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Aftercare In Vancouver, B.C. And An Explanation Of AA : Options Okanagan Treatment Centers

Aftercare in Vancouver, British Columbia and an explanation of AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) by Options Okanagan Treatment Centers in Kelowna, British Columbia treating Opiate addiction and recovery.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) over the last 60 years has been the common and frequently the only kind of care for alcohol as well as other substance use issues. Out of all of the mutual assistance groups that are available, including Narcotics Anonymous and Smart Recovery, by far AA is the most widely and readily available. The focus of AA meetings is on having honest, open and frank discussions regarding all of the various aspects to help people deal with recovery – both the positive experiences that recovery brings as well as the pains that were experienced during times of substance use.

Opiate addiction and drug abuse and Addiction Aftercare in Vancouver

There are no fees charged by AA. Meetings are not for alcoholics only – individuals are welcome who have all kinds of different substance use problems. There are some meetings that allow smoking, however many don’t. Coffee is made by a volunteer for these one-hour meetings, and typically a volunteer chair will open the meeting by telling her or his personal recovery story and then the meeting will be opened. Then people raise their hands to either share a positive experience that has been brought to them by their recovery or to talk about a problem that they are struggling with. In AA there is no criticism, and there is no deriding of anyone’s issues or statements. All comments and issues are treated with confidentiality and respect.

People Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare in Vancouver

Is AA a form of treatment?

No it is not. AA is a mutual help organization. There have been many people who have entered into recovery through just attending AA meetings and not having any formal treatment. AA has been used by many others as a type of continuing care in order to help them stay sober after they have undergone a formal treatment program.

Is AA a kind of religious group?

No, it is not. Although there are spiritual (not religious) aspect that are a part of numerous groups, it isn’t universal. There are many members of AA who think that a major key to their recovery is getting in touch with their own spirituality. However, this view isn’t shared by everyone. AA doesn’t require any spiritual or religious involvement.

Men Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare in Vancouver

Is AA for alcoholics only?

No, it is not. AA is for anybody with a substance use problem, no matter what their level of severity or diagnosis is who is interested in achieving sobriety and then staying sober. Many who go to AA meeting have more than one substance use issue.

What are AA’s 12 steps?

In AA writings and meetings the 12 steps that are discussed involve steps that come from the collective experience of individuals who are in recovery that result in developing a forgiving, helping an honest lifestyle – it is the type of life that isn’t consistent with addiction at all.

Men Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare in Vancouver

Is it all talk?

No, a majority of those attending AA meetings are able to meet with other recovering individuals and get together with them socially for meals and coffee or other kinds of social events. In addition, AA meetings can lead to other kinds of useful connections to things like affordable housing and jobs. In these ways, AA meetings can serve the daily and social needs of individuals in recovery as well as help them to meet their daily challenges.

Where can AA meetings be found?

On the Internet an AA directory is posted. Most treatment programs have local schedules that are available. Nearly every town has church or more that dedicates a meeting room for AA meetings several times a week or day.

Options Okanagan Opiate and Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Individuals Living with Opiate Addiction and Addiction Aftercare in Kelowna

Our unique and distinctive Opiate Drug and Alcohol treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, heroin drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

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Our Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Opiate Treatment Center
551 Sherrydale Crescent, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331

Why Aftercare Is Crucial In Drug Addiction Recovery In Vancouver, BC – Part 02 – Options Okanagan Treatment Centers

Why aftercare is crucial in opiate, drug and alcohol addiction recovery in Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna and other parts of British Columbia – Options Okanagan Treatment Center in Kelowna, British Columbia treating Opiate addiction and recovery.

Comprehending The Cross Over From Addiction Therapy To Aftercare

For men and women who have arrived at the other end of addiction treatment, the temptation exists to think they have no more obstacles to deal with. Even though acknowledging help for an addiction issue is in itself an excellent accomplishment, there is still a lot more work to be accomplished. The truth is, in actuality we could declare that it is the period of time following the primary treatment, where the challenging work really takes place. It is for this purpose that we are likely to acknowledge on the importance for a amount of aftercare, specifically for a number of years following recovery.

Opiate addiction and drug abuse and Addiction Aftercare in Vancouver

Necessary Coping Strategies For The Recovery Period

A further cause of relapse is the absence of the necessary coping strategies to lead an enjoyable life during recovery. It is inevitable that life will have great moments and tough moments, it is vital that the individual knows how to cope in both scenarios. When an addict feels that life is becoming unbearable, their first thought will be to turn to substance abuse. Individuals who manage to get sober but don’t learn coping strategies face a continual uphill challenge, as well as a higher risk of relapse.

People Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare in Vancouver

Why Aftercare Is Vital

The chance of staying sober and enjoying a longer life is enjoyed by those who have a form of aftercare. Keeping motivation levels high and providing support when necessary is all part of aftercare. Whilst treatment facility programs provide individuals with a lot of important information and necessary skills, the bulk of the learning should happen when everyday life is resumed. New challenges call for new solutions, and the individual will learn to create them. In this way their coping strategies are developed and refined over a period of time.

For people who do have a relapse, their behavior tends to follow a specific pattern, we refer to it as the relapse process. The process starts with staying in recovery. The process will ultimately lead to a relapse, if it is not handled with the effective use of aftercare. Relapse triggers can be identified much quicker by people who have aftercare. Such individuals are also in a better position to sense alarm bells ringing if they are starting down the path to relapse.

Men Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare in Vancouver

The Various Forms Of Aftercare

The types of aftercare vary. Some rehab facilities will provide aftercare for individuals who have successfully completed the program. Individuals themselves can organize other forms of aftercare.

* Out of all the aftercare types, Twelve Step Groups are the most common. The recommendation is for members to have lifetime regular attendance. For individuals who have recently recovered, the suggestion is to attend 90 meetings within 90 days. The lifestyle offered by Twelve Step Groups is effective for many people. Conferences, dances and conventions also provide a social side to these groups.

* Other support groups also exist, in addition to the Twelve Step Program. Since some individuals are not so comfortable with the spiritual side to the AA, other groups can prove to be a better option. From these other groups, Rational Recovery is likely the most popular.

People Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare in Vancouver

* After rehab individuals may be offered booster sessions. Whilst many treatment facilities do not yet offer such sessions, their effectiveness is certainly becoming widespread. Such a sessions happens several months following discharge from the rehab facility. As well as a debriefing of their recent experiences, they will be taught new skills and strategies to continue coping. Since such sessions focus on boosting motivation levels, they can be very effective in lowering the chance of a relapse.

* Aftercare can also come in the form of counselling sessions. The individual will have the opportunity to explore the reasons behind their addiction, as well as discuss current challenges.

* For individuals who suffer from an additional mental health problem, dual diagnosis support is necessary. Depression and other mental conditions can often be experienced by addicts. At times such conditions are related to the addiction, or in other cases they existed before addiction. When dual diagnosis is not treated, the risk of the individual feeling dissatisfied with life, and in turn having a relapse, is higher. The type of dual diagnosis will determine the best form of support.

Options Okanagan Opiate and Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Individuals Living with Opiate Addiction and Addiction Aftercare in Kelowna

Our unique and distinctive Opiate Drug and Alcohol treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, heroin drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

Google+ Options Okanagan

Our Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Opiate Treatment Center
551 Sherrydale Crescent, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331

Why Aftercare Is Crucial In Addiction Recovery In Vancouver, BC: Part 01: Options Okanagan Treatment Centers

Why aftercare is crucial in drug and alcohol addiction recovery in Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna and other parts of British Columbia – Options Okanagan Treatment Center in Kelowna, British Columbia treating Opiate addiction and recovery.

Understanding The Transition From Addiction Treatment To Aftercare

For people who have reached the other end of addiction treatment, the temptation exists to think they have no more hurdles to tackle. Whilst accepting help for an addiction problem is in itself an excellent achievement, there is still more work to be done. In fact, in reality we could say that it is the period following the initial treatment, where the hard work really happens. It is for this reason that we tend to agree on the necessity for a level of aftercare, especially for several years following recovery.

Opiate addiction and drug abuse and Addiction Aftercare in Vancouver

What Is Aftercare?

When we use the expression, ‘aftercare’, we are referring to any form of follow-on intervention after the initial treatment. When it comes to addiction treatment, aftercare often comes in the form of supplementary support once the residential part of the treatment has been successfully completed. Examples of such aftercare are support groups. counseling, follow-up meetings and booster sessions. Aftercare can also include learning additional coping skills and strategies, as well as debriefings.

People Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare in Vancouver

The Real Risk Of A Relapse

Out of all those who successfully complete an addiction treatment program, as much as 50% will later have a relapse. For those who do have a relapse, the chance of a further recovery may be zero. Whilst this fact in itself is negative, the positive side is that relapses can be prevented. The first 60 days after discharge have the highest risk of relapse. The level of risk remains at a high level for 5 years following a successful addiction treatment.

Men Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare in Vancouver

What Causes A Relapse?

Motivation levels tend to be very high when a person is first discharged from a rehab facility, in general they feel very hopeful about their future. They have been successful in living through physical withdrawal symptoms and feel confident in a life without substance abuse. They have a strong belief in their own ability to succeed. In fact, it is proper that they feel such pride in their achievements. However, it is when they get back to their usual daily life, that the real challenge can come.

It is much easier to stay off drugs or alcohol in a residential facility for addiction treatment, than it is in the real world. The temptation to relapse does not exist in a rehab facility and the individual is surrounded by support. It can be quite a shock to the system when the individual returns to normal life. Not only are temptations all around, but the support experienced in the rehab facility is also lacking. The enticement to step back into the old pattern can be very strong.

The reasons vary for why an individual has a relapse following recovery. When the focus towards living without drugs and alcohol becomes somewhat weakened, motivation levels can plummet. A pattern of thinking can develop that makes the individual believe they are now clear of the danger zone and staying sober no longer requires such vigorous efforts. Once the individual starts down this path, they start to forget why they required treatment in the first place. The utter distress they experienced when they reached their lowest point has faded into insignificance. When their level of effort to stay sober decrease, life takes on an unfulfilling feeling. Their reaction to such a situation may have them heading down the road to addiction all over again.

Options Okanagan Opiate and Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Individuals Living with Opiate Addiction and Addiction Aftercare in Kelowna

Our unique and distinctive Opiate Drug and Alcohol treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, heroin drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

Google+ Options Okanagan

Our Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Opiate Treatment Center
551 Sherrydale Crescent, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331

Vancouver Drug Rehabilitation: Why Aftercare Is Necessary : Options Okanagan Treatment Centers

Drug Rehabilitation: Why Aftercare Is Necessary in Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna and other parts of British Columbia – Options Okanagan Treatment Center in Kelowna, British Columbia treating Opiate addiction & recovery and Aftercare.

It is not easy to go through drug rehabilitation. Still, once a person has exited the program, they are not finished with their journey. The “details” are not really important. It does not matter how many substances the person was addicted to. It does not matter if they consumed alcohol in addition to drugs. It doesn’t even matter what level their addiction was at. When someone is trying to recover from an addiction, they should embrace aftercare once they leave the rehab center and before they resume their life. Aftercare assists clients as they try to leave behind their past and embrace their future and everything that is in front of them.

Aftercare gives the recovering individual a chance to receive support and counseling, even after they leave rehab. Each aftercare program is different; some allow clients to start as soon as their rehab program is over. Others require that clients stay sober for a certain length of time prior to starting the program.

Recovery for a person who was addicted to drugs does not have a firm “end date.” Simply leaving rehab does not mean that the process is over and the client is suddenly cured of their addiction. It is a process. Aftercare helps the person start again and gives them strategies that will help keep them from resuming previous bad habits. Part of that involves thinking differently and acting differently, so that relapse is not as prevalent.

Opiate addiction and drug abuse and addiction in Vancouver

Aftercare is a crucial next step for those that have been in a residential drug rehabilitation center. These programs are fully committed to recovery; to that end, participants have their day strictly scheduled for them. Heading back out into the world is much different. It can be stressful. It is often filled with negative influences. Having a support system to lean on is very important, particularly for the first year after exiting rehab.

There is no “one size fits all” aftercare program. These services look different depending on what is needed. There are short programs. There are long programs. There are programs that start right away and others that you have to wait for. It varies depending on the circumstances.

People Living with Drug addiction in Vancouver

There are those that may need some level of aftercare services for the rest of their life. Aftercare encompasses many different things; for example, it could include classes on addiction, group talks, individual counseling and even structured activities. In some cases, the services will be set up to include only males or only females, so that the support level remains high over time. Some programs may group clients based on the type of their addiction as well.

One type of aftercare program is a sober living home. There is no treatment available in these homes, but they provide a place for people to live without the constant worry of drugs or alcohol. The residents of these homes divvy up living responsibilities while they stay there. Eventually, they go back to “regular” life. Outpatient services are another form of aftercare. They help clients build skills and deal with negative feelings. They also help people deal with any temptations that may come along as they are trying to stay sober and live their life.

Men Living with Drug addiction in Vancouver

In order to stay sober, aftercare is often a necessary part of the recovery process. Clients can continue to learn and grow as they move back toward reclaiming their lives.

Options Okanagan Opiate and Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Individuals Living with Opiate Addiction in Kelowna

Our unique and distinctive Opiate Drug and Alcohol treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, meth drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

Google+ Options Okanagan

Our Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Opiate Treatment Center
551 Sherrydale Crescent, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331