Once you have completed rehab, it does not guarantee that your brain and your body will function the same way before it was intoxicated by the substance. Addiction causes a lifetime strain on your health which is why you need to be conscious about keeping a healthy lifestyle to sustain what has been improved by rehab.
The risk of relapse is very high after completing drug rehab. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that 85% of relapse cases happen within a year after treatment. This does necessarily mean that the treatment was ineffective. Oftentimes, the lack of active engagement in aftercare programs contributes to this result.
What Are Aftercare Programs For Klonopin Addiction?
Aftercare programs aim to provide support in sustaining a life-long recovery. Unlike the treatment plan involved in rehab, aftercare programs are self-directed. Individuals are highly responsible for monitoring and carrying out their treatment plans. Although it seems like an optional type of care, it is a necessary phase that leads to withdrawal resets if omitted.
Experts suggest that a year-long engagement in an aftercare program is ideal, although this duration still varies depending on individual needs and progress. The following are the aftercare treatment options available for substance addiction.
Outpatient Care
Outpatient care works similarly to inpatient treatment but without residential services. Patients have a structured plan to follow within a week. Therapy sessions are scheduled but after attending them, the person can return to their domestic responsibilities. This type of care is commonly prescribed after inpatient treatment.
If you have a supportive domestic environment, then this will be highly suited for you. Here are the different types of outpatient care:
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
This is an intensive program that takes place in the hospital. You are expected to stay from Mondays to Fridays for 6 hours engaging in individual and group therapy sessions. The program typically lasts for 6 months, and once you complete this timeframe, your healthcare team will guide you on what next steps to take to sustain your recovery.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
This is less intensive than PHP. IOP provides services at least two times a week with each session lasting up to three hours only. Individual and group therapy sessions are still reinforced in this program. There is an ongoing development of IOP through online settings to make treatment more accessible, especially in remote areas.
Individual or Group Therapy
These are sessions that last up to an hour and run once a week or twice a month. The schedule depends on what is recommended by your attending therapist or physician. Even though it does not last as often as the other options, patients are strongly advised to seek help when necessary.
Sober Living Homes
Sober-living homes work better for individuals who have no conducive environment for healing at home. It may be caused by the lack of support for treatment at home or someone or something in the family that can potentially trigger addictive behaviors. Sober living homes work by providing Individuals who completed inpatient treatment a temporary place to live.
If you think your household is not helpful for your recovery, you can live in sober living homes. Unlike inpatient treatment, you are free to exercise your routine in this program. You can work or study and have ongoing treatment at the same time. Here are the different types of sober living homes you can consider:
Therapeutic Community
This involves a structured program where you can receive addiction education and other types of reinforcement for support. There will be healthcare providers who will lead therapy sessions and your neighbors will serve as your companions in group therapy sessions. This program can last from six to twelve months.
Recovery Housing
This is a short-term program that offers individual and group therapy sessions and at the same time, training for social engagement. Interaction with the local community is included in the routine of the residents. It can be in the form of physical activities around the locality or voluntary engagement in charity works in the community.
Sober Living
This is a program that provides a safe and friendly environment for healing. It does not offer any structured routines, although there are still rules that must be followed. The staff will also help you plot your schedule and ensure that you are taking care of yourself. They will help you reach out to active support groups in your area and monitor your engagement.
Support Group
A support group consists of people who have experienced a history of substance abuse. They gather together as one community to support and learn from each other’s experiences. Most often, support groups use the 12-step program during their sessions. This is the most common approach to empowering individual thought in directing personal actions.
There are also faith-based approaches and plenty more schemes that target specific needs. Their services also come for free. You can look up the available support groups in your area online.
Alumni Program
The Alumni program consists of a convention of individuals who have shared a similar treatment plan during rehab. This is a great opportunity to reconnect and extend support to each other as everyone journeys toward sustaining recovery. Addiction education and therapy sessions are some of the reinforcements provided in this approach.
Why Are Aftercare Programs Important?
Aftercare programs help in making a gradual transition from a structured and fully supported treatment plan to an independent lifestyle possible. It targets two main objectives. First is to prevent a person from experiencing a relapse, and second is to let them engage in meaningful experiences that help strengthen their coping skills.
It is important to note that the path after rehab is not free from stressful situations. Without any form of support, it can be easy to fall out from the challenges of real life. Addiction is a lifelong battle that must not be fought alone. The presence of a community that you can reach out to in times of need contributes greatly to sustaining your recovery.
