Aftercare is a critical time, and the transition between levels of care can put you at risk of relapse and increase the symptoms of substance use disorder (SUD). Aftercare services ensure you maintain emotional stability and sobriety during ongoing recovery. According to the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, “there is convincing evidence that continuing care can be effective in sustaining the positive effects of the initial phase of care.” Newport Beach Recovery Center provides personalized aftercare planning and alumni services to decrease the risk of relapse and ensure clients remain supported throughout recovery.
How Can Transitioning Between Levels of Care Increase Stress?
The transition between levels of care can add pressure and increase symptoms of anxiety or depression. Programs are less structured, and accountability becomes more reliant on your ability to cope with daily stressors as you move through the various programs. Not everyone feels confident in their ability to shoulder that responsibility when a program ends. Newport Beach Recovery Center empowers each client and provides them with the necessary tools to transition smoothly between treatment programs and continuing care.
Everyday stressors you might encounter when moving between programs or out of structured treatment include:
- Changing therapists or attending different self-help groups
- Encountering new and unpredictable environments
- More personal responsibility
Changing physical locations and transitioning back home or into a sober living community can feel overwhelming after residential care. You may feel strange and uncomfortable until you become familiar with the routines, people, and settings. Even people in outpatient treatment programs experience some increased stress after graduating from the program and entering continuing care.
What Are the Best Ways to Manage Symptoms?
Managing symptoms during aftercare can involve taking advantage of multiple resources. According to Alcohol Research: Current Reviews, “The important functions of continuing care in the recovery process involves maintaining abstinence . . . addressing relapse . . . connecting patients to other sources of support; and addressing other recovery issues, including employment, recreation, housing, and involvement in meaningful and/or enjoyable activities.”
Aftercare plans will include symptom management strategies and community-based treatments. A few ways to decrease your risk of relapse and reduce symptoms once you transition out of treatment include:
- Practicing regular self-care
- Joining local recovery groups
- Creating positive relationships
- Relying on your support system
- Using your coping skills
You can use these resources to manage your symptoms and decrease the risk of falling back into old behaviors. Aftercare services at Newport Beach Recovery Center include alumni support and aftercare planning to ensure you have access to everything you need to maintain sobriety.
How Can You Maintain Emotional Stability When Transitioning Out of Care?
Transitioning from a rehabilitation program can mean saying goodbye to a care team and peers who have helped you heal. The move is not always easy, and some people feel a temporary increase in stress and anxiety when they begin continuing care. The lack of structure and increased independence can feel too much, too fast. However, the coping tools you developed during treatment can help you maintain positive mental health and emotional stability.
A few other ways you can maintain emotional stability include:
- Communicating your needs to people in your support system
- Practicing mindfulness and grounding techniques
- Avoiding triggers when possible
- Attending therapy and support groups
Why Is Aftercare Follow-Through Essential to Mental Health?
You can have all the best aftercare services and resources. However, they will not help you maintain sobriety if you do not follow through with them. Actively working on yourself and your recovery is the only way to keep healing and making progress. Aftercare follow-through does the following:
- Provides accountability
- Offers guidelines for achieving goals
- Ensures you have access to all the tools you need
What Are Effective Tools for Relapse Prevention During Aftercare?
Aftercare planning includes creating strategies to deal with potential problems. Many people know what type of relationships, expectations, and environments they will return to when transitioning out of a treatment facility or leaving intensive outpatient treatment. You will work with your therapist to determine what areas might do the following:
- Increase stress or anxiety
- Trigger intrusive thoughts, cravings, or relapse
- Trigger depressive episodes
Once you identify those areas, your therapist can help you determine ways to avoid or confront those issues safely and healthily. Aftercare planning can include the following:
- Self-help and 12-Step groups
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Information on local recovery groups
- Sober living options
- Prescription medication
- Skill development classes
- Financial, housing, or job placement services
With the proper treatment and aftercare planning, you can recover from the effects of SUD and continue to heal and grow.
Relapse is a symptom of substance use disorder and part of the recovery process for many people. At Newport Beach Recovery Center, we use evidence-based methods, including relapse prevention education and therapy, to help clients prepare for the realities of ongoing recovery. You can decrease your risk of relapse by collaborating with our care team and creating an aftercare plan to help you maintain emotional control and balance when transitioning from our treatment program to continuing care. We believe everyone can overcome substance use disorder with the right tools and support. We ensure you have all the necessary resources to maintain sobriety after rehabilitation. You can regain control of your life and continue healing during ongoing recovery with the help of your support system and the sober community. To learn more about our facility and the aftercare services we offer, call us today at (888) 850-0363.
