Relapse and the need for continuous care

The path to a lasting and healthy recovery

Relapse is a common challenge in addiction recovery and happens when a person stops maintaining their goal of avoiding the use of alcohol or other drugs and returns to previous use. Recovery is a lifelong process that requires ongoing support, and there is no cure for addiction. However, with a structured multi-phase approach to addiction treatment, including primary care, secondary care, halfway house (tertiary care) and 12-step meetings.

Why continuous care is essential

Addiction is a chronic condition, which makes relapse a potential part of the journey. Several triggers can lead to a relapse, and most of them are linked to personal challenges. These include ongoing emotional and psychological struggles, work stress, socioeconomic problems like financial difficulties, challenges in personal relationships and lack of social support.

It’s important to note that relapse is neither a failure nor a weakness; it is rather the continuation of old coping mechanisms that appeared to work at some stage but now need to be replaced with new and healthy ones.

At Houghton House, we understand this and value the continuum of care as a strategy to reduce the risk of relapse.

The role of primary care

Primary care, also known as inpatient rehabilitation, is the first step in structured addiction treatment. Addiction usually involves mental health challenges, which are addressed during primary care. Those struggling with addiction may also be experiencing depression, anxiety and trauma and have resorted to using substances to cope with one or all of these conditions.

The intensive first phase of rehab focuses on medically-supervised detox, stabilisation and building recovery skills through therapy and support. Treatment can help you understand the root causes and consequences of your addiction and give you the tools to cope without substances, reducing the risk of relapse significantly.

At Houghton House, primary care treatment includes individual counselling, group therapy sessions, DBT and CBT, holistic and multidisciplinary therapies, family involvement and support groups, all included in our evidence-based addiction treatment programme.

Primary care is for up to 24 days, including three days of medically-supervised detox, and focuses on breaking dependence and developing healthy coping mechanisms that can carry you through life.

Houghton House’s inpatient programme is rooted in compassion, respect and unwavering support to help you walk away with life-altering insights, practical skills and a glimpse of what waits on the other side of recovery.

The importance of secondary care

Secondary care is an extended rehab programme following primary care. This “step down” treatment is between days 24 and 30 but can be extended to 42 days, including primary care.

This phase of addiction treatment provides a more flexible environment while still maintaining the structure that was achieved in primary care. Houghton House offers continued therapy, life skills training and relapse prevention strategies while providing support for reintegration into daily life with less risk of immediate exposure to therapy. You also have more contact with family and the outside world, practicing coping strategies in real-life situations.

Bridging the gap to independent living
Halfway houses are a transitional step between rehab and an independent life. Immediately returning home after primary and secondary care can be daunting, and halfway house living serves as a stepping stone towards giving yourself the best possible chance at lasting recovery once completely independent.

While there’s no strict time limit in terms of length of stay, we recommend staying between three and 12 months. Many residents find that a full year gives them the foundation to create a fulfilling, substance-free life beyond halfway-house living.

Houghton House has one halfway house named York in Ferndale, Johannesburg. This is a supportive, home-like environment that offers a sober living space, emotional support from staff and peers, and accountability through random drug tests and a strict curfew. Additionally, the opportunity to reconnect with work or job hunting is given while living in a recovery-focused community.

The role of 12-step meetings

12-step programmes such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are a crucial part of aftercare.

These provide spaces where peer accountability is emphasised, and you can connect with others with shared experiences. Through working the 12 steps through stepwork, a process which would have begun in primary care, with a sponsor and attending fellowship meetings, 12-step programmes provide a structured framework for long-term sobriety.

Within these fellowships, ongoing emotional and social support can be provided outside of the rehab environment. Regular meeting attendance also significantly lowers the risk of relapse significantly.

Houghton House’s commitment to aftercare

Aftercare is essential in sustaining recovery beyond structured treatment. Once you’ve completed inpatient treatment and returned to your everyday life, the risk of relapse is highest, particularly in the first 90 days following rehabilitation. This risk stays significant for up to five years.

Aftercare is key to preventing relapse and keeping you engaged in your recovery.
The structured programme bridges the gap between rehab and everyday life; helping
you practice coping skills, handle daily challenges and access ongoing support to
maintain long-term sobriety.

Houghton House offers an aftercare programme, which is recommended for at least your first year of recovery and continues as long as you feel you need the support. This aftercare treatment includes ongoing therapy and counselling, support groups and relapse prevention programmes, and guidance for reintegration into daily life.

Aftercare requirements include attending two AA/NA meetings per week, random drug and alcohol testing, as well as compulsory attendance of three aftercare evening sessions to ensure that you remain accountable and connected following treatment.

Recovery beyond rehab

Recovery doesn’t end after rehab, it requires continuous commitment. In recovery, it is important to view relapse as a learning experience rather than failure; however, it can be avoided by embarking on a process of continuous care.