Aftercare at Abbington House
Ongoing support for life beyond treatment
Recovery doesn’t end the day you leave rehab. In many ways, it’s only just beginning.
The first few weeks and months after treatment can be full of both hope and uncertainty. You’ve done the hard work of detoxing, exploring your past, and building new tools, but returning to everyday life can bring fresh challenges. Old triggers, relationship dynamics, or unexpected emotions can catch you off guard. That’s why aftercare is such an important part of the recovery journey.
At Abbington House, we offer structured aftercare that’s compassionate, consistent and completely free for all Abbington Alumni. Whether you need support through a tough week or simply want to stay connected to your recovery community, you’ll always have somewhere to turn.
What Is Aftercare?
Aftercare is the ongoing support you receive once you’ve completed your residential treatment. It helps bridge the gap between the structured environment of rehab and the realities of life back home.
At Abbington House, our aftercare isn’t just a check-in or a one-off call. It’s a weekly, therapist-led group that brings people together to talk honestly about recovery, challenges and life after rehab.
Our aftercare includes:
- Weekly online aftercare group every Wednesday at 2pm
- Led by the Abbington House therapy team
- Safe, confidential, and non-judgemental
- Open to all former residents, with no time limit
- Free of charge, for one year
These groups provide consistency, encouragement, and connection, exactly what many people need to stay on track in the early stages of recovery.
What We Talk About in Aftercare
Every person’s recovery is different, which is why our aftercare group offers a flexible space to explore whatever’s going on in your life, whether you’re facing a challenge, celebrating a win or just need to hear that you’re not alone.
Some of the topics that regularly come up include:
- Managing triggers and cravings
- Attending meetings or finding a sponsor
- Dealing with difficult relationships
- Parenting in recovery
- Returning to work or study
- Mental health and dual diagnosis
- Legal or financial challenges
- Coping with loneliness or boredom
- Building routine and purpose
- Setting boundaries
- Spirituality and meaning in recovery.
Sometimes people come to share openly; other times, they simply listen. There’s no pressure to speak if you’re not ready. What matters most is showing up, for yourself and for others.
Why Aftercare Matters
The early days after leaving treatment are often some of the most vulnerable. You might feel motivated, clear-headed, and focused one moment, and overwhelmed the next. That’s completely normal.
Without continued support, it’s easy to lose momentum. Life gets busy, people don’t always understand what you’ve been through, and old patterns can creep back in. Aftercare helps protect the progress you’ve made and gives you space to keep growing.
Benefits of ongoing aftercare:
- Reduces risk of relapse
- Helps you stay accountable
- Strengthens coping skills over time
- Provides emotional safety
- Keeps you connected to people who understand
- Offers a routine you can rely on.
Recovery isn’t something you have to do alone. And at Abbington House, you won’t be expected to.
Friends of Abbington House Group
Alongside our weekly aftercare group, we also run the Friends of Abbington House meeting, which is a hybrid share group held every Tuesday evening at 7pm. This meeting is open to:
- All Abbington House alumni
- Current clients in treatment
- Therapy and support staff.
It’s a speaker-led format where someone shares their experience, strength, and hope in recovery. You’ll hear from people at different stages, some just out of treatment, some years into sobriety. These stories can be a source of huge inspiration, especially for those still in early recovery.
The Tuesday group is about:
- Staying connected to the Abbington community
- Giving back and sharing your journey
- Feeling part of something meaningful
- Encouraging others (and being encouraged in return).
Some of our graduates continue attending this group for years after treatment, not because they have to, but because it helps them stay grounded, reflective, and connected.
A Recovery Community That Lasts
Many people leave rehab feeling uncertain about what comes next. While life after treatment can be full of promise, it can also feel a little unsteady, especially if you’re returning to a world that hasn’t changed, even though you have.
That’s why we put such a strong focus on aftercare. You won’t be dropped, forgotten, or sent back to figure it all out on your own. Whether you want support during a crisis, help staying on track, or just to see some familiar faces, we’ll be here.
The relationships built at Abbington House don’t end at discharge. They become part of your wider recovery network, a group of people who know you, understand what you’ve been through, and will show up for you when it matters most.
Who Can Access Aftercare?
All clients who complete treatment at Abbington House are invited to join our weekly aftercare group, free of charge for one year following discharge.
You can begin attending as soon as you leave treatment, whether you want to check in weekly or drop in occasionally, you’ll always be welcome. The group is here to help you maintain momentum, manage challenges, and stay connected to the recovery community you built during your time with us.
Even after the first year, we remain part of your extended support network. Whether it’s a difficult day, a relapse scare, or just the need to reconnect, you’ll never be turned away. Once you’ve been through treatment with Abbington House, you’re part of our recovery family.
Why People Keep Coming Back
For many of our clients, aftercare becomes more than just a group it becomes a touchstone for accountability, encouragement and ongoing growth.
Here’s why people return again and again:
- A steady point of connection
No matter what’s happening in life, the group offers structure and support that feels familiar and grounding. - You’re always welcome back
Even after the free first year, we’re still here. Many clients rejoin after a break, during a life transition, or when they just need a safe space to talk. - It’s not about perfection
Recovery isn’t linear. Aftercare creates room for real life, the wins, the setbacks, and everything in between. - Peer strength and support
Hearing others’ stories, sharing your own, or just listening, all of it helps.
Whether you’re attending weekly in the first year or returning further down the line, we’ll be here without judgment, expectation or pressure.
Ongoing Support However and Whenever You Need It
Recovery doesn’t end at discharge, and neither does our support.
Our aftercare programme is here to guide you through your first year post-treatment, and beyond that, we remain a resource you can turn to whenever you need help, encouragement, or connection.
If you’re currently with us or have completed treatment, and you’d like to join our aftercare group or reconnect, just get in touch, we’ll welcome you back with open arms.
If you’re considering Abbington House, know that we don’t just help people get sober, we support them in staying well. Long after your time with us ends, our door stays open.
Contact us to ask about joining aftercare or speak to our team about admissions and long-term support.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the aftercare programme include?
It includes weekly group therapy and regular check-ins to support your ongoing sobriety.
How long does aftercare last?
Aftercare is available for up to a year after completing the initial treatment programme.
Can I access aftercare services remotely?
Yes, many of our aftercare services, including therapy sessions, are available remotely for your convenience.
Why is aftercare important for long-term recovery?
Aftercare helps maintain the coping mechanisms and support systems developed during treatment, significantly increasing the likelihood of sustained sobriety.