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