After the “Finish Line”: The Impact of Alumni Resources

After the “Finish Line”: The Impact of Alumni Resources

If you’ve graduated from a Hope is Alive program, you already know something powerful: recovery is possible. But you’ve also probably realized that recovery doesn’t stop when the program ends. In many ways, that’s when the real work begins.

Reintegrating into “normal life” might be one of the hardest parts of recovery. After the structure, support, and daily accountability of a recovery home, the outside world can feel overwhelming. The pace is faster. The expectations are higher. And let’s be honest — there’s a lot more at stake.

You might be managing a job again, rebuilding relationships, paying bills, and making decisions all on your own. And in the middle of all that, you’re still doing the daily work of staying sober, but without the same level of accountability.

“Something that really helps me are the alumni meetings,” shared Laci Porter, an alum from the HIA women’s program who has been sober since June 15, 2021. “We get to meet once a month and come together to check in, build each other up, and share the victories that we’re getting to experience as we continue our sobriety.”

While graduating from the program is a major milestone, recovery isn’t a finish line — it’s a lifestyle. That’s why the Hope is Alive Alumni Association offers a place to stay rooted, to stay close to the people who “get it.” The Alumni Association exists to remind you that you still belong, that your story still matters, and that there’s always a seat at the table for you, no matter how much time has passed.

According to Julie Quinlan, senior leadership and development manager for HIA’s Recovery Homes Program Team, isolation is one of the greatest threats to long-term recovery. It creeps in quietly when you get busy. First, you miss a meeting. Then, you stop returning texts and answering phone calls. Before you know it, you’re trying to carry the weight of recovery alone, simultaneously distancing yourself from every support system you have, including your faith.

“Alumni are welcome at house meetings, special alumni events like golf and ski trips, and all HIA events like Run for Hope and Inspiring Lunches,” Julie explained. “If they have questions about events or anything going on in their lives, they are encouraged to talk with their program manager or any HIA staff member they connected with while in the program. Our goal is to keep graduates connected with the addiction community, giving them a better chance at long-term sobriety.”

Julie has seen firsthand that alumni who stay connected through monthly alumni meetings tend to experience greater long-term success in their sobriety. These gatherings provide a space to share openly, reconnect with others, and guard against the subtle pull of isolation.

Christian Briley, an alum from the HIA men’s program who has been sober since May 12, 2021, shared,“To take a day out of the month to meet up with other alumni and come together, have a good time, catch up, and talk about stuff that has gone right or struggles we’re having, has had a big impact on me.”

As an alum, you’ll always have access to HIA staff, and you’ll always be met with respect, support, and the resources you need to continue your recovery journey. Whether you need someone to talk to, to pray with, or to keep you accountable in your sobriety, HIA has your back. Even in moments of relapse, HIA doesn’t turn away.

Unfortunately, HIA graduates have relapsed, but that doesn’t mark the end of their recovery. Instead, HIA rises up and helps with compassion. Whether it’s helping find a new treatment center, offering placement in another sober living home, or simply keeping the door to the alumni community open, HIA is here for the long haul.

Long-term sobriety is sustained through a connection with the addiction community, and the Hope is Alive Alumni Association provides just that — ongoing support, accountability, and community. Whether you’re thriving or struggling, you’re never alone. Recovery doesn’t end with the program; it’s a lifelong journey, and HIA is committed to walking it with you every step of the way.