Life After Inpatient Rehabilitation

Preparing For Life After Inpatient Rehab – Part 2 of 2

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Life After Inpatient Rehabilitation. This is the final part of how a recovering addict needs to prepare for life after a spell as an inpatient at an established rehabilitation centre.

Let’s start with something that only the recovering addict can achieve:

Sticking to follow-up appointments:

There are a variety of ways in which healing continues once a person has left inpatient rehabilitation. Many work on a stepped-model. This offers intense counselling and treatment appointments immediately they leave the inpatient facility and that gradually tapers as their needs lessen.

What those recovering need to understand is that ALL appointments must be attended. Missing just one will encourage others to be missed and that can have the effect of slowing down or messing up the recovery process.

Counselling sessions during the critical, early part of recovery while out in the real world will help in a whole host of ways. These include:

  • Allowing the addict to process and express feelings relating to their continued recovery.
  • Help them deal with family transitions.
  • Continue the awareness teaching that relates to relapse triggers.
  • Reviewing goals achieved and setting new ones.
  • Strengthen and build determination to remain on the path of sobriety.

Life After Inpatient Rehabilitation. Look after yourself:

While it may appear selfish, it should certainly not do so. The number one priority for a recovering addict is to look after themselves.

The return to old routines is often the cause of increased stress and anxiety. That is often made tougher because of intense cravings for either alcohol or drugs.

What is required is a focus on keeping negative thoughts to a minimum and understanding that if sadness or deepening depression are allowed to build then a relapse is far more likely.

Set aside special periods of each day that specifically concentrate on your well-being. Whether this is a short period of meditation at the beginning of the day, or getting out for some light exercise for just 20 minutes. This ‘me’ time will put a person in a far more positive mood to deal with the regular challenges that are bound to come their way.

Don’t shy away from support groups:

Support groups have been established for a very important reason. They help individuals to cope with the struggles of addiction and work to keep them on the path of sobriety.

Whether it is Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or another locally run support group it is worthwhile attending meetings. This is also vital in helping establish that you are not alone in your struggles.

In many cases it is also possible to acquire a sponsor. This is a person who has been through what you are currently suffering, but has remained sober for a long period of time and is ready to help you with the challenges that are undoubtedly ahead.

Life After Inpatient Rehabilitation – Relapse alert:

The last thing we will touch on is the importance of a recovering addict understanding and being aware of potential triggers that will cause a relapse. While a relapse should not be seen as failure it is certainly a big setback in treatment and healing. This means that with a watchful eye on stress and anxiety levels and voicing any concerns sooner rather than later. You will avoid something that effects around 50% of those on the addiction recovery road.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Rehab Assessment.

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