Helping addicted individuals throughout their entire treatment and recovery journey is what the therapeutic team at The Arbor is focused on. Support for a substance use disorder does not end once a formal treatment program is completed. An alumni program can be a critical part of one’s continued recovery. Having the continual support of peers who share an addiction experience will keep clients on the road to lifelong recovery. Building relationships with this community of alumni means you have people you can count on when you need them. It also allows you to share your own experiences with others and serve as a mentor.
The addiction treatment team at The Arbor can answer any questions about our alumni program for addiction. Call us at 844.413.2690.
What Is an Addiction Alumni Program?
An alumni program for addiction is defined as an aftercare support system for those in recovery to foster their continued sobriety. Being among a group of people who have gone through similar experiences is a great resource for learning from, sharing with, and leaning on when needed. Alumni programs can assist those in recovery with accountability and reinforcement of tools and techniques learned in treatment.
Alumni programs can also include group activities like:
- Hikes and nature walks
- Volunteerism or mentoring
- Potluck dinners or barbecues
- Cultural excursions
- Job skills and placement assistance
Recovery is for life, and it requires hard work. It can be hard to jump back into social situations when you are newly sober, so the more support one has on the journey, the better.
Alumni Program Benefits
Alumni programs have many benefits, and each person will see more benefits in some aspects versus others, depending on their needs. Establishing a sober support community of peers that you can interact with as part of a structured routine—or when you need it—is one of the best tools a person in recovery can have. This is especially true for those who are newly sober. The group of people in any given alumni community will have varied levels of experience and years of sobriety. This means there is a wealth of knowledge to draw on and contribute to. An alumni program also serves as a safe space where people need not feel ashamed but rather supported, heard, and understood.
Benefits of an alumni program include:
- Fine-tuning and practicing coping skills learned in treatment
- Peer-to-peer support
- The opportunity to be mentored and provide mentorship
- Being held accountable by peers
- Improved self-esteem and self-confidence
- Better overall state of health—physical and mental
- Finding a greater purpose with sobriety
- Additional behavioral therapies, if needed
- The ability to have fun while serious issues are discussed and hard work is being done
The Arbor’s team of professionals also has years of varied experience to help support each client going through treatment and recovery. The team ensures that each person has the proper support at every stage.
Enroll in The Arbor’s Alumni Addiction Program Today
The therapeutic team at The Arbor is committed to each client’s recovery journey, from the moment they walk through the door to supporting them on the journey once a structured treatment program is complete.
In addition to alumni programming, The Arbor also offers residential treatment, an intensive outpatient program (IOP), sober living (extended care), relapse prevention, family programs, and dual diagnosis treatment— if a co-occurring mental health disorder exists.
We hold a weekly 12-step alumni meeting in person on our campus in Georgetown, Texas, and you can also use Zoom for convenience. Contact The Arbor online or call today at 844.413.2690 to learn more about alumni programming and how to get involved.