Entering rehab is a significant step toward recovery from addiction. But it’s important to remember that the journey doesn’t end there. Many times, people are leaving rehab to encounter the same environments and temptations that originally led to their addiction.
After completing a rehabilitation program, individuals need to make choices and take actions that support their ongoing sobriety. It takes deliberate work and intention to maintain sobriety in the outside world. But rehab programs work to empower people with the tools and insight they need to create a life free from addiction.
Before Leaving Rehab, Create a Relapse Prevention Plan
Before you leave your rehab facility, it’s crucial to develop a relapse prevention plan. The plan should include identifying potential triggers, outlining coping strategies and support systems, and establishing healthy daily routines. By thinking out what you plan to do in post-rehab life if and when something comes up, you’re making it less of a mystery and are empowering yourself for success.
One key part of a relapse prevention plan is a support network. This can be achieved by attending 12-step meetings, finding a sponsor, or even by spending time in sober living. Connecting with others who have faced similar challenges will provide the support and understanding necessary to maintain sobriety.
Another important aspect to consider when creating a relapse prevention plan is self-care. Engaging in activities that promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being can help reduce the risk of relapse. This can include regular exercise, practicing mindfulness or meditation, and ensuring you get enough sleep each night. Taking care of yourself holistically will strengthen your ability to cope with stress and triggers.
Furthermore, it’s essential to address any underlying issues that may have contributed to your substance use. This could involve seeking therapy to work through past traumas, learning healthy ways to manage emotions, or addressing co-occurring mental health disorders. By addressing these root causes, you can build a solid foundation for long-term recovery and reduce the likelihood of relapse.
Seek Support After Rehab
Leaving rehab can be both exciting and intimidating. The transition from a structured environment to the real world can be overwhelming. This is why it’s important to seek out and maintain support from the connections in your life.
You might be ashamed of having attended a residential treatment center, and may not want to talk about it. If you’re attending an outpatient program, you may be tempted to lie about where you’re going. But doing the hard work of getting sober and learning the roots of your addiction isn’t something to be ashamed of. It’s taking responsibility for your addiction, and you may be surprised at how many people are proud of or impressed by your work.
When you’re out of rehab, reach out to friends and family who have shown their support throughout your recovery. Make them aware of your needs and ask for their help in maintaining a sober lifestyle. Building a strong support system will be crucial during times of vulnerability or temptation. Consider joining support groups or community organizations that focus on addiction recovery. These groups often offer meetings, events, and resources to help you stay on track with your sobriety goals.
Create a Post-Rehab Aftercare Plan
Once out of rehab, it’s vital to create a comprehensive aftercare plan. This is different than a relapse prevention plan in that it specifically pertains to recovery treatment. The plan should include details about ongoing therapy or counseling, support group meetings, and any other necessary medical appointments. By keeping these appointments, you will continue to address underlying causes of addiction and receive the support needed to stay on track.
A key part of your aftercare plan should be securing a therapist or other mental health specialist with whom you can continue your journey of healing. Find a therapist or counselor who specializes in addiction recovery, so you can continue working on the mental and emotional aspects of your journey. They can also connect you to sobriety-themed support groups and other resources.
It can also be helpful to explore alternative therapies and activities that can complement your traditional treatment plan. Engaging in activities such as yoga classes, meditation, art therapy, or outdoor adventures can help reduce stress that could trigger a relapse. Experimenting with new wellness-based hobbies can also improve overall mental well-being, and provide new outlets for self-expression. This can help with filling time that used to go toward taking addictive substances.
Continue Treatment After Rehab
While completing a rehabilitation program is a significant accomplishment, it doesn’t mean that addiction treatment is over. It’s important to keep up sustained work and treatment to continue recovery. This can involve attending support group meetings, entering family therapy, or participating in an intensive outpatient program, depending on your individual needs.
Support group meetings, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), offer a sense of community and understanding for individuals in recovery. These meetings provide a platform for sharing experiences, receiving encouragement, and building a network of support. Attending these meetings regularly can help individuals stay connected and motivated in their recovery efforts.
Remember, recovery is about more than just abstaining from drugs or alcohol. It’s all about doing the work to keep in touch with your reasons for staying sober. As part of your post-rehab plan, take time to come up with your “why” and think of positive affirmations you can repeat back to yourself when it starts to feel hard.
Work to Find Purpose and Meaning in Sober Living
After rehab, it’s common to experience a sense of emptiness or purposelessness. Before addiction, substance abuse may have taken up most of your time and energy. Now that you’re sober, it’s time to explore what truly brings you joy and fulfillment. Whether it’s playing a musical instrument, engaging in physical exercise, or volunteering for a cause, finding purpose (and ways to spend time) outside of addiction will help solidify your new life in recovery.
One way to delve deeper into your newfound sobriety is by practicing mindfulness and meditation for addiction. These practices can help you stay present in the moment, manage stress, and connect with your inner thoughts and emotions. By incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine, you can cultivate a sense of inner peace and clarity that supports your journey towards lasting sobriety.
Additionally, it might be helpful to look into how you can be of service to others as part of your recovery. Having a supportive community can provide you with strength and motivation to navigate the ups and downs of sober living. It can also help self-esteem to know that you helped directly improved someone else’s life, something that was much harder to do when you were in the throes of addiction.
Celebrate Milestones and Achievements in Recovery
Recovery is a transformative journey, filled with significant milestones and achievements that are truly worth celebrating. Each step forward in your sobriety journey is a testament to your resilience and inner strength.
It’s essential to take the time to acknowledge and reward yourself for these accomplishments, no matter how big or small. It can be going to a bar with friends and not drinking, or walking by an area or location where you used to take drugs without stopping. Of course, there are also the celebrations tied to being sober for a certain amount of time (such as 100 days or one year). By recognizing and celebrating these milestones, you are affirming your commitment to overcoming addiction and embracing a healthier, more fulfilling life.
One powerful way to honor your progress is by creating a visual representation of your journey. Consider putting together a recovery journal, where you can document not only your successes but the challenges you’ve faced and the valuable lessons you’ve learned along the way. Reflecting on your experiences can provide insight into your growth and serve as a reminder of how far you’ve come in your recovery.
Sharing your recovery journey with others can be a deeply rewarding experience. Whether through support groups, therapy sessions, or online communities, opening up about your struggles and triumphs can motivate both yourself and those on a similar path. By sharing your story, you are not only strengthening your own resolve but also helping (and inspiring) others who may be facing similar challenges.
Start Your Recovery Journey at Eagle Creek Ranch
It may be intimidating to think about living a life free from addiction. But it can be done, and there’s no such thing as it being too late to get sober. At Eagle Creek, we work to support men as they work to become sober, learn the root causes of their addictions, and build a new life free from those addictions. Therapy, holistic healing, and dual diagnosis treatment that takes mental illness into account are all available to those seeking help overcoming the obstacle that is addiction.
If you’re ready to begin your journey to sobriety, don’t wait. Contact us today and learn how we can support you.
Clinical Director
Kendall Maloof is the clinical director at Eagle Creek Ranch Recovery. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist and has held multiple leadership roles before settling here at Eagle Creek. Kendall received her master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2016. Her career in mental and behavioral health began in 2014 when she took up internships in both the nonprofit and for profit sectors. She interned at multiple reputable companies, such as The Living Success Center and 449 Recovery in California.
In 2019, Kendall became the clinical director of Sunsets Recovery for Woman, a dual diagnosis program in southern California. Kendall is a natural leader. She has an incredible ability to problem solve and stay calm in any situation. Kendall never fails to show up when she is needed, and her calm demeanor makes her team and clients feel at ease. Eagle Creek Ranch Recovery is proud to have Kendall as our clinical director.
