What Happens After a Loved One Leaves a Substance Use Disorder Treatment Center?

Going into a substance use disorder treatment center might seem scary, but for many people, the real fear comes when it’s time to leave. When you or your loved one leaves the facility, what happens next? What if they are tempted to start using again after a day or a week? These are very real and understandable fears, especially when you choose a treatment center that doesn’t provide any help after leaving the center.

Aftercare Treatment: What Is It?

With a better substance use disorder treatment center, though, aftercare is provided. This will provide people with the help and tools needed to continue with their recovery. The length of the aftercare treatment can vary. It might be for a few weeks, or it could be for several months.

As with types of treatment, there are many different types of aftercare treatment programs. However, you will find that they tend to have certain elements in common. The goal of these programs is to help people learn how to live their lives sober.

A big part of this is learning how to identify the common triggers that cause people to take drugs or start drinking. Knowing the triggers and how to avoid them is a key factor in staying sober. It’s not the only thing, though.

Some triggers may be unavoidable. Therefore, you also learn how to cope with stress and your emotions. Learning how to cope means that even though you might feel distressed, you have healthy ways of feeling better. You don’t need to turn to drugs and alcohol.

Additionally, individuals might also learn more about how to take care of themselves. For those who have been struggling for a long time, and who haven’t had to take care of themselves, these life skills classes will be invaluable. It will provide people with the knowledge and confidence they need going forward.

Some of these skills will be learned during residential treatment. However, patients will generally continue meeting with a therapist or a group after they leave the substance use disorder treatment center.

What Can You Do to Help a Loved One?

Aftercare is meant to help provide some stability for your loved one when they leave the center. This allows them to continue with recovery and it can help reduce the chance of relapsing. However, relapses can and do happen. It is frustrating for them and you. It doesn’t mean that they are a failure, though. It just means they need to get back on the right path.

You should try to understand the sorts of fears they have when they emerge from the recovery center. Recovery is never an easy path, but there are some things you can do to help make the transitioning process easier.

Helping Your Loved Ones

As mentioned, it is a scary time for those who are coming out of a substance use disorder treatment center. They will have fears and worries, and you shouldn’t dismiss them. Listen to them and validate their feelings.

Make sure they have access to the types of support and resources they need. This might be a sober living house. It might be a day treatment program or regular meetings with a 12-step group. Be as supportive as possible during this time. If they are going to be staying with you, take drugs and alcohol out of the house or hide them. This includes prescription medicine. You don’t want there to be any temptations.

This is a long journey. It is going to take some time, but you can help them to stay on the right path. Encourage them and show them the kindness that perhaps some in the world, including other family members, haven’t.

Get in touch with Transitions today to see what we can do to help your loved one get the treatment they need now and in the future.