Staying Sober Requires Post-Rehab Care

When respected actor Philip Seymour Hoffman died of a heroin overdose in early February, his friends, family and fans were shocked. Hoffman had been forthcoming about his struggles with drugs in the past and had completed a stint in rehabilitation less than a year before his death. Many were left wondering how someone who seemed so committed to his sobriety could start using drugs again.

The sad story of Philip Seymour Hoffman is but one of many. Every day, former addicts who successfully completed treatment and remained sober for months, even years, later relapse to the surprise of their loved ones. The fact is that addiction is often a lifelong struggle, and no one is truly “cured” of an addiction. A large number of patients actually relapse at some point after rehab and have to undergo several rounds of treatment before they have the condition under control.

However, the chances of a successful ongoing recovery post-rehab are markedly higher if the patient has access to adequate care and support outside of the rehabilitation facility.

The Need for Continuing Care

Several factors contribute to the need for ongoing care for substance abusers after finishing rehab. First, addiction often occurs in conjunction with other mental disorders, ranging from depression to schizophrenia. It’s common for addicts to turn to drugs and alcohol as a means of coping with the symptoms of those conditions, which do not go away after treatment. As a result, ongoing support to help patients live with their disorder and manage it appropriately is important.

Not only do diagnosed mental disorders remain post-rehab, so do the triggers that previously lead to substance abuse. Recovering addicts have to adjust to an entirely new lifestyle, which is difficult enough for most people, but when faced with the people and places that contributed to their addiction, maintaining that lifestyle can be challenging. Not to mention, life is never going to be entirely carefree, and there are bound to be situations that would have previously driven the addict to use substances. A bad day at work, an argument with a spouse, even a celebration can spark an addict to turn to drugs or  alcohol, unless they have the resources and support necessary to deal with them.

staying soberTypes of Post-Rehab Care

After completing treatment, addicts will need to return to their former lives equipped with their new coping skills and a commitment to staying sober. Most people realize that some of the best rehabs are in California and include an aftercare element, which might include some combination of the following:

A Sober or “Halfway” House. For addicts who had severe addictions, or have concerns about returning to “normal” life post-rehab, a sober house provides a safe and supportive environment where they can maintain their sobriety while still enjoying some freedom. Addicts live with others who are also in recovery, as well as trained counselors, to redevelop life skills and ease back into society while avoiding the people, places and situations that could trigger a relapse.

Individual Therapy. Individual psychotherapy is often an important element of recovery, as it provides an outlet for the addict to discuss feelings and get feedback and new coping strategies from a trained professional.

Group Therapy/Support Groups. Group therapy allows addicts to learn from each other and a trained counselor and cope with the realities of life as a newly sober person. Members of the group can also provide necessary support and encouragement to each other, even if it’s just to have someone say, “I know how you feel.”

Accountability Check-Ins. Some rehabilitation centers perform check-ins with patients on a regular basis after discharge. These check-ins create a sense of accountability in the patient and allow counselors and therapists to identify potential problems early on and possibly prevent a relapse.

Most rehab centers use a combination of these methods, which are often successful in helping keep patients sober and on track. However, as the story of Philip Seymour Hoffman — and others like him — shows, the possibility of relapse is always present. Therefore, it’s important to maintain a continuity of care and to provide support and follow-up to help keep your loved one on the road to sobriety.

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