27 Jan Knowing the Importance of Addiction Aftercare

So, you’ve completed the hardest part of your treatment, and that’s completing it – sobriety and all, but now what? Immersing yourself back into the real world after completing treatment can be difficult and scary, and that’s not to go unexpected. For many addicts that have completed their recovery program, they may still require additional support for however long a period. This type of ongoing treatment is often referred to in the treatment community as Aftercare.

What is Aftercare for Recovering Addicts?

Those who are interested in addiction aftercare have completed their in/out patient treatment program and have developed their individualized road to recovery plan. For many aftercare programs, it is required that the addict have been either behaviorally or chemically sober for a specific length of time before admittance is allowed.

Aftercare gives the addict access to more social networking and clinical services, and there have been studies that show the more treatment an addict in recovery receives, the greater their chances of being able to remain sober on their own.

How to Find a Good Aftercare Program

Overcoming an addiction is difficult for anyone who has submitted to treatment. When the initial in/out patient treatment is completed, they may not be ready to begin their new, sober life on their own. This is why aftercare programs exist. Aftercare programs are essentially an extension of treatment for alumni, and it allows for the addict to meet more people who are going through the same thing they are and form a support system. A good aftercare program will host interactive sessions that include:

• Assistance with job skills and vocational skill development.
• Skills for relapse prevention.
• How to develop new relationships.
• Stress and anger management.
• Dealing with sobriety and coping mechanisms when confronted by former triggers.
• Learning how to build a healthier family dynamic.

Essentially, addiction aftercare programs are tailored to help addicts in recovery better manage their life. It provides further empowerment to abstain from drugs and/or alcohol and it influences the fact that they are in control of their own lives.