The Importance of Addiction Aftercare Programs
If you’ve ever struggled with addiction, you know that substance use disorder or addiction is a complex and demanding condition. However, effective treatment can help you reclaim your life from drug abuse and improve your quality of life. Sober living Scottsdale can be a reality with proper preparation and treatment at Pathfinders.
The best addiction treatment options are often tailored to your unique needs to ensure long-term recovery.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), most people needing addiction treatment never receive professional help. The agency reports that only about 10% of people who need substance abuse treatment receive it.
Completing a drug rehab program is the first step toward recovery.
Addiction treatment doesn’t end after detoxification or the initial drug rehab program. It involves taking long-term measures to live a drug-free life. This process may include a wide range of treatment and support options.
Aftercare programs and personalized support for addiction are essential parts of the continuum of treatment for complete recovery. Call our Scottsdale, Arizona Admissions team at (877) 224-0761 to find out more about our inpatient program and aftercare support services!
Understanding Aftercare for Substance Abuse
Aftercare refers to any follow-up or ongoing treatment for substance abuse after the initial drug rehab program. It aims to:
- Maintain recovery from addiction or substance abuse
- Teach clients to prevent relapse
- Achieve a life with a sense of purpose and a meaningful relationship
Detoxification is often the first step in SUD treatment, and most clients may require medically assisted detoxification. After completing the detox phase, many clients progress to a structured addiction treatment program in an outpatient or inpatient rehab setting.
Once rehab is complete, medical practitioners usually recommend ongoing recovery efforts as part of aftercare. The various types of aftercare programs vary widely based on setting, duration of treatment, and intensity.
Below are some of the most common types of addiction aftercare:
- Sober residences or sober living homes
- Outpatient aftercare
- Support groups
- Alumni programs
The Importance of Aftercare Planning
Long-term substance addiction can disrupt normal brain functioning. Many of these alterations do not immediately revert to their original state once use ceases. They may persist even after drug use has stopped.
Addiction not only has a physical toll but also a mental and emotional toll, which can linger long after the drug is no longer present in the system. Addiction treatment must be ongoing because the body undergoes physiological changes that may have long-lasting effects.
Addiction treatment has a high success rate, but recurrence is common due to the disease’s chronic nature. It can be challenging to maintain appropriate coping mechanisms in the face of ongoing daily triggers, even after receiving treatment. Participating in an addiction recovery aftercare program may strengthen the knowledge and skills you gained during rehabilitation.
Addiction is isolating and lonely, especially after one’s treatment program concludes, as anyone who has struggled with it knows. To sustain the hard-won improvements and new routines you’ve established, it may be helpful to establish or join a network of healthy and supportive people.
What is a Sober Living Scottsdale?
Also known as recovery housing, recovery home, and sober living house, sober living is an aftercare service that provides a safe, monitored environment for people attempting to overcome addiction in a professionally designed setting equipped with various amenities.
You can continue living in transitional housing even after completing addiction treatment. People in these homes are encouraged to stay sober by adhering to a strict set of guidelines.
In transitional housing options, house managers supervise drug tests, monitor residents to ensure they comply with the restrictions and offer continuing assistance.
What to Expect from Sober Living Homes
Living in a sober living home involves living among peers excited about addiction recovery and can be a fun experience. Some clients compare a sober living environment to living in a college dorm.
Sober living environments vary widely, with some homes having shared accommodations and others with private options to give you personal space and luxury amenities. All sober living homes have house rules such as:
- Maintaining abstinence from mood-altering substances
- Taking part in mandatory household activities like chores
- Following curfew and overnight rules
- Paying expenses such as rent
- Complying with drug and alcohol tests
- Following the recovery maintenance plan
- Attending meetings and therapy
A sober living house facilitates the transition from treatment to independent living. Most clients are occupied during the day by working, attending school, or receiving outpatient treatment. But they have to return to the recovery home by curfew time.
When living at home presents too many dangers, this choice can be a lifesaver. Pathfinders Recovery Center in Scottsdale, Arizona, can provide clients with a secure and encouraging environment.
The Differences Between Sober Living Homes and Rehabs
Living in a sober house meets your housing needs. These living arrangements offer no clinical services, so recovery houses aren’t considered treatment.
If you are still attending partial hospitalization and intense outpatient programs, you’ll spend the day at the treatment facility and your evenings at a sober living home.
You may also need to attend 12-step meetings or another type of support group through a treatment center if you’re trying to get sober.
Moving in or out of sober living is voluntary, and there are no restrictions on how long you should stay. Some people stay in recovery for a few months, while others stay for a year or longer.
A Plan for Sober Living: Scottsdale with Pathfinders
Most people are usually ready to transition into a sober living environment after completing detox and rehabilitation in a residential or outpatient rehab facility. It is best to remember that a sober living environment needs accountability.
A recovery community can be a great resource if you are still receiving outpatient services and continuing the journey toward recovery. Transitional housing can also help you maintain a sober lifestyle and reclaim your life from drug and alcohol addiction.
Before deciding to move into sober living, consider the following:
- Consult your case manager or therapist to get their opinion on whether a sober living home will help
- Research the sober living homes
- Visit the recovery home location for a tour
- Determine whether you’re committed to recovery and whether you need support from peers
- Understand the cost of sober living
- Talk to any friends or family that have experience living in drug and alcohol addiction recovery homes
Contact us today for more details on sober living communities in Scottsdale, AZ, and guidance on how to ensure long-term sobriety.
