What Happens After Drug Rehab? What To Expect

Long-term recovery is contingent on many factors, including what happens after someone finishes a drug rehab program in a substance abuse treatment center.

Many things can happen during life after rehab, including returning to employment, mending relationships, or joining a peer support group.

For anyone leaving a drug treatment center, keeping their sobriety intact should be one of the main objectives, which can be accomplished through a multitude of tools.

Life After Drug Rehab

Completing addiction treatment is a significant milestone, but it’s just the beginning of your recovery journey.

Transitioning back to everyday life after completing addiction treatment can be both exciting and challenging.

Some typical situations people experience after treatment include:

• rebuilding relationships with children, partners, families, and friends
• returning to work or school
• finding employment and housing

Though you will likely be anxious to return to life outside of the treatment center, keeping your sobriety a top priority during this time is often critical to maintaining it.

For some, completing detox services or other initial treatments may involve moving on to an inpatient treatment center or an outpatient program. Some will move into a sober living home.

For most people, completing treatment eventually means a return to life without a formal treatment program. However, many options for support are readily available.

Practicing New Skills For Maintaining Sobriety

The risk of relapse is real, especially in the early stages of recovery from a substance use disorder (SUD). Maintaining sobriety post-rehab presents numerous challenges.

You will face triggers and cravings that can test your resolve. Coping with stress, peer pressure, or emotional issues without resorting to substance use can be especially difficult at this time.

To stay sober, you will need to adapt the coping skills and strategies you learned during your rehab program to real-world situations.

Services in drug rehab centers that help clients maintain sobriety include:

• therapy and counseling sessions
• support group meetings
• holistic stress management skills, such as yoga and meditation
• nutrition and diet education
• relapse prevention
• medical advice
• life skills development, such as employment training

Many of these services, including support groups, therapy, and counseling, can still be accessed after treatment ends.

You can apply what you learn from them to your daily life, so no matter what happens after treatment, you can maintain your sobriety and continue to grow.

Resources that help people stay sober post-treatment include:

• private practice addiction healthcare therapists, counselors, and psychologists
• 12-step programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Al-Anon
• community mental health centers and organizations
• aftercare options, including sober living or other transitional housing

Rebuilding Relationships And Gaining Social Support

One of the biggest challenges for people after they complete alcohol or drug abuse treatment may be rebuilding relationships with loved ones.

During drug use, it’s not uncommon for people to act out of character, causing rifts in relationships with their partners, family members, coworkers, or friends.

Many have found that, after receiving addiction treatment, they are able to reunite with estranged loved ones.

Here are some tips on how to rebuild relationships after treatment:

• Be honest. Foster open dialogue with loved ones to rebuild trust and understanding.
• Apologize and make amends. Take responsibility for past actions and make sincere apologies when appropriate. This can be done through the 12-step program.
• Set boundaries. Clearly define boundaries to maintain healthy relationships and prevent potential triggers.
• Spend quality time together. Dedicate time to reconnect, engage in substance-free activities, and create positive memories together.
• Practice patience. Understand that rebuilding relationships takes time, and be patient with yourself and your loved ones as you navigate the process.
• Seek counseling, if needed. Consider family therapy, group therapy, or counseling to address unresolved issues and enhance communication.

Social support can be gained by joining a peer support group, such as AA or Narcotics Anonymous (NA), or through a religious entity, such as a church.

When people have a strong, supportive, and non-judgmental support system behind them, they feel less inclined to return to destructive behavior and more inclined to find a solution.

Accessing Long-Term Recovery Tools

The first few months after leaving a treatment center is often a time of much growth. People learn to live a sober life and develop tools that will last them a lifetime.

However, even people with many years of sobriety will need to stay active in their addiction recovery. Thankfully, there are many ways to maintain long-term recovery.

Some examples of long-term recovery tools include:

• support network: Maintain connections with your support system, including sober friends, family, or support groups that follow up with you regularly.
• relapse prevention plan: Continually update your plan to manage triggers and cravings.
• healthy lifestyle: Maintain your physical health and mental well-being through self-care, such as regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and stress management.
• ongoing therapy: Consider continued individual therapy or counseling to address underlying issues and strengthen coping skills.
• mindfulness and meditation: Practice mindfulness techniques to stay grounded and manage stress.
• alumni programs: Engage in post-treatment alumni programs for ongoing support and accountability.

Find Drug Or Alcohol Addiction Treatment Today

Find a treatment center appropriate for you or your loved one by visiting AddictionResource.net.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff