If you or someone you care about has recently completed inpatient drug rehab, you might be feeling optimistic about their future. After all, any addict leaving rehab and staying sober for the long term is a great step in the right direction. Although, The medication assisted treatment for drug addiction prescribed The medication operates to normalize brain chemistry, block the euphoric effects of alcohol and opioids, relieve physiological cravings, and normalize body functions without the harmful and euphoric effects of the substance used.
However, life outside of rehab can be challenging when we’re not used to handling stressors, temptations, and daily routines without falling back on our old coping mechanisms.
And while relapse isn’t an inevitable part of recovery from addiction, it’s still a risk after rehab ends. In fact, up to 90% of people who leave inpatient treatment will relapse within two years if they don’t implement new strategies for avoiding it.
That’s why preparing ahead of time for your loved ones leaving treatment centers near me is so important.
Here are some helpful tips for avoiding relapsing after leaving rehab:
1. Be Prepared For Daily Life and Stressors
Inpatient drug rehab is a safe and structured place to focus on recovery, but it’s a bubble compared to the rest of the world.
When we leave rehab, we’ll encounter many stressors that weren’t present during treatment. Stressors like money problems, family responsibilities, and even just daily tasks like driving and grocery shopping. These types of daily stressors can be triggers for relapse, so we need to be prepared to handle them.
2. Remind Yourself Of Why You Left Rehab
While you should always be working towards a better future, you should also make sure to remind yourself of the past. Some of the reasons we started using drugs or alcohol in the first place are still going to be present after rehab ends.
If your loved one is an alcoholic, they may still struggle with self-esteem and shame even after years of sobriety. If your loved one is an addict, they may still struggle with anxiety, a feeling of restlessness, or an inability to cope with stress.
If you remind yourself of these issues after rehab ends, you’ll have a much better chance of avoiding a relapse.
3. Make New Friends
If you’re leaving rehab and you’re worried that your new friends might judge you for your past, try to make friends with others who have been through medication-assisted treatment for Alcohol help. You’ll be able to relate to each other and support each other better than with friends who don’t quite understand the experience of addiction and rehab.
4. Develop New Hobbies and Interests
If you or your loved one has struggled with addiction, you may have given up on many hobbies and interests. You may have even given up on yourself, thinking that you’re not capable of living a fulfilling life without drugs or alcohol. But if you don’t address those underlying issues, you’re likely to relapse.
Try to pick up some new hobbies or interests that give you a sense of purpose. From crafts like painting or writing to more active hobbies like sports or martial arts, finding new activities can give you something to do with your time.
5. Don’t Forget About The Reasons You Looked for
When you’re in rehab, it’s easy to get caught up in the daily routine and focus only on the immediate future. For example, you may be so focused on getting through each day without drugs and alcohol that you forget about your long-term goals.
But after leaving rehab, it’s important not to forget about the reasons you wanted treatment in the first place. If you’re an alcoholic, you may have wanted to stop drinking to protect your relationships and your reputation.
It’s important not to lose sight of what you’re striving for, even after leaving rehab
In Conclusion
Leaving rehab after a substance abuse problem is a great achievement for anyone. However, it does not mean an end to the challenges that lie ahead. It only marks the beginning of a new phase in life as a recovering addict.
Getting back to normal and leading a sober life again is not easy. But as you might have learned, there are steps you can take to prevent relapsing and stay on track to long-term sobriety.
