With addiction comes change and also loss. This loss can take shape in many ways that an addict may not expect. Examples may include divorce, getting fired, losing custody of children, homelessness, and loss of self-worth, to name a few. The first step in rebuilding your life after drug addiction is to find the support system you need to walk this new journey.
Generally, life after addiction comes with a unique set of struggles that addicts should prepare for while in treatment. For example, relapse may occur after a drug or alcohol detox or treatment episode. As a result, proactive measures to ensure sobriety can help to reduce the risk of relapse.
What Starts in Treatment Must Continue
Inpatient rehab is a fantastic starting point, but there is still a lot to be done after your stay is complete, and you are ready to re-integrate into the real world. It takes wit to go through drug and alcohol rehab, be proud of your progress. Now, it’s a matter of continuing life after addiction celebrating the small victories and taking it one day at a time.
Talk about Your Life After Substance Abuse Treatment
Addicts tend to have a very short-term way of thinking. Try to use the downtime in rehab to figure out what your plan is once you are out.
Most rehab centers offer assistance with legal matters, for example. They also help you with other life skills, such as finding a job, keeping a schedule, and more.
The same person can also help you to find doctors to follow up with upon leaving treatment and sober living housing if that is an option for you.
Find Your New Home
Another essential thing to make a firm decision on is where you will live once you leave treatment. If you are in a situation where you need to return to where you lived previously, meeting with your therapist to discuss coping skills to prevent relapse is a good idea.
If you can move, live in a sober living environment to keep building the strength of your sobriety. A change of scenery can also help prevent you fall back on your bad habits.
Build Your Army Outside of Rehab
After rehab, it is essential to start building up your support system immediately. Speak to family members about your boundaries and how they can help you stay sober.
If AA/NA meetings help you, go to a meeting the day you leave rehab. Additionally, start building connections and finding a sponsor. The more sober, positive people you have in your life, the more protected your sobriety will be. Reaching out to support groups can also help.
Cut ties with the people you used to drink and drug with, or at least keep them at arm’s length until you have all the tools you need to face and say no if they offer alcohol or drugs.
Getting Ready for Going Back to Work
Many people leave rehab jobless, and getting back into the swing of things as soon as possible is essential. Begin by putting yourself out there as soon as you can. Many drug treatment centers incorporate job-searching skills in their programs.
Try to find a rehab facility that offers training on things like handling a job interview, rewriting your resume, and dressing for job search. With work comes responsibility and accountability, two things that are key in early sobriety to keep you on track.
Finding the Right Addiction Treatment Program
At Lighthouse Recovery Institute, our treatment programs not only treat the addiction problem, but we also go beyond. We believe a comprehensive alcohol abuse treatment must include:
- The steps to start a healthy lifestyle: Through diet coaching and exercise, we impart the importance of healthy habits.
- Fostering of Hobbies & Activities: People in recovery are always at the risk of relapse. Finding ways to stay busy, reduce stress, and work on daily routines that promote mental health is key for long-term sobriety.
- Real-World Life Skills: Beyond teaching recovering addicts coping skills, we believe in teaching real-world life skills they’ll use for the rest of their lives. How to find a job, how to be in a healthy relationship, and even how to shop for groceries. Everything matters.
Whether you or your loved one chooses our inpatient or outpatient programs, we all have their life after addiction. Drug rehab doesn’t have to be a silo for everything else happening around them. Keeping a positive outlook of the future can help anyone in recovery to stay motivated.
Life After Addiction Can Be Rewarding
The weeks and even months right out of rehab are an incredibly humbling time. Embrace it, learn from it. You have gone months, years, or decades getting through life with the crutch of your drug of choice, and now, you are re-entering the world sober.
Whatever comes your way, take it on with a calm heart, a new perspective, and the knowledge that you will be better than you ever thought you could be.
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, remind them that life after treatment can be precious. Drug abuse programs give addicts a second chance in life. Seek help today and contact our administration specialist to start the journey towards recovery.
