Treatment Guide · Long-Term Success

Aftercare and Relapse Prevention

Aftercare planning creates a structured roadmap for maintaining recovery after completing primary treatment. A comprehensive aftercare plan typically includes step-down care, ongoing therapy, support group participation,...

Last reviewed Apr 29, 2026 SAMHSA & NIDA sourced RehabHive Editorial Team
Duration
Ongoing
Typical cost
Varies
Insurance
Typically covered
Success rate
Reduces relapse risk by up to 50%
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Overview

Aftercare planning creates a structured roadmap for maintaining recovery after completing primary treatment. A comprehensive aftercare plan typically includes step-down care, ongoing therapy, support group participation, sober living arrangements, and strategies for managing triggers and preventing relapse. Research shows that strong aftercare reduces relapse risk by up to 50%.

Who Is It For?

Everyone completing any level of addiction treatment should have an aftercare plan. Recovery does not end when treatment does. Aftercare is especially critical during the first year of sobriety, when relapse risk is highest.

What Does It Include?

  • Step-down to lower level of care
  • Ongoing individual or group therapy
  • Support group meetings (12-Step, SMART)
  • Sober living housing referrals
  • Alumni program participation
  • Regular check-ins with counselor
  • Emergency contact plan
  • Trigger management strategies

Frequently Asked Questions

What is aftercare and relapse prevention?

Aftercare planning creates a structured roadmap for maintaining recovery after completing primary treatment. A comprehensive aftercare plan typically includes step-down care, ongoing therapy, support group participation, sober living arrangements, and strategies for managing triggers and preventing relapse. Research shows that strong aftercare reduces relapse risk by up to 50%.

Who should consider aftercare and relapse prevention?

Everyone completing any level of addiction treatment should have an aftercare plan. Recovery does not end when treatment does. Aftercare is especially critical during the first year of sobriety, when relapse risk is highest.

How long does aftercare and relapse prevention last?

Typical duration is Ongoing. Length should be individualized based on clinical assessment and progress.

How much does aftercare and relapse prevention cost?

Average cost is Varies. Typically covered. Many facilities offer sliding-scale fees. Call (833) 546-3513 to verify coverage.

What is the success rate?

Success rates are approximately Reduces relapse risk by up to 50%. Success improves with longer treatment, aftercare, and addressing co-occurring disorders.

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Medical Disclaimer

This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Treatment decisions should be made with a qualified healthcare provider. For immediate help, call SAMHSA National Helpline 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or 911 in an emergency. For confidential benefits verification, call (833) 546-3513.

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Verified providers

50 Centers Offering Aftercare and Relapse Prevention

SAMHSA-verified facilities providing aftercare and relapse prevention programs. Listed alphabetically by state. Call (833) 546-3513 to verify coverage at any center.

Community Connections Ketchikan logo AK

Community Connections Ketchikan

Ketchikan, AK

SEARHC Sitka OTC logo AK

SEARHC Sitka OTC

Sitka, AK

South Peninsula Behav Health Services The Center logo AK

South Peninsula Behav Health Services The Center

Homer, AK

AK

Wisdom Traditions Counseling Services DBA Alaska Wisdom Recovery

Anchorage, AK

Turning Point Counseling Services logo AK

Turning Point Counseling Services

Fairbanks, AK

Sitka Counseling and Prevention Services logo AK

Sitka Counseling and Prevention Services

Sitka, AK

Alaska Behavioral Health Anchorage Child and Family Clinic logo AK

Alaska Behavioral Health Anchorage Child and Family Clinic

Anchorage, AK

Hope Community Resources logo AK

Hope Community Resources

Anchorage, AK

Alaska Behavioral Health Anchorage - Anchorage Medical Department AK

Alaska Behavioral Health Anchorage - Anchorage Medical Department

Anchorage, AK

AK

Discovery Cove Recovery and Wellness Center

Eagle River, AK

AK

Alaska Family Services Behavioral Health Treatment Center

Wasilla, AK

True North Recovery Wasilla AK

True North Recovery Wasilla

Wasilla, AK

AK

Renew Your Mind

Anchorage, AK

Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association logo AK

Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association

Anchorage, AK

Narcotic Drug Treatment Center Center for Drug Problems logo AK

Narcotic Drug Treatment Center Center for Drug Problems

Anchorage, AK

AK

True North Recovery Vita Nova

Wasilla, AK

SeaView AK

SeaView

Seward, AK

Ideal Option Anchorage AK

Ideal Option Anchorage

Anchorage, AK

Providence Alaska Medical Center Providence Breakthrough logo AK

Providence Alaska Medical Center Providence Breakthrough

Anchorage, AK

Juneau Behavioral Health SEARHC logo AK

Juneau Behavioral Health SEARHC

Juneau, AK

Alaska Behavioral Health Anchorage - Adult Outpatient Clinic AK

Alaska Behavioral Health Anchorage - Adult Outpatient Clinic

Anchorage, AK

Tanaka Chiefs Conference Addictions Program logo AK

Tanaka Chiefs Conference Addictions Program

Fairbanks, AK

Hats of Wisdom Professional Counseling logo AK

Hats of Wisdom Professional Counseling

Delta Junction, AK

Volunteers of America Supportive Housing logo AK

Volunteers of America Supportive Housing

Anchorage, AK

Kodiak Community Health Center logo AK

Kodiak Community Health Center

Kodiak, AK

The Arc of Anchorage logo AK

The Arc of Anchorage

Anchorage, AK

Sound Alternatives Behavioral Health Clinic logo AK

Sound Alternatives Behavioral Health Clinic

Cordova, AK

Denali Family Services logo AK

Denali Family Services

Wasilla, AK

Cornerstone Recovery Christian Health Associates AK

Cornerstone Recovery Christian Health Associates

Anchorage, AK

Klawock Behavioral Health SEARHC logo AK

Klawock Behavioral Health SEARHC

Klawock, AK

True North Recovery Fairbanks AK

True North Recovery Fairbanks

Fairbanks, AK

Set Free Alaska AK

Set Free Alaska

Wasilla, AK

Akeela Gateway Center for Human Services AK

Akeela Gateway Center for Human Services

Ketchikan, AK

Petersburg Mountainside Behavioral SEARHC logo AK

Petersburg Mountainside Behavioral SEARHC

Petersburg, AK

Wasilla Behavioral Health Services Outpatient logo AK

Wasilla Behavioral Health Services Outpatient

Wasilla, AK

Cook Inlet Counseling Outpatient logo AK

Cook Inlet Counseling Outpatient

Kenai, AK

Mat Su Health Services logo AK

Mat Su Health Services

Wasilla, AK

Volunteers of America (VOA)/Alaska Residential/ARCH logo AK

Volunteers of America (VOA)/Alaska Residential/ARCH

Eagle River, AK

Adult and Teen Challenge Pacific Alaska Men's Campus logo AK

Adult and Teen Challenge Pacific Alaska Men's Campus

Wasilla, AK

AK

Railbelt Mental Health and Addictions

Nenana, AK

AK

Peninsula Community Health Services of Soldotna

Soldotna, AK

Alaska VA Healthcare System logo AK

Alaska VA Healthcare System

Anchorage, AK

AK

Kodiak Area Native Association

Kodiak, AK

AK

Chugachmiut Chugachmiut Behavioral Health Dept

Anchorage, AK

Banyan Alaska AK

Banyan Alaska

Wasilla, AK

AK

Rainforest Recovery Center Bartlett Regional Hospital

Juneau, AK

Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association Oonalaska Wellness Center logo AK

Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association Oonalaska Wellness Center

Unalaska, AK

AK

Cook Inlet Tribal Council Recovery Services Outpatient Services

Anchorage, AK

Daybreak Anchorage logo AK

Daybreak Anchorage

Anchorage, AK

AK

Peninsula Community Health Services Kenai

Kenai, AK

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