Mental health and addiction recovery treatment may seem like an overwhelming experience for those that have not received professional support or guidance for their physical or psychological well-being. Some people may be uncomfortable at the thought of stepping into the unknowns of the treatment experience, especially at first. After a few weeks of treatment, individuals start to feel acclimated and comfortable, recognizing how vital treatment is for their unique healing journey.
There is a second phase of uncertainty and discomfort that occurs once an individual has completed their treatment program. It may be time for them to go from living at the treatment facility to living back at home or go from intensive outpatient care to therapy only a few times a month. These are transitional periods. Transitional periods may cause an individual to feel even more overwhelmed than they did before beginning treatment, primarily because they are gaining more independence and responsibility for their recovery.
Luckily, more treatment centers are incorporating transitional care programs into their facility. These programs allow individuals to feel more significant support and guidance as they transition from one level of care to another. One important transitional care program is transitional residential care, which is designed to bridge the gap between residential care (inpatient rehab) and independent living outside of treatment.
It is important to recognize that there are many residential care programs that can utilize transitional residential care. For example, consider an individual that just completed a treatment program in a mental health facility care unit. They may have been admitted to psychiatric hospitalization because they were experiencing severe mental health symptoms, putting themselves or others at high risk for injury. After receiving care, they may not feel ready to be thrown back into their daily lives, especially if their home environment may present triggers that can throw them back into a mental health relapse.
Other people that may benefit the most from transitional residential care may include:
When situations like this arise, transitional residential care programs become a valuable option. These programs allow individuals to gradually transition between intensive rehab programs and outpatient treatment. Transitional residential care programs offer clients care and support 24/7 and offer necessary encouragement while clients work to utilize the treatment tools in their daily lives.
When utilizing transitional residential care, an individual can expect to continue treatment therapy sessions, including individual and group sessions. They can also expect to live in a home-like environment with one other roommate to foster greater privacy and a place to spend downtime between treatment tasks.
Every person in the program will have specific responsibilities to carry out within the residential home or community. These tasks will help clients foster a greater sense of responsibility and independence, which are meant to set the client up for success following the completion of the treatment program. Examples of tasks involved in a normal day in transitional residential care include:
There are many factors that set transitional residential programs apart from other traditional programs. While they become a valuable option for those that are not ready to commit to complete independence and responsibility of outpatient treatment, other benefits of transitional residential programs include:
Transitional residential care plays a crucial role in the continuum of mental health and substance abuse treatment. It acts as a bridge between intensive inpatient care and more independent outpatient services, offering a supportive environment for those who aren’t quite ready for complete independence. In Southern California, there are numerous facilities that provide transitional residential programs, tailored to assist individuals during this critical phase of their recovery journey.
Our directory at SoCal Mental Health includes treatment centers that specialize in transitional residential care. These programs focus on fostering self-development and strengthening independence while allowing clients to continue applying the lessons learned in treatment to their daily lives. They are particularly beneficial for individuals transitioning out of inpatient programs and needing additional support as they reintegrate into their routine environments.
If you or someone you know is seeking a transitional residential program in Southern California, our directory can guide you to the right resources. These facilities offer the necessary support and structure to help individuals confidently move forward in their recovery journey. Explore our listings to find a program that aligns with your needs and provides the level of care required during this transitional phase. Reach out today to learn more about the options available for transitional residential care.
