What Happens After Treatment?

It is common to be solely focused on your healing and recovery in treatment, and the thought of what happens after tends to become an afterthought. It's already very difficult to participate in an addiction recovery program in an unfamiliar environment with people you may not know personally. This can become even more complicated when thinking about life after treatment and returning to your daily life. 

You may not know what to expect when it comes to life after treatment. However, West Coast Recovery Centers is here to help you during this new phase. This article will explore aftercare treatment options and how to create an effective plan. You will be ready to take on this next step in your lifelong recovery. 

What Is Aftercare and Why Is It Important?

Completing addiction treatment successfully is a great accomplishment that no one should take lightly. However, recovery is a lifelong process, and initial treatment is, in most cases, a step in the process. Aftercare comes into play once you have completed treatment and is usually in the form of a program or assistance in life after treatment. 

Aftercare is crucial because relapse rates are high once an individual leaves treatment. The relapse rates for substance use disorders (SUD) are between 40 to 60%. It's important to note that SUD is similar to any other chronic illness, such as diabetes, and should be treated as such. If a relapse does occur, then the plan for treatment will have to be modified for the immediate needs of that individual. 

Fortunately, though, relapse is preventable with the right support and resources. 

How to Create an Aftercare Plan

Before leaving treatment, creating an aftercare plan can be very beneficial to ensuring a successful and healthy life after treatment. Typically when creating your plan, you will want to work with an addiction recovery professional to develop an action plan that can work best for you individually. 

The purpose of this plan is to map out the ways that you will stay drug-free once you leave the treatment program. This includes finding a community, leaving toxic relationships in the past, and staying on a routine with a healthy schedule. 

You can start by reaching out to one of the staff members here at West Coast Recovery Centers. We are trained and ready to assist you in creating your aftercare plan. We can also help you uncover what works best for you and your unique needs. 

West Coast Recovery Centers' Alumni Program

Here at West Coast Recovery Centers, we provide an alumni aftercare program for everyone that has successfully finished treatment. This specific program includes the ability to stay connected with peers who are on the same path as you. Having a community to connect with during this time is extremely vital. 

The peer you will be paired with will have similar goals as you and be on the path to a healthier and happier life. This can be a form of aftercare because you will be provided with the necessary tools and support for lifelong successful recovery. 

Program Activities

A few of the activities this program offers include:

• Community events 
• Mountain retreats 
• Beach bonfires 
• Softball games 
• Weekly process groups

Tips for Adjusting to Life After Treatment

During your time participating in a program, such as the West Coast Recovery Centers' Alumni Program, there are also certain habits you can work on daily to enhance your health and wellness. 

#1. Practice Clean Eating

This is a very important step because one of the best things you can do for yourself is to eat healthier foods and cut back on processed foods and caffeine. This is even more vital for someone in recovery because, during the peak of your addiction, you may have been neglecting your body of necessary nutrients. 

You can start by incorporating more fruits and veggies into your meals and drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Maintaining a healthy diet can also help with your energy levels and mood. This step will overall improve your quality of life once you have completed your treatment. 

#2. Stick to a Routine

Setting morning and night routines you follow can help you feel more organized and stable. This is important because, during treatment, you were most likely on a strict and structured schedule where your days looked similar. It's vital to continue this practice even after leaving treatment. 

#3. Understand Your Triggers

There may be certain places or people from your past life that can be triggers for you and cause you to relapse. It's important to identify what those triggers are earlier on and try to avoid them as much as you can. One major trigger for relapse can be stress, so it's important for you also learn healthy coping mechanisms for stress management that you actually enjoy. This can include regular exercise, reading, or resorting to watching a comforting movie or tv show. 

Successfully completing treatment is a significant accomplishment, but you may now be left wondering what happens after. It's important to remember that you are not alone in this transition. It can be scary to think about having to go back to daily life and environments that may have impacted your substance use disorder. That's why West Coast Recovery Centers offers the alumni program. This program pairs you with a peer who understands your struggle. You will work together toward your goals to succeed in a healthy and happy future. There are many options and different resources you can utilize during difficult times or when facing temptation. Call us today for more information at (760) 492-6509.