What Happens After Detox?

After Medical Detox For Addiction
What Happens Next?

What happens once you have been physically stabilized in a medical detox center? You have safely undergone drug or alcohol withdrawal, and you are ready to take the next step on your personal journey of recovery. But where do you go? How do you know which level of care is the best option for you? At Princeton Detox & Recovery Center we provide our clients with individualized treatment and aftercare plans, custom-tailored to their unique, personal needs. Once you have undergone withdrawal in our inpatient detox center, you have the option to transition directly into a higher level of care with our assistance and support. As part of the Guardian Recovery Network we work closely with residential inpatient, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient treatment programs across the country, and we will always develop an aftercare plan that includes a smooth transition into the next appropriate level of treatment. By the time you complete detox you will feel confident in your next steps. Contact us today to learn more about what happens after detox, to learn more about our New Jersey detox center or to get started with our simple and straightforward admissions process.

Planning for Discharge

Discharge planning begins as soon as you or your loved one is admitted to our detox program. In most cases, our inpatient detox program lasts for between three days and two weeks, depending on the unique needs of each individual client (though clients tend to stay for roughly seven days on average). There are several factors which might influence the discharge planning process. These factors include:

• The severity of the substance use disorder.
• The presence of any underlying mental health concerns.
• Personal history with previous stints in treatment and subsequent relapse.
• Family involvement in the addiction treatment process.
• Financial ability/health insurance coverage.
• Plans to enter into a higher level of treatment like residential inpatient treatment, partial hospitalization or intensive outpatient treatment.

The day of your discharge you will have a solid plan of action in place, and you will know exactly which steps to take. We never release a client from our detox program unless they feel confident about what they are doing next. We involve the loved ones of each client in the entire discharge planning process, making sure everyone is on the same page and ensuring clients have a detailed plan to keep them on the right track as they navigate early sobriety.

Residential Treatment After Detox

At Princeton Detox & Recovery Center we recommend following a multi-phased continuum of care as closely as possible. Recommended stages of treatment almost always include:

• Medically Monitored Detox
• Residential Inpatient Treatment
• Partial Hospitalization (PHP)
• Intensive Outpatient Treatment (IOP)
• Sober Living and Aftercare

Residential treatment is an important part of the treatment process. In residential treatment you undergo intensive individual, group and family therapy, develop relapse prevention techniques and healthy coping mechanisms, and work through any underlying issues which might have contributed to the development of addiction. As part of the Guardian Recovery Network we work directly with several residential treatment centers across the country.

Outpatient Treatment After Detox

A client might opt to transition directly into outpatient care after detox. Residential treatment or partial hospitalization are always recommended, though outpatient treatment might be a viable standalone option if:

• You are the sole caretaker of one or more dependents, or you have other family-related obligations you cannot step away from for weeks at a time.
• You have a job or career you cannot step away from for a prolonged period of time.
• You are currently enrolled in school and you cannot easily take a leave of absence to attend residential treatment.
• You are uninsured and you cannot afford to cover the cost of residential treatment or PHP out-of-pocket.
• You were sober for a long period of time and recently experienced a brief return to substance use.
• You are suffering from a mild substance use disorder and no underlying issues.

Outpatient treatment — which might include intensive outpatient (IOP) or outpatient (OP) treatment — is certainly better than no follow-up care at all. We work closely with several reputable outpatient programs in New Jersey and surrounding areas, and we are always happy to point you in the right direction.

Sober Living

Some of our clients choose to transition into sober living as they undergo treatment in a PHP or IOP program. Sober living provides extra accountability and a safe, structured living environment for those who are navigating early sobriety. At Princeton Detox & Recovery Center we don’t have sober living homes of our own, but we work with several trusted sober home operators in New Jersey. If you decide to enter into a sober living home as you continue your personal recovery journey, we will help you find the best living environment for you and your unique needs.

Continuing Therapy

Once clients complete our detox program they have the option of continuing with individual therapy through our program or finding a new therapist in their immediate area. We always recommend our clients continue with individual therapy once detox ends. Benefits of continuing therapy are:

• Therapy helps clients develop and hone healthy coping mechanisms and relapse prevention techniques.
• Therapy helps clients improve communication skills and teaches them how to interact with other people in healthier and more productive ways.
• Therapy helps keep clients on track with your recovery, providing structure to their daily routine and keeping them accountable.
• In therapy clients are able to openly discuss any recovery-related challenges they might be facing in a safe and supportive environment.
• Therapy encourages clients to continue working through any personal hang-ups which might be keeping them stuck.

12-Step Programs

At Princeton Detox & Recovery Center we believe in the benefits of incorporating a 12-Step program into every aftercare plan. Clients have the opportunity to participate in and learn about the 12-Step model while in detox; we offer educational workshops and bring recovery meetings into our center on a regular basis.

Alternative Support Groups

Alcoholics Anonymous is not the only option when it comes to peer support groups. Alternative options include:

• Young People in Recovery – Also known as YPR, this organization revolves around providing young people with safe spaces to meet with others who are committed to overcoming drug or alcohol addiction.
• SMART Recovery – This non-profit organization provides an alternative to AA which focuses on self-empowerment. The official website states, “Self-Management And Recovery Training (SMART) is a global community of mutual-support groups. At meetings, participants help one another resolve problems with any addiction.”
• Al-Anon – There are other 12-Step meetings some of our clients might find beneficial. For example, Al-Anon provides support to those with loved ones who are struggling with addiction. Because addiction can be hereditary, many of our clients have other addicts and/or alcoholics in their family, and benefit from the coping mechanisms taught in this program.

Alumni Program

At Princeton Detox & Recovery Center we offer an alumni program to keep our past clients in touch. There are many benefits to staying connected with others through our alumni program. Past clients can check in as often as they would like to, offering their own personal experience, strength and hope and encouraging one another to stay the course. Additionally, we encourage our past clients to check in with us whenever they require additional support. We are always available to help in any way we can.

Contact Us Today to Begin Your Personal Recovery Journey

At Princeton Detox & Recovery Center we believe in the benefits of a full continuum of addiction treatment, beginning with medical detox and transitioning to residential inpatient treatment, partial hospitalization or an intensive outpatient program. Not only does entering into a higher level of care after detox increase your chances of staying sober, but your overall quality of life will improve the longer you stay in treatment. Medical detox is important in the sense that it helps you undergo a safe and pain-free drug or alcohol withdrawal. However, mental, emotional and spiritual healing occur in the next appropriate level of care. Active addiction affects every area of life. By the time you seek treatment you are likely juggling the consequences of your addiction while trying desperately to keep your head above water. As soon as you make the decision to reach out for help, Princeton Detox & Recovery Center will be there to help you every step of the way. As soon as you reach out you will be put in contact with one of our experienced and compassionate Treatment Advisors, who will conduct a pre-assessment and provide a free, no obligation insurance benefit check. If we believe our detox program is a good fit for you, we arrange local transportation to our New Jersey detox center. All you have to do is make the initial phone call and we will take care of the rest.