For many addicts, inpatient rehab is a necessary step toward getting clean. Among other things, inpatient rehab offers the chance to detox with the support of a qualified medical and counseling staff who is familiar with the physiological and mental challenges of detoxing and prepared to help a detoxing addict overcome the very challenging process of withdrawing from drugs or alcohol. Inpatient rehab also offers a chance for addicts to find some peace and freedom from the people, places, and other triggers that may be leading them to use.
During this time, an addict can more effectively work with therapists and other mental health professionals to hone the tools that will ultimately lead to their lifelong sobriety. While inpatient drug rehab is an incredibly productive and necessary tool for many addicts, it may not prepare an addict fully for what is ultimately the goal of any recovery program: a healthy and productive life in the real world. This is why many recovering addicts find great benefit in transitional living programs after they have left their inpatient programs.
What Is Transitional Aftercare?
Transitional Aftercare is treatment that is offered to an addict after they have completed their time at a rehab facility. Generally transitional aftercare is the next step for recovering addicts who have been in inpatient programs, but many addicts who have worked through outpatient programs may also find much benefit in a transitional aftercare program. Here, addicts can learn to come back to the world outside of recovery while still receiving the support and domestic resources available to them in inpatient treatment.
Recovering addicts in transitional care live with other recovering addicts and have access to both group and individual therapy in much the same way that they did in inpatient rehab. Rather than staying completely isolated, however, patients in transitional care begin to engage in everyday activities, such as maintaining employment and simultaneously strengthen the skills necessary to live in the real world without using.
Why is Transitional Aftercare Effective?
Many addicts find great success in transitional aftercare programs because it allows them the chance to discover challenges to their well being and sobriety while living in an environment that helps them discover and strengthen means by which they may remain sober.
Many threats to an addict’s sobriety may not have been apparent while they were in inpatient rehab, but they may find, after returning to work, that the stress of employment, for example, is a trigger that tempts them to use. If this is discovered while an addict is in transitional care, they have a very strong and immediate support system available to help cope with challenges such as this.
Applying the Lessons of Rehab
Transitional aftercare helps put to practical use the tools and discoveries that were made in rehab. This can help a recovering addict find much more success because while in transitional aftercare, they are having frequent conversations with counselors and other recovering addicts who can help them sort through the most effective methods of staying sober for a lifetime.
Living in an environment that only allows sobriety can also create a highly effective social culture wherein an addict may feel strong and constant pressure to stay clean. This can be much more effective than a situation wherein an addict returns to their previous life and makes contact with friends who are still using, which may present pressure to use, rather than stay clean.
Eventually, the goal of all treatment programs is for any person struggling with the disease that is addiction to move onto a long life of sobriety. Transitional aftercare can help a recovering addict ensure that when they enter life after rehab, they only move forward in their quest for health.