You’ve Made It Through Treatment–Now What?

After getting out of treatment, you might have a whole new outlook on life. Chances are that it will take some time for the rest of your life to catch up. Part of the greater task of recovering from addiction is healing the ways it affected every aspect of your life and putting yourself in a healthier position so you don’t slip up.

Like any chronic illness, treating your addiction is an ongoing task. It’s important for you to maintain a relationship with treatment professionals, such as a medical specialist, a personal therapist, and a sponsor in sobriety, so that you can maintain your access to care throughout the course of your recovery.

What Is Aftercare?

Aftercare is an umbrella term that refers to any form of treatment or healing service for people who have made it through acute treatment. Addiction can wreak havoc throughout many areas of your life, and while getting sober is a great start, it doesn’t mean you’ve put all the pieces back together. Aftercare can include personal therapy, 12-Step meetings, personal training, life coaching, financial planning, and counseling for relationships, careers, or legal matters. The goal is to maintain your sobriety by stabilizing your life and putting you in a better place than you were in before you began to struggle with addiction.

While it may not seem like these aspects of your life are directly connected to your addiction, the way to achieve lasting health and stability for yourself is to intentionally improve yourself on many fronts. Studies have shown that people who engage in continued care after the acute treatment of addiction go on to see lower rates of relapse, higher rates of personal success, and stay sober longer. While some people choose inpatient rehab or other live-in programs for parts of their aftercare, there are typically more outpatient options available for this part of recovery than there are for acute treatment.

Your Treatment Program Doesn’t End at Detox

While you may have gone through the acute phases of getting sober at a treatment center, you might not realize that the same staff and location can also provide you with invaluable resources and opportunities throughout the rest of your recovery. As an alumnus, you have access to a number of aftercare programs designed specifically for people in later stages of recovery. From sober career counseling to group therapy and more, treatment centers often offer comprehensive services for every step of your journey. Some even offer longer-term residential options for people who want to live in a sober community while they reestablish their direction.

If there are any services you want to try that aren’t offered by your treatment center, chances are that the staff can connect you with people who can help. Your recovery professionals and sponsor know that people in your position may need a relationship counselor, legal advice, or financial coaching, and will likely be able to assist in getting you the resources you need.

Connect With Alumni

One of the most beneficial things you can do for yourself is prevent mental isolation and open yourself up to encouragement by connecting with sober alumni–people who have been through treatment ahead of you and can guide you through your own journey. 12-Step programs are a popular choice for connecting with one’s sober peers, though numerous options exist with a similar purpose. Forming relationships with other people in recovery can help steady you when you doubt yourself and keep you on track in a way that can be harder to do for those who haven’t walked the same path.

Treatment centers can also be the perfect place to connect with alumni. RECO Intensive offers an Alumni Buddy Program designed to foster a sense of community among people at every point in recovery, from day-one to veteran alumni. Through this program, you are paired with an alumnus of the treatment center who can offer you emotional support and continued perspective. Your alumni buddy guides you to build new relationships, become acclimated to a sober lifestyle, and maintain a positive outlook throughout the ups and downs that come with recovery. Your buddy can even attend 12-Step or other group meetings with you, give you personal advice on your unique circumstances, and help you feel comfortable within the greater community of people in sobriety. The Alumni Buddy program lets you join an alliance of sobriety, which is mutually beneficial to clients and veterans.

As you navigate your new life, you’ll realize that your treatment doesn’t end at detox. Having access to continued care resources and continuing to invest in your sobriety will make a lasting impact on your long-term success in recovery. From mental health counseling to career guidance to intentionally building your relationships, your mind and body are best served by a well-rounded approach to transitioning back to the rest of your life. Treatment centers and professionals can be of invaluable assistance during your aftercare. At RECO Intensive, we understand that recovery is a lifelong journey. Through our Alumni Buddy program, we have developed an incredible community of support that aims to introduce clients to the limitless possibilities for your life in recovery. We want to ensure your success in sobriety as both your staff and your community. Together, we will remain committed to your personal journey, no matter where your path post-treatment may lead. Call (561) 464-6533 to learn more.