Why Aftercare Must Never Be An Afterthought
It cannot be stated too strongly to those who have successfully finished a stint in rehab just how important it is to continue with aftercare treatment and therapy.
Rehab is just the beginning:
Those recovering from addiction have taken 2 major strides.
• Ended denial: They have quit denial, admitted that their substance of choice currently has the better of them and sought professional assistance.
• Completed inpatient rehab: They have been through an extended stay as an inpatient at a rehab clinic where their treatment and healing has begun and progressed. Counselling has helped them to understand the root cause of their problems and given them the physical and mental ‘tools’ to help maintain sobriety.
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This is due to the blanket-ban on substance use and the fact that you have every resource required to help with recovery.
Moving from this protective environment into reality can be a shock to the system. This is one of the major reasons so many recovering addicts relapse during the early stages of recovery.
A key way to avoid negative thoughts and temptations is to fully lean on the aftercare services that should have been arranged before you left rehab.
Please understand that you cannot really have too much aftercare during the initial stages of your homecoming.
Achieving a programme for success:
We have already mentioned the huge step taken in accepting and doing something about your addiction. This impetus needs to be maintained, and a solid, sensible, aftercare programme can help achieve this.
Aftercare provides a path that can be followed for the long-term future. There will be different branches of this path to travel, such as the one that helps maintain a safe distance between you and your old addiction, and the ones that help you understand, achieve and surpass the goals you purposely