Addiction Treatment looks a little different for every person. Some need medically supervised detox, while others can manage a detox protocol at home. Knowing that there are options can give addicts the peace of mind they need to start treatment and pursue a life of sobriety. Aftercare is a critical component that most people don’t consider when they are starting their journey. One of the reasons that people go back to their old habits of drinking and drugs is that they don’t have a good aftercare plan in place. Here are some of the ways that aftercare helps people avoid relapses and stay sober.
Aftercare Provides Accountability
Accountability is about taking responsibility for your actions. When you are holding yourself accountable for certain choices in life, you will speak up when you’re struggling, or when you’ve gone against what you said you would do. In the case of people getting after care near Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, or even Coachella, aftercare accountability might look like staying longer in the region and meeting regularly with groups and counselors to talk through how you’re handling your new sobriety.
Aftercare Helps You Form New Habits
Addictions are more than habits, however, addictions can also be linked to habits. For instance, some people smoke cigarettes while they are drinking beer, or they are cooking certain foods. It’s a habit they formed to use both of these substances together. Forming new habits is an important part of aftercare. It means that you are less likely to go back to your old destructive habits because you have unlinked the other habits. You learn to cook without a beer in your hand or to enjoy time with friends without going to the bar. You learn to unwind from a stressful day at work without turning to a chilled glass of wine.
Aftercare Gives You Ways to Manage Everyday Life
Some people with addiction struggle to do basic tasks. They might have a hard time budgeting, cooking, cleaning, or even holding down a job. They might need job skills training or other help to learn more about how to do these basic tasks without getting stressed or overwhelmed. Some detox programs offer aftercare like in Palm Desert because they know people need more help than they will get at home. By giving them the tools they need to manage their life, they will be more successful and enjoy a sober future. Aftercare can do all this and more.
Aftercare Sets You in Community
Being sober is lonely especially if all your old friends and family drink alcohol regularly. When you’re trying to stay sober, it’s important to avoid situations where you might be tempted to drink. By participating in aftercare, you often get a supportive community that wants to see you succeed in staying sober. These people can be your counselors, friends you make in rehab, or people you meet out in town when you are doing aftercare programs. The great thing about having friends with similar goals is that you can relate to one another and find fun things to do that aren’t centered around drinking.
Aftercare Can Help You Address Mental Health Issues
Many individuals who are addicted to alcohol have underlying mental health issues. Some experience depression, others have PTSD, and some have anxiety-related conditions. What may have started out as a way to self-medicate quickly became an addiction. Spending more time in aftercare gives you an opportunity to address those underlying conditions that led you to drink in the first place.
Aftercare Helps you Learn to Cope With Stress
Stress coping mechanisms are unique to each person. Some people de stress by reading a book. Others relax through religious activities. Exercise is another great stress reliever for many people. Going through an aftercare program helps you to identify a stress-relieving activity for yourself that doesn’t include drugs or alcohol.
Aftercare May Include a New Temporary Place to Live
Going home right away when you go through detox isn’t always the best idea. The goal of aftercare is to set people up for success in sobriety. And that may mean staying longer at an aftercare facility. These programs can last a couple of months and help people overcome many different challenges related to their addiction. This time away gives them the tools they need to stay sober.
