Module 5
The Critical First Days and Weeks After Release
“Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” — Isaiah 43:18–19
Lesson
What You Will Learn
- Explain why the first days and weeks after release carry special risks
- State the overdose safety facts, including lower tolerance after incarceration
- Plan continuity of medical care and prescribed medication
- Build a first-72-hours and first-30-days plan with blanks for local resources
Lesson Notes
A New Thing and a Real Wilderness
God promises, Behold, I will do a new thing... I will even make a way in the wilderness (Isaiah 43:19). Release is a new beginning, full of hope. It can also feel like a wilderness: many appointments, housing questions, transportation, money pressure, family emotions, old neighborhoods, and loneliness all arriving at once.
Wisdom counts the cost and plans ahead (Luke 14:28). A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps (Proverbs 16:9).
Overdose Risk After Release
After time without use, the body's tolerance drops. Using the same amount as before can cause a fatal overdose. This makes the days and weeks right after release a time of higher overdose risk. Say this plainly and without judgment; it saves lives.
- Anyone who returns to use should never use alone, should have naloxone available, and should seek medical care.
- If an overdose may be happening, call 911, give naloxone if available, follow the dispatcher's instructions, and stay with the person.
- Ask medical or re-entry staff before release how to get naloxone in your area: ____________________.
Medical Care Without a Gap
Withdrawal can be medically dangerous. Anyone stopping a substance should seek medical care rather than quit on her own.
Medication prescribed for addiction treatment is legitimate medical care. If a woman takes such medication, she should talk with medical staff before release about continuing it without a gap: where she will fill it, which clinic she will see, and when. Sponsors and groups never tell anyone to stop. They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick (Matthew 9:12).
Keep all medical and mental health appointments, and bring a list of medications to the first visit.
The First 72 Hours and First 30 Days
A simple plan for the first 72 hours includes: a safe place to sleep; required check-ins with a supervising officer, if any; picking up any prescribed medication; one call with a sponsor or accountability partner; one church or recovery group gathering; and a crisis plan with 911 and 988.
A plan for the first 30 days adds: a weekly group and church; regular sponsor check-ins; medical follow-up; ID documents; work or job training steps; and a daily rhythm of Scripture and prayer. Take therefore no thought for the morrow (Matthew 6:34): plan wisely, then live one day at a time.
Always follow the conditions of supervision. If any part of the plan might conflict with a condition (a curfew, travel, or contact limits), check with the supervising officer or case manager first. State and local resources vary; leave blanks to fill in with a case manager.
Key Terms
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Tolerance | The body's adjustment to a substance; it drops after time without use, raising overdose risk |
| Naloxone | A medication that can reverse an opioid overdose; given while calling 911 |
| Continuity of care | Continuing medical care and prescribed medication without a gap after release |
| Supervision conditions | Rules set by a court, parole, or probation that must be followed after release |
In-Class Activities
The First 72 Hours
On a blank page divided into three days, plan the first 72 hours after release for a composite woman in recovery. Include where she sleeps, medical care, any required check-ins, one recovery contact each day, and her crisis plan. Leave blanks for local details you do not yet know.
Safety Facts Check
Answer the six safety questions on your sheet (tolerance, never using alone, naloxone, withdrawal, medication continuity, 988). Then compare answers with a partner and correct any mistakes together.
Assignment: First 30 Days Re-entry Recovery Plan
Using the lesson, write a first-30-days plan for yourself in general terms or for a composite woman:
- Week 1: where she will stay, medical follow-up and medication pickup, group and church, sponsor contact.
- Weeks 2–4: weekly rhythm (group, church, sponsor check-ins, appointments, work or training steps).
- Safety section: the tolerance warning, never use alone, naloxone, overdose steps, withdrawal and medical care, 911 and 988.
- Supervision check: one question to ask a supervising officer or case manager before release.
- Local resources: ____________________ (fill in with a case manager).
- Isaiah 43:18–19 written out.
Graded with the Module Assignment Rubric.
Reflection Journal
Isaiah 43:19 says I will even make a way in the wilderness. What part of going home feels most like a wilderness to you? Where do you hope to see God make a way?
Prayer focus: Ask God to make a way in the wilderness, to guard every step of the first days home, and to surround you with care.
Weekly Reading & Devotions
A Way in the Wilderness
God spoke to His people as they faced an uncertain road: Behold, I will do a new thing... I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert (Isaiah 43:19). Going home is a new thing. It can also feel like a wilderness: appointments, paperwork, housing, money, family emotions, and old neighborhoods all arriving at once.
There is one safety truth everyone should know. After time without use, the body's tolerance drops. Using the same amount as before can cause a fatal overdose. That is why the days and weeks after release carry higher overdose risk. Anyone who returns to use should never use alone and should have naloxone available. If an overdose may be happening, call 911, give naloxone if available, and stay with the person.
Medical care matters too. Withdrawal can be medically dangerous, so anyone stopping a substance should seek medical care. If you take medication prescribed for addiction treatment, talk with medical staff before release about continuing it without a gap. That is legitimate medical care and an act of wisdom, not a lack of faith.
When Yolanda prepared to go home, she and her case manager filled in a simple plan for the first 72 hours: where she would sleep, her required check-in, picking up her medication, one call with her sponsor each day, and a church group on the first Sunday. (Yolanda is a composite example.) She said having it on paper helped her breathe. She followed her supervision conditions and asked her officer before changing anything. God made a way, one day at a time.
Think About It
- What part of going home feels most like a wilderness? ______________________
- Who will help you fill in your local resources? ______________________
- What will your first 72 hours look like? ______________________
Daily Devotions for Week 5
A New Thing
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.— Isaiah 43:19 (KJV)
God makes ways where we see none.
Reflect: Where do you need God to make a way?
Pray: Lord, make a way in my wilderness.
Do: Write down one new thing you hope God will do.
Count the Cost
For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?— Luke 14:28 (KJV)
Planning ahead is part of building well.
Reflect: What do you need to plan before going home?
Pray: Lord, give me wisdom to plan well.
Do: Add one item to your first-30-days plan.
The LORD Directeth
A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.— Proverbs 16:9 (KJV)
We plan, and God guides each step.
Reflect: How can you hold your plans with open hands?
Pray: Lord, direct my steps.
Do: Pray over your plan and ask God to guide it.
Strong and of Good Courage
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.— Joshua 1:9 (KJV)
God goes with us wherever we go, including home.
Reflect: What fear about going home can you give to God?
Pray: Lord, thank You for going with me.
Do: Write Joshua 1:9 on a card to carry with you.
Sufficient Unto the Day
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.— Matthew 6:34 (KJV)
Plan wisely, then live one day at a time.
Reflect: What is today's step?
Pray: Lord, help me live this day well.
Do: Each morning, name one step for that day only.
Module Quiz
- 1.
Why is overdose risk higher just after release?
- 2.
A woman taking medication prescribed for addiction treatment should, before release:
- 3.
Which belongs in a first-72-hours plan?
- 4.
If part of a re-entry plan might conflict with a supervision condition, she should check with her supervising officer or case manager first.
- 5.
List the steps to take in a possible overdose outside a facility.