Extended Care Programme

Liberty House’s extended care programme for drug addiction and alcoholism means both a prolonged stay in residential rehab and the ongoing support services provided after you leave. Here is the idea behind these two stages:

A prolonged rehab stay

Liberty House’s extended care programmes go beyond a few weeks in treatment, stretching all the way up to three months. You will spend that time living in a safe and supportive space where help is always available. Our extended care programme is designed to give you more time to detox, heal physically and mentally and experience a more comprehensive range of therapies and healing techniques. For example, Liberty House follows the 12-step programme and the longer you stay with us, the more steps you are able to complete.

Ongoing support services

Our extended care programme for addiction includes a longer stay in rehab, aftercare and Alumni services. Both are free for everybody who undergoes treatment at Liberty House, no matter how long their initial stay.

Aftercare involves free weekly group therapy for twelve months. These are outpatient sessions, which means you attend therapy locally every week, making the transition from rehab to home life easier.

Our alumni programme is another very important part of our extended care programme for substance abuse recovery because it keeps you connected to the UKAT family. We have regular events and plenty of opportunities to connect with others, creating a life that you’re excited to wake up to.

Extended rehab gives you the time and support to really work on every part of addiction. Some of the most important features include:

Safe and effective withdrawal

Withdrawal doesn’t look the same for everyone and some substances take longer to leave your system than others. Drugs like benzodiazepines or alcohol can cause symptoms that linger for weeks which require support beyond a short two-week stay. Similarly, opiates and stimulants often leave you battling fatigue and cravings long after detox. These are best managed through our extended care programme for managing cravings in addiction recovery.

Deeper therapeutic work

Addiction can leave a mess behind, not just in your body but in your mind and emotions, too. Our extended care programme for substance abuse recovery gives you the time to dig deeper and work on the things that might otherwise get overlooked and threaten your progress.

A stronger support network

Spending extra time in rehab also means more opportunities for connection. Family therapy is a big part of this, enabling your loved ones to start rebuilding what addiction has strained or broken. This reconciliation is not always easy or quick but an extended care programme gives you the time to rebuild trust and learn to support each other.

You will also have the chance to meet lots of different people during your stay. While you are there for an extended care programme, others might come and go as they finish their own treatment. This gives you the opportunity to hear a wide range of stories, learn from different experiences and get fresh perspectives on recovery.

More thorough relapse prevention planning

One of the biggest benefits of our extended care programme for drug addiction and alcoholism is the extra time to prepare for life after treatment. You will have the chance to dig deeper into what might trip you up when you leave with more chances to role-play for tricky situations. This will help build your confidence and ensure your relapse prevention plan is solid.

There are both short-term and long-term benefits of extended care programme for addiction recovery, particularly for those who have:

Long-term addictions

For those with long-term addictions, an extended care programme is especially important. Years of substance use can take a toll on your body and mind, leaving you with habits and routines that need to be rebuilt from the ground up. With the extra time, you will relearn how to care for yourself in ways that truly support your recovery.

Co-occurring conditions

Many people with addiction also face mental health challenges like depression, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. These co-occurring conditions need to be considered alongside addiction for lasting recovery, but that takes time. An extended care programme gives you the time to work on symptom management for both conditions while also addressing how they may be fuelling each other.

Recently relapsed

Recovery doesn’t always go perfectly the first time, and that’s okay.  If you finish our three-month extended care programme but relapse within the first month, you can return for an additional month’s treatment free of charge. This will help you regain your footing and adjust your plan where needed.

A lack of support at home

For some, going home after rehab means returning to supportive family or friends who encourage their recovery. But for those who lack that support, an extended care programme for addiction recovery offers a safe, stable place to continue their journey without the distractions or pressures of everyday life. With the extra time, you’ll build confidence in your new routines until you feel truly ready to take those steps with the guidance of our team.

Committing to an extended care programme for substance abuse recovery is a powerful step, but how you approach it can make all the difference. Here are some of the best ways to ensure lasting recovery:

Commit as long as you can to treatment

Not everyone can commit to a long stay in rehab, and we completely understand that life outside can’t always wait. But the more time you spend in treatment, the more you can focus on rebuilding yourself without distractions. That is why Liberty House offers flexible payment plans to make longer stays possible, giving you the time you need to embrace recovery fully.

Attend all aftercare sessions

When rehab ends, it is tempting to think you’ve got everything under control, but this is when addiction often sneaks in. We provide an extended care programme for managing cravings in addiction recovery through our weekly group therapy sessions. They will provide both peer and professional support so you can keep building on the foundation you created in rehab.

Join UKAT Alumni and local support groups

Both our Alumni programme and local groups like Narcotics and Alcoholics Anonymous can be a great way to stay connected to recovery outside of rehab. Luton and the wider Bedfordshire area offer plenty of options and these groups are a chance to meet people who have been where you are, share stories and pick up advice that could make all the difference on your journey.

If you’re wondering how an extended care programme works, Liberty House is here to help. Our admissions team can explain everything you need to know, from what your days will look like to how a longer stay in rehab can help you best prepare for a sober. Contact us today, and let’s figure out the next step together.