Aftercare for Drug and Alcohol Rehab
Completing drug or alcohol rehab is a major accomplishment, but it doesn't necessarily mean that there's not more work to do. During the weeks, months and even years after completing rehab, many individuals are still at risk for relapse. Aftercare programs help minimize that risk, and keep the individual moving forward on the road to a completely drug free life.
Aftercare programs come in many forms and feature various methodologies. Here are some important facts that you need to know about aftercare.
Relapse prevention
The primary goal of aftercare is to prevent a relapse into drug or alcohol use. By providing continuing counseling, group sessions and other schedule meetings, after programs provide an extra level of accountability that help insure that the individual has not fallen back on old habit.
Providing help if relapse does occur
If an individual does relapse into old behaviors, the aftercare program helps them cope and better assess the situation. The peers and professionals an individual interacts with in aftercare help make sure that if there's a "slip" that the person doesn't necessarily have to go back to square one and start rehab all over again.
Help for the family
Aftercare programs help provide support and instruction for the family members of recovering addicts. Many times there is still a great deal of tension between the individual and the family, caused by events that occurred during the period of drug use. Other times, the individual is struggling to blend back into a "normal life" which is causing stress for the family. In both these cases, aftercare programs provide counseling and advice for the family to help get them through this difficult time.
A place to talk
Another valuable element of aftercare programs is the channel of communication it opens up for the recovering addict. The individual goes through a lot when returning home after rehab. He has to learn new habits, stop hanging out with "Drug Friends" and work to rebuild relationships and careers. It's a lot to take in, and the aftercare program is a place to talk through these issues with people who understand and can provide guidance.
12 step programs
Many aftercare programs, most notable Alcoholics Anonymous, use the 12 step program structure as a means of staying clean and moving forward. These 12 steps are not for everyone, but for millions of people around the world their philosophy of peer group interaction, and "giving into a higher power" have provided relief and accountability for those in recovery. Although there is no particular conclusions to programs like this, they help people remember the past so that they will never repeat it.
The Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers in California and Tennessee understand the importance of aftercare, and help those who leave their facilities find the programs that best fit their needs. The care and education individuals receive at The Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers help them break the cycle of addiction and get a new start on life.
