Getting treatment for addiction is a life-long process. You have to complete the detoxification stage, and then implement the plan that will keep you free from using the addictive substances all over again. The aftercare to Addiction Treatment is essential to maintain a sober life.
The cravings will still plague you, but your sobriety requires you to have a firm grip so that you resist the urges to get intoxicated. Read on to see how you can cultivate the strength to resist the desire to get high.
Sober Living
Sober living accommodations allow addicts to have a safe and stable environment that is free of drugs, alcohol that may lead to a relapse. The halfway homes let residents have a place that will give patients time to prepare themselves for when they live independently. The residents must follow the rules, which include working on their rehabilitation.
Residents have schedules and curfews that they must follow. They keep busy attending meetings, doing chores, and going to work so that they can pay for their accommodation.
There is usually a minimum period to stay, depending on the treatment given in the sober living home. You can find out the types of treatments on offer yourself, or have the help of your rehab team, to get a place that you can afford and suits your needs.
Continued Counseling
Individuals, coming from a residential rehab facility and are transitioning to an outpatient program, will find that they get anxious when they face stress and triggers for their addiction. They may struggle with self-esteem, fears and other personal issues that will challenge their recovery.
Interpersonal conflicts could quickly arise with other occupants and staff or volunteers in the programs. So many different scenarios can make the recovering addict falter. The key to address the issues is a reliable therapist who will teach you how to activate the shock absorber for your insecurities.
Counseling will help to improve your communication, find employment, and overall mental health. You have to work out the schedule that suits your treatment with the therapist, such as daily or weekly sessions. Make sure that you consider the logistics of attending the counseling, essential things such as transportation and, will you have a friend or family escort you. Every little aspect is vital so that you avoid getting stress and compounding the challenges.
Counselors have the training to recognize the signs of relapse and depression. They can often help you to get help before the symptoms become dire, and will work out a plan to reduce the angst that is causing you to despair. When you find a therapist that you like and trust, you will realize that you are stronger while the struggles become fewer and far between.
Support from Family and Friends
Your loved ones and buddies play a significant role in your life after the detox stage. They may not even know how life-impacting their support is to you, and you might need to let them know. Honesty is crucial for your well-being, and if there is someone toxic in your life, you need to stop interacting with him or her.
Be truthful to yourself and admit it, then, tell them clearly that you have to cut ties. You do not want someone pestering nor laying a guilt trip on you because he or she does not understand why you have distanced yourself.
Friends and family may unknowingly be enabling your addictive behavior. They need to get educated about addiction and the whole healing process so that they become part of your solution aides. For instance, if your sibling always hid from the family that you were taking drugs, they must now operate with full disclosure to your relatives. Stick to the boundaries that you set up, and make sure that your dear ones also keep them intact.
Prevent Relapse
Work on a preventive relapse program with your physician and counselor. Get your loved ones to attend family therapy meetings so that they get firsthand knowledge from the professionals and support groups. They need to hear about your struggles and triggers so that they adjust their support to boost your sober life.
Simple acts such as celebrating your milestones, changing the tone of voice they use in conversation with you, encouraging your healthy behavior, e.g., exercising with you using Skype if need be. Plan to live a long healthy life and you will be halfway to achieving it.
Conclusion
To have a long-lasting healthy, sober life, you have to take care of yourself. The people around you will be helpful when you show your conviction to practice self-care. Remember to manage your mental health, work on rebuilding relationships, broken trust and interpersonal skills. Find gainful employment, start exercising and keep busy so that your idle mind does not fall back into wanting to get high out of boredom.
You will need to create a new lifestyle for yourself with none of the old habits. Once you get on the healthy trajectory, keep doing the right things until they become second nature to you and do not ever welcome a return to addictive behavior.
