A valuable next step after inpatient rehab is outpatient rehab. Outpatient rehab helps one transition from rehab-life to the real world. This gives the patient the opportunity to develop skills to stay sober in their approach to begin a new life. Choosing to attend an outpatient rehab after a long or even short stay in an inpatient rehab will give the patient the confidence they need to stay sober. They will feel great and proud of themselves because they are already making the right choices to rebuild their life. Patients will realize that this step is much easier than the first because they already have a much better understanding of their own needs. Therefore, all of the new information they are learning will stick to them because they have a clear, sober mind. It is also essential for recovering addicts to interact with others who understand everything it takes to stay sober and can offer moral support. An outpatient aftercare program will help an addict continue to live in a supportive and healthy environment.
Why rehab (alone) will not keep me sober.
The process of adjusting back into society can be difficult. Sure, you just completed your program in rehab, but the social pressures combined with the exposure to “high risk situations” explains the statistics of relapses following treatment. Relapse can occur anytime, but it is not unusual for addicts to relapse within one month after rehab or even 12 months after. 47% of patients will relapse within the first year after treatment because habits and attitudes to stay sober have not been entirely established for the real world. Staying sober after rehab does not just happen by saying no to your choice of substance. Especially if you return to a familiar environment, you will be pressured to fall back into old habits. You will have a higher chance of staying sober, when you come across problems and stress, if you have a support group where you will be reminded of your goals and practice positive coping mechanisms.
Skills that outpatient care will give an addict:
- You will practice the relapse prevention techniques out in the real world that are given in rehab. With support from the aftercare program, you will be encouraged to have confidence and positive actions.
- You will be able to understand the disease of addiction, for it will help you tackle it from all angles.
- Identifying triggers that happen out in the real world and learning how to deal with them, instead of turning to your choice of substance.
- Build a network of supportive friends and family.
- The ability to restore stability, consistency, and routine in your daily life.
- Improving relational skills to repair any relationships that were damaged through your course of addiction.
- Acknowledge the small positive changes, and be proud of yourself.
- Practice self love and care.
- Successfully transition into an independent lifestyle.
