Once youve completed drug or alcohol rehab, your journey isnt over. Itd be great to tell you that your life will be wonderful and you have all of the answers now that youve completed treatment, but thats not the case. Those who maintain their sobriety continue getting help after the addiction treatment process. Youll have a variety of different options for aftercare treatment, and you dont have to just pick one. Depending on your confidence level once youve finished treatment, you may want to be involved as much as possible when youre discharged.
Intensive Outpatient Treatment
Residential treatment has you in the facility at all times, and your days revolve around treatment. When youve completed this program, you can go to outpatient treatment, which is designed for people who are transitioning from inpatient as well as those who need help and have less severe forms of addiction. Outpatient opportunity for you to continue getting the care you need. Its chance for you to help others who are brand new to the program. Youll be able to share your experience from inpatient to let them know what has worked for you thus far.
Typically at an outpatient program, youll attend a few hours a day, three to five days a week. Here, youll attend group sessions with other recovering addicts, and you may also participate in one-on-one treatment sessions. This is a great way for the rehab facility to keep an eye on your progress and continue to give you suggestions if it looks like youre struggling in your sobriety.
Sober Living Homes
A sober living home is one form of aftercare plan you can use to begin your transition back into the world. Many addicts relapse due to the stresses of their living situation or the neighborhood they live in, so a sober living home will give you the opportunity to gain some more confidence in your sobriety. These homes are sometimes run by the treatment center you attended or another facility, and youll be living with others who are in recovery as well.
Youll have the security of knowing that nobody in the house is drinking or using, and youll also have a support group right there for you. While in the sober living home, youll be able to have a job, go to school and visit your family. This is also a great place to live if youre going to be attending intensive outpatient treatment after youre discharged from the residential facility.
Aftercare and Therapy
There are some facilities that offer aftercare programs. These are typically held once a week, and the alumni of the facility comes to discuss life in sobriety. The sessions are run by a therapist or a counselor, and its a great way to stay connected with other people who are in early sobriety. Some people continue to attend aftercare for years. It also may be a good idea to continue seeing a therapist because theyll be able to keep an eye on your personal behaviors as well as any other mental illnesses youre suffering from if you have a dual diagnosis.