Completing a drug rehab program is a major accomplishment. During your stay in treatment, you worked hard to address and overcome the underlying issues of your addiction. As you progress in treatment, you become mentally and physically strong and healthy. Knowing that you have completed treatment, and you are ready to return to your daily life with both feet. While completing drug rehab is worthy of celebration, what happens after rehab ends?
The reality is that the real work in recovery starts when treatment ends. To minimize the risk of relapse, it is highly advisable to undergo some sort of continuing care. This article focuses on the importance of relapse prevention programs and why continuing care is important to maintain long-term recovery.
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What is the Continuum of Care?
In a discussion about what happens after rehab ends, we must understand that drug rehab isn’t a singular event that you experience. As a whole, drug treatment is seen as a treatment system where the appropriate level of care is matched with your specific needs. This system comprises the following evidence-based programs:
- Medical detoxification
- Inpatient treatment
- Intensive outpatient treatment (IOP)
- Traditional outpatient treatment
- Partial hospitalization programs (PHP)
- Aftercare programs
When you enter treatment, experienced professionals will conduct a thorough physical and psychological examination to determine the appropriate level of care. As you progress in treatment, the level of care can change as your needs change. Having this continuum of care is critical to your long-term recovery and success—especially when formal treatment ends.
What Happens After Rehab Ends?
So what happens after rehab ends? Along with many newly recovering addicts, you may think you just picked up where you left off before you entered treatment. With your mental and physical health restored, you feel confident that you can stay clean and sober as you resume your daily life. While you may feel confident, addiction is a cunning and powerful adversary. The stresses and triggers of your environment can break you down over time. Without the proper support and care, the chances of relapse dramatically increase.
As stated before, the real work in recovery begins when you complete treatment. The real world is a rollercoaster, and you can easily feel overwhelmed away from the security of a rehab program. Relapse prevention programs are invaluable in providing the extra tools and support you need to stay healthy and work your individual recovery program.
What is the Importance of Continuing Care and Relapse Prevention?
Continuing care programs are just as important to your sobriety as intensive treatment. These essential programs give you the coping skills and tools needed to handle the stresses of everyday life. When you can understand your stressors and the triggers that can lead to relapse, you are better equipped to move forward in your recovery confidently. The following are three ways in which relapse prevention programs benefit you:
Relapse prevention programs teach you about relapse itself. These programs stress that relapse behavior starts well before you actually use drugs and alcohol. You will learn the signs of emotional and physical relapse, and you will learn to be proactive in dealing with those symptoms before they grow worse.
You learn the triggers and stressors in your environment that lead to relapse. When you experience or see these triggers and stressors, you can put an action plan in place to deal with them in a healthy manner using the right coping skills.
Relapse prevention programs give you the confidence you need to succeed in sobriety. Many newly recovering people get a false sense of security, thinking they are “cured” of addiction. In a relapse prevention program, you fully understand the complexities of addiction and the ways you become vulnerable to triggers and temptations. Knowing the warning signs and learning healthy life and coping skills make you confident in staying the course.
Continue Your Recovery Journey with The Last House
Recovery isn’t a singular event; it is a lifelong journey. In that journey, having continued professional and peer support is important in helping you stay sober. The Last House is a top-tier men’s sober living network whose mission is to give you the tools and confidence you need to move forward in your sobriety. Our unique program in Los Angeles combines sober living and clinical programs to help you find the health and happiness you deserve. Call The Last House today and make the commitment to the new you.