Recovery from substance abuse is a process with many moving parts. It can feel like another obstacle arises right as one is overcome. One of the most significant obstacles faced by someone in recovery is seeking help in the first place. Many factors can keep a person from seeking the help that they need. This makes initiating treatment a tremendous step toward a life free from the hold of drugs and alcohol. 

Treatment is not the beginning and end of recovery, however. The challenge will continue after discharge. Planning is essential in order to keep making progress toward the life you want for yourself or your loved one. 

Taking Care of the Basics

Leaving treatment and reentering the community brings with it excitement. You can connect with people you have missed and engage in activities you enjoy. This time period can also present many challenges. Planning ahead can give you a clearer path to life outside of treatment and address potential barriers to wellness. 

Establishing housing is one essential component of discharge planning. Some people will return home to an established home with their families. Others will need to establish new housing. Having a plan can alleviate anxiety and set you up for success on your first day after treatment. 

Another essential consideration is employment. Having honest conversations with your employer and human resources contacts prior to treatment can help preserve your job while you are gone. In other situations, seeking new employment might be necessary. Establishing care with a provider that offers comprehensive case management services can help you address these needs and more so that you can focus on treatment.

Continuing Services After Discharge

Treatment has a profound effect on the life of someone struggling with substance abuse. It helps someone develop coping strategies to address triggers and urges to use. Therapy gives someone the opportunity to understand the process of addiction and how to prevent a relapse. These skills are essential and will help you or your loved one go far in recovery,

This is not the only piece of the puzzle. Continuing with treatment after being discharged from a residential program helps to keep these skills fresh. Additionally, there will be situations that arise after treatment that you may not have predicted during your stay. Having that continued support after discharge will allow you to take these new challenges in stride, rather than letting them derail your progress. 

Options to Choose From

There are various options available to someone seeking continued services after leaving treatment. 

  • Outpatient treatment: Attending outpatient therapy sessions is one way to maintain stability in recovery at a lower intensity. This allows for flexibility and real-life practice. 
  • Sober living and transitional housing: These options are ideal for those reentering the community after engaging in intensive addiction treatment. 
  • Placement: Working with a treatment placement consultation team before you even begin treatment can help you make these connections beforehand. This creates a seamless, tailored transition.
  • Sober Companion services: Whether you are relocating to sober living or your permanent residence after discharge, Sober Companions can help you get there. These transition periods are usually the first opportunity someone has to use substances after treatment. Intervening before that can happen prevents an immediate lapse and paves the way for success in recovery. 

Having Support in Place Is Vital

One of the benefits of treatment is having access to a community of people who understand what you are going through. Speaking with mental health professionals who are experts in the field poises you to make the necessary changes in your life. Connecting with peers who are also striving to recover provides additional support and a sense of belonging. The transition out of treatment can be difficult because of the loss of this support.

Support Groups

Fortunately, there are ways to find recovery communities after discharge. One of the most well-known groups is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Attending meetings through organizations like this helps you to keep your recovery at the forefront of your mind. While your family and friends will provide important support during this time, interacting with those who have firsthand knowledge of the challenges and triumphs in addiction recovery can make the process less isolating. 

These groups can help you to work through difficult situations in your life and bounce ideas off of other members to see how they have handled similar situations. You have the opportunity to learn from members who have been in recovery for longer than you. Additionally, you have the opportunity to give back and provide support to those newer to recovery than you are.

Sober Monitoring

Sober monitoring is another way to stay on top of recovery with additional support. Seeking a provider who offers this service can help you keep up with your goals through non-invasive drug testing. This additional layer of support can provide a safety net when sobriety becomes tough and can alert you, your support system, and your treatment team to changes that need to be made to either prevent or respond to a relapse. 

There is a world of possibilities waiting for you and your family in recovery. After treatment, you will have the skills you need to live without substances holding you back from the things you care about. You can return to the people and things you love while rebuilding healthier routines and a new approach to life. While treatment can start the process, there is still work and planning that needs to go into making this a reality. Careful discharge planning that starts before you enter treatment is essential, and Family-Centered Services can help you. Our treatment placement consultation, Soberlink sober monitoring, sober companion transport, and case management will help pave the path for you. Call (509) 991-5822 to get started.

Originally posted 2023-02-14 06:00:00.