Once a client leaves rehab, their journey usually isn’t over. They will normally need assistance after completing our program at Create Recovery. This is why we offer our aftercare programs for substance use to patients who have already gone through treatment. It provides resources, as well as helping them to stay on the path of recovery.

How Does Addiction Affect Someone?

Addiction does not discriminate against anyone, but there are no two addictions that look the same. It is a mental illness that can form over a short or long amount of time depending on the person. It also affects everyone differently.

Depending on the frequency and amount used of a substance, it is possible an individual’s brain and body can be permanently changed. Because the reward center of the brain is overstimulated on a daily basis, the chemical balance may never recover. This is also true for an addicted individual’s body. Some individuals may also develop incurable diseases from their addiction, as well.

Once an addiction has occurred, an individual will most likely need professional therapy to treat the disease. This is where our staff at Create Recovery comes in. We will assess each addiction and come up with a plan of action for treatment. A personalized plan to help you towards recovery.

What are Aftercare Programs for Substance Use?

Aftercare is something we offer to our patients who have graduated from their primary treatment. Each aftercare plan is curated to fit the needs of each individual who completes their required therapies. It helps to promote ongoing recovery far after their treatment plans are finished and they leave our facility.

What Does a Typical Aftercare Plan Look Like?

A typical aftercare plan allows each patient to stay connected within their community, as well as continue with treatment. Patients will receive resources and information on different aftercare programs when leaving our facility. Some of these types of programs can include Alcohol Anonymous, educational assistance, legal assistance, relapse prevention, and job placement programs. Some of these can even be as specific as what age, gender, or race a patient identifies as. The availability of these will be determined by the area each patient lives in.

Why Are Aftercare Programs Important?

Aftercare programs are necessary because when a patient leaves rehab to re-enter the outside world, it can be a very difficult process. Living inside the walls of our treatment center is very different from everyday life. Most activities and conversations are focused on healthier and more efficient ways of thinking. This is not always the case in some of the environments patients return to.

We offer aftercare plans as a way to stay on track with sobriety. The plans and resources provided also give our patients access to jobs and opportunities they may not have had otherwise. Long-term sobriety is achievable and possible with the right support and resources.

Staying on track to a lifelong recovery takes constant work and good decision making. Without aftercare plans, addicts may fall back into old habits. We use these plans to ensure the lowest chance of relapse possible. It can be overwhelming at times but we’ll be by your side every step of the way.

Types of Aftercare Programs We Provide Resources To

In our aftercare program, we provide many different outlets of support for our patients. These different programs include:

Support Groups

Support groups are a great resource after treatment is completed for staying on track. These groups are held locally and bring like-minded people together. They allow recovery addicts to lean on each other during hard times they may face after treatment. It also provides a safe space to get away from negative environments. Opening up about your feelings and hearing other people’s stories can be very therapeutic.

Legal Help

We are also able to provide our patients with legal help after they have graduated from treatment. This can help them with any criminal charges against them from when they were using. Some examples of this can include dropping drug charges, regaining custody of children, and even finalizing divorces.

Job and Education Placement

After rehab, it can be hard to restart life. A lot of patients have to quit jobs or take time off of school to complete treatment. Our staff can help individuals look at job placements or write recommendation letters for those who need them. This is helpful because a lot of companies and schools view addiction negatively. With our help at Create Recovery, each patient will have the chance to be given a fair opportunity to get a job or go back to school.

Follow-up Meetings

We offer follow-up meetings to ensure each patient is staying on the right track with their recovery. It is important that our past patients attend these for as long as they need after their treatment is complete. Our staff will hopefully be able to catch relapse signs before it actually happens through these meetings if needed.

What Can Happen After Rehab?

Relapse is very common amongst recovering addicts after rehab. Statistics show that around 40 to 60 percent of all individuals relapse once treatment is complete. At Create Recovery, we want to help prevent this.

What is Relapsing?

Relapse is when individuals who stopped their substance use return to using. Relapse is very dangerous because individuals believe they can continue using the same amount they were prior to rehab. This often leads to accidental overdose, which can be deadly.

Some of the triggers for relapse can include:

• Mental, physical, and emotional abuse
• Physical pain returning from comorbidity
• Not being able to return to the workforce
• Uncontrollable environments and situations
• Lack of interest in returning to normal activities
• Unaddressed or the development of mental health disorders

How Can Aftercare Programs Help Prevent Relapse?

Aftercare programs are essential to relapse prevention. They continue to provide each patient with a path to follow for their recovery. If a patient stumbles and loses their way for a second, aftercare can help them get back on track. Our staff at Create Recovery provides aftercare because we know sobriety is a choice and something we believe in.

The Aftercare Timeline

Patients go through stages of time that decrease their chances of reverting back to using substances. With each passing month, the chance of relapse decreases by 20% statistically. In the stages of aftercare, our team helps each patient stay on track to fully recovering.

1-30 Days After Rehab

This is the point in aftercare where a plan of future action is developed. Our staff works with each patient to help them recognize their triggers. They work with them to ensure they are leaving the center to go back to a healthy environment. If the home is not a viable option, they help them with living arrangements. Each patient is also set up with a counselor to continue individual therapy after rehab. They also stress incorporating physical activity and healthy eating habits to stick to.

30-180 Days After Rehab

At this stage of recovery, our staff checks in to encourage past patients to continue with their support groups and therapy. This is the stage where each patient is given the opportunity to start making permanent changes within their life. Their therapists will begin to help them mend broken relationships with loved ones. They are also given the chance to develop realistic financial and career goals for themselves.

180-365 Days After Rehab

Patients who reach this point are normally given opportunities to start to help others going through similar things they once went through. They are able to celebrate important milestones like their 6 month and 1-year sober anniversaries. Each patient is then asked to develop 5 and 10-year plans for themselves, so they can continue to set goals.

What to Do if You Relapse in Aftercare

Aftercare is not a guarantee to continue to live a sober lifestyle. Although it is an amazing start to help individuals on their road to recovery, it is not a fix. Some studies even show that most recovering addicts relapse once, even for a brief amount of time.

We want you to know that this is okay. It is not something to be ashamed of. Addiction is a disease that can take years to fully recover from. The most important thing is to keep trying and to avoid overdose.

Our staff at Create Recovery will be there to support you through any situation. We want to provide a safe environment for you to reach out to in a time of need. Whether you are a new or returning patient, our doors are always open.

How Create Recovery Can Help

After completing treatment, the aftercare programs for substance use you join can really enhance your recovery. Let us help you continue on the path of sobriety. For any questions you may have, contact us today. Our staff is available at any point throughout the day to answer your messages and calls. You will be in the right hands with our team.