Driftwood Recovery provides comprehensive alumni services to ensure clients feel comfortable maintaining sobriety independently. We value our alumni and support their long-term recovery through various workshops, events, and aftercare services. Our alumni program offers additional peer support to clients in Austin, Texas, and nearby locations. Individuals recovering from substance abuse and dual diagnosis experience a greater quality of life if they engage in our thriving sober community.
The Importance of a Strong Alumni Program
Individuals who complete our programs become part of our Driftwood Recovery family. A strong alumni program allows clients to feel in control of their recovery and confident in managing setbacks or challenges. Alumni use our additional resources and support, including therapy and other services, to maintain healthy lifestyle changes during continuing care. Individuals who have transitioned from intensive outpatient programs (IOP) to aftercare manage stress more effectively with the support of our services.
Some of the primary benefits of our alumni program for individuals recovering from substance use disorder (SUD) include:
- Ongoing support
- A meaningful connection with peers
- Increased accountability
- Access to additional resources
- Reduced risk of relapse
- Safe social events with sober peers
- Improved mental health
- Increased positivity
Alumni motivate and inspire current clients on their recovery journey by sharing their stories. Mutually supportive relationships improve treatment outcomes and allow individuals in ongoing recovery to give back by supporting others on their recovery journey.
Why Alumni Support Matters in Long-Term Recovery
Individuals in recovery face challenges and unexpected situations. Alumni services provide people with a place to go for support, resources, and guidance during crisis moments. A reliable care team and continuing care reduce the risk of relapse by providing alumni with a place to turn if they encounter setbacks in recovery. In addition, many individuals experience less overall stress if they participate in positive community activities and build a support network.
Continuing the Journey Beyond Treatment
The recovery journey does not end after a client completes treatment. Aftercare and community-based resources help individuals continue to heal and make positive changes to facilitate long-term sobriety. Some alumni may need assistance navigating challenges related to employment, education, or managing triggers in everyday life. We ensure current clients can access the tools they need to address these issues before stepping down from outpatient treatment to continuing care. Driftwood Recovery also supports alumni during the transition.
The Role of Alumni in Sustaining Recovery
Alumni help current clients sustain recovery by modeling healthy behaviors and proving the effectiveness of treatment programs. During community events, workshops, and groups, alumni encourage, uplift, and empower individuals starting their healing journey. Peer engagement and support benefit both current clients and alumni. We encourage alumni to build confidence and self-worth by participating in our alumni services. Many people develop lifelong relationships with peers during alumni events and workshops.
Driftwood Recovery Alumni Network
We check in with alumni and their families to ensure they have the resources and skills to manage everyday stressors and unexpected crises. Driftwood Recovery has two alumni coordinators who regularly communicate with clients post-treatment to ensure they have access to ongoing support services. Our compassionate team of experts cares about each client and their ongoing sobriety. Driftwood Recovery encourages clients and alumni to utilize a peer-driven approach to lasting recovery. Our programs provide multiple methods for peers to learn and heal together.
Engagement Through the Driftwood Recovery App
We have a Driftwood Recovery app for current clients, alumni, and their families. The app allows alumni to learn about our current and future events. We update the app regularly and use it to keep our community connected. The app connects alumni with peers and provides support services for long-term recovery. It connects alumni across distances and ensures people know the details about upcoming workshops, events, and community get-togethers.
Ongoing Alumni Meetings and Events
Some of our ongoing alumni meetings and events include:
- Weekly alumni meeting at our IOP space
- An annual alumni camping trip
- Quarterly recovery workshops
- A yearly alumni holiday party at the Driftwood Recovery campus
We host multiple support services and events for alumni every month. Current clients and alumni use these opportunities to connect with peers and access vital support resources.
Weekly Alumni Check-Ins
We check in with alumni and their families weekly to monitor recovery progress. Our addiction recovery and mental health experts ensure clients have access to essential support and resources to reduce the risk of relapse and manage any setbacks in recovery. We want to ensure clients feel valued and supported throughout every stage of treatment and long-term recovery.
The primary benefits of alumni check-in meetings with former clients and their loved ones include:
- Relapse prevention
- Strengthened recovery network
- Increased family involvement
- A sense of community
- Empowerment and encouragement
- Fewer self-isolating behaviors and reduced loneliness
Weekly check-ins also allow clients to celebrate successes and milestones reached during continuing care.
Celebrating Recovery Milestones: Monthly Dinner Events
Individuals who celebrate successes in recovery build confidence and resilience. We celebrate with our current clients, alumni, and their families when they reach important milestones. Our team also offers additional alumni engagement opportunities, including driftwood alumni renewal retreats.
Support and Accountability for Continued Progress
We provide accountability for alumni and encourage personal growth by doing the following:
- Welcoming alumni to a weekly alumni panel for our current clients
- Involving current clients in the weekly alumni meetings and events
- Providing an alumni panel each month during our Courageous Family Programming Weekend
The monthly gatherings, including family dinners and alumni panels, build community engagement and provide individuals with additional resources.
The Alumni Panel for Courageous Family Program
Alumni and their families attend alumni panels with the Driftwood Recovery community every first and third Tuesday. The panels provide life-changing information and insights for individuals in recovery. Alumni come together to listen to experts in addiction and mental health recovery. We provide information about upcoming panels and topics on our app.
Additional Alumni Engagement Opportunities
Driftwood Recovery offers multiple events and services to promote active participation in ongoing recovery. In addition to community events, we invite alumni to attend our open support groups and reach out to our care team if they encounter challenges in recovery. Our programs give clients the confidence to ask for assistance or guidance if they experience unexpected setbacks.
In-House AA Meetings and On-Site Service Opportunities
We encourage alumni to utilize all support services and community-based resources, including Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other self-help groups. According to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, “Recent studies have confirmed the beneficial role of involvement in AA for abstinence and reduction in drinking alcohol” and recovery from other substances. We offer in-house AA meetings for clients and alumni on Wednesday nights. Self-help groups empower individuals and give them a safe space for discussing topics related to addiction, mental health, treatment, and long-term recovery.
Open-Gate Policy for Community Engagement
Our open-gate policy allows alumni to visit our campus anytime for community engagement and continued support. Alumni participate in our thriving sober community, where peers build lifelong relationships and develop healthy social skills. Driftwood Recovery welcomes alumni and their loved ones to our various workshops, events, and support groups.
Alumni services at Driftwood Recovery provide clients with motivation, inspiration, and a safe space to receive guidance from peers and addiction recovery experts. To learn more about our alumni services, call us today at (512) 759-8330.
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