According to Drug Abuse Statistics, about 1.46 million people enroll in substance abuse clinics each year—unfortunately, only 1 in 10 report long-term recovery. Many of them relapse several times before overcoming addiction. Others never find the solution they are looking for, with thousands dying due to a drug overdose.
However, with a strong foundation, you can achieve sober living. A combination of coping mechanisms, sober living, and support groups will help you reach your sobriety goals.
What is Inpatient Rehab?
Inpatient rehab is a recovery program that involves patients living in a facility for a pre-determined time. Many patients stay in a rehab community for 30, 60, or 90 days, following a program that ensures healthy living. They live away from society and related stressors and temptation, engage in therapy, and follow a regular program that supports sobriety.
Problems often arise after they complete their programs. They return to an environment where temptation lurks around every corner, and the stress of daily life produces a desire to escape through drug and alcohol use.
However, there are coping mechanisms that can help them avoid falling into old habits. They should be reinforced through outpatient care, ensuring full recovery.
The Importance of Outpatient Care
Patients often learn coping strategies in inpatient care, but once they get back into ‘the real world,’ it can be challenging to follow the right path. That’s where outpatient care comes in.
Outpatient care involves the person continuing treatment, whether for several hours a day (partial care programs, PCP), a few hours a day (intensive outpatient programs, IOP), or ongoing meetings, support groups, and check-ins. It can be either a primary source of treatment or a follow-up treatment to inpatient care. Outpatient programs ensure patients maintain sober living.
Various treatments may be included in outpatient care, depending on patient needs. Often, a combined approach is integrated. Popular strategies for how to maintain sobriety after inpatient rehab include the following.
Coping Mechanisms
Therapists often teach patients coping mechanisms that ensure they don’t give in to the temptation of drugs and alcohol. These can vary depending on the type of therapy, as follows:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Focuses on identifying and understanding triggers and changing negative thought processes through cognitive restructuring. It also teaches stress management exercises that replace unhealthy behaviors, such as mindfulness and relaxation techniques.
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): Coping mechanisms include mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. The therapy teaches individuals to be present without judgment and manage emotions without resorting to substance use.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): In this therapy, individuals learn to accept negative emotions rather than escape through substances. They also develop mindfulness skills to stay grounded in the present rather than react impulsively.
- Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET): This therapy encourages individuals to develop values, goals, and a desire for change by building internal motivations to drive change.
Finding a Support System
A 2024 review reveals that social support plays a significant role in recovery. Supported individuals benefit from social learning, such as observation and imitation, stress and coping through social relationships, and social rewards from their community. Comparatively, those who feel isolated are at a greater risk of relapsing.
Individuals can seek support in the following ways:
- Get Family Members Involved: Family therapy is vital in recovery, teaching relatives how they can support their family members and avoiding behaviors that can contribute to addiction.
- Choose Friend Groups Wisely: After inpatient care, individuals should avoid getting involved with enablers and those who might encourage an addictive lifestyle. Instead, they should seek sober friends or those who understand the dangers of exposing newly sober friends to temptation.
Enroll in a 12-Step Program: A 2020 study notes the importance of the social aspects of a 12-step program in recovery. These programs involve group meetings and sponsorship, both of which support sober living.
Create Goals
Many people turn to substance abuse because they believe they have nothing to be present for. They may not have skills and think they have nothing to contribute to society.
Fortunately, various programs help recovering individuals develop skills. The rehab center you work with may be able to point you in the right direction.
Additionally, you can create your own goals, such as:
- Rekindling relationships that substance abuse problems may have damaged
- Engaging in job training so you can work in an industry that fuels your passion
- Reaching fitness and wellness goals, supported by clean living
Develop New Lifestyle Habits
Overcoming addiction can be compared to dieting. You might starve yourself for days and lose a few pounds, but the approach is not sustainable. You must develop a long-term diet regimen supporting healthy fitness goals to lose weight.
Maintaining sobriety is similar. It’s not about refraining from drugs for a week. Instead, individuals must develop healthy habits that will make them feel good about themselves, reduce negative thoughts that fuel addiction, give them a reason to stay away from substances, and reduce cravings.
For example, many recovering individuals focus on activities like:
- Meditation: Reduces stress, which can trigger cravings. It also enhances emotional awareness and the ability to process feelings healthily. People who meditate become more aware of their thoughts and emotions so that they can deal with negative thoughts and triggers more effectively.
- Art Therapy provides a nonverbal outlet for emotional expression so people can process trauma and increase their coping skills. It can also lower stress hormones, offer a healthy distraction from negative thoughts, and increase self-confidence. The therapy may include creating works of art, dancing, playing an instrument, or any other exercise that encourages creativity.
- Exercise: Another stress-reducing outlet, exercise boosts feel-good chemicals in the brain to reduce cravings. It also helps create structure and routine, encouraging individuals to spend time on productive activities.
Know That It Will Take Work
Recovery doesn’t mean everything will fall into place. You may need to regain trust with colleagues and family members. Adjustment will be necessary as you try to find your ‘new normal’.
Those who manage expectations and understand that things take time will achieve a higher success rate. In the meantime, you should continue attending meetings and working on yourself. Don’t be discouraged if things don’t all into place immediately- you will eventually achieve your goals.
Keep it Up
Fighting addiction can be a lifelong project. Over time, some people may become overconfident or complacent, thinking they no longer need to attend therapy.
They may even think that one little slip won’t do any harm and begin indulging in moderation. Before they know it, they are on a downward spiral.
You can maintain sober living by:
- Attending Every Appointment: Avoid skipping support group meetings, therapy, and check-ins that support recovery.
- Maintaining Healthy Habits: Continue to follow a healthy lifestyle, engaging in activities like art, exercise, and meditation.
Address Triggers and Stressors: Common stressors, such as work or family-related issues, may arise, increasing your temptation to self-medicate. When you feel the pressure, don’t hesitate to reach out for the help you need, whether attending a meeting, a therapy session, or reaching out to a good friend.
BlueCrest Recovery Can Help You Reach Your Sober Living Goals
BlueCrest is a top choice for recovery treatment, encouraging individuals to get and stay sober. We offer various outpatient therapies, integrating approaches tailored to our patients’ needs. Our staff follows up with extensive aftercare treatments, ensuring long-term sobriety and high success rates.
Contact us to learn more about how we can help you achieve your wellness goals.
FAQs
What does life look like after rehab?
It will take some time to adjust to life after rehab. Individuals will need to get used to a new routine and a new normal. Many programs advise patients to take things one step at a time and let go of expected outcomes.
What are the five pillars of recovery?
The five pillars of recovery include:
- Physical wellbeing
- Mental and emotional well-being
- Spiritual wellbeing
- Social connection and support
- Purpose and life skills
These are core concepts that should be addressed when overcoming addiction.
What are the 3 Cs of recovery?
The 3 Cs of recovery are courage, clarity, and confidence. You must have the courage to build a new life without drugs and alcohol, the clarity to see why change is needed and how to effect change, and the confidence to believe in yourself.
What are the five stages of addiction recovery?
The five stages of addiction recovery include:
- Precontemplation: The individual contemplates recovery but isn’t ready yet.
- Contemplation: The person is ready to recover, but not immediately. They are reviewing the pros and cons of becoming drug-free.
- Preparation: They have made steps toward recovery.
- Action: The individual is actively engaging in recovery.
- Maintenance: The person works to prevent relapse.
What happens after inpatient rehab?
After inpatient rehab, most patients are discharged to an outpatient or sub-acute rehab facility to continue recovery.
Next steps
You deserve care that treats you as a person, not a number. Suppose you want small, caring groups with trained leaders, plus family support and a calm setting. In that case, you can ask at Bluecrest Recovery Center. You will receive a straightforward plan that includes group therapy, follow-up care, and next steps tailored to your life. Learn more or request a confidential call at +18885650451
