Going through rehab for drugs and alcohol can be a lengthy struggle. For many people, rehab isn’t a one-time solution either; they might go back to outpatient programs once or twice within the first few years of recovery. So what happens when you are done? What does life after rehab look like? This can be very personalized, with new coping skills, perhaps a new home, a new set of friends, and more.
Support Groups
One important facet of life after rehab is to continue attending support groups of some sort. Support groups can take different forms for those in long-term recovery, such as AA or NA programs, SMART programs, or support groups for specific mental health conditions.
These groups offer a support structure as well as socialization opportunities, which are both instrumental in success in life after rehab. One of the biggest risk factors for relapse early in recovery is isolation. When individuals feel that they cannot return to their old habits, friends, or way of life, they often isolate, and this leads to loneliness and depression.
Attending support groups can provide socialization during critical times, as well as networks of people who might be in the same condition.
For example:
Elyse developed an addiction in college when she used drugs at parties and then became best friends with a popular dealer. Since that time, all of her friends have been users. After completing rehab, Elyse struggled with isolation and depression because she felt she couldn’t go back to her old friends, nor could she socialize without drugs.
Eventually, she met new friends through her SMART meetings and began to socialize without realizing it–going out for breakfast, meeting for a free art show in town, and hiking local trails.
Life Skills
Life skills are an important part of life after rehab because they can provide you with critical skills to transition to a newer, more rewarding chapter in your life.
Life skills might be things like money management, so you can learn how to set a budget, open a bank account, and start saving money to meet new goals.
Those goals might include buying a car, buying a house, or going back to school. Continued education can be an integral part of life after rehab, as new education or certifications can help move you into a new career field.
Coping Skills
Coping skills will continue to be an invaluable part of life after rehab. As you grow, you may be less reliant on some of the initial coping skills you were taught during rehab and begin to incorporate. Over time, your coping skills will become a natural part of your routine, not something that you consciously think of.
For example:
Tom struggled with alcohol abuse and a high-stress job. For the first few years after rehab, he continued to participate in therapy and learn to address some of his anger problems. As he was able to control his anger problems, he became less reliant on certain coping skills for emotional regulation. It became a natural response for him instead.
Now Tom rock climbs every few weeks and does Crossfit three times per week. He doesn’t consider these coping skills, although that is how they originated.
Preparing for Life After Rehab with Sequoia Recovery Centers
If you are overcoming substance abuse, Sequoia Recovery Centers can help. We offer a full continuum of care which includes aftercare. A big part of the aftercare program is designed to set you up for success by connecting you to local resources to build life skills like more education or career changes.
We work hard to integrate group meetings and support groups during your continuum of care so that you can transition into support groups in your community when you are done. We also provide coping skill development at every level of care so that you have a range of tools you can use in life after rehab.
Overall, life after rehab is a rewarding opportunity to start anew. This might mean making better decisions that ensure personal boundaries, developing healthy habits, and changing your network of friends. It might also extend to support groups, coping skills, and new life skills. Let our team help you find the right level of care today! Call us now to get started and to learn more about our inpatient and outpatient options.