Continuing Care offers practical and regular assistance for the client in maintaining both short and long term plans for a healthy lifestyle. This includes regular telephone update and contact, a re-entry workshop six to eight weeks after leaving the program, and refresher workshops once or twice each year. Referrals for ongoing therapy and other forms of care are also made where necessary.

Support Group
After discharge the client is asked to form a Support Group to assist them in recovery. It is usually composed of six to eight individuals who interact regularly with the client in a variety of relationships and roles (eg. Co-worker, community member and friends). Monthly meetings are intended to offer support and provide honest feedback to the client.

Early Warning Signs
The client prior to discharge prepares a list of ‘early warning signs’. These are behaviors that the client has identified as precursors to relapse and will be used by the support group to help with observations of the client’s behaviors. In the same way, the client will identify their needs in the area of intimacy, friendship and community, and make a list of the specific actions they need to take to ensure that these are met.

The Continuing Care Contract
This contract, prepared by the client in consultation with their primary therapist and continuing care contact person prior to discharge, outlines the client’s plan for continued recovery. The contract addresses problems that have been identified during treatment, and provides practical and goal-directed steps. It also names the factors essential to a healthy lifestyle. The contract is reviewed and re-written every six months.

Workshops
There are various workshops run through out the year which clients in continuing care are encouraged to attend over the following two to five year period.