Rehab Aftercare

Rehab Aftercare

Whether you’re currently in rehab or considering joining a rehab facility, the thought of post-rehab can be daunting – for both the individual struggling with addiction and their loved ones.

After all, this is when most face hurdles but maintaining the work that has been put into addiction recovery can be done. To help with it, aftercare treatment and relapse prevention support will be provided in most rehab centres.

Here, we explain what you can expect in terms of aftercare when you choose an addiction recovery treatment centre with Action Rehab.

What is Aftercare?

Once someone has completed drug and alcohol rehab, it’s important that recovery efforts are maintained to reduce the risk of relapse in the future. In the UK, many rehab centres offer aftercare to individuals who have completed rehab for the following 12 months after discharge.

Some rehab centres even offer aftercare online, so that everyone can join them.

Addiction recovery is a lifelong journey which is why aftercare is needed to maintain resilience. While each aftercare programme will be tailored to the individual, it typically includes strategies that focus on guidance, motivation and reassurance as well as local community initiatives and support groups.

Usually, individuals will also be provided with a point of contact who they can get in touch with during their aftercare journey for any advice and support.

What to Expect During Aftercare

Leaving residential rehab brings with it a whole host of potential challenges.

After all, most people will be returning to their hometown where familiar temptation and distractions may be high. Drugs and alcohol could also be readily available, that’s why specialist aftercare plans are put in place to help individuals to stay resilient and tackle any temptations.

Aftercare plans will be personalised to the individual but typically include:

• A point of contact
• Details of local support groups
• Weekly catch up sessions – both in person and online
• Identification of relapse risks
• Milestone celebrations

Aftercare begins the moment you leave your designated rehab centre and is most important during the first three months of your recovery in the outside world as this is when the risk of relapse is at its highest.

Each aftercare plan is designed in relation to your own circumstances, addiction and the challenges you are likely to face. This includes the nature of your addiction, family situation, location, social life and economic means.

Aftercare can also support individuals to find a sponsor or sober mentor or to access improved living arrangements. The overall aim is to help someone to stay in recovery in the outside world and to put steps in place that will aid their recovery. This includes recognising potential challenges or barriers and putting strategies in place to overcome them.

Aftercare is a crucial part of your recovery journey which is why we advise you to include your loved ones. Not only can we work with them to share your aftercare plans but we can also advise on the signs and symptoms of a relapse so they can get you the required help if needed.

Why is Aftercare Important for Addiction Recovery?

Lots of people think their recovery journey comes to an end the moment they leave rehab and that they are now free from addiction.

However, the truth is, the journey is just starting and recovery is actually a lifelong process. What’s more, the risk of relapse is at its highest during the first 12 months of leaving rehab, this risk can be controlled with the right aftercare plan in place though.

Without aftercare, old triggers can resurface rather quickly, especially when surrounded by familiar temptations or surroundings. These are contributing factors to relapse, it is for this reason that it’s crucially important that you continue with your aftercare plan for the whole duration.

You might have days where you don’t feel like you need it but by completing the whole aftercare programme you’ll be on track to a addiction-free life and more likely to stay in recovery long-term.

Support Available after Rehab Treatment

There are a number of benefits of drug and alcohol rehab aftercare which can help individuals to stay resilient in the first 12 months and beyond. The most common ways that aftercare provides support is via:

• Personalised goals – With a plan that considers your addiction, potential challenges and recovery wishes, it’s more likely that you’ll be able to maintain aftercare.
• Accessibility – Regular meetings, online and face to face, as well as a point of contact will help you to stay on track and connected.
• Accountability – Long-term recovery is more likely when friends and family are involved in your aftercare rehab programme as they can help individuals to stay on track.
• Evaluations – Circumstances and needs can change, especially during the first 12 months of leaving rehab, but with regular meetings and a point of contact, your personal needs will be evaluated and your aftercare sessions revised as fit.

Rehab treatment is often the only way for individuals to turn their back on addiction once and for all. While a combination of detox, counselling and therapy sessions is essential for treating the addiction, it must be further treatment with an appropriate aftercare plan in place.

How Action Rehab Can Help

At Action Rehab, our advisory life offers support for addiction as well as a referral process for private rehab and addiction treatment all over the UK.

We work with leading drug and alcohol rehab centres and can help you to access the right treatment and aftercare support. We’ll listen to your concerns, get to know your recovery goals and recommend the best course of action to help you to get your life back on track.

What’s more, we know that addiction, recovery and aftercare can affect a whole host of people including the individual themselves, their family, friends and even their employers.

That’s why we offer support for everyone affected by addiction. So, whether you have any questions, want to know more about aftercare or are ready to start the process of rehab admission, get in touch with our friendly team and we promise you won’t look back.