Continuing Care Programme

The Recovery Outcomes model is designed to prevent relapse through our continuing care approach

Our continuing care programme is sophisticated, and affordable. It offers a recovering addict 12 to 24 months of regular contact and is designed to fit their lifestyle. Our gentle, yet assertive approach is flexible to their needs and phase of recovery.

The programme includes:

Regular contact with a psychiatric nurse
Regular testing
Reporting to family and employers if requested
Regular feedback to your psychiatrist, psychologist or counsellor

Recovery Outcomes was developed by a specialised team of professionals with a common goal – to prevent relapse or detect early signs of relapse. These experts believe that treatment over an extended period is the best approach to manage addiction. Relapse statistics bear this out – up to 70% of addicts undergoing conventional rehabilitation will relapse within the first 12 months after treatment. We understand this and aim to offer support and a safe, non- judgemental environment where patients commit to regular attendance- whether they have relapsed or not.

When should I join Recovery Outcomes?

You can join this service at any point in your recovery. Many addicts do need more intensive treatment up front, to break the addiction cycle, to stabilise and learn basic skills. We recommend that you join Recovery Outcomes when you leave inpatient or outpatient treatment.

Why do addicts relapse?

Substance Use Disorders (previously called addictions) are now known to be chronic or long-term brain diseases. Once a person is dependent on a substance, changes occur in the balance of chemicals in the brain (called neurotransmitters). It may take months or years for patients to learn methods to overcome cravings, and for the neurotransmitter environment to settle.

Other factors that influence the risk of relapse include stress, the impact of other psychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder. Ongoing environmental factors such as relationship problems, financial problems may contribute.

Is recovery different to treatment?

Recovery is a much broader concept than treatment alone. It is about improving health and wellness, as well as striving to achieve our full potential, to feel alive and fulfilled.

Addiction is often tied to a host of other troubles. Physical and mental ill-health, family and social dysfunction, the effects of trauma, patterns of thinking and responding that keep us trapped. We may or may not, be aware of these patterns which often develop over many years.

Awareness is important. Addiction is often maintained by emotional or physical pain, unhealthy relationships or life circumstances. Initial treatment is about understanding addiction and the associated problems that keep us trapped. Recovery is about laying down new patterns in how we think, behave and relate.

Stages of Recovery

The “stages of change” or “transtheoretical” model is a way of understanding the process of recovery and motivation to enter treatment. It was developed from research looking at how change occurs, and has been embraced by the move away from confrontational blaming approaches, toward motivational and person-centred approaches. There are four main stages: precontemplation, contemplation, preparation and action. Additional stages of maintenance and relapse are also sometimes included. These stages can be represented as a cycle, and it is suggested that people go through these stages in sequence. In reality, people may skip stages, but the model gives a framework from which therapists can motivate patients to enter the next stage.