Alumni Programming: What Happens After Treatment?

How Can I Help My Teen Stay Sober?

Teens graduate from drug rehab with a whole new set of coping skills and resources to help them stay sober. Yet, in the months following rehab, teenagers are incredibly vulnerable to a relapse. According to a study published by the National Library of Medicine, approximately 65 percent of youth who receive treatment for substance use disorders relapse within 90 days of completing treatment. Length of stay in residential treatment, and completion of recommended step-down services, including intensive outpatient programs (IOP), ongoing counseling, and regular drug testing, are factors that reduce the risk of relapse and provide the necessary support to maintain sobriety after treatment.

During this period, teens are still testing their new attitudes and behaviors while living with the same triggers and high-risk situations that drove them to addiction. Recovering teens need a wide-ranging support network of therapists, health care providers, self-help groups, sober peers and—perhaps most importantly—family members. After rehab, it’s more important than ever for parents to provide emotional and moral support as teens recover from the disease of addiction.

Aftercare Services for Teens

The best time to find a good aftercare program for your teenager is before they enter rehab. When you’re searching for an addiction treatment program, ask about the support services that the facility provides after the client graduates from the program. These services should include:

• Ongoing contact with professionals who were involved in the teen’s treatment
• Referrals to therapists, psychiatrists, or other specialists in the community who can manage medications and provide continuing therapy
• Information about 12-step programs and other self-help groups for teens who are dedicated to staying sober
• Access to transitional housing opportunities for teens who need more supervision and structure after rehab
• Participation in alumni organizations for teenagers who have successfully completed rehab

Most people who enter recovery from substance use disorders require regular ongoing care to reduce the frequency and severity of relapse and become proficient at applying holistic wellness methodologies and life skills that contribute to positive long-term outcomes. While each person’s recovery path may differ, a common factor is connection. Parents and caregivers responsible for helping adolescents and teens find and sustain recovery should seek ways of ensuring that a young person feels connected to a supportive community and has access to treatment resources when and if needed. At Muir Wood Adolescent and Family Services, we strive to help families develop aftercare plans that include medical and psychotherapeutic care, support groups, and wellness services accessible to clients. Establishing a specific plan to help clients regularly engage with recovery-supportive care, services, and friends can significantly reduce the likelihood of relapse or the need for additional treatment.