ARA - Aftercare

Aftercare

The Service

Aftercare is available to all ARA clients who have completed the Residential 12 - 30 week residential care programme. It consists of 12 scheduled weekly one-to-one sessions with the focal counsellor and depending upon assessed need support with housing issues and learning and work development via ARA's Housing Officers.

Scheduled aftercare provides important practical and psychological support to people who are engaged in a process of transition from 2nd stage treatment to independent living in the community. It is a bridge between treatment and the outside world.

The Benefits

Individual one-to-ones with a focal counsellor offer a safe place to continue to explore issues around maintaining abstinence. Help and advice on housing, education and return to work issues are vital in coping with tenancy matters and beginning the task of re-integrating back into society.

It is anticipated that aftercare will be used by clients to assist in the on-going process and management of a large number of issues including:

Positive reinforcement of the decision to continue abstaining from alcohol and drugs
Assertion and communication skills
Responses to short-term reactive depression
Setting and evaluation of achievable goals
Relapse prevention planning
Difficulties with family relationships and parenting skills

On the practical side, aftercare offers a chance to share experiences and get help on being responsible for staying well, eating well, managing finances and, above all, managing a social life which does not involve drugs or alcohol.

Continuity of care following a period of structured treatment for alcoholism and substance misuse greatly increases the prognosis for positive outcomes in the short and mid terms.