What Happens When Treatment is Over?

What Happens When Treatment is Over?
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At the age of 20, Abby was already an alcoholic. She drank her way off of the honor roll and the Varsity swim team – and into expulsion from high school. After once dreaming of college, Abby was now living in her parent’s basement, drinking her young life away. Her mom and dad cared enough to hold an alcohol intervention for Abby, after which she entered an alcohol treatment center near her home.

The alcohol treatment plan worked wonders for Abby. After thirty days at the facility she had learned how to stay sober by making better decisions and working to address the root causes of her addiction with her therapist.

Now it is Day One of Abby’s life after alcohol rehab, and the question she is asking herself is, “what do I do now that alcohol treatment is over?”

The Shock of Finishing Alcohol Treatment

Abby’s story is not unique. Every day, thousands of people complete their alcohol treatment programs and prepare to return to the life they left behind. But picking right up where you left off is not as easy as it sounds. There are many challenges awaiting the newly minted drug rehab graduate, including:

  • Repairing damaged relationships with friends and family
  • Finding a place to live
  • Getting back into the workforce
  • Avoid temptation or falling back into old habits

Leaving the safe environment of rehab can be a shock to the system for many people. They are simply unprepared for a world that does not reward them for their recovery -and expects them to be the same person they were before they engaged in substance abuse.

Aftercare and the Recovering Alcoholic

Because of these challenges, the recovering alcoholic needs to take part in aftercare. For someone like Abby, aftercare might mean continued group counseling with other young people at the rehab facility. These sessions help individuals stay on track with their recovery -and like they did during rehab -provide a network of support for everyone involved. 12-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous can also help Abby with her transition by giving her a place to go during the week where she can talk openly about her life and here from others who are in recovery as well.

Sober Living after Alcohol Treatment

Another way to help get people like Abby back on their feet is sober living. Sober living homes are residences where recovering alcohol and drug addicts can live safely among one another as they rebuild their lives. Sober living homes are free of distractions (no alcohol or drugs are allowed on the premises and guests are kept to a minimum) and because everyone shares the chores, they build a sense of self-responsibility that will be essential in the weeks and months to follow.

Michael’s House is a residential alcohol rehab center located in Palm Springs, California. The staff at Michael’s House helps recovering alcoholics understand the challenges they will face when their treatment is complete, and provides guidance for the weeks, months and years to come. Contact Michael’s House at 1-877-345-8494 for more information.