Assessment and Treatment Services.
Aftercare services
“Aftercare” is a general term used to describe any ongoing or follow-up treatment for substance abuse that occurs after an initial rehab program. No matter the setting, treatment provider, or methods used, the main goals of addiction aftercare services are to maintain recovery from substance abuse, and to find ways to prevent relapse.
Going to a treatment facility is the first and most important step for many in their recovery program, but it is only one step. The 30 to 90 days most individuals spend in a rehab facility is only a very small period of time compared to the many years that follow in recovery. For many, adjusting to life after rehab proves more challenging, especially with the loss of the rehab structure and routines and the reappearance of external factors and influences.
Each aftercare plan is specifically tailored to the individual, drawing on the most important concepts from the treatment program to take further into the recovery process. This can include relapse prevention techniques, how to avoid triggers, how to rebuild healthy relationships, and how to stay grounded in your sobriety.
Some of the aftercare strategies included are:
- Coping strategies to manage social and emotional triggers for drug abuse relapse
- Professional care team support for medication management for mental health wellness
- Establishing a sober life through a daily routine that includes sober activities and new social supports.
- Support groups and self-help groups like AA, NA and NAMI are powerful recovery tools.
- Improve self-care (relaxation strategies, socialization opportunities, health and wellness strategies
Preventing relapse
A significant factor in the vicious cycle of addiction is relapse. Like depression or PTSD, addiction is a co-occurring disorder that can be triggered by the smallest thing and can easily spiral out of control after months of hard work.
So, the main aim of aftercare is to prevent relapse.
- Knowing your triggers: Mental, physical, social, and environmental triggers exist and there’s nothing we can do to stop their existence. Identifying these triggers and accepting them before they hit you is what you will learn from an aftercare program.
- Conquering cravings: A whole host of situations you face in the real world may initiate a craving for someone to fall back into their old way of living. High-risk situations like starting a new job, getting a new partner, or moving can spark an urge or strong desire. Learning how to curb these cravings is essential in aftercare.
- Contingency management: This basically means thinking things through. Aftercare aims to enable people to think of the consequences of your actions, in this case, a relapse. Rather than acting on impulse, they will be taught how to create safety plans and turn to effective relapse prevention tools which can help deter someone from a tempting situation.
- Making note of lapses: Relapse is a full-blown recession into old ways, while a lapse is a momentary slip. If you do lapse, it’s important to be honest and seek support immediately to prevent you from slipping further and undoing all your work.