After completing your initial addiction treatment, you should feel a sense of accomplishment. However, the next step in your drug abuse recovery journey can feel uncertain — especially if you’re unsure of what you should do next. As a result, it is easy to feel worried about life after alcohol rehab and what you should do to maintain your sobriety. However, establishing an aftercare plan, or planning to enter a sober living home, can ease the transition from rehab to your everyday life and set you up for long-term successful sobriety.
Lifelong Process of Addiction Recovery
Addiction treatment is a process that involves multiple steps to help individuals overcome substance use disorders. It typically starts with detoxification to rid the body of the substance, followed by various therapeutic immersion to address the psychological and behavioral aspects of alcohol and drug addiction. While completing rehab is a significant milestone, it’s important to understand that addiction is a chronic condition that requires ongoing care and attention. That’s why addiction treatment is often referred to as a lifelong process.
Aftercare plans are critical in ensuring that individuals in recovery have the support and toolkit they need to maintain their sobriety. These plans may include sober living arrangements, outpatient treatment programs, support groups, and ongoing therapy. The goal of aftercare is to provide individuals with the tools and resources they need to navigate the challenges of daily life without relying on drugs or alcohol.
Short-term programs can be harmful to those seeking treatment because they don’t allow enough time for individuals to address the underlying issues that led to their addiction and prepare them to get back into an independant lifestyle. It’s essential to take the time to identify and address these underlying factors to prevent relapse and ensure long-term recovery. A comprehensive treatment plan that includes aftercare is crucial in helping individuals maintain their sobriety and build a new life in recovery.
What are Common Struggles After Rehab?
During rehab, structure and routine are necessary components of care that enable you to focus on overcoming addiction. This structure most likely gave you a sense of confidence in addressing your alcohol addiction and progressing in your recovery.
Most young men feel safe and secure in this structured environment. Yet, after treatment for alcoholism and drug dependence, being able to return to life outside rehab can pose its own set of challenges and struggles to maintain one’s sobriety, such as:
- Trying to avoid people, places, and events you consider addiction triggers.
- Attempting to deal with the damage your addiction had on your loved ones and friends.
- Establishing a structured routine and sticking to it.
- Remembering to use your coping skills and techniques when you experience cravings or feel triggered.
- Finding support groups outside rehab to maintain your sobriety.
- Struggling with holding yourself accountable for your actions and consequences.
- Returning to school or work and being prepared to be judged by your classmates or coworkers.
The Importance of Establishing an Aftercare Plan
As you can imagine, life after rehab requires being prepared and having a plan in place you can follow when you experience cravings or triggers. Aftercare plans should factor in your home life, plans for continued access to therapy and group sessions, and potentially moving to a sober living home in Redondo Beach.
What Is an Aftercare Plan?
An aftercare plan of how you intend to maintain your sobriety. It is essentially your toolbox that contains the tools you need to avoid relapse. For example, your aftercare plan could include:
- Attending Support Group Meetings
- Continuing Individual Counseling
- Regular Exercise
- Eating Nutritious and Healthy Meals
- Avoiding Putting Yourself Into Triggering Situations
- Remaining in Contact with Your Sponsor and family members
- Implementing Coping Skills to Address Cravings and Triggers
- Knowing When to Seek Help to Avoid Relapse
- Regular Meetings with a Mental Health Counselor
Why You Should Consider a Sober Living Home
If the thought of returning to your life after alcohol rehab leaves you feeling anxious, stressed, and overwhelmed, then you should consider transitioning to a sober living home. A sober living home provides a structured environment and the support you need as you gradually transition back into normalcy while maintaining your sobriety.
Benefits of a Sober Living Home After Alcohol Rehab
When you transition to a sober living home after an inpatient treatment center, you gain several benefits as you continue to work on your recovery, including:
#1. Improved Recovery Outcomes
Young men who move into a sober living home do better at maintaining their sobriety. Even when they feel cravings, temptations, or triggers, they are surrounded by peers who understand what they are going through and can provide the support they need.
#2. Less Likely to Relapse
The risks of relapse are significantly reduced when living in a sober living home. This is because you are held accountable for your actions and the resulting consequences. Not to mention, you are surrounded by other young men also working on maintaining their sobriety, so you tend to be more motivated to not relapse.
#3. Better Peer Support
It is easy to build life-long friendships with your peers in a sober living home. Plus, you will have new friends that understand what it is like to struggle with addiction and maintain sobriety you can turn to even after moving out of a sober living home.
#4. Access to Ongoing Treatment
If you feel your alcohol rehab treatment center was too short or did not provide everything you hoped for, you can continue outpatient alcohol rehab while residing at a sober living home. You can also take advantage of a wide range of treatment options to tailor your care to fit your specific needs.
#5. Gradually Become More Self-Sufficient and Independent
Another benefit sober living homes offer is providing you with learning opportunities that allow you to take care of yourself independently. Whether returning to school, getting a job, or learning how to cook, you have access to what you need to continue building your aftercare toolbox.
#6. Can Stay As Long As You Need
Unlike alcohol rehab programs at a treatment facility where you complete treatment in a specified period, sober living homes allow you to remain a resident for however long you need. So, you do not have to feel rushed and are given all the time you need to work on your recovery after alcohol rehab.
Sober Living Homes for Young Men in Redondo Beach
As you plan your aftercare and transition for life after substance abuse, New Life House offers you access to our sober living homes for young men in Redondo Beach and Los Angeles, CA. Our homes provide a structured environment to continue the recovery process with other young men around your age. Additionally, we provide access to ongoing outpatient rehab programs, educational programs, career training programs, and other opportunities that allow you to become self-sufficient and independent.
For professional treatment advice or further information about our sober living homes for young men, please feel free to contact us at [email protected], or call us at (888) 357-7577. Get started on the recovery journey today.
Last Updated on September 11, 2024
