Attending an extended inpatient rehabilitation facility can help establish a firm foundation for continued recovery from drug addiction. Intensive treatment offers education and support for patients. While some people feel 120 days of treatment should be sufficient to help substance abusers kick the habit, professionals understand that inpatient treatment is merely a training ground for daily treatments extending to far beyond the initial therapies. Ongoing aftercare and addiction therapy will be necessary.
For help finding an aftercare program near you, call 888-414-2380 (Who Answers?) .
Regular Drug Testing
In aftercare programs, patients can expect regular drug testing. For some addicts, legal monitoring is ongoing as a result of trouble acquired during active addiction. For others, certain programs require regular urinalysis or blood testing to insure honest clean time. Addiction specialists recognize denial and dishonesty are a serious part of the disease of substance use disorder.
Case Management
Case management is an important piece for people embarking upon the recovery journey. Often, mental health services, prescription medicines, counseling and 12-step recovery groups are prescribed to patients attempting to reenter society. Having a social worker as a resource can help recovering addicts to navigate the sometimes confusing new drug-free world.
Group Therapy
Attending support group meetings provide extra motivation to stay sober.
Most of the time, patients will continue in group therapy upon graduation from their in-patient program. This therapy provides ongoing stability to help with the ups and downs of living day to day life without drugs or alcohol. Familiar counselors are usually assigned to these groups, and often members attended rehab together.
Individual Therapy
Sometimes sobriety reveals underlying mental and emotional conditions. Deep-seated issues may remain and require ongoing therapy. For these, patients can expect regular individual therapy sessions after completing an in-patient program. Addiction creates negative, cyclical patterns of behavior. Often, cognitive behavior therapy is prescribed to reprogram responses in sobriety.
Attendance at Support Group Meetings
Ongoing support from people who have been successful in recovery is an important part of abstinence. 12-step meetings are usually recommended. However, other groups are available, as well. Here are some support groups that may be helpful upon completion of an in-patient rehab program:
- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
- Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
- Celebrate Recovery
- Smart Recovery
- All Addicts Anonymous (AAA)
- Life Ring
Journaling
Finding an outlet for thoughts and emotions is critical in recovery. During active addiction, addicts cope with feelings and emotions by numbing with chemicals. Journaling is often a required part of aftercare. Addiction specialists recognize the value of processing feelings in writing and often provide a safe atmosphere to share journal entries with therapists. Journaling also provides a record of a person’s journey through the perils and pitfalls of early recovery.
Family Follow-ups
Drug addiction and substance use disorder ravages families. Trust is broken and life can be in a shambles. Family therapy and/or couples counseling can be a helpful tool throughout the recovery process. Finding ways to help and support a recovering addict is vital to healthy recovery. Also, living with addiction often requires treatment for family members’ healing, as well.
For more information about addiction therapy, or for help finding a program that fits your needs, call 888-414-2380 (Who Answers?) .
Resources
Barthwell, A., Baxter, L., Beaubier, A., Bertholf, R., et. al. (2013). Drug testing: A white paper of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). American Society of Addiction Medicine. Retrieved on January 29, 2017 from: http://www.asam.org/docs/default-source/public-policy-statements/drug-testing-a-white-paper-by-asam.pdf
NAMI (2017). Psychotherapy. National Alliance on Mental Illness. Retrieved on January 29, 2017 from: http://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Treatment/Psychotherapy