How to Return to Life After Residential Treatment

If you are reading this, you have likely either reached the completion or are nearing the completion of your residential treatment program. Congratulations! Finishing a long-term treatment program is an incredible accomplishment during your sobriety and recovery journey. It has taken significant dedication, commitment and diligence to get here, and your effort will not go unnoticed. It is essential to take a moment and be proud of where you stand.

While committing to sobriety and treatment can be some of the most challenging parts of recovery, it is vital to recognize that recovery is a lifelong journey. There will always be bumps in the road. However, the more engaged you stay with long-term recovery, the smaller these bumps will be over time.

The next challenge you will experience is transitioning back to life after completing a residential treatment program. If you haven’t already, you will have to evaluate your living situation, relationships, career and other responsibilities. Although you may be intimidated, remember that you are making strides towards lifelong recovery by taking these leaps forward. As you transition back to the outside world, it is essential to keep your sobriety as one of the top priorities in your life.

Reflect on all that you have gained from your residential treatment program.

Sometimes, even taking steps in the right direction can make us feel like we are falling behind. To avoid feeling overwhelmed by new responsibilities and obligations outside of treatment, reflect on the lessons and skills you have gained from your treatment program. This will be especially important when you feel distressed about your sobriety and recovery.

As you reflect on your lessons, jot them down in a journal or notepad. This produces physical evidence of the things you have gained from treatment rather than having the added pressure of needing to remember them. Reflect on both small and large victories, such as:

  • Independence skills: These may include skills you’ve gained from tending to household chores (such as cleaning, cooking, etc.) or skills you have gained from upholding house expectations (such as following a set curfew or attending all necessary meetings).
  • Communication skills: These may include skills you have learned through your peer and staff relationships. For example, you may have learned how to voice your needs honestly or show empathy for someone else going through a challenging experience.
  • Coping skills: It is imperative to have access to healthy coping skills when transitioning out of a residential program. Consider any valuable coping skills you learned during treatment and make a note to prioritize them during the times you feel discouraged.
  • Wellness skills: Residential treatment helps individuals get their mental and physical health in check. Be sure to consider any wellness skills you have obtained relating to exercise, self-care, nutrition and sufficient sleep.

Evaluate any risk factors outside of treatment that may contribute to future relapse.

Although this step may be completed during residential treatment, you must evaluate any risk factors that you will be returning to outside of treatment that could potentially contribute to future relapse. For example, if you previously lived with roommates who regularly used alcohol or other drugs, returning to that environment after treatment is not advised. If your living situation reminds you of using or gives you direct access to substances, you will need to find somewhere new to live for the sake of your sobriety.

Similarly, you will have to evaluate your peer groups and other places and things that could potentially trigger a relapse. Remember that you may not have to avoid these people, places and things forever. In the meantime, if it could trigger you to use substances, it will not serve you in the here and now.

Sober living homes are an excellent transitional option for individuals in recovery.

If you feel overwhelmed trying to navigate the triggers and pressures you will return to after treatment, sober living homes can ease your stress. Sober living homes provide a monitored, safe environment for individuals to reside in after completing a long-term treatment program. Frequently, many are not ready for complete independence after finishing rehab. Sober living homes will encourage long-term treatment engagement, require compliance with meetings and maintaining abstinence and foster intimate social support networking, all of which are essential for long-term recovery.

Long-term treatment engagement is vital for lasting recovery.

Whether you are overwhelmed thinking about the transition from residential treatment or feel empowered, it is essential to maintain engagement with continuing treatment resources such as support groups. Engagement with long-term treatment resources can hold you accountable as you explore new avenues of independence and responsibility. Similarly, these resources can help you get back on track if you experience challenges or setbacks.

No one is ever safe from relapse. Therefore, it is crucial to stay engaged with treatment and sober support networks as often as possible as you transition from residential treatment.

Associated Behavioral Health Care is a mental health and addiction treatment facility that understands the challenges that accompany transitioning out of a residential treatment program. We offer resources that can make the process much smoother and long-term treatment resources that are valuable in preventing future relapse. For more information, call us today at (844) 335-7384.

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