You’ve chosen to get professional help for addiction and change your life for the better. Now that you’ve finally achieved sobriety, you may be asking yourself, “What now?” Many people who complete drug or alcohol addiction treatment aren’t sure what life after rehab looks like. Leaving the safety of a rehabilitation center where continuous support and accountability are offered can be scary. Now you have to go back to your day-to-day life and reclaim the responsibilities that were neglected during active addiction.
If you’re worried about adjusting to life after rehab, our team at Seaside Palm Beach is sharing 12 things to do after rehab that can point you in the right direction.
What to Do After Rehab: 12 Things We Recommend
Life after addiction is usually pretty different than before it. No longer are you spending time with drinking buddies or spending the day high. Now you’re sober, awake, and present for everything that you were missing out on. In addition to improved health, returning home after rehab may have given you a chance to rebuild broken relationships, get a new job, work on your finances, and even go back to school.
But depending on how long you were in treatment, you may be afraid to jump back into this new, sober routine. Relapse is a real danger in the early stages of recovery, and certain changes have to be made when you return home from treatment. To help you adjust to life after rehab, our Palm Beach rehab recommends these 12 things you can do to make the transition smoother and more rewarding.
Identify Your Triggers
After a long period of receiving round-the-clock care in a structured environment, it can be easy to forget about the addiction triggers that exist back home. The first thing you should do after rehab is to identify your triggers and develop a plan to remove, avoid, or properly cope with them. This can be tricky, as sometimes these triggers are often our closest friends or family members. But this is a crucial time in your recovery, so it’s important to separate yourself from anything that can threaten your progress.
Make Sober Friends
You may have abused drugs or alcohol with certain people back home. However, spending time with old drug and drinking buddies during recovery can increase your chances of relapse. Do not place yourself in a situation where you’ll be tempted. For instance, if you know your drinking buddies usually hang around the same corner store or bar, then avoid these places. Don’t pick up the phone if they call because they might insist that you hang out with them.
It’s also important to try and make new sober friends. These friends will have similar goals and can support you during your recovery journey. Attending an after-rehab program like a 12-step meeting is one way to connect with others in the recovery community.
Move to a Different Location
If your home environment makes it difficult for you to stay on track, try to find a new place to live if you can. Having a club or bar within walking distance from your house can be tempting. Try to find a home in an area where you’re surrounded by fewer opportunities to relapse. While this may be financially difficult, it’ll be worth it in the long run.
Follow Up With a Sponsor or Coach
Do not neglect your follow-up appointments with sponsors or coaches. These meetings are crucial to sustaining your sobriety during the early stages of recovery. These individuals are trained to keep you accountable and help you stay afloat when you feel overwhelmed.
Join an Alumni Program
Many rehab facilities have alumni programs that offer continuous support to patients who completed one of their substance abuse programs. Our alumni program at Seaside Palm Beach extends assistance to all of our patients, helping them transition back into everyday life while sustaining their sobriety.
Join a Support Group
Similar to alumni programs, support groups are designed to help recovering addicts keep up with their recovery goals after rehab. Unlike individual group sessions, support groups allow members to connect with others who are also in recovery. This creates a network of support that can produce sober and fulfilling friendships.
Consider a Sober Living Home
Sober living homes or facilities are places that house recovering addicts and act as a bridge between rehab and everyday life. These homes can help you become comfortable with life outside of rehab before you go back home.
At our high-end rehab, we recommend sober living facilities to patients who are in our luxury partial hospitalization program. These facilities offer recovery support without sacrificing comfort.
Get Your Finances in Order
One of the most important things to do after rehab is to get your finances in order. Take the time to sit down and go through all your bills, pending statements, bank accounts, and savings to get an idea of your financial position.
Seek Employment
You may have quit your job or taken a leave of absence to go to rehab. When you get back home from an addiction treatment facility, try to look for employment. Having a job in recovery allows you to pay bills, build up your savings, and prevent you from focusing too much on your addiction cravings.
Volunteer
Volunteering is a great way to stay on track. It allows you to help others and keeps you distracted from any stressors that can stop your progress. Finding purpose in your recovery is also possible when you actively assist others in their lives.
Stay Alert for Signs of Relapse
Addiction is a chronic illness. This is likely why 40% to 60% of people in addiction recovery will relapse. While this doesn’t mean that treatment wasn’t effective or that they’ll never be sober, relapsing can be a major bump in the road that’s best avoided. A great way to do that is to watch out for signs of relapse. These signs may include avoiding or showing up late to 12-step meetings, speaking to your sponsor less, feelings of sadness, and spending time with old drug and drinking buddies. Being cautious can go a long way in remaining sober.
Start a New Hobby
If we’re being honest, sobriety can be boring at first. The slots in your schedule when you’d be drinking or doing drugs are now empty. Boredom is a common relapse trigger, as it allows the mind to wander and encourages you to dwell on cravings and memories of drug use. A great way to fill in your time is to start a new hobby. This can include playing a new instrument or taking up some form of art.
We’re hoping that these tips can help you enjoy life after addiction treatment and help make the transition to a sober lifestyle less intimidating.
Get Started On Your Recovery
If you or someone you know is battling a substance abuse disorder, don’t wait to get help. Call Seaside Palm Beach now at 561-677-9374 to learn more about our residential addiction treatment in Palm Beach.
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