

    Roy Mantelli
    Alumni
  • Over the past year, I’ve been putting into actin what Discovery Place taught me, and I have experienced a complete perspective change of the world, and the people in it. I get to be a man of service and love today, and for that I am grateful to Discovery Place.

    Matt Kassay
    Alumni
  • Discovery Place means the world to me. They showed me the tools that I’ve tried to use everyday in my life to think less often of myself, and more frequently of others. I am learning to lend a hand when I am able and to have a honest and humble relationship with God and the people around me. Not only am I clean and sober, but also I am happy and fulfilled.

    Tommy Parker
    Alumni
  • Discovery Place and the men who work there made recovery attractive, and more importantly, fun. There is strength in the struggle. I am forever grateful for my time at Discovery Place.

    Creed McClellan
    Alumni
  • When I got to Discovery Place my whole life was in shambles, but I didn’t know it. I spent 6 months in their programs, participating in all three phases, and was met with kindness and love all along the way. It is unbelievable to me, where I am now relative to where I was when I arrived at DP.

    Lance Duke
    Alumni
  • I can never say enough good things about Discovery Place and the people who work there. Before checking in to DP, I was out of options and out of answers. Fortunately, Discovery Place has a solution. Taking suggestions from the staff at DP saved my life, and as a result, I’m now more content and hopeful about life. I’m grateful for Discovery Place showing me how to live a healthy life so that I can become a better man and help the next guy.”

    Tyler Buckingham
    Alumni

    Thinking About Rehab?

    Learn More About Our Alternative Residential Recovery Programs

      Alternative Drug & Alcohol Treatment Rehab
    • Admissions
    • About Us
    • Contact
    • Talk to someone about your options

      Talk to someone about your options

      Blue Pig Media