A community-based recovery programme in Wolverhampton is helping people sustain long-term recovery from drug and alcohol dependency after completing treatment. The RISE Day Hab programme, co-facilitated by SUIT and Recovery Near You and supported by Wolverhampton City Council's Public Health team, addresses a critical gap in the recovery journey.
Filling the Gap After Treatment
For many people recovering from addiction, the period immediately after detoxification or residential rehabilitation is particularly challenging. The structured support and routine available during treatment often reduces significantly, leaving individuals facing everyday life without the relationships, confidence or stability needed to sustain recovery.
RISE was commissioned by the council as a community-based alternative to residential rehabilitation, while also providing aftercare support for those leaving formal treatment. The programme extends structured recovery support to more people, enabling them to build on progress made during treatment while remaining connected to family, friends and community life.
How the Programme Works
Participants attend 4 days a week, helping them develop routine and stability. The programme combines professional therapeutic support with guidance from people with lived experience of recovery. Participants explore topics including addiction, recovery, guilt and shame, responsibility, relationships and boundaries, and aftercare planning.
Creative activities, peer support and community engagement form the core of the programme. Participants develop life skills, build confidence and form supportive social networks that help sustain long-term recovery. Support continues beyond the initial 8-week course through wider recovery and support pathways.
Early Results
Since October 2025, five cohorts have completed the 8-week programme. Participants reported leaving rehabilitation with no clear direction, but found that accessing SUIT's support helped them regain focus and purpose. Others described feeling less isolated, becoming more comfortable discussing their experiences, and learning practical ways to manage life differently while building relationships with peers.
Warren Sutherland, SUIT's RISE Co-Ordinator, said: "For SUIT and Recovery Near You, the ambition for RISE is simple – to ensure recovery does not stop when treatment ends. We've now seen 5 groups successfully complete the programme."
