Aftercare

The Farley Center has aftercare groups in regional locations for alumni of the Traditional and Farley Programs.

Aftercare in recovery refers to the ongoing support and strategies that individuals use to maintain their sobriety and prevent relapse after completing formal addiction treatment programs. Aftercare is a crucial part of the recovery process, as it helps individuals transition back into their daily lives and navigate the challenges of remaining substance-free. 

Aftercare plans should be tailored to the individual’s needs and circumstances. What works for one person may not work for another, so it’s important to create a plan that is realistic and sustainable. Staying engaged in aftercare significantly increases the chances of long-term recovery and minimizes the risk of relapse.

It’s important to remember that recovery is an ongoing process, and seeking support and resources is a sign of strength and commitment to a substance-free life.

If you have specific questions about this or alumni Sunday speaking, contact Nancy Rilee, 757-259-5886.

To register please complete the form below. You will be contacted once we receive your registration.

Recovery Management

RELAPSE PREVENTION

The Farley Center believes that your treatment is just the beginning of your recovery. Our hope is to help provide the foundation you need through group work, relapse prevention education, and 12-step integration to start your life of recovery. We believe that relapse is a process and hope that while you’re with us you learn that this process begins before your first use. Our goal is to help you get a better understanding of signs, symptoms, and triggers for relapse.

The goal is to identify and manage potential triggers and stressors to prevent a return to unhealthy behaviors. Here are some key elements of relapse prevention:

  1. Identification of Triggers: Understanding and identifying triggers is a crucial step in relapse prevention. Triggers are situations, emotions, or environmental factors that may lead to a recurrence of the problematic behavior. Common triggers include stress, negative emotions, social pressure, or exposure to substances.

  2. Developing Coping Strategies: Once triggers are identified, individuals work on developing healthy coping strategies to manage stress and negative emotions. This may include mindfulness techniques, deep breathing exercises, journaling, or engaging in activities that bring a sense of calm and well-being.

  3. Building a Support System: Having a strong support network is vital for relapse prevention. This may include friends, family, support groups, or mental health professionals. Regular communication with supportive individuals can provide encouragement and assistance during challenging times.

  4. Learning and Practicing Healthy Habits: Adopting and maintaining healthy lifestyle habits can contribute to overall well-being and reduce the risk of relapse. This may involve regular exercise, adequate sleep, balanced nutrition, and engaging in activities that promote a positive mindset.

  5. Setting Realistic Goals: Establishing achievable short-term and long-term goals can provide a sense of direction and purpose. Celebrating small victories along the way can boost motivation and self-esteem.

  6. Self-Monitoring: Regularly monitoring one’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors helps in recognizing early warning signs of relapse. Keeping a journal or using tracking tools can be effective in maintaining self-awareness.

  7. Treatment Adherence: If the individual is receiving professional treatment, adhering to the prescribed plan is crucial. This may involve attending therapy sessions, taking medications as prescribed, and actively participating in recovery programs.

  8. Mindfulness and Mind-Body Techniques: Practices such as mindfulness meditation, yoga, and other mind-body techniques can enhance self-awareness, reduce stress, and promote a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

  9. Emergency Plan: Having a detailed plan in case of a crisis or a potential relapse is essential. This plan may include contact information for support individuals, coping strategies, and steps to take if faced with challenging situations.

  10. Regular Review and Adjustment: Relapse prevention is an ongoing process that may require regular review and adjustment of strategies as life circumstances change. Flexibility and adaptability are key components of a successful relapse prevention plan.

“Relapse is more than just using alcohol or drugs. It is the progressive process of becoming so dysfunctional in recovery that self-medication with alcohol or drugs seems like a reasonable choice.”

Terence Gorski, 1989

AFTERCARE PLANNING

Patients discharged from The Farley Center receive a continuing care contract that is developed in conjunction with our multidisciplinary team. Each aftercare plan is individualized and may include sober resources that help transition patients to other levels of care according to their post-treatment needs.

Farley care managers work collaboratively with the clinical and medical staff to begin aftercare planning soon after the patient arrives. Our long-standing relationship with intensive outpatient programs, sober/transitional living, and specialized mental health and addiction providers allows us to help patients continue the effective work they started at The Farley Center.

Key components of our continuing care plans for patients early in recovery may include:

  • Identifying 12-step meetings in their community
  • Identifying a sponsor
  • Finding aftercare groups
  • Building and maintaining relationships in recovery
  • Identifying stress and its impact as a relapse trigger
  • Promoting body, mind, and spirit wellness and balance in recovery
  • Rediscovering boundaries and intimacy in recovery
  • Continuing spiritual growth and the Eleventh Step
  • Addressing co-occurring issues such as medication management, marriage problems, and physical and medical needs
  • Levels of sobriety and the developmental aspects of recovery

ALUMNI SERVICES

Most individuals come to The Farley Center from a life of active addiction. During their time in treatment, they learn about the physical and psychological components of the disease.

Patients are introduced to principles regarding structure, action, accountability, and compliance. These principles are different from their previous norm and require support as individuals transition back into their community. Alumni services focus on active recovery. The ability to live happy, joyous, and free is part of the promise that the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous convey and is a primary goal of getting clean and sober.

Active recovery is the implementation of the skills gained during treatment and an introduction to a self-directed path necessary for continued growth in recovery. In the final week of treatment, patients attend alumni education along with an aftercare group. Both of these sessions provide an opportunity to review and process what happens next. The message of alumni education is that it is their choice now to continue to progress in recovery and that they do not have to do it alone. Alumni services reminds individuals that The Farley Center can still be of service to them after discharge.

Living a sober life in active recovery is not easy at first but it is worth the effort.

Terence Gorski, 1989

We encourage individuals to participate in one or all of the four annual alumni events held on campus. Alumni events offer an opportunity to reconnect with peers and counselors. and—most importantly—the experience of getting clean and sober. 

The Alum-to-Alum Program offers discharging patients a way to connect with fellow alumni in their local communities. Creating a new sober life is essential in recovery. 

Chapter groups are currently active in Richmond, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg, VA.