What Is Continuity of Care?

Have you ever considered a continuing care program or questioned whether you would benefit from continuity of care post-treatment? Some research indicates that clients who engage in continued care may have more positive outcomes regarding lasting recovery. Understanding the potential benefits of continued care can help you determine if it is a good fit for your recovery from substance use disorder (SUD). 

Additionally, continued care or aftercare programs offer extra support so that your sobriety stays strong, even when it feels too much to handle. Many people think early recovery will be the most challenging part of their journey. This may be true in many senses, but individuals who have been sober for years need care and support just as much as those new to sobriety. 

Pillars of Addiction Recovery

Before discussing continuity of care in more detail, let us consider why you must focus on the quality of your care over time. For one simple reason, receiving long-term quality care is vital to maintain long-term recovery. 

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) describes recovery as a "process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives, and strive to reach their full potential." Along with this definition, they outline four major dimensions, or pillars, of recovery: 

1. Health: Overcoming illnesses and symptoms and making informed choices about your health that support physical and emotional well-being. 
2. Home: Having a safe and stable place to live and an environment conducive to recovery. 
3. Purpose: Engaging in meaningful daily tasks or activities. This can include a job, volunteering, caring for a family member, pursuing creative endeavors, or attending school. It also includes "independence, income, and resources to participate in society."
4. Community: Creating and maintaining relationships and social networks that offer "support, friendship, love, and hope." 

These pillars of recovery can guide you throughout your journey. Of course, prioritizing these in your life is easier said than done, but they are vital aspects of recovery. That is why continued, quality care throughout recovery is beneficial, especially since you will continue to grow and change during this journey. 

What Is Continuity of Care?

Continuity of care ensures that client care is ongoing and focuses on two common objectives: high-quality care and long-term sobriety. Continuity of care is also beneficial when managing relapse risks at all stages of treatment and recovery. As you complete an addiction treatment program, steps can be taken to reduce these risks. For example, when preparing to leave a treatment facility, you may work with a case manager to plan for life post-treatment. 

Case managers work with you in several capacities. These may include: 

1. Helping you find resources — virtually or within their community 
2. Coordinating referrals and other contained post-treatment services 
3. Serving as the liaison between you and recovery organizations 
4. Creating relapse prevention plans and helping you set goals for recovery 
5. Advocating for you, especially in situations where there are barriers to quality recovery and mental health care 

Continuity of care may also include working with treatment improvement protocols (TIPs) in managed care environments. SAMHSA states, "Each TIP involves the development of topic-specific best-practice guidelines for the prevention and treatment of substance use and mental disorders."

Having a standard for quality treatment across the country is vital for treating individuals across the United States competently. That includes care at inpatient, outpatient, or continued care levels. At NorthStar Transitions, we prioritize offering quality continued care through our alumni program. 

What Are the Benefits of an Alumni Program?

Alumni programs, or aftercare programs, have many benefits and appear in various ways. However, they all share a common goal — to offer support and community after treatment. These programs offer you a sense of belonging. Research also indicates that maintaining connections with peers through aftercare programs provides better long-term recovery outcomes.

Some of the benefits of alumni programs include: 

• Connection with peers and professionals in your recovery community 
• Ongoing support from these connections
• The opportunity to seek advice based on lived experiences
• A sense of accountability among peers 
• The chance to share your success and motivate others
• Reduced feelings of loneliness and isolation 
• Fun sober activities you can partake in with peers
• The ability to learn new skills and continue practicing healthy coping techniques 
• Reduced risk of relapse by being able to talk to individuals who understand triggers and cravings 
• A broadened support network that offers constant encouragement to stay sober 

Continuity of care ensures quality across a long-term timeline of care regarding addiction treatment, which includes aftercare, alumni, and continued care programs designed to help you maintain sobriety on a long-term basis. 

Many factors influence the level of care a facility can offer. At NorthStar, we prioritize quality care through several programs. That includes our alumni program. You can reap the benefits of a high continuity of care by contacting us today.

Continuity of care focuses on the quality of long-term care, whether mental or physical health care. Regarding addiction treatment, facilities have processes for ensuring quality care across all programs. That may include using case managers or following treatment improvement protocols (TIPs). In any case, continuity of care in treating substance use disorders (SUD) has two main goals – high-quality care and long-term care for those who need it. Call NorthStar Transitions at (303) 558-6400 if you are in recovery, but lack continued care designed to help you maintain long-term sobriety. Our alumni program offers several benefits that can help you today.  ‍