For many people in recovery, the real challenge begins when they leave the structured environment of a treatment center. At The Bluffs in Sherrodsville, Ohio, our comprehensive approach to addiction treatment extends well beyond a patient’s stay through our robust alumni program, designed to provide crucial support during those vulnerable early days, weeks and months of independent sobriety.
The Critical Role of Continued Connection
“What really sets The Bluffs apart from everyone else is just the follow through and all the programs and resources they have in place for when they do leave here,” says Brandon Burnett, alumni coordinator at The Bluffs, who celebrated eight years of sobriety in January.
The transition from residential treatment back to everyday life represents a particularly vulnerable period. Without proper support, the stresses and triggers of daily life can quickly overwhelm those in early recovery.
“Being an alumni coordinator here to me is a passion,” Burnett explains. “With me being in recovery, being able to relate with them, meet them where they’re at — it’s just the connectivity behind it.”
Real Impact in Critical Moments
This “connectivity” isn’t just a nice idea — it saves lives. Burnett recounts a recent experience with a former patient who reached out during a family crisis.
“I spoke with a gentleman who just recently discharged from here, and he’s doing everything right. He’s working his program, but he encountered a situation with a family member who might be on their deathbed,” Burnett shares. “He was fighting not wanting to pick up as a result.”
The former patient did exactly what he had been taught — he reached out before acting on the urge to drink. Burnett helped him work through his emotions and identify reasons not to drink despite the pain he was experiencing.
“At the end of that conversation, he told me, ‘Thank you. I’m not gonna drink as a result of talking to you today,'” Burnett recalls.
This example illustrates why alumni programs matter. A simple conversation can make the difference between continued recovery and relapse during life’s inevitable difficult moments.
Beyond Check-ins: Building a Recovery Community
The alumni program at The Bluffs doesn’t just offer reactive support. Burnett actively reaches out to former patients, helping them address common challenges in recovery.
“When I’m reaching out to alumni, a lot of times I encounter the question, ‘I can’t come because I’ll lose my job,'” he says. “People prioritize their work over their sobriety. I tell them if you don’t have your sobriety, your recovery, you’re gonna lose your job at some point.”
Burnett draws from personal experience, having lost every job during his active addiction. “I went to treatment with $8 in my pocket and a backpack full of clothes. I was pretty much homeless and had nothing,” he says.
This lived experience creates an irreplaceable connection with those he counsels. As someone who has walked the path himself, Burnett’s advice carries credibility that theoretical knowledge alone cannot match.
The Bridge to Sustainable Recovery
The alumni program serves as a critical bridge between intensive treatment and long-term recovery. It provides:
- Regular check-ins to hold people accountable
- Crisis intervention during vulnerable moments
- Connection to community resources and support groups
- A sense of belonging to a recovery community
- Guidance from someone who understands the journey firsthand
“One of the things I really stress when people leave here, working with my active alumni, is just having that sense of community, that engagement and the fellowship,” Burnett emphasizes. “I meet everyone where they’re at. I tell them to find whatever program works best for them, and I tell them to dive into that and engage.”
When Recovery Really Begins
At The Bluffs, we understand that completing treatment is not the end of recovery — it’s the beginning. The tools, insights and connections made during treatment must be applied in the real world, often in challenging circumstances.
“I’m living a life now that I could never imagine possible when I was in my active addiction,” Burnett says. “Throughout my active addiction, I had a lot of close friends that lost their lives to this disease. A lot of them are in prison, and a lot of them just never gave themselves a chance.”
Our alumni program ensures that no one has to face these challenges alone. The continued support can make the difference between struggling alone and thriving in recovery.
Taking the First Step
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, don’t wait another day. The comprehensive care at The Bluffs, including our dedicated alumni support program, provides not just immediate treatment but a foundation for lasting recovery.
Call us today at 850-374-5331 to speak with our compassionate admissions team about how The Bluffs can help you not just achieve sobriety but maintain it for the long term. Recovery is possible, and you don’t have to do it alone.
