What Happens After Drug Addiction Rehab?

According to the NIDA, “Addiction treatment must help the individual stop using drugs, maintain a drug-free lifestyle, and achieve productive functioning in the family, at work, and in society.” It’s easier to achieve these goals while you are being led by counselors and held accountable for your behaviors throughout the drug addiction rehab program, but, what happens after rehab is up to you.

We can help you find treatment for addiction. Call 800-481-6320 toll free anytime.

The Four Dimensions of Recovery

There are many things you can do to maintain your recovery after addiction treatment.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines the term “recovery” as a “process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.” To do this, the SAMHSA has identified four dimensions of recovery from substance abuse including:

• Health: overcoming or managing one’s disease(s) or symptoms—for example, abstaining from use of alcohol, illicit drugs, and nonprescribed medications if one has an addiction problem—and for everyone in recovery, making informed, healthy choices that support physical and emotional well-being;
• Home: having a stable and safe place to live;
• Purpose: participating in meaningful daily activities, such as a job, school, volunteerism, family caretaking, or creative endeavors, and having the independence, income, and resources to participate in society; and
• Community: engaging in relationships and social networks that provide support, friendship, love, and hope.

Dealing with Cravings after Drug Addiction Rehab

You learn, in drug addiction rehab, to identify areas of your life that may “trigger” cravings and how to avoid those issues, but, that doesn’t mean cravings won’t appear on their own without ever consciously thinking about the drugs. Any psychoactive drug that has the ability to make you feel good or get “high” interacts with dopamine receptors and the reward centers of the brain to cause “conditioned cravings” as a reinforcing mechanism to repeat the use of those drugs.

It is important to have a strategy in place to deal with cravings when they arise and to have a plan in case of relapse. Addiction is a chronic, relapsing, brain disease that, while treatable, is almost never cured and you must stay vigilant in your recovery motivations. Relapse is likely for some and should not be viewed as failure, but, recognized as a need for reinvested or intensified recovery efforts.

Call 800-481-6320 toll free anytime for help finding treatment for addiction.

Dealing with Ongoing Issues

Most addicts suffer insomnia, depression, anxiety, or other mental health disorders as a result of their addiction and in some, it’s an underlying cause. These issues can be uncovered and treated in the drug addiction rehab, but, once you are on your own, the residual effects can remain harmful for a long time or get worse as you face continuous challenges to remain abstinent.

The changes in your life to remain drug-free can be frightening and stressful in and of themselves. Outside of professional help, family and community support systems such as those found in 12-step recovery groups are advocated for positivity, encouragement, and guidance in your continuing progress.