What happens after you come out of outpatient rehab?
So, you have successfully completed your outpatient treatment and you’re feeling lighter and healthier than ever. But, what happens after rehab?
Many assume that upon successful completion of your rehab program, you’ll be able to get your life back on track and never let the pull of addiction entice you again, but that’s not realistic. In fact, many patients who complete their outpatient treatment may fall back into old habits if the right aftercare steps are not taken on time and often have to re-enter outpatient rehabilitation multiple times as part of the treatment process.
Addiction treatment is complicated. It is tough and daunting, but not impossible. Purging your system of all the harmful drugs and learning how to cope with withdrawal symptoms and mood dips is just the beginning. Many often fall back to old habits but with resilience and proper care, addicts recovering from substance abuse also stay clean for life. The real challenges lie ahead in ways you use this new found wisdom to maintain sobriety and a healthy lifestyle.
Aftercare Addiction Treatment to Maintain Sobriety
Once you have finished all your trials and conquered addiction, paving your way to sobriety, it is time to maintain this new lifestyle and steer clear of drug abuse in the future.
This is of course, easier said than done! Without the correct motivation and proper follow-up treatment, there is a likelihood of giving in to temptation and sabotaging your recovery process. This is especially for those who do not have the strongest support system in the shape of family and friends.
If your environment is not healthy, you may surround yourself with poor influences that may lead you back to drug abuse. To avoid this, we highly recommend enrolling into an aftercare program where you can stay in touch with your therapists and physicians and occasionally take drug tests to ensure there are no harmful substances in your system.
Healthcare professionals are the treatment center that will also keep track of your progress and setbacks, and help you create smart goals for yourself. After achieving each milestone, you will ultimately feel lighter and happier and more motivated than ever before, which is essential in your drug and alcohol rehab process.
Aftercare treatments at Lantana provide educational materials and seminars, group therapy, counseling sessions, family therapy, mental health services administration, drug testing, etc. Be it drug or alcohol treatment, these steps can make a big difference in your overall recovery phase.
Attending lectures or talks by ex-addicts is another activity you can benefit from once enrolled in an aftercare program. These can be pivotal in creating bonds and feelings of strong motivation. Hearing about other people’s struggles and their life choices can create an emotional bond unlike any other and those who are in the later or more experienced stages of rehab can truly help the newcomers feel comfortable and relaxed.
Different Types of Support at Our Outpatient Treatment Facility
Outpatient addiction treatment is not the same for everyone. In fact, it consists of several different programs and therapies that patients can opt for depending on their needs and addiction levels. Such outpatient services last a long time depending on one’s situation and risks of relapse. Similarly, once you are out of outpatient treatment, there are numerous forms of continuous support that you can access towards a long-lasting sobriety. Formats such as holistic assistance, going to Church, 12-step programs, etc., can really make a difference that lasts for a long time and eventually helps you recover from harmful substances and behaviors for good.
1. 12-Step Programs
These specialized addiction treatment services are available for those with general or substance-specific needs. These programs encourage individuals to admit wrongdoings, poor behavior, harming others, as well as broken relationships so that through accountability, one can learn self-reflection and perform better in the future. In addition to social behaviors, this format of addiction treatment also includes recovery from hard drugs such as nicotine and cocaine.
2. Individual Therapy
Once you have successfully completed outpatient treatment, you can continue individual therapy at the treatment center to assist with alcohol treatment, substance abuse, mental health concerns, and behavioral issues. Therapy lays great focus on self-reflection and equipping patients with willpower, self-reflective qualities, and coping mechanisms in the long run. Outpatient rehab one-to-one therapy format also allows you to keep in touch with your primary therapist at all times even after your treatment is completed so that you can inform them of your progress or any shortcomings in your addiction treatment.
3. Support Groups
One of the most effective ways of maintaining your sobriety in the long term is through finding and joining support groups of some kind. These can be based on the 12-step model or are activity based groups that help with your motivation levels and allow you to maintain contact and good relationships with others who are suffering through similar struggles. One of the more popular support groups based on the 12-step model is the Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART). Through proven therapies and methods, it helps individuals take control of their substance abuse and enables them to better their mental health by engaging with like-minded people. There are also LGBTQIA+ community groups, or specific ethnic groups for those looking for a specific circle of people.
Rebuilding Your Social Life
Addiction treatment can be tough, whether you are staying at an inpatient treatment center or seeking care through outpatient drug abuse treatment facility. Rehab doesn’t just help you through your withdrawal symptoms, but it also creates ease in achieving goals which may have otherwise seemed impossible. Rebuilding your social life from scratch can be challenging but with a healthy mindset and a sober lifestyle, you can take part in several alcohol-free and drug-free activities that can help you enjoy life whilst also staying sober and healthy.
Such activities can include game nights with new friends, enjoying a movie at the cinema, taking up instrument lessons, learning a skill such as gardening or speaking a new language, playing sports, learning dance, volunteering at societies and charity events, playing video games, etc.
You can also save a lot more money by not purchasing drugs or alcohol, and instead investing in other activities that do not pose a high risk situation where you may find yourself being dragged back into unhealthy habits.
Consult Your Doctor About Life After Substance Abuse Treatment
Healing from drug or alcohol addiction is no easy task and requires ample patience, tolerance, and time. It is a lifelong process and commitment that can be easier with the right kind of help. Always consult your doctor about life after substance use disorder at the rehab center and how you can work on improving your mental health as well as coping skills in the long run. Your treatment provider will provide you with a range of options that are available inside and outside the treatment center.
