Rehab Centres ? What Is Aftercare?

by ScottHernandez

Rehab Centres ? What is Aftercare?

When someone concludes their stay at an addiction rehabilitation centre, it does not mean they are completely cured forever and never have to worry about their addiction ever again.  Rehab is not a silver bullet for addiction and although life can improve in many ways after treatment, there will still be challenges ahead.

Aftercare is designed to help those with addiction problems to cope with these challenges and to rehabilitate into a substance-free life. An effective aftercare programme also helps prevent relapse.

Aftercare is every bit as important as initial treatment in helping individuals stop using substances in the long-term.

Why does aftercare matter?

Aftercare is an essential part of any recovery from addiction programme. The challenges those with addiction problems may face in the short-term after a stay in a rehabilitation centre include:

• Tempting situations:  When an individual is in rehab, they are out of their everyday environment and this can make things easier. However, eventually normal life has to be resumed and this can present situations and relationships which offer the temptation to use substances again.

• Stressful situations:  Returning and re-adjusting to normal life can be quite stressful and stress is often a trigger for substance use.  Rehabilitation, including aftercare, can help individuals develop new coping strategies for coping with stress.

• Family and friends: Meeting friends and family again after rehab can be both uplifting and upsetting. Some of those close to you may find it difficult to move on and forgive. Aftercare will help you find ways to heal these relationships, as well as accept others’ feelings without letting them affect your recovery.

Types of aftercare

There are a number of different types of aftercare available. It’s worth discussing the aftercare programme on offer with the different rehab centres you’re considering.

A common type of aftercare is ongoing counselling. This may be available by phone and online, as well as in person. You may also wish to attend group sessions, such as group counselling or 12-step meetings. Find out more about what each entails to ensure that it will suit you.

There are also systems available where individuals are paired up with a “buddy” for support. Often a client newly out of rehab will be partnered up with someone who has been sober for a long-term.

Length of aftercare

The reality is that those with addiction problems are never fully ‘cured’ and support may be needed long-term. How long an addiction sufferer attends aftercare is an individual thing but many people carry on attending for years, if not forever. They find it helps them to stay strong and focused.