After Rehab ? Why Aftercare Is Important

Completing a stint in a rehabilitation centre or on some other rehabilitation programme is a massive achievement and sets many people up for a sober life. However, there are still many challenges to overcome and the weeks and months immediately following rehab can be the most precarious.

A good aftercare programme will help you stay sober after your rehabilitation programme and is an essential part of the journey to leading a substance-free life for many with addiction problems.

Rehab: An ongoing process

Many think of rehab as an isolated stint in a rehab centre or a short course of treatment. However, addiction is never really ‘cured’ and therefore the need for addiction treatment is ongoing.  Ongoing aftercare after rehab treatment has ended helps individuals to cope with the realities of returning to their everyday lives and to confront tempting or stressful situations.

What does aftercare consist of?

The term ‘aftercare’ refers to ongoing treatment after a stay in a rehab centre.  It doesn’t refer to any specific type of therapy or treatment.

Common types of addiction aftercare treatments include:

• 12-step meetings
• One-to-one therapy/counselling
• Group therapy sessions
• ‘Buddying up’ with someone who has been sober following treatment for a long time
• Online therapy
• Ongoing  medical support

Finding aftercare

Most good rehabilitation programmes will offer aftercare as it is an essential part of becoming addiction-free. However, many people fail to take this offer up because they feel they are already ‘cured’. Aftercare should always be undertaken, no matter how confident you are that you have beaten your addiction.

You will almost certainly experience moments of weakness and challenging situations and aftercare can help you cope with them.

More about aftercare

You may continue the treatment you have received in a rehab centre by continuing your aftercare there. For many, this continuity of care is beneficial as they have already built up relationships and routines. However, due to geographical issues this isn’t always possible, but it doesn’t mean you can’t undertake aftercare.

A good rehab centre will help you research and access aftercare in your area and discuss the best solutions for you. You can also get help and advice from your GP and from addiction support workers in your area.