Addiction Aftercare Services – PROMIS Clinic

WHAT IS ADDICTION AFTERCARE PROGRAMME?

Aftercare programs are an aid to post-substance abuse and addiction treatment, predominantly for those who have completed a formal programme at a rehab facility.

The aim is to provide continuous support throughout the addiction recovery journey through counselling, therapy and other support groups with the intention of preventing a potential relapse.

Aftercare is usually done within an outpatient setting and is an essential part of the recovery process that helps identify triggers for drug abuse, alcohol addiction and mental health issues – all while promoting sober living.

Staying sober isn’t always easy – especially if you have just finished your primary rehabilitation. Going back into “normal life” without the proper due care is not only irresponsible, but it could also be a recipe for disaster if that particular individual is not ready to fully integrate back into society where their substance abuse first started.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PROMIS AFTERCARE SERVICE?

Included as part of this outpatient treatment programme, individuals can attend therapy for 24 days over a 12-month period. During this time, they are invited to review the changes in their lives: they produce assignments based either upon their experiences or on the continuation of Step work. This allows a clearer picture to be formed of the individual’s progress.

WHAT HAPPRENS DURING AFTERCARE RECOVERY?

The journey of recovery from addiction is a winding and challenging road, yet those who embark on it can find redemption within the due course – rehab aftercare should most certainly form part of it.

An addiction aftercare program is designed to help individuals make the transition smoothly from treatment to daily life. Part of your aftercare will provide ongoing support while recovering from drug or alcohol abuse – serving as a bridge between inpatient treatment and independent living.

During this course, you will build upon skills learned from your time in the rehab program while continuing to receive emotional and psychological guidance through recovery meetings with mutual support – this continued recovery process creates a safe environment where you can continue to learn about yourself, developing healthier coping mechanisms and finding true self-worth with a sense of purpose.

It’s completely normal to feel the urge to use drugs and alcohol again throughout this adjustment as situations of stress and anxiety can be a trigger for old habits and past experiences.

Although these feelings can be overwhelming, it’s important to focus on how far you have come and all that you’ve achieved  – after all, recovering from addiction is possible with the foundations of a structured aftercare plan.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN AN AFTERCARE PLAN?

PROMIS has established an extensive and supportive network of ex-patients, not just in this country but around the world.

They are willing to provide the guidance and encouragement which one may require during the healing process. Aftercare is open to both patients at PROMIS as well as individuals from other clinics who could benefit from such a supportive programme.

THE IMPORTANCE OF AFTERCARE SUPPORT

Aftercare treatment programs can be the difference between making it or not – they really play a crucial part in ongoing recovery.

An addiction treatment program lasts roughly for around 30 days during which a professional healthcare team will usually provide a detox program and various treatments for substance abuse however, once this has concluded are you really expected to be left to your own devices?

Integrating back into a society where drugs are prevalent with no backup or support is simply setting one up to fail. The term “long-term recovery” means exactly that – long-term.

Recovery from drug addiction or alcoholism requires emotional, psychological and physical support from professional therapists and mutual support groups who understand exactly how this particular phase of recovery works.

Aftercare services provide a multitude of resources that give the individual the best chance of a full recovery -attempting this without the benefits of this type of service could make recovery efforts slim.

DO I NEED AFTERCARE?

Since life after rehab can be difficult, to say the least, the road to recovery doesn’t always have to be. Aftercare support services can have tremendous benefits and should be utilised by every patient who has struggled with addiction – the hardest part is over, it really is the last hurdle to a sense of freedom.

Without the option of aftercare, you could be throwing yourself into the deep end potentially leaving you vulnerable to an array of emotions with little or no support.

This could open old wounds that trigger past behaviours which quite possibly, could revert you right back to where you started – drug and alcohol addiction.

So choosing aftercare when you leave rehab could equal a successful recovery. This invaluable program can help you build both structure and accountability as you reconnect and adapt to your new environment as you continue to strive to stay sober.

AVOIDING RELAPSE IN RECOVERY

Recovering from drugs and alcohol requires more than just hard work and dedication – it often requires a little bit of help. Although developing an aftercare plan is an essential part of the life of recovery, there are other factors to take into consideration when facing daily situations that put you to the test.

There are always going to be challenges that can spark triggers – regardless of the stage of recovery. It’s not always possible to prepare for these events, however, building knowledge is key to diffusing emotional connections associated with addiction.

Here are some common causes related to relapse:

Stress: High-stress situations can be overwhelming for anyone, let alone a recovering addict. Stress can trigger emotions of anger and rage that in past circumstances may have been calmed by alcohol and drug abuse.

Since the brain was previously trained to associate the relief of stress with drug use or alcohol intake, healthy coping mechanisms should be considered as a substitute.

Social circles: Peer pressure from associating with old friends with substance use disorders will challenge every bit of your strength and integrity.

It’s not always easy to make new friends however, acquaintances from aftercare meetings that share similar experiences could provide support in these situations. 

Nostalgic locations: Nostalgia is powerful – drug or alcohol addiction is habitual and being present in locations with memories of abuse can be enough to retrigger the chain of past events. There’s no easy answer to this challenge although the best remedy is usually trying to avoid these types of places.

Negative feelings: Feelings of sadness, anger, loneliness, pain and stress – just to name a few, create an imbalance in the brain that can spark a fire of negativity which can seem to only be doused out by returning to old habits. These situations can be frequent and require counselling for the best results.

Contact with the product of addiction: Our senses play a huge role in the psychology of addiction. Much like nostalgic locations – seeing or smelling products of addiction can bring back old memories and feelings that can set the mind off running. Developing strategies prior to these events will help alleviate some of the symptoms associated with your addiction.

Social gatherings: Attending big parties or other social gatherings can be the ultimate test for those in recovery. While taking yourself out of the equation may be the best option – it’s not always ideal as being completely anti-social can lead to other negative mental health issues.

However, if you’re in recovery from alcohol, for example, you could try to drink non-alcoholic beverages – this way you’ve committed to abstinence and still attended the event.

Relapse prevention is not a walk in the park. Finishing drug and alcohol rehabilitation requires focusing on developing healthy habits with regular exercise, proper nutrition and managing stress levels with various techniques that were learned throughout the rehab experience – building positive relationships and participating in sober activities will also contribute as aspects of your recovery.

Recovery is a lifelong journey that requires dedication and commitment; however, having the appropriate resources available can make this process much more effective – with the right guidance from an addiction specialist at Promis Clinic individuals have greater chances of success in reaching their recovery goals.