Residential addiction treatment is a great way to start recovery but it’s still just a start. In treatment, you learn healthy coping skills, you have time to break old habits, you get started making healthy lifestyle changes, and you get therapy for any co-occurring mental health issues that might underlie your addiction. After treatment, you have to find a way to maintain this progress as you transition back to your normal life. Many people do well in recovery only to stumble soon after they return home. Here are some suggestions for making a smooth transition back to regular life after treatment.
Clean house.
The first thing you’ll want to do when you come home after treatment is to make sure you have a clean living space. Ideally, someone will have already made sure all alcohol, drugs, and paraphernalia are out of the house before you return, but it doesn’t hurt to double check and make sure there’s nothing stashed away. Cleaning up also gives you a feeling of having a fresh start and room to breathe. Maintaining a clean space is a great way to practice self-discipline and exert some positive control over your environment.
Be careful who you associate with.
If you’ve been away for a while, people may have gotten used to your absence, so it’s a good opportunity to be deliberate about who your friends are. If you haven’t done so already, delete your dealer’s number from your phone. Don’t renew ties with friends who still drink and use drugs. Instead, make an effort to surround yourself with positive people who will support your recovery.
Start building a sober network.
A strong sober network is one of the best predictors of a successful recovery. It creates a sense of accountability and belonging as well as reducing stress and giving you access to more resources to deal with setbacks. Attending 12-step meetings or other mutual aid groups is a great way to build a sober network quickly. You may also want to find a group that supports some of your interests, such as joining a recreational sports league or a chess club.
Establish a routine.
One of the best ways to preserve the good habits you learned in treatment is to keep a similar routine after you leave. Having a regular routine makes it much easier to make healthy choices without having to exert willpower. Go to bed and get up around the same time every day. Eat around the same times, attend meetings at a regular time, exercise at a regular time, and so on. Self-care is easy when it’s automatic.
Make use of your program’s aftercare.
Most quality treatment programs have some level of aftercare resources. This may include follow-up counselling, teleconferencing, alumni events, or other resources. Make full use of these opportunities. It’s also a good idea to keep in touch with any friends you made during treatment. Since people often become close in treatment, you can continue to support each other when you get home.
At Alta Lama Transformational Services, you will meet knowledgeable, compassionate professionals that understand addiction in all its forms. Alta Lama uses an integrative and holistic approach to treat addiction and mental health issues. No treatment is one-size-fits-all, where you will have a team of experts prepared to create your customized treatment plan. We offer care for your mind, body, and spirit, so that you can heal from the inside out and look forward to a lifetime of sobriety and wellness. If you are ready to take the first step in your recovery, please call us at 866-457-3843.
