What Is Transitional Living?
Transitional living involves living in a structured, stable environment that offers more flexibility than a residential treatment center but not as much freedom as an abrupt return to society.
Transitional living programs are similar to sober living programs or halfway houses, but they tend to include more supervision. In most cases, transitional living programs require women and men to live separately.
While in a transitional living program, patients will continue to participate in various types of therapy, including psychotherapy, group therapy, and other types of evidence-based treatment.
Goals Of Transitional Living
Transitional living serves several specific purposes for patients who have recently discharged from inpatient treatment. Some of the goals of transitional living include:
- Giving patients a chance to practice the skills they have learned – During inpatient treatment, patients develop coping skills they will use to avoid relapse after leaving our facility. Transitional living programs give patients an opportunity to practice these skills in a low-risk environment so they can build more confidence.
- Facilitating a gradual transition to society – Sending patients directly from inpatient treatment back into society can be overwhelming for the patient and cause a higher risk of relapse. Transitional living serves to make this transition smoother and more gradual.
- Identifying patients who are not ready to return home – Transitional living is a phase of care that precedes a patient’s return home. In some cases, the care team in the transitional living facility will identify a patient who is not prepared to be fully discharged. In these cases, the patient may be referred back to the residential program for further treatment.
- Allowing patients to build more skills and a stronger support system – While in the transitional living environment, patients have an opportunity to continue developing the skills they learned in inpatient treatment. They also have a chance to build a stronger support system of peers, family members, and friends who will support them when they return to society.
- Giving patients a chance to recognize their triggers and learn how to deal with them – When patients are in transitional living, they are more likely to face triggers than they would be in a residential program. With more support than they would likely have at home, patients can learn to recognize their triggers and deal with them more effectively.
Transitional Living Through Vertava Health
Vertava Health recommends transitional living for many patients based on their needs upon discharge from inpatient treatment. At Vertava Health, we recognize that every patient is different and follows a unique path recovery.
While some patients may choose to immediately return home after treatment, others may need to continue on with treatment through transitional living. A variety of transitional living programs exist, and it is important to select the right one for each patient.
Our facilities provide case management services and recovery planning for every patient who enrolls in our programs. These services can help to align patients with a transitional living program that suits their needs.
When comparing different transitional living programs, our case managers consider several factors, including:
- length of the program
- services available from the program
- level of supervision available from the program
We also work closely with the patient, their family, and all involved providers to ensure there is no lapse inpatient care during the transition.
Sources:
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration—Recovery Homes Help People in Early Recovery
