Aftercare starts when you complete your drug and alcohol treatment, but it is just as important as your primary care. Substance use disorder is a chronic, relapsing disease, and people spend the rest of their lives working on their recovery. Preventing relapse is a big part of that, and aftercare can help.
What Is Aftercare?
Aftercare services differ from treatment program to treatment program, but the goal is the same: to assist in the transition into a sober life and help prevent relapse. In an effective drug and alcohol programs, aftercare is a core component. It helps clients create a plan to stay sober long-term.
The exact services of an aftercare program can vary, but some fundamentals include:
- Coping strategies to heal manage the transition back into society
- Coping strategies to identify and avoid triggers
- Relapse prevention includes managing stress.
- Setting goals such as employment and sober housing
- Continue treatment through outpatient therapy and peer support meetings like Alcoholics Anonymous.
- Establishing routines for a sober life
What Are the Benefits of Aftercare?
Aftercare introduces you to support resources outside of the traditional drug and alcohol treatment environment like 12-step meetings and sober living housing. The goal is to provide the necessary tools to manage your recovery, which, in turn, can help prevent a relapse, like discovering helpful coping mechanisms.
Redirect Your Attention
During treatment, you look closely at factors that influence your substance abuse, such as stress, certain people in your life, and environments like bars. An aftercare program works with you to avoid these things. You learn who to socialize with and things you can do other than go to bars. The program shows you how to avoid being drawn back into situations that promote drug or alcohol use.
Relapse Prevention
Another key benefit of aftercare is to understand relapse better. You’ll learn what the warning signs are of potential slip and what to do to avoid it, such as contact a sponsor or go to a meeting. Warning signs might include certain behaviors and emotions. Once you are aware of them, you can be proactive in your recovery.
Support and Accountability
Aftercare provides you with ways to hold yourself accountable and reach out for support. It also shows you how to help someone else whose struggle you might relate to and be their support system.
Help with Everyday Problems
Aftercare addresses life stressors like financial problems or complicated relationships and shows you how to get through them while maintaining your sobriety. Stress has an impact on both physical and mental health so learning how to manage it appropriately is part of the battle.
Contact San Antonio Recovery Center Today
When looking at your treatment options, you’ll find the most legitimate drug and alcohol treatment programs offer some level of aftercare. San Antonio Recovery Center (SARC), with two San Antonio locations, believes that completing a treatment program is a new beginning for you. Aftercare helps create a foundation for that new beginning.
Treatment at SARC includes an aftercare program along with other services such as:
- Detox
- Residential treatment
- Intensive outpatient therapy
- Aftercare services
- Yoga therapy
- Meditation therapy
The aftercare program at SARC provides you with the necessary support and tools for relapse prevention. The clinical staff can work with you to help you find resources that suit your individual needs, like 12-step meetings. San Antonio Recovery Center believes that drug and alcohol treatment should be affordable, as well. The affordable pricing schedule allows you to find treatment within your budget.
If you are just beginning your recovery journey, let us help. Call San Antonio Recovery Center at 866.957.7885, or contact us online today to learn more.
