If you or a loved one have recently completed a rehab program, you may wonder what comes next. The transition between living in rehab and returning to your everyday life can feel daunting — but it doesn’t have to be. Arming yourself with information about the post-rehab recovery process can help ease some of your concerns over making this difficult transition back into society.
One form of aftercare that is highly effective in some instances is Los Angeles sober living, which provides an essential link between rehab and mainstream culture.
This blog will explore how sober living works after addiction treatment and its benefits for those looking to make a triumphant return home.
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What To Expect After Rehab
After alcohol/drug abuse rehabilitation, recovering individuals can expect to have newfound tools and resources to help them continue their journey toward drug-free living. These resources may include support groups for those facing similar challenges and individualized treatment programs to assist in long-term sobriety.
Whether individuals are entirely drug-free or successfully navigating drug replacement therapy, these resources can be invaluable when maintaining a drug-free life.
Life after rehab can be gratifying but also may bring about overwhelming feelings and unexpected challenges. Knowing which resources and supports are available before leaving rehab is key to a successful and sustained recovery journey.
Let’s look at a brief outline of what one can expect after rehab.
The Awkwardness
Completing rehab can be a massive milestone in treating alcoholism and drug dependence. Still, sometimes family members struggle to know how to interact with the person that just came out.
Addiction is not something family members are prepared to handle, and due to the stigma around it, family members may be embarrassed or unsure about how to approach the situation.
Peer Pressure
After coming out of rehab, keeping up sobriety in the real world can be a challenge. The peer pressure to continue drinking or doing drugs is often too great to maintain sobriety. Looking for an alcohol-free environment for an intense recovery process and keeping your sober support network is essential.
Lean on your support system to gain motivation for leading a sober life to move forward in your recovery journey successfully.
Depression
After going through the process of completing rehab, many patients are left to cope with mental health issues such as depression. In many cases, rehab programs do not include mental health services administration. Therefore when a person comes out of rehab treatment, there may still be depression symptoms that have gone untreated.
Often mental health counseling sessions can make all the difference in a person’s recovery plan after rehab. It is also beneficial for those dealing with long-term mental health problems to attend group therapy to gain support from one another and learn to maintain healthy boundaries.
Self-Acceptance
After coming out of rehab, it is essential to develop self-acceptance. Having sober friends who understand and can relate to your experiences will be invaluable as you strive for a successful recovery. Additionally, ongoing care provided by professionals, such as therapy or medication management, helps newly sober individuals stay on the right path and lead satisfying lives.
However, ultimately it is the individual’s commitment and dedication to their recovery that leads to self-acceptance and creates a lasting foundation for change.
As difficult as it may seem, there is a fulfilling life after rehab-although it will require some hard work, dedication, and support from your family.
How To Transition Back Into Your Everyday Life
After completing rehab, life can feel daunting. Making positive choices may fill life with joy, or you may feel anxious about transitioning back without drugs or alcohol. It’s important to remember that it is okay to feel overwhelmed and scared, as life after rehab can be difficult.
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There were likely some broken relationships with friends and family during the drug abuse period, and now it’s time to work on rebuilding them.
Here are some tips that make the transition process relatively manageable.
- Start by focusing on yourself- what daily changes can you make to move beyond drug abuse and help you keep to your recovery plan?
- A robust support system like therapy, a sober living house, or a support group can help create a fresh start for life after rehab.
- Find activities that bring satisfaction outside of addiction.
- Don’t rush the process; allow yourself time to gain clarity on where life will take you next.
What Kind Of Support Is Available After Rehab
After completing treatment for substance abuse or alcohol addiction, finding the support and resources to continue a healthy lifestyle free from substances can be challenging. Thankfully, treatment does not have to end after leaving treatment facilities as there are many levels of treatment available, including:
- Individual treatment with a treatment provider that specializes in addiction and recovery
- Family therapy sessions with a family member for added support and encouragement, and community programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
This type of ongoing treatment helps in the stress management of an individual’s lifelong journey with recovery from substance abuse and alcoholism. Those who have completed treatment should reach out to family members and their treatment providers to help set up this support system.
How To Stay Sober After Rehab
Getting clean and sober after drug rehab is a positive step towards a lifestyle of sobriety. However, this can be incredibly challenging as drug cravings may resurface without professional guidance and counseling at drug rehab. It is essential to embrace healthy habits to stay sober such as:
- A healthy diet, regular exercise, and quality sleep.
- A balanced lifestyle with participation in therapeutic activities.
- Surrounding yourself with supportive loved ones.
- Engaging in group meetings to share experiences.
A non-toxic sober support system under the supervision of a mental health professional is also vital for survival after completing rehab.
Conclusion
After completing a successful rehabilitation program, many individuals can put their addictive behaviors in the past. However, it is crucial to remember that sobriety is often a lifelong process.
Many who have gone through rehab benefit from additional resources and support, such as joining a recovery community, attending support groups, participating in alcohol-free activities, taking treatment sessions by licensed therapists, opting for an outpatient program, or choosing a sober living home.
These ongoing practices can give individuals an essential source of encouragement and accountability in maintaining sobriety long after treatment ends. Healthy living habits such as eating nutritious foods and exercising can also help long-term recovery.
