Most people slip once or twice within their first few months of recovery. The transition from rehab to normal sober life, where it’s all up to you, can be too much for some people to handle. That’s why it’s recommended that you secure an aftercare plan for your loved one before they even graduate rehab. Lapses in judgment or determination don’t have to end with full-blown relapse.
If someone slips, they can catch themselves, as long as someone else is there to lend a hand.
Seek an expert opinion
Counseling sessions and group meetings can normally be found in the rehab centers themselves, which makes the transition an easy one. By the time treatment is nearly complete, specialists should have a solid portrait of your loved one and his or her individual recovery needs. Discuss this with your residential treatment center’s support service team.
Maybe the teen benefits from a sense of partnership—but what kind? If he or she seems to respond more openly with fellow peers, AA would be a good option, since they encourage powerful peer-to-peer relationships, called sponsorships. If the teen struggles with simple straightforward communication, however, staff may recommend more innovative programs like community service outreach programs as well as other sober-minded activities.
Document it
When your loved one emerges from rehab, you’re bound to be filled with anxiety. Your biggest fear will be relapse; you’ll want to know immediately that it won’t happen, that the problem is under wraps.
While you can’t guarantee that by any means, you can certainly do your best and minimize the odds. With each aftercare option and interest that comes your way, document the details so that you can make the best informed choice possible, as quickly as possible. Locations, meeting times, and flexibility are all important factors to consider.
Define how you’ll prevent relapse
The education may not be over, but it’s well under way by now. As soon as your loved one emerges from rehab, they should be practicing those lessons. It shouldn’t be a chore.
Are they still reading recovery literature given to them by their counselors? Are they still meditating, like they were? Are they still following a schedule and routine, sticking to a diet, and getting adequate sleep? If a teen gives up these coping strategies shortly after leaving rehab, that’s a red flag for relapse and a likely indicator that he or she needs further intervention.
Sustain offers extensive and innovative services for both treatment and long-term recovery. To learn more, explore our blogs or give us a call at 949-637-5499
