This is one of the most common questions and biggest worries that recovering alcoholics may have when they leave an alcohol treatment centre.
“What happens next?” – “What should I do?” – “Will I Cope?”
The answers to these questions will be dependent on how well prepared; motivated and determined the recovering addict is to achieve their recovery goal. When an alcoholic finishes alcohol treatment, they now have to return home and adapt to life again but this can sometimes seem like an intimidating task, especially after the addict had the medical staff at the clinic to look after their every need. The next important step is to make change, which at first glance, can seem quite scary. Luckily for you, the staff at the alcohol treatment center you attend will have most likely taught and provided you with the necessary skills to make changes in your lifestyle. Now is the time to put them into practice. However, it won’t be easy. Recovery from alcoholism is a lifelong commitment to remaining clean and sober from alcohol. Because of this, many alcohol treatment centers offer aftercare programs – which are aimed to help alcoholics maintain their recovery long after they have been discharged from treatment. Aftercare programs can be done through outpatient treatment or by staying inside a halfway house, each coming with its own benefits.
Outpatient treatment gives recovering addicts the opportunity to reside at home while still receiving medical assistance, counselling and therapy in the evenings at the alcohol treatment center. During the day, recovering alcoholics will be able to complete their daily responsibilities at work or at home.Halfway houses give those who have just come out of rehab with the option to continue their stay inside a sober living environment. Patients will be required to be out during the day, doing something that will benefit their recovery efforts such as work or studying. For access to these aftercare programs, give us a call and we’ll gladly find one near you. For those coming out of alcohol treatment, the biggest threat to their recovery efforts is the possibility of a relapse, which are most prevalent immediately after an addict has finished a stint in rehab. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) state that “there is evidence that approximately 90 percent of alcoholics are likely to experience at least one relapse over the 4-year period following treatment.”
For more information about this, click here: http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/aa06.htm
While this statistic may be alarming, there are ways to prevent a relapse from happening. Find new friends, stay away from places that may cause cravings for alcohol or by simply staying busy are all effective ways to prevent a relapse.
Call Us Now
Once an addict has been discharged out of an alcohol treatment center, it doesn’t mean that they are now recovered. There is unfortunately no cure for addiction and recovery is a lifelong commitment to remaining clean and sober away from alcohol. Should you need assistance in your recovery efforts, we are here to help. We provide access to the best private alcohol treatment centres and aftercare facilities in South Africa, the United Kingdom and Thailand.
Call us now and let one of our qualified addiction counsellors assist in finding the best treatment for you or a loved one.