The importance of continuing care and aftercare in addiction treatment in Vancouver, Victoria and Kelowna, British Columbia. – Part 03 – Options Okanagan Treatment Centers in Kelowna, British Columbia treating opiate, fentanyl and alcohol addiction and recovery.
Best Possible Outcomes of Aftercare Programs
The most vital part of a successful aftercare program for an individual is how it helps them prepare to handle life on their own. The goal of these programs is to teach empowerment so they can live their own lives without being chained to a chemical addiction. They need to know that they are the ones in control of their own future and that they are not stuck in anybody else’s prescribed scenario.
Since no one but the addict can choose to become sober, it makes sense that only the recovering addict can choose to remain sober. No amount of treatment of any kind can make that difference in the individual’s choice. In the end, it is the individual who chooses. It is for these reasons that aftercare programs foster a sense of self confidence and self esteem in the recovering individual so as to provide for the best possible outcomes.
Statistics have shown that individuals who take part in aftercare and similar programs are significantly less likely to return to former self destructive behaviors.
What Happens When Aftercare is Done?
Unless the patient is involved in a lifetime aftercare program, the process does eventually end, typically between six months to a year or longer. From there, the patient is on their own to struggle with the daily array of challenges, temptations and triggers. But they do not need to do this on their own. There is a wide range of additional support that comes from regular attendance and participation in 12-step group meetings. It is for these reasons that 12-step meetings are usually part of aftercare programs and patients are encouraged to attended these meetings long after the aftercare program ends.
Some individuals in recover stick to these meetings as a way of giving back to support others new to recovery. Others regularly attend these meetings simply to reinforcement what they’ve learned already, or as a way of staying connected to their need to stay sober.
Other times, people just need a friend who understands and has been through the same type of experiences they have. Because sobriety always exists on shaky ground, a lot of things can rock the foundation. Help and support or simply someone who understands is available at the appropriate 12 step group. Friends, sponsors and others the recovering addict meets during these meetings may become a vital lifeline in a crisis.
What Should Be Hoped For?
Following intensive treatment and participation in aftercare, the recovering addict should make plans for the future that change and adapt regularly. Once certain long term or short term goals are met, recovering addicts should make new ones. Whether it’s enrichment, personal satisfaction, realizing long held dreams, starting a lasting romantic relationship or anything else, goals are important.
Faith in oneself is vitally important to achieving these dreams, most of which tend to be overlooked while in stuck in addiction. In the end, there are no limits to what a person can do once they have overcome their addictions.
In summation, individuals who are about to complete treatment should absolutely work with their individual counselor to develop a customized aftercare program. Plan to participate in the aftercare program for at least six months after treatment and possibly longer. From there, 12-step meetings and conjunction with aftercare programs is a good idea. Creating and revising goals and adding new ones is a good idea as well.
If you need help locate a rehab aftercare program for you, your teen, family members or friends, call 1-855-335-0331.
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 Drug and Opiate Treatment Center
551 Sherrydale Crescent, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331