Extended Care Program
Research has demonstrated that the vast majority of clients benefit from extended care treatment. At Morningside, we generally consider extended care the period of time that occurs 30 to 60 days from the start of treatment, but may be earlier or later depending on clinical progress. For clients new to recovery, extended care reinforces their new outlook and skills. For those with previous difficulty remaining clean and sober after primary treatment, extended care is often the crucial missing link that resulted in past failure. Moreover, participating in extended care treatment makes transitioning into a more independent life of sobriety much easier.
Morningside has a variety of extended care tracks available that meet the clients’ unique recoveries. For example, many clients want to work on physical health and body image issues as part of our Healthy Living track, while continuing to attend an intense schedule of therapy and community groups. Group therapy is facilitated by Morningside clinical staff and provides clients with the opportunity to discuss life issues among peers in a safe and supportive setting. These groups offer clients an opportunity to share their concerns and get feedback on their problems.
In addition to small core group sessions with their licensed primary therapist, clients participating in extended care also receive a minimum of one individual session per week. These sessions allow clients to continue the therapeutic work they’ve already done. Clients identify and clarify issues relating to transitional challenges. Also, since some clients take medication, it is essential these prescriptions are managed responsibly. Morningside’s staff ensures medications are dispensed exactly as prescribed by a physician. In addition, clients take part in individual sessions with our doctors, psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, and other specialists as needed.
Morningside clients are evaluated on their readiness to move into extended care or out to Transitional Living, the Morningside Academic Institute, or other Phase III programming based on the client’s ability to take on the challenges they will encounter there. Rather than advance clients based on the passage of time, progression through levels of care is addressed on an individual basis and based on clinical progress and assessment of the client.
Clients in extended care continue to attend educational seminars to get in-depth information about the latest research in the recovery field with the idea that knowledge is power when it comes to addictions and co-occurring disorders. Case managers and therapists work individually and in groups with clients who are struggling. The importance of the role of case manager should not be underestimated. For example, the client’s case manager is often part of his or her treatment from day one and has helped develop an individualized treatment plan. In their role as liaison to outside family members, the case manager is acutely aware of what’s going on in a client’s life and thus able to arrest the slippery slope to relapse. All case managers know the ins-and-outs of recovery and this knowledge often makes the difference when helping clients with anger management, career skills, relationship building, and relapse prevention. Extended care is not about just putting in time. It’s about achieving long-term sobriety and positive mental health.
Testimonials
