Addiction is a lifelong disease. However, it is a disease that can be managed over time with appropriate vigilance and support. This is why you will often hear alcoholics in recovery say things like, “I’m a sober alcoholic.” The disease never goes away, but the effects can be effectively managed.
What Happens After Someone Finishes Rehab?
While rehab can mitigate the immediate and physical effects of substance abuse, teach addicts strategies to deal with cravings and lifestyle changes, and start the process of healing past and current trauma contributing to the disease, rehab itself is not a “cure” for addiction. It is one step, an important step, of the process, not the whole journey.
That’s why life after rehab is so important. While in rehab addicts will learn strategies to live on their own outside without relying on drugs and alcohol for support, but when outside the treatment facility they will have to implement them. But your loved ones or you are absolutely not alone. We offer continued support after rehab to effect the best outcomes for those who have gotten sober and want to stay that way.
Continued Support For Those In Recovery
There are many methods of continued support we offer here at Better Tomorrow Treatment Center, as well as support that is available in many communities around the United States. These methods of continued support include:
Therapy
We offer many different types of therapy for individuals in recovery, including those who are leaving rehab. These include couples therapy, trauma resolution, cognitive and dialectical behavioral therapy, and much more. Therapy is one of the major ways to deal with the underlying issues having an effect on addiction as well as deal with the triggers and stressors that can cause relapse.
Community Housing Programs
Community housing programs, such as halfway houses, sober living houses, and recovery houses can help those fighting addiction learn to live again without the effects of alcohol and drugs. They offer communities of support, ready access to services and advice, and a halfway point between rehab and the larger world.
Follow Up Checks
Follow up checks are check-ins with patients who have left rehab to see how they are doing in their sober journey, see if there are any factors that may cause relapse, see what services may be needed, and provide the support to access these services and eliminate stressors and triggers to relapse.
Peer Support
Peer support is help and advice from those that have already gone through recovery and are further along on their journey to sobriety. Because they have dealt with the same issues beforehand and conquered them, they can offer advice and support even the most highly trained doctors and therapists can’t.
Support Groups
Support groups such as Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous, or alternative groups, are often very important for those in recovery. They offer continued and lifelong support for those living sober.
Lifestyle Changes For Those Leaving Rehab
After rehab, addicts will also need to make some lifestyle changes that will help keep them sober. These include:
New Routine
Building new routines free from the influence of drugs and alcohol, as well as the triggers that tempt relapse, will have to be built. These include finding new, healthy ways to have fun and socialize, regularly attending work or school, and connecting with sober or supportive family members and friends.
New Friends
Often, after leaving rehab, addicts will have to build new support and friend groups that don’t revolve around alcohol or drugs. Many times the people once relied on are still using, and this represents a temptation towards relapse. Building new support groups and friendships are key in staying sober.
Healthy Living
Finding new hobbies and habits will be one of the difficulties and joys of leaving rehab. There’s a whole world out there to experience without the influences of alcohol and illicit substances, and this can be looked at as an opportunity to grow and experience true happiness.
Want To Talk More About Rehab And What Happens After?
Give Better Tomorrow a call at (844) 989-1451. We’re always here to talk, and we can offer many of the support services mentioned above after rehab, as well as rehab and inpatient treatment themselves. Remember, addiction is a treatable disease, and we’re here to help you treat it.
