Making the decision to get help for drug and alcohol addiction is the first step in a long journey through the recovery process.
Often times, people arrive to treatment completely broken, overwhelmed and sometimes even angry at the mess they have made of their lives.
Upon enrolling in a drug and alcohol treatment program, the patient will begin meeting with a counselor and actively participate in group meetings with other patients who struggle with addiction.
A 30-90 day treatment program provides a refuge of sorts for those who desire sobriety.
But what happens after the graduation ceremony and the patient returns home? Addiction has never been known to spare anyone based on age, religion, socioeconomic status or race.
People from all walks of life struggle with chemical dependency.
With that in mind, there have been people who arrive to treatment who have well established careers, while others were snatched from the city streets.
There will be those who have children and a large support network, while others may have family members who have turned their backs on them over the years because of their addiction.
Some patients will be faced with the harsh reality of having to return to a network of friends and family where addiction lurks in every corner.
Others find themselves to be the only person in their inner circle who were chemically dependent and have a wonderful support network at home.
Whatever the case may be, each patient who graduates from treatment will have to face the realities of what they are returning home to.
Just prior to graduation, a patient should receive a discharge plan based on their needs, interests and the professional counsel received.
A treatment center should have the patient's best interest in mind and a good discharge plan will set the patient up for a successful recovery walk upon returning home.
The following are some things that need to be considered and possibly arranged prior to discharge:
It's important to stay active and focused on positive life experiences that will build them up and move them forward in recovery.
Overcoming addiction is virtually impossible to do on our own.
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction and would like to talk with us about your treatment option, please do not wait another day.
Help is here.
Often times, people arrive to treatment completely broken, overwhelmed and sometimes even angry at the mess they have made of their lives.
Upon enrolling in a drug and alcohol treatment program, the patient will begin meeting with a counselor and actively participate in group meetings with other patients who struggle with addiction.
A 30-90 day treatment program provides a refuge of sorts for those who desire sobriety.
But what happens after the graduation ceremony and the patient returns home? Addiction has never been known to spare anyone based on age, religion, socioeconomic status or race.
People from all walks of life struggle with chemical dependency.
With that in mind, there have been people who arrive to treatment who have well established careers, while others were snatched from the city streets.
There will be those who have children and a large support network, while others may have family members who have turned their backs on them over the years because of their addiction.
Some patients will be faced with the harsh reality of having to return to a network of friends and family where addiction lurks in every corner.
Others find themselves to be the only person in their inner circle who were chemically dependent and have a wonderful support network at home.
Whatever the case may be, each patient who graduates from treatment will have to face the realities of what they are returning home to.
Just prior to graduation, a patient should receive a discharge plan based on their needs, interests and the professional counsel received.
A treatment center should have the patient's best interest in mind and a good discharge plan will set the patient up for a successful recovery walk upon returning home.
The following are some things that need to be considered and possibly arranged prior to discharge:
- Is the patient a good candidate for a Sober Living facility?
- Is the patient in need of outpatient care?
- Would a halfway house be a suitable option if the patient is unable to return home?
- Is there an interest in pursuing a spiritual lifestyle and if so, is there a religious preference nearby?
- Where are the nearest AA and NA meetings being held?
- Is there a person in their community that is willing to sponsor them?
- Depending upon other addictions, is there a local support group that meets in their community that addresses the same addiction issues?
- Are they in need of vocational rehab?
- Are they looking at attending a local community college or taking courses online?
- Is the patient in need of employment? If so, assist with job applications and provide them with Worksource information.
It's important to stay active and focused on positive life experiences that will build them up and move them forward in recovery.
Overcoming addiction is virtually impossible to do on our own.
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction and would like to talk with us about your treatment option, please do not wait another day.
Help is here.
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