Drug or alcohol addiction affects not only the user, but all involved friends and family as well. Drug or alcohol addiction can lead someone down a dark road that they may not be able to escape from on their own. This is where inpatient substance abuse treatment comes in to help. An inpatient treatment center is when the drug or alcohol user resides within a 24-hour supervised facility for the entirety of the program and participates in all required classes and sessions with the hope of treating their addiction.

This may sound like a positive experience, and it typically is, but inpatient treatment is not an addiction cure. Life after rehab comes with its own challenges and learning to support those who have finished an addiction treatment program can help them to maintain their sobriety. Here we will discuss:

• Life after rehab
• How to help someone after rehab
• Recognize the improvement signs
• Finding help
• How Golden Road Recovery can help

Life After Rehab:

There are many different emotions you may be feeling if someone you love is coming home after being entered into an addiction treatment program. You may be feeling excited to see them, hopeful for their future, but also nervous and worried about a relapse. This is all to be expected. But what should you expect after your loved one returns from rehab?

Well, this is a time to be celebrated! The fact that your loved one completed an inpatient substance abuse treatment program shows that they do want to change. Show your loved one appreciation for their time and effort and always show compassion towards their desire for growth. Attending rehab is not an easy process. While this may be a great milestone, it is important to remember that inpatient treatment, nor any kind of therapeutic treatment is not a guaranteed cure for an addiction. It will ultimately be up to your loved one to choose sobriety and recovery every day from here on out.

Life will be different after a loved one returns from rehab, but with patience and an adaptive attitude, it is possible to adjust to the changes in a positive way.

How to Help:

One of the most helpful things you can do for your loved one who has been in an addiction treatment program, is to educate yourself on the specific addiction. Learn about the substance and its addictive qualities. Do some research into the signs and symptoms of the specific drug use so you know what to look out for. It can also be helpful to learn about different triggers and what could cause your loved one to relapse.

Your loved one is going to be equally, if not more nervous about returning home after being in an inpatient treatment center. It can be helpful to set aside time for you and your loved one to have a conversation about their experience, how they are feeling about being home, and ways for you to be the most supportive. If it is possible, ask them about their triggers and what you can do to minimize the possibility of triggering them. Inpatient treatment is designed to help the recovering user learn about themselves and understand what causes them to use drugs, so they should be fully aware of these things.

Recognize the Improvement Signs:

Healing yourself from an addiction is never an easy process and it is important to remember that this is an ongoing journey. Support is the best thing you can give your loved one who has returned after an inpatient program. Be mindful of their progress and recognize the signs of improvement. The fact that they completed a treatment program is a sign of improvement itself and an achievement to be recognized. Other signs include:

• Awareness towards self and their addiction
• Using healthy coping skills
• Community engagement
• Attending further support groups or sessions
• Sharing about their struggles with you

All addictions are different and require different forms of treatment, but maintaining abstinence is often the most recognizable and positive sign of someone recovering from an addiction.

Finding Help:

Inpatient drug rehab is not the only option for addiction recovery but finding help is not always the easiest. Outpatient drug rehab is a daily or weekly recovery group that uses similar strategies and tools as an inpatient program, while allowing the individual to still engage in day to day life routines such as school or work. Substance abuse therapy is another tool to be used when treating an addiction to learn the skills needed to live a drug or alcohol-free life. Support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous are free, faith-based community support groups that can be found in just about any town or city. Help is always available to you, no matter what.

Final Conclusions:

It can feel scary when someone you love is suffering from an addiction and enters a rehab program. But remember, that them seeking help through an inpatient facility is one of the best steps in addiction recovery. Keep in mind:

• Life after rehab will feel different but being adaptive and supportive to these changes will help the individual feel more comfortable after returning home
• Inpatient substance abuse treatment is not an addiction cure; it helps the individual build the skills, tools, and strength to live a drug or alcohol-free life and it will be up to the individual to use these skills to live a sober life
• Recognize the improvement signs and celebrate all the victories of your loved one after they return home
• Inpatient rehab is not the only option for help; other options include outpatient rehab, substance abuse therapy, and AA or NA meetings

How Golden Road Recovery Can Help 

If you or a loved one are ready to start the journey to addiction recovery, Golden Road Recovery is here to support you. Golden Road Recovery is an inpatient drug rehab facility run by many highly trained, licensed professionals that will help you understand your addiction and learn to manage the cravings. Golden Road Recovery understands that addiction affects every aspect of the person’s life and treating the addiction means focusing on the mind, body, and spirit. Call (877) 372- 0536 today to learn more about Golden Road Recovery and start your journey to addiction recovery.

Citations:

WebMD. “Inpatient Vs. Outpatient Alcohol Rehab: Which is Right For You?”

Health & Wellness: Love to Know. “Signs that Recovery is Working.”

National Library of Medicine. “Substance Abuse Intensive Outpatient Program: Assessing the Evidence.” Retrieved 1 June 2014