The decision to enroll yourself in a residential treatment program is as courageous and important as the decision to complete the program. Achieving a level of recovery is gratifying after dealing with a substance use disorder (SUD), mental illness, or both, but what’s the next step?
Most addiction treatment centers provide inpatient and outpatient treatment options to meet best the requirements of individuals battling addiction and mental health disorders. The Haven Detox is one such rehab facility, employing an integrated treatment strategy incorporating medications, group therapy, individual therapy, and family outreach.
However, treatment is only one aspect of healing. Aftercare is also crucial since it helps our patients maintain their health and serves as a long-term relapse prevention plan.
What is Aftercare?
Detoxification from alcohol or drugs is usually the initial step in addiction treatment. Once the individuals have been detoxified from a substance safely and effectively, they enter an inpatient treatment program. During their stay in a treatment center, their whole lives revolve around establishing a firm basis for their recovery.
Aftercare is a part of treatment that occurs after an individual completes a program at a higher level of medical care. It is the collective plan to assist a person during early recovery and help them prevent relapse while building their new life.
The relapse rate would be astronomically high if treatment facilities sent patients back into their regular lives without offering ongoing support as soon as they completed their program. A few months of treatment does not cure alcohol and drug addiction. Addiction is a chronic brain disease that requires continuous care and management.
Instead, treatment gives patients the tools they need to remain clean and sober daily. Aftercare is an additional means of continued support after a patient leaves the facility. When they have the support of an aftercare plan, they don’t have to feel as if they’re making a move alone.
How Can Effective Aftercare Plan Help You Sustain Recovery?
Below is what an effective aftercare plan consists of and how it can help you stay sober after receiving addiction treatment.
Facility-Based Programs
When a rehab center administers its substance abuse aftercare program, it is referred to as a facility-based treatment program. Facility-based programs can fall into a variety of categories.
For example, a facility-based substance abuse aftercare program may include counseling, support groups, medical assessments, etc. Facility-based programs are advantageous for patients since they let them obtain follow-up treatment at the exact location of their previous rehab program.
Sober Living Homes
Sober living programs provide a safe, drug-free environment for those suffering from substance abuse. As they move from treatment to post-treatment, residents of a sober living home will live with other folks in recovery, pay rent, and conduct household chores.
Case Management
Your aftercare program may begin with the case manager at your treatment program center. In addition to therapy, counseling, or other outpatient treatments, case managers may assist you in locating other employment or social services, such as child care or legal services. Case managers typically help organize these services and direct your plan for ongoing maintenance.
Alumni Programs
Alumni programs are a practical kind of alcohol and drug abuse aftercare because they foster a community of recovered addicts. Having such a network makes it simpler for those in addiction recovery to connect. Substance abuse aftercare alumni connect via events, newsletters, excursions, group therapy sessions, etc.
Mentorship
Mentorship is another way patients may continue to work on their recovery while giving back to the community. Mentoring others in recovery is a positive experience for many individuals. Due to their unique ability to relate to the experiences of those in treatment, they are often well-equipped to assist newer patients in navigating the obstacles that might arise throughout recovery. It is a wonderful chance to reflect on one’s path and growth while helping another person achieve sobriety goals.
Intensive Outpatient Program
Intensive outpatient programs help manage sobriety by providing ten or more hours per week of group, individual, and family therapy.
Continuing education on addiction and relapse prevention is provided during group therapy sessions. Receiving peer support during this period lessens the feeling of isolation associated with sobriety maintenance. A treatment expert organizes the group and provides individuals with educational materials and information on how to maintain recovery.
Individual therapy is meeting one-on-one with a therapist to discuss your progress, challenges, and victories. Individual therapy often employs cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), also known as talk therapy.
Other commonly used therapies include biofeedback, dialectical, experiential, and faith-based. Alternative therapies complement traditional approaches. Examples include acupuncture, art therapy, music therapy, yoga, and meditation.
Often, addiction is associated with underlying physical or mental disorders. Effective treatment of these conditions simultaneously while inpatient and outpatient treatment is essential for recovery.
Support Groups
Mutual support groups may also be necessary for your aftercare plan. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) encourage abstinence among persons in recovery. It has been demonstrated that the community and accountability features of 12-step meetings are a beneficial component of a drug and alcohol addiction treatment plan.
How does regular attendance to an addiction aftercare support group maintain recovery from addiction?
Regularly attending an aftercare group is very beneficial for the addict. The group is usually guided by a counselor who may instruct them on utilizing the tools they learned in rehabilitation/detox.
The group also consists of addicts who face similar challenges and share similar anxieties. It dramatically helps addicts when they surround themselves with individuals pursuing the same goals. It provides the addict with a sense of belonging and is a tremendous support system. It helps them focus on their primary goal, which is how to live a sober life.
Why are drug rehab programs limited to 30, 60, and 90-day intervals? Shouldn’t rehab take about 1-2 years in total in a comprehensive package of both detox and aftercare and other needed recovery supports like counseling to sustainable recovery?
According to research, most addicts require at least three months of therapy to reduce or quit their drug use significantly, and more extended treatment periods produce the best results. Recovery from drug use is a lengthy process that typically takes numerous treatment rounds, including aftercare.
As with other chronic diseases, relapses in substance abuse should indicate the need for treatment to be restarted or modified. Because individuals often abandon treatment early, programs should incorporate methods to engage and retain patients in treatment.
Achieve Long-Term Recovery at The Haven Detox
After recovery, life may be frightening. After becoming sober, the real world is scary. The fact is, it is not. The world is only intimidating if you allow it to be so or make decisions that permit it to be thus. As the saying goes, if you stay on the straight and narrow, you will be OK.
If you are interested in learning about our aftercare services, contact The Haven Detox at (561) 328-8627. We offer premier alcohol and drug treatment in South Florida so that you have the best opportunity of being alcohol- and drug-free.
