Aftercare

One of the most important considerations when choosing a drug or alcohol rehab is the availability of some type of aftercare programme. This is vital because if you are not supported when you return home, you will be at higher risk of relapse – this means that all the good work of rehab will be lost.

The availability of aftercare following rehab is important for a number of reasons including:

• The transition from rehab to home is a time when the individual will be at high risk of relapse. The availability of aftercare at this time will increase the person’s chances of staying sober, and it will make the process easier.
• Staying sober in alcohol rehab or drug rehab is a different proposition than staying sober at home. This is because the facility offers a protected environment in which the individual can begin to rebuild their life. Leaving rehab is like taking the training wheels off a bike, and if the person is not adequately supported, they may be vulnerable.
• Some people can look upon their last day at the rehab clinic as graduation day, but this can be a dangerous way to view things. If the person is over confident, or takes things for granted, they will be at high risk of falling into trouble. Aftercare is a reminder to the individual that recovery is a process and not an event, and that the work will never really be complete.
• When people initially leave rehab they tend to be highly motivated, but this determination can wane over time unless it is regularly recharged. The aim of aftercare is to keep boosting the person’s motivation so that they remain committed to their new life away from alcohol or drugs.
• It is frequently said that time heals all wounds, but this can be a bit of a cruse when it comes to dealing with addiction. The individual can forget how bad things were, and this opens the door for romancing the drink or drug – the individual forgets the pain and begins to glamorise their past. Another reason of why aftercare is important is that it is a reminder to the individual of what they risk going back to.
• In order to stay sober the person is going to need a new purpose and meaning in life. They will be able to get this from groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.
• One of the hardest things that people can face in recovery is loneliness and boredom. By walking away from addiction, the individual will also usually be giving up their support network. It will be necessary for them to build a new support network in recovery and aftercare programmes will usually be part of this.
• The individual will be able to learn a great deal during their time in rehab, but there will still be more to learn once the person returns home. This continued education can occur more easily with the help of some type of aftercare therapy.

What is Involved in Rehab Aftercare?

Rehab aftercare can involve a number of different things including:

• Booster sessions – this is where the individual returns to rehab for a few more sessions in recovery
• Fellowship meetings
• Therapy sessions – this could be group therapy as an outpatient or continued one to one therapy
• Outpatient skills or educational workshops

Aftercare Following a Foreign Rehab

If people are going to a foreign rehab, they will need to think very carefully about how they are going to be able to cope once they return home. We have a great deal of expertise in this area and we will be able to offer advice on how the individual will be able to transition safely. Going abroad for addiction help can be a great decision, but it is important to get the aftercare right.

Take Charge of Your Own Aftercare

All rehabs will have some type of aftercare programme, but at the end of the day, it is up to the individual to take responsibility for their own recovery. This means that they need to make staying sober the number one priority in their life and be willing to do whatever is necessary to protect it. This also means that they are motivated to use the available aftercare resources that will help them protect their sobriety.

When it comes to aftercare, there is a great deal to think about. We are very knowledgeable in this area, and we will be able to address any concerns you might have. Many of our team members have their own experience with overcoming addiction problems, so they will have a good understanding of where you are coming from.