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If you have already completed a rehab program for substance abuse, you should be proud of how much you have accomplished. Even if you are currently in an addiction care facility or about to enter one, it’s never too early to prepare for life after treatment.
Many patients think that once they have completed their stay at a drug alcohol treatment center that things will immediately be much simpler and that they will just jump back into their regular daily routine. Unfortunately, relapse is a very real and dangerous possibility for addicts. It is reported that nearly 50 percent of people relapse within the first year of leaving rehab.
With that in mind, here are 4 simple but highly effective tips to help you stay sober after rehab:
Complete Your Program Before Leaving the Drug-Alcohol Treatment Center
Many patients make the mistake of thinking they are ready to rejoin the world and leave their program halfway through or at some other point before completion. We cannot stress enough how important it is that you finish the entire program.
You will learn essential tools and components to staying sober at every level of the process, up to and beyond the final day. You will need these tools to be successful.
Avoid Becoming Complacent in Your Sobriety
This is the leading cause of relapse for people who have been sober for a long period (5+ years). They sometimes fool themselves into thinking that their brain has been rewired and their body has reset itself, and they will no longer struggle with moderation or control because they have been sober for so long.
Remember, that one glass of wine with dinner or one beer during the game is much more likely to be your undoing than it is to be just that one drink.
Be Prepared for a Challenging Holiday Season
The holidays bring a number of challenges all at the same time. You will reconnect with people you may not have seen in a while (sometimes, these people may be enablers or encouragers). You will also likely be in attendance at a lot of gatherings where alcohol consumption is common, and multiple people are offering you drinks.
If you don’t want to get into your personal history with people you barely know, it’s best to just have a built-in excuse, such as you are a designated driver7 or you have an early morning engagement.
Don’t Isolate Yourself
No matter how lonely you may feel, there is no reason to create that reality by pushing people away. In fact, it is in these moments that you need to reach out and lean on your support system the most.
Now that you have a little better understanding of what is necessary to stay sober after leaving a drug-alcohol treatment center, you can better prepare for what’s coming. You can also take some time to look into each of these things further, as well as other helpful suggestions for remaining sober long-term.
