Many times, people focus so much on getting clean that they never stop to ponder what life holds after rehab. Accordingly, many people are caught off guard by the challenges they face, and often wind up relapsing. If you too have wondered about living after addiction, here are a few tips you may find very useful. With help, you can use a residential treatment center in California for a springboard to a new life.
Develop a Support Network
Before you ever leave rehab, establish a support network that you can call on when things get rough. Make a list of friends and family members who will support your new sober lifestyle. Connect with others through groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Celebrate Recovery. Ask your rehab facility for a list of resources you can contact if you need food, shelter, clothing, or other assistance.
Readjust Slowly
As Narconon points out, many people leave rehab full speed ahead, often to their own detriment. After leaving a residential treatment center in California, you may have a zest for life that you haven’t felt in some time. However, taking on too much when you are trying to readjust in society again can cause overload. Many times, this is what sends people spiraling into a cycle of using drugs or alcohol again.
Rather than jumping in head first, give yourself time to gradually adjust to life again. If that means saying no to certain things then do it.
Eliminate Toxic Friendships
You can probably think of quite a few people you would like to see once you come home. At the same time, there are probably a few others you should avoid. For example, you should cut ties with anyone you associate your drug or alcohol use with. These individuals will likely not support your new lifestyle, and may, in fact, work to sabotage your progress.
Get Rid of Reminders
Eliminate anything in your home that reminds you of your past drug or alcohol use. This can include ordinary, everyday items such as wine or shot glasses, ashtrays, paraphernalia, and clothing with alcohol or drug-related messaging. You should basically get rid of anything that might conger up old memories or cause you to think about using drugs.
Recognize the Warning Signs of Relapse
Relapse often begins long before someone begins using again. As such, you should recognize a few of the most common warning signs of relapse, including:
• Facing stress that causes you to think about using again
• Reminiscing about your past drug use
• Thinking about relapsing just “one last time”
• Coming up with reasons why you should relapse
• Making excuses for not going to meetings
• Trying to re-establish relationships with those who might encourage you to relapse
Tools for Getting and Staying Sober
We meet people every day who struggle to get and stay sober. That’s why residential treatment centers in California offer a variety of programs to help you beat your addiction once and for all. Many services are available to those who have previously completed rehab but need some help maintaining their sobriety. At a residential treatment center, you participate in programs that can include the following:
• Individual counseling
• Group counseling
• 12-step programs
• Aftercare
• Relapse prevention
• Alumni program
If you have recently relapsed (or are thinking about it), please don’t wait until your addiction is out of control again. Contact a drug rehab or California alcohol addiction treatment center so you can get back on the right path to recovery.
Find Help at a Residential Treatment Center in California
Are you wondering how you will maintain your new, sober lifestyle? Do you or a loved one struggle with addiction and want to get clean? If so, take the first step and reach out to a residential treatment center in California today.