Addiction treatment centers are an invaluable way for patients to get sober and build a foundation for a sober lifestyle. Treatment takes place in the facility itself, but there are also aftercare programs designed to help patients with their sobriety.
These take place after a patient leaves an addiction treatment center. They can be a vital part of a treatment plan, with there being multiple reasons why that’s the case. Despite that, patients are often under-informed about what aftercare programs are and why they can be important.
Let’s dive into what aftercare is and why it can be a vital part of a patient’s treatment plan post-recovery.
What is Aftercare?
Aftercare is the ongoing support a patient receives after they leave an addiction recovery center. It focuses on helping patients make sure they stay sober after departing, helping them to stick to their recovery. This comes in multiple forms, including:
- Group Therapy
- One-on-One Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Medication
- Supported Living
Each of these can be recommended in various instances. This depends on the patient’s needs during their recovery. A psychiatric professional works with the patient to decide on the best treatment plan and aftercare program for their needs.
Importance of Aftercare in Addiction Recovery
Aftercare programs are important for addiction recovery for multiple reasons. They focus on helping patients maintain their sobriety and avoid relapsing. Relapse is always possible, but this is especially true in the first few months after leaving an addiction treatment center.
These relapses can happen for several reasons, like:
- Exposure to people, places, or situations that trigger an urge to relapse.
- Lack of social support to maintain their sobriety.
- Anxiety, depression, and similar mental health conditions.
- Social pressure to use the substances they were addicted to.
Aftercare programs are designed to help patients avoid a relapse. This is the main reason why aftercare programs are important for sobriety post-rehab, but they’re far from the only reason. It also includes:
- Helping Patients Cope – Many patients relapse because they have an inability to cope post-rehab. Aftercare programs help them develop this ability while giving them the support they need post-rehab.
- Managing Underlying Conditions – Addiction is often one of several conditions a patient can be diagnosed with. Mental health issues can fuel this, and can trigger a relapse. Aftercare helps patients manage and overcome these conditions.
- Ongoing Connection – Going from an addiction center back to real life can be jarring for many patients. They’ll go from ongoing support to a position where they mightn’t have any. Aftercare bridges this gap and gives patients the connection they need.
These all aid a patient’s recovery post-rehab. They minimize the chances of a relapse, letting patients maintain their sobriety as time goes on.
Summing it Up
A quality addiction recovery center includes aftercare programs to help their patients. It offers multiple benefits, minimizing the chances of a patient experiencing a relapse. Aftercare can be essential because of that.
Getting the support they need post-rehab lets patients get back on their feet and continue their post-rehab sobriety.