Upon completion of inpatient/residential or intensive outpatient the patients will be assessed to determine the level of continuing care required and begin a period of aftercare. Decisions regarding aftercare are based on a continuing care treatment plan identifying specific goals, interventions, and means to assess interventions. At a minimum, a relapse prevention plan will be created and agreed upon prior to discharge.

The aftercare program will access the viability of 12-step programs, support groups, sober living or individual or group counseling. Upon discharge, patients are armed with the contacts and resources needed to continue along the road to recovery. Patients located outside Northeast Ohio are encourage to affiliate with their local support groups to ensure continuity of treatment. There is no one-size-fits-all aftercare program. We tailor an aftercare program to meet the veterans individual needs.

The patient's progress will be monitored while in aftercare. The goal is to ensure that the patient does not need to be returned to treatment and a relapse prevention plan is implemented and proceeding smoothly.

The Palms clinical team will determine when the patient no longer requires aftercare based on ASAM industry guidelines found in Treatment Criteria for Addictive Substance-Related and Co-Occurring Condition.