If you think undergoing drug rehab treatment is challenging, wait until you have to step back into the real world with the same environment and factors that compelled you towards addiction in the first place. An essential reason why the sobriety rate after five years of rehab is not as impressive is that the individuals with a history of addiction and subsequent rehab are unable to resist the factors prevailing in the real world.
Just because you are out of rehab does not mean other addicts or drug dealers are, too. They are right there, doing what you used to do once. You have changed but they haven’t, and this makes things terribly difficult for the people who are freshly out of rehab.
Drug rehab is a consistent process. It does not end with the rehabilitation center. It continues with your life and the decisions you make on an everyday basis. The starting days after rehab, however, are the most difficult ones.
Especially when you are out from an inpatient rehab treatment, you are more accustomed to a sheltered, controlled, stable and positive environment that encourages you towards constructive progress. Adjusting back in the real world can be quite difficult because you are suddenly exposed to the same unstable environment, social circle and problems that coerced you towards seeking relief in illicit drugs or alcohol.
When you undergo rehab, your mindset and approach pertaining to drug abuse and addiction modifies, while the rest of the world remains the same. Staying in rehab ensures that you are consistently monitored and all negative elements are eradicated from your surroundings. Consistent access to counselors and rehab specialists help you regain stability whenever a physical, emotional, or psychological trigger has a negative affect on you.
Conversely, such does not remain the case when you step out of rehab and this fact scares a majority of the recovering addicts, with good reason. The rehab treatment alone requires you to undergo extensive physical, emotional and psychological stress to modify yourself completely.
This continuous monitoring keeps your sobriety in check, but when stepping out, you are completely on your own. You have to battle not just your internal compulsion, but external factors as well. Being exposed to the same vulnerable setting can be frightening, as it may lead you to lose everything that you have gained during the course of recovery.
The triggers prevailing in the real world can persuade you to give up the lessons learned during the rehab and continue with your previous destructive practice of using drugs. However, if you maintain a strong and highly effective aftercare plan, you can defend your sober-status. To help you through, here are some effective ways of maintaining sobriety in the real world.
1. Surround Yourself with Positive People
The best way to maintain your sobriety is to stay away from people who are either an addict or compel you towards addiction through their behavior, actions, and words. You are in a sensitive condition when you are freshly out of rehab. Triggers are likely to work more strongly on you than ever.
So it is better that you take all precautionary measures that will help you retain your newly-acquired sober status. The first thing you should consider doing is terminating any and all negative relationships that you have if you fear that continuing them will only depress you further.
It may appear difficult to cut off with these people, and they may even make you feel guilty, but you have to do it. For the sake of your wellness, eradicate these toxic relationships and surround yourself with people who encourage you towards positivity. Replace negative relationships with optimistic ones. You need supportive people in your social circle who understand the vulnerable position you are in and aid your recovery journey.
2. Remain in Contact with Your Counselor
Following the inpatient rehab treatment, you can still remain in touch with your rehab counselor and therapist through outpatient drug rehab programs. These programs are really effective as they help you adjust in the real world better. Stepping from a highly stable, controlled setting to a very triggering real world can shake your footing tremendously. Having a professional support can be of substantial help in working through these obstacles.
3. Practicing Communication
Communication is the ultimate solution to numerous problems. As long as you are communicating and conveying your internal feelings to those who support you socially and professionally, you will be able to get through the challenges. When you verbalize your feelings, concerns, and fears, you are able to address them too. This ultimately lowers the chances of these feelings turning up against you and compelling you towards addiction.
4. Indulge in Physical Activities
To ensure that triggers from the real world do not impact you, make sure to indulge in practices that can keep you healthy and strong. Physical exercise is one method to do so. You do not have to get into hardcore physical activities right away. Instead, you can choose to have a milder workout routine that can include brisk walking, a fifteen-minute exercise, or an hour at the gym.
These exercises can help you release the strain building in your mind and give you an outlet to overcome frustration, anxiety or any other negative feelings. Starting your life again after rehab is a time that will be full of obstacles. You cannot expect a smooth transition because the real world cannot be controlled. Instead, you have to learn to be in control of yourself and develop skills and abilities that can help you retain your sobriety.
Scottsdale Recovery Center offers exquisite aftercare and outpatient rehab programs to its clients to help them overcome the initial challenges faced after the addiction recovery. Our mission to offer support to our clients in every possible manner and at every level. If you are worried about how you are going to settle back into your life, contact us today to get our professional advice on how to go about your journey towards complete sobriety.
