By: Lakeview Health
Entering drug rehab can feel like a whirlwind in which you have no control. Whether external or internal circumstances lead you to treatment, the feeling of powerlessness and fear is present in most individuals who begin addiction treatment programs. Individuals start their anticipation of life after drug rehab once alcohol or drug detox is complete, and residential addiction treatment begins. From here, they can start to imagine what their new healthy, happy life can be once they complete their treatment plan.
Life Before Drug Rehab
When a person decides to go to drug rehab, they have made a decision to regain life control and stop using drugs or alcohol. Their life decompensates over time due to addiction, and they feel as though they are in an endless fight to regain what is being lost because of the disease. Life in addiction becomes an empty shell, and feelings of loneliness become overwhelming.
Some characteristics of life for those struggling with addiction prior to entering treatment are:
- Chaos
- Ruined relationships
- Loss of trust
- Financial difficulties
Chaos is the hallmark of an individual’s life and can be the result of relationship issues, poor conflict management, lies, betrayal, and mismanagement of finances. The person attempts to balance each of these, but when more than one happens at once, it becomes more difficult. The negative consequences of drug abuse can be the reason why someone seeks out an addiction treatment center.
In Drug Rehab
When an individual goes into medical detox, he or she may be physically sick, and emotions are put on the backburner until sickness subsides. Once the body is stabilized, they will experience emotions that, at first, seem unfamiliar. This flood of emotions can be from thoughts related to the past, present, and future and is often overwhelming.
Some main topics covered in drug rehab are:
- How to cope with floods of emotions, relationship damage, financial issues and rebuilding trust
- How to deal with anticipatory anxiety of leaving treatment
- Learning new skills to manage cravings without substance abuse
- Relapse prevention
Each of these topics will be discussed as it relates to the specific needs of the addict. Primary counselors in drug rehab will begin helping the individual with mending relationships, modifying unhealthy behavioral patterns, and developing healthy coping skills. Once drug rehab is complete and new skills have been learned; the individual will choose a discharge plan from suggestions that his or her treatment team has provided.
Life After Drug Rehab
A relapse prevention plan should be in place and include an outpatient addiction treatment program to give the individual a support resource after discharge. Upon initially leaving treatment, the individual will feel a simultaneous sense of freedom and anxiety. He or she will be looking forward to returning to a familiar environment but have trepidation about his or her sober changes that need to be made. After completing treatment in our drug rehab center, the individual will be discharged either to home, sober housing, or a halfway house. When returning home, the individual will have to incorporate sober living into his or her home life. Making changes will be a slow process, and consistency will be a determining factor in remaining sober.
Some areas where changes need to be made are:
- Priorities
- Relationships
- Communication
- Finances
- Time management
- Health
Adjusting to life after drug rehab may take time. It is important to continue incorporating changes and avoid becoming discouraged when things do not seem to be moving quickly enough. Instant gratification is part of addiction, and most recovering addicts need to work on patience once they become sober. Some addiction therapists utilize cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help addicts transition smoothly into sobriety. CBT addresses thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and, more specifically, how they contribute to patterns. It also examines how thoughts can influence feelings, which impact behavioral changes. Understanding the dynamics behind actions helps the individual make changes smoothly and with little resistance.
Begin Your New Life with Lakeview Health
When you’re ready to begin your life after drug rehab, you need the support of Lakeview Health. Our full continuum of care sets our clients up for success for life after rehab. We aim to provide the care, guidance, and support our clients need to feel prepared to begin enjoying life in recovery.
When you’re ready to experience life after drug rehab, contact Lakeview Health today by calling our team at [Direct].
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We currently accept Aetna, Cigna, and United Healthcare. We do not currently accept Medicare, Medicaid, or Florida Blue.
