IH Aftercare program supports people post substance use treatment

Aftercare provides support to those in recovery during their most vulnerable times: the period in-between treatment services or when going back into the community. It’s about preventing relapses and giving people support in sensitive situations.

“After substance use treatment, people can change in so many ways. They’ve learned new skills but can struggle about where to go and what to do next,” says Lindsay Arner, an Aftercare clinician in Kamloops. “These kinds of stressors can create these moments of crisis where we see people relapse, because that's part of that human experience during recovery.

“My role is to walk alongside people during their journey and help them integrate the skills they have learned in treatment. I help them with their unique goals and envision next steps in their community.”

Aftercare services are part of a continuum of addictions care services called Road to Recovery. When the Province announced funding in 2023, IH launched Aftercare in the spring of 2023 with two full-time staff dedicated to Aftercare.

Today, IH has health-care professionals working full-time in 16 communities around the IH region. Three of the roles are fully dedicated to Indigenous clients.

Sharlene Deverill-Franklin is an adult substance use counsellor with IH’s Mental Health and Substance Use team in Penticton. She was one of the first health-care professionals at IH to offer dedicated Aftercare services.

“Often the hard work begins after treatment when people are coming back to their communities. Aftercare gives them a safe and supportive path that allows for successes and sobriety,” says Sharlene. “People come out of treatment often needing help navigating life. They’ve worked really hard to get to this period of stability and want to continue on that path. Some are looking for work, others want to repair relationships with their family.

“Addiction is not a clear or linear path. Sometimes it’s a few steps backward before we move forward,” adds Sharlene. “The ultimate goal is my clients won’t need us anymore as they navigate stability and recovery.” 

Liv was working in Victoria as a clinical cosmetic esthetician when the pandemic struck in March 2020. With the city in lockdown, Liv suddenly found herself unemployed, isolated and alone. She turned to alcohol to numb the pain.

“I had always been a casual social drinker. But my drinking escalated, and I just spiralled during COVID,” says the bright, articulate 35-year-old. “I became a closet drinker and lied to my family. When they found out, they were crushed. I was crushed.”

She moved to Alberta and sought treatment for alcoholism there. Three years later, in mid-2023, Liv moved back to Penticton where she was born and raised. She wanted to be close to family and friends.

“I didn’t know where to turn to when I got back to Penticton,” she says. “I visited my family doctor, and he connected me with the Interior Health Mental Health and Substance Use team. I started working with Sharlene and other health practitioners, and that’s when things started to fall into place.”

In September, Liv will have been sober for one year. Today, she lives in women’s supportive housing and works almost full-time. Each week, she goes to relapse prevention meetings at Penticton Regional Hospital and two support group meetings including Stoic, a non-denominational addictions support group based on the Greek philosophy of holding yourself responsible and accountable. She also keeps busy with gardening, swimming and painting.

“I can’t tell you how important support groups like Al-Anon Family Groups and Stoic are,” adds Liv. “My disease and the choices I made distanced me from my family. I love them all deeply. I’m doing what it takes to ensure we reunite and get back to being a family again.”

“I meditate a lot. This sounds corny, but I also have heart-to-hearts with myself,” she shares. Tears well up in her eyes as she holds a hand over her heart. “I know that I’m not alone. I have a really good support system, and all these resources at my fingertips. I hold myself responsible and accountable in my sobriety. There are days when I want to pick up a drink all the time. But I don’t. I reach out to Sharlene, or my friends or family.”

Liv says when she shares her story with people, they don’t believe she has an addiction. “They tell me ‘You’re professional and educated. You’re eloquent and collected,’” she says. “But I don’t let addiction define me. I’m an open book. I like to tell people that we aren’t all in the same boat, but we are all in the same storm. Everybody has something.

“My journey is far from over. But I’m not ashamed anymore. I’m proud of myself. And I think I’m a wiser and stronger person for what I’ve been through.”

*Name changed for privacy

Are you looking for help today? Any door is the right door:

• Call 310-MHSU (6478) to reach your local Mental Health and Substance Use Centre for support in your community.
• For quick and direct access to an addictions medicine specialist, you can access our Virtual Addiction Medicine service. This is a confidential self-referral service – no requisition or referral from a doctor or nurse practitioner is needed.

If you’re experiencing feelings of hopelessness or thoughts of self-harm, you can call one of these numbers. These services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays:

• Interior Crisis Line Network- 1-888-353-2273
• Suicide Crisis Helpline- 988
• KUU-US (Indigenous) Crisis Line- 1-800-588-8717
• Métis Crisis Line- 1-833-638-4722

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