Aftercare, Continuing on After Drug Rehab
Friday morning of Family Week is a lecture on aftercare. Time spent receiving alcohol or drug rehab is only the beginning. The recovering alcoholic/addict is put on the right path with treatment and therapy for their addiction. Following alcohol and drug rehab, the individual must continue to work daily at maintaining their sobriety. Aftercare programs can continue to provide help and support. The aftercare lecture helps to inform family members on how they can be involved with their loved ones aftercare efforts.
Prior to completing alcohol or drug rehab, the resident works with aftercare and their primary counselor on developing a Continuing Care Plan for their recovery. There are many forms of additional treatment and sobriety help for those in recovery. These are laid out in the Continuing Care Plan. Following this plan can be a means to staying focused on recovery efforts. Such a focus can be a foundation against a relapse from occurring.
The central piece to the Continuing Care Plan is continuing to work the 12-step process. Alcohol and drug rehab begins the 12-steps, but only the first few are addressed. When rehab is completed, the individual must voluntarily work at completing the rest of the steps. Help and support are provided through Anonymous based support groups, like NA or AA. There are even support groups for family members like Alanon/Alateen. Recovery from addiction is a process. It has many ups and downs. Involvement in support groups and working the steps of recovery are a good foundation at achieving a long term sobriety goal.
