Priory’s addiction aftercare: comprehensive support for long-term recovery
Priory’s addiction aftercare programme provides 12 months of free, tailored support to help you maintain recovery and build a fulfilling life beyond treatment.
Addiction recovery is more than just completing treatment - it’s a lifelong process that needs ongoing care and commitment.
At Priory, we believe that recovery doesn’t stop when your initial programme ends. That’s why we’ve made aftercare a cornerstone of our approach, offering 12 months of free, tailored support to help you transition into life beyond treatment and maintain your progress.
Our aftercare programme provides the tools, professional guidance and supportive community you need to move forward with confidence. Here, we explain how Priory’s aftercare programme works, who it’s for and what’s included.
What can I expect when I leave addiction rehab?
It’s normal for you to feel a mixture of emotions when you leave treatment. You might feel nervous about returning home, but also excited about starting your new life in recovery and seeing your loved ones again. You might also feel a bit ‘up and down’ in the days leading up to your discharge. All of these feelings are entirely normal, so don’t worry. It’s also important to understand that things won’t go back to normal straightaway. There will be an adjustment period while you find your feet.
This is where aftercare becomes essential. It plays a vital role in your ongoing recovery, providing the structure and support you need as you transition back into everyday life. We’ll make sure you have all the details of the aftercare services available to you, so you feel confident about the next steps. Making the time to engage with aftercare gives you the best possible chance of building a brighter, addiction-free future.
Who is eligible for Priory’s aftercare services?
Priory’s aftercare services are available to everyone who completes our 28-day residential addiction treatment programme. Whether you’ve been receiving treatment for substance addictions like alcohol or drugs, or a behavioural addiction such as gambling, you’ll receive 12 months of free, tailored aftercare to support your ongoing recovery.
To help you get the most out of the aftercare programme, we ask all participants to commit to staying abstinent and avoiding addictive behaviours or processes. As part of this, you may occasionally be asked to take a breathalyser or drug test to ensure the programme remains a safe and supportive environment for everyone.
If a relapse happens, we may need to temporarily pause your aftercare, but this will be handled with understanding, and the process will be clearly explained and agreed with you. Our goal is always to support your recovery journey in the most positive way possible.
We also provide separate family support for 12 months to close family members, friends and loved ones of people who complete a residential stay with us. This ensures that both the person in recovery and their loved ones receive the focused support they need on their respective journeys.
What support is included in the 12 months of free aftercare?
Priory’s 12-month aftercare programme is designed to provide comprehensive support, ensuring you have everything you need to maintain your recovery.
A key part of this programme is immersion within Priory’s recovery community, where you’ll have opportunities to stay connected with people who were in inpatient treatment alongside you, as well as meet other people in addiction recovery. This inclusive environment allows you to connect with people who are on a similar journey to you, share your experiences, and build a strong and lasting support network.
Our aftercare programme includes:
Weekly aftercare sessions
Regular group sessions led by experienced therapists, providing continued guidance and support. You’ll attend at least 1 session a week, lasting around 1 and a half hours, but many of our sites offer multiple aftercare sessions per week
Ongoing contact with specialists
Access to the same specialists who supported you during your treatment, offering continuity in your recovery journey
Alumni events
Social gatherings, such as alumni Christmas parties and summer BBQs, provide a safe, trigger-free environment for you to reconnect with peers and celebrate milestones within Priory’s recovery community
Access to on-site 12-step support groups
Where available, you’ll have the option to attend 12-step meetings hosted at our facilities. These might include Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Cocaine Anonymous (CA) and Gamblers Anonymous (GA) meetings
Peer support opportunities
You’ll have the chance to give back by supporting current inpatients, offering encouragement and hope based on your own experiences
Seamless transition of care
When you leave treatment, your GP will receive a detailed discharge summary outlining your progress, treatment, and any ongoing prescription needs, such as methadone, antidepressants, or other medications. This ensures a smooth handover and continued recovery support. Alternatively, you can choose to see a Priory consultant psychiatrist privately to maintain continuity in your care and receive prescriptions directly from them
For families and loved ones, our aftercare offering includes:
- Weekly family support groups - these sessions, facilitated by our expert addiction therapists, provide a safe space for loved ones to share their experiences, connect with others on a similar journey, and gain valuable insights into supporting someone in recovery. These sessions will last for a minimum of 1 hour per week
- Support from the addiction treatment programme team – our team is available by phone to provide guidance and reassurance to family members, answer any questions you may have about your loved one’s aftercare, and encourage you to attend the family support group for additional help and connection
What happens after the 12 months are up?
After 12 months of aftercare, you will have developed the tools and confidence to continue your recovery journey independently. This is an important milestone, and while it might feel daunting, it’s also a sign of how far you’ve come. You’ll still have access to support through 12-step groups or your GP, so you’ll never be completely alone on your path.
If you feel like you’d benefit from some extra help, Priory also offers the option of one-to-one outpatient sessions, which can take place either face-to-face or online, to give you additional support whenever you need it.
You’re not stepping away from support - you’re moving forward with the skills and resilience you’ve developed to maintain your recovery. And remember, we’re always here if you need us.
Frequently asked questions
When does aftercare begin?
Aftercare and family support start immediately after inpatient treatment, with the first aftercare group being particularly crucial. Attending this group increases the likelihood of ongoing participation and sustained recovery.
Aftercare is integrated from the beginning of your treatment programme, with plans for discharge, recovery, and relapse prevention in place to ensure a smooth transition. Think of addiction treatment as a 13-month journey: 1 month as an inpatient followed by 12 months of aftercare to support long-term recovery.
Where can I access aftercare services?
Our aftercare and family support services are flexible and can be accessed online, face-to-face or through a combination of both, depending on the location you received treatment at. Online aftercare usually takes place via Zoom, providing convenience and accessibility from the comfort of your home.
To learn more about the specific aftercare offerings at our individual sites, we encourage you to contact us directly, and we’ll be happy to provide further details tailored to your needs.
What if I can’t attend an aftercare session?
Aftercare is an essential part of your recovery journey, and it’s so important that you make time for it. However, we understand that life can sometimes get in the way. If you’re feeling unwell, travelling or have an important commitment that prevents you from attending a session, please let us know as soon as possible.
To make sure you’re getting the most out of aftercare, your therapist will keep track of your attendance for each session and will check in if you miss any. The same is true for family support. If loved ones miss sessions for 2 to 3 weeks, a therapist will reach out to see how they’re doing and whether they’d like to continue attending.
If we have any concerns during this period, such as a potential relapse or safeguarding issue, we’ll make sure you and your family get the right support.
How can I access aftercare support, and who should I contact for help?
You’ll already be familiar with Priory’s aftercare, as we start planning for it with you right from the beginning of your treatment journey. Your addiction treatment team will make sure you have all the details you need about how and when to attend your sessions, so you feel fully prepared and supported.
If you have any questions – whether these are during your stay with us or after you’ve left - please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re always here to help and make sure you get the support you need, whenever you need it.