The significance of an aftercare program in the treatment of drug addiction is essential can not be neglected. There are different ways these programs have impacted positively.
Falling into drug addiction is common. The drug or alcohol consumption that we devour weekly or at some party can trick your brain into altering its receptors and creating a constant urge to have more. Substance addiction involves compulsive drug or alcohol use.
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The condition only worsens as the person feels the continuous urge to satiate their cravings for more alcohol. Addiction affects a person’s life on a broader spectrum.
Introduction to the aftercare program in the treatment of drug addiction
Their desire to consume more also induces behavioral and emotional alteration, making it difficult to focus on their work or family. As a result, they often end up unemployed or homeless in most cases.
Getting into rehabilitation is the first step towards a drug-free and sober life. Spending time at the rehabilitation center equips people with coping skills.
It teaches them to practice control while toning down their impulsive consumption habits. Once addicts, it is pretty challenging for the person to quit using a substance. Spending time in rehabilitation is not easy either especially the detox part of the rehabilitation.
The journey of being sober doesn’t end at the rehabilitation center. It extends to aftercare.
What is aftercare?
After-care refers to the part of treatment that a person has to follow after completing their rehabilitation process.
It entails a collective plan to support a person in their early recovery stage and prevent relapse. Unfortunately, approximately 9% of the U.S population (2.15 million people) have a substance abuse disorder. The relapse rate is exceptionally high, enclosing a percentage of 37% to 50% of the recovered cases.
This article focuses on highlighting the significance of aftercare after rehabilitation.
Preventing Relapse among the aftercare program in the treatment of drug addiction
The duration or timeline a person has to follow while staying at rehabilitation centers may vary, but these processes have an endpoint.
After completing the rehab process, many people fail to maintain their soberness, and a little temptation can put them into relapse.
Addiction treatment centers like Serenity or others focused on helping addicts stay sober prioritize aftercare and consider it a crucial element of the rehabilitation process. Staying sober involves avoiding relapse.
The aftercare focuses on maintaining the recovery from substance abuse and finding ways to prevent relapse. Rehabilitation centers help people overcome their addiction, but relapses can easily happen if their family fails to assist them while on their road to recovery.
Improves Mental Health
Another essential factor that the aftercare plan caters to is focusing on mental health. Spending time at rehab is like staying in an isolated environment where a healthy and drug-free environment helps overcome the urges to have more.
Things get difficult post-rehabilitation when the person resumes their normal life in their old surroundings. For example, they might see their friends or family members consuming drugs. Being in such scenarios can take a toll on a person’s will to resist urges and temptations.
Rehab centers often have individual and group counseling sessions to help them improve their mental health. Research published by psychiatric services states the rehab quality that you receive plays a substantial role in enhancing your ability to stay sober.
Smooth Social Transition is an aftercare program in the treatment of drug addiction
Once the rehab is over, a person’s most difficult challenge is to blend into the old surroundings. Although drug addiction is common, there are still stigmas associated with people who choose rehab. As a result, they struggle with the smooth social transition.
It is one of the crucial steps of an aftercare plan designed by rehabilitation centers to help these individuals with smooth transitions after their recovery period.
These people need more support and assistance after their rehab is over. Their family and friends can help in socializing and resuming their normal activities.
Introducing recovery café and club
Rehabilitation centers have a list of available cafes and clubs to help them mingle and enjoy the fun and fancy life, understanding the chances of potential relapse.
One of the crucial things to remember as a part of the aftercare plan is to avoid the immediate use of alcohol or any other addictive substance. The detox process of rehab flushes out all the components of drugs or alcohol from our bodies.
However, our brain receptors are still prone to addiction. Undoing the damage of addiction to our brain receptors is a lengthy process. Joining recovery clubs or cafes is vital to stay sober and connect with people who can offer continued support.
Mending Bonds
Getting into rehabilitation leaves behind so many broken relations, lost friendships, and a tormented family.
The aftercare plan involves working with the individuals getting discharged from rehab and with their friends and family.
Doing so helps such individuals to start fresh and mend their bonds with their loved ones. Someone struggling with addiction also struggles to cope with co-occurring mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, affecting their relationships.
Conclusion
A 2014 study by Substance Abuse and Mental health services reported that 8.8 million adults struggle with addiction and mental health conditions. Rehabilitation is the first step, but it also requires an aftercare plan to help them stay on track.
Family and therapists play a vital role in maintaining the efficiency of such methods. An individual may find it challenging to keep on track.
Still, the aftercare plan entails the assistance of family and peers to help them remain drug-free and prevent relapse.
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Chibueze Uchegbu is a certified medical physiologist with a great passion for healthy living.
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