The Importance of Aftercare Following Drug Rehab Treatment
Aftercare services are often overlooked but they are just as important as the rehabilitation services and should not be neglected. Recovery from an addiction does not stop when treatment comes to an end. Aftercare follows a short period of addiction care and is seen as a long-term treatment. The post-treatment period can be turbulent, so it is crucial that a solid system is in place to ensure a smooth transition following an inpatient program.
What is aftercare?
Aftercare occurs after a drug rehab program and is a general term used to describe any ongoing services offered following treatment for substance abuse. It can be undertaken in a variety of forms and places, but the goals are the same across the board.
All Aftercare Programs Should:
-
- Help to find ways for the individual to prevent a relapse.
- Provide the individual with a sense of purpose and help them to see a future without drugs.
- Help the patient to settle back into a normal life.
Forms of aftercare:
Inpatient Aftercare:
Sober houses are common choices for those recovering from a substance addiction. They allow patients to transition slowly from the rigid structure of an outpatient, back into life without the strong support of a treatment plan. They can work well as a stop-gap before patients return home but they are not for everyone and some people might prefer to simply be surrounded by family rather than people they don’t know yet.
Outpatient Aftercare:
Is a term used to describe any program in which a patient attends treatments and then returns home. This can be a trickier pathway to take as it means you have to trust yourself to remain substance-free while you're not in the sessions. However, it can be a suitable solution for those with children, those who work or those who have a strong support system in place at home.
For many, aftercare becomes a part of a lifelong plan, so it is common for patients to begin an outpatient program, even after undergoing inpatient treatment.
Outpatient Aftercare can include:
- Individual counseling
- Group meetings/ counseling
- Addiction education classes
- Social activities
- Support groups
- Stress, anxiety and anger management skills sessions
- Sessions designed to address triggers
- Relapse prevention sessions
- Some aftercare programs will include random drug tests
- Occasionally programs will include retreats and recreational activities
Outpatient aftercare services can be offered as male-only, female-only, teen-only or as a mixed group format. Which one you choose is down to personal preference and where you feel most comfortable, as they all have the same aim of keeping the patient drug and alcohol free.
If you would like some advice or guidance in finding a suitable rehab center that offers an aftercare plan that fits your needs, call us on 1-800-581-0754 or visit our website www.recommendedrehab.com. You can select the best facilities nearest to you and get more information about each one and the rehabilitation services they offer.
