How routine reinforces recovery in our Day Rehabilitation program

September is National Recovery Month, which promotes the understanding that with the right treatment, support and resources, recovery is possible for everyone. At Community Alliance, this belief drives everything we do, as we provide individualized support and integrated care no matter where someone is in their journey.

One such journey is John’s, a participant in Community Alliance’s Day Rehabilitation program. His story is one of many that we are proud to be a part of. John was referred to Community Alliance to help support his reentry after incarceration. 

“In 2016, I was first diagnosed with bipolar disorder,” John said. “My fits of severe psychosis led to me being incarcerated. But I was able to find my footing at Community Alliance working with their Day Rehabilitation program.”

The Day Rehabilitation program is designed to help individuals like John develop the knowledge and skills necessary for long-term recovery. Participants can attend up to five days a week, accessing a wide variety of classes that provide real-life practice in areas critical to recovery. For John, these classes were pivotal.

“The skills that I’ve learned through the program have helped me maintain my work ethic and support relationships with my family and friends,” John said. “I can also better understand my diagnosis through the program’s psychoeducation, which helps me define what I’m going through so I can explain to my loved ones what I deal with daily.”

Day Rehabilitation classes are facilitated by trained staff, as well as outside speakers and peers, covering topics essential to success in the community. These include personal and community living, physical health and wellness, problem-solving, understanding and managing mental illness, coping with daily stressors, personal advocacy and empowerment. These learning opportunities allowed John to establish a healthy routine.

“If I didn’t have a routine, I would be back on the streets and homeless,” John said. “It helps me pay my bills, take care of my pet and take care of myself so that I can stay connected to my family. A daily routine fuels my sense of independence and self-worth, making me feel like I can do anything.”

We work with each person to identify their unique needs and establish an attendance schedule that provides professional, peer and learning supports to build strengths and achieve the wellness and recovery participants are striving for. For John, success has meant managing the symptoms of his diagnosis and life and giving back to others.

“To me, recovery means being dependable and having a sober and safe mindset, and being able to manage myself in society,” John said. “It’s helped me understand my peers, and I hope I can help them with my story by sharing how I cope with everyday life.”