A Full Continuum of Care: An Alumnus shares their Experience

The Bridge to Recovery is dedicated to the notion that we are merely a small part of an individual’s recovery journey. We help clients through the hurdles they face which cause them to feel stuck in their lives, and build a toolbox that helps them navigate the future.

We believe that success in recovery requires ongoing work. In the past decade, we have strengthened our aftercare resources to help our clients as they return home from their experience at The Bridge.

Alumni Events

One of the first additions to our aftercare program was an addition of alumni events – some events held at The Bridge to Recovery, and some held regionally. We have hosted our clinicians in multiple cities around the country where they facilitate workshops geared toward issues our alumni may experience in their recovery efforts.

We also implemented an annual Alumni Homecoming. While this wasn’t a completely new concept to The Bridge, it had been several years since a homecoming was held, and many years since one was held on a consistent basis. Since 2014, we have welcomed alumni from around the world to return to The Bridge for workshops, fellowship, and fun (with only one exception – 2020, due to COVID19).

Alumni Support Meetings

Our alumni receive the option to participate in weekly support meetings and/or 12 Step Meetings. We have offered a variety of options over the past years, and continue to offer a solid selection of options. Hosted by our employees, these support meetings are a popular resource for our alumni, and one that we have found very helpful as a tool in the recovery aftercare toolbox.

Ongoing Care Management

When our alumni return home from The Bridge to Recovery, we are dedicated to making sure they have the resources needed for success, which very often include a therapist, local support and/or 12 Step meetings, and sober housing if needed. Our talented team works with each graduating client to schedule appointments and provide schedules of meetings in their area.

Additionally, if a client is referred to us from a therapist or treatment program, with the client’s permission we will continue to work to make sure their referent has the necessary notes, communications, and follow-up appointments needed for their return home.

Recovery Coaching

Over the past few years, The Bridge to Recovery has introduced a trial aftercare program that includes recovery coaching provided by trained BTR staff members. We continue to navigate the implementation of this program, but clients who have participated in it have reported very positive experiences.

Here, a Bridge Alumnus shares their experience in our program, and their aftercare experience.

Why did you decide to attend The Bridge to Recovery?

I wanted to die over a break up. I didn’t believe I could live without this man.

How did The Bridge to Recovery help you?

TBTR allowed me to heal my childhood shame which in turn allowed me to understand why I always went for the same types of men… I also learned and saw my worth and fully understood I was a sex and love addict.

What did you do when you left The Bridge to Recovery?

From there I joined SLAA [Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous]. Got a sponsor. Worked the steps. I have 3 sponsees today and I got my life back. Although I’m excited for a future relationship with a man one day I no longer require the love of a man to be whole.

How has recovery coaching assisted you in your journey after The Bridge?

I also am working with Sara Beth from TBTR as my recovery coach. I have found her holding me accountable on getting my life on track invaluable to my recovery and new life. We set deadlines in career, housing, recovery - and because of this I am excelling. Sara Beth is a large part of my recovery and I thank God and The Bridge for having not only this recovery coach service but for Sara Beth specifically.

NOTE: Original content from the alumni author has been reformatted for clarity and purpose.