Alcohol Use Disorder
Medically supervised alcohol detox and residential care for people who find it hard to stop or cut back on drinking.
Program
Aftercare & Continuing Care at Serenity Moon
The hardest part often isn't getting sober. It's staying that way when real life starts again. Planning for what comes next starts well before you leave.
Written by Serenity Moon Recovery editorial team
Reviewed by Serenity Moon Recovery editorial team
- Updated
Who Aftercare & continuing care is for
Aftercare is for anyone finishing medical detox or residential treatment at Serenity Moon. Planning starts before you leave, so you are never left wondering what to do next.
Addiction is a chronic condition, much like high blood pressure or asthma. Ongoing support helps people manage it over time, and a return to use is a signal to adjust care, not a sign of failure.
- You are about to finish detox or residential treatment
- You want structure and accountability as you return to work, school or family
- You would like to stay connected with peers who understand recovery
- You are worried about handling stress and triggers at home
- You have had a setback and want to reconnect with support
What happens day to day
Aftercare isn't one program. It's a set of supports that change as your needs change. This is how planning usually unfolds.
Step 1: Planning before you leave
Your care team works with you to build a clear plan for ongoing recovery, including therapy, support groups and relapse prevention strategies.
Step 2: Arranging continued care
We help you connect with outpatient therapy, medical and psychiatric follow-up, and other recovery resources near your home, working with trusted partner providers.
Step 3: Connecting with community support
We help you find peer support groups such as AA, NA or SMART Recovery, so support is in place from your first week home.
Step 4: Family support
Family education and support help loved ones learn healthy communication and boundaries, and how to create a supportive home.
How long does aftercare & continuing care last?
There is no set end date for aftercare. Some people want more support for a longer time, while others need help for a few weeks or months. Your care team can help you decide what makes sense.
Staffing and medical oversight
Discharge planning is led by your therapist and care team, who already know your history and goals.
If you are taking medication, our medical team, overseen by our medical director, plans how it will continue after you leave.
What comes next
If you notice warning signs, or if you return to use, reach out to us or your aftercare providers as soon as you can. You may benefit from stepping back up to an outpatient program or residential treatment for a while.
Families can find guidance in our resources for families. If you are in crisis, see our crisis resources or call or text 988.
What your aftercare plan may include
Every plan is personal, so not everyone needs every item. Each one is labelled: Provided by Serenity Moon is care we deliver ourselves, a Coordinated referral is care we arrange with another provider, and a Community resource is free support you join on your own.
Individualized discharge planning
Provided by Serenity MoonBefore you leave, you and your care team build a plan for the months ahead: continued care, your personal warning signs, coping steps and who to call.
Coordination for continued treatment
Coordinated referralWe help arrange your next level of care, such as outpatient therapy or an outpatient program near your home, so there is no gap after discharge.
Sober-living referrals
Coordinated referralWhen a structured, substance-free place to live would help, we can refer you to sober-living options and help coordinate the move.
Ongoing medical and psychiatric appointments
Coordinated referralWe help you plan follow-up with a primary care provider and, if you need one, a psychiatrist, so medical and mental health care continue.
Medication continuity planning
Provided by Serenity MoonIf you are taking a medication when you leave, your plan covers how you will keep getting it, who will prescribe it and how it will be monitored. See medication-assisted treatment.
Alumni meeting
Provided by Serenity MoonAfter you finish treatment, you can stay connected with Serenity Moon and with peers through our alumni meeting, held during evening programming.
Peer support and sober social connections
Community resourceRecovery is easier with people who understand. We help you find sober peers, activities and social connections close to home.
Recovery-community involvement
Community resourceLocal recovery communities offer meetings, events and volunteering that build structure and connection after treatment.
AA, NA and 12-Step support
Community resourceAlcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and other 12-Step fellowships are free, peer-led groups that meet in person and online.
SMART Recovery resources
Community resourceSMART Recovery is a free, science-based mutual-support program with in-person and online meetings, for people who prefer a non-12-Step approach.
Where it's offered
Where we offer aftercare & continuing care
Does insurance cover aftercare & continuing care?
Many plans cover aftercare & continuing care when it's medically necessary. Most PPO plans, in and out of network. Medicaid and Medicare are not accepted. We'll check your benefits for free before you decide anything.
Keep exploring
Related to aftercare & continuing care
Conditions treated in this program
Opioid Use Disorder
Medically supervised opioid and fentanyl detox with comfort care, medication options and overdose-prevention planning.
Stimulant Use Disorder
Supportive, medically monitored care for meth, cocaine and prescription stimulant use, with close attention to mood and sleep.
Benzodiazepine Use Disorder
A safe, medically supervised path off benzodiazepines, with care for the anxiety and sleep problems that often come with them.
Co-Occurring Disorders
Integrated care for substance use and mental health conditions like depression, anxiety and trauma, under one team and one plan.
Therapies used in this program
Family Therapy
Helps loved ones understand addiction, set healthy boundaries and support recovery without burning themselves out.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
FDA-approved medications combined with counseling for opioid and alcohol use disorders, when a medical provider agrees it is a good fit.
Questions
Questions about aftercare & continuing care
Aftercare is the support and services you receive after finishing treatment. It helps you keep the progress you made and keep moving toward long-term recovery.
It depends on your needs and goals. Some people need more support for longer, while others need help for a few weeks or months.
We offer family education and support so loved ones can learn communication skills, set boundaries and help create a supportive home. See our resources for families to get started.
A return to use doesn't erase your progress, and it isn't a reason for shame. Reach out to us or your aftercare providers as soon as you can. If you have used opioids, your tolerance may be lower, so keep naloxone nearby.
Sources
- Treatment and Recovery (Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction)National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
- Treatment for Alcohol Problems: Finding and Getting HelpNational Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
- About RecoverySubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- Recovery and SupportSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- Opiate and opioid withdrawal (MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia)U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus)
Ask us about aftercare & continuing care
Whenever you're ready, late at night or right now, someone on our admissions team will pick up. The call is free, and there's no obligation.