How to Plan for Life After Detox

Published On: February 26, 2016|4.6 min read|916 words|Categories: Recovery|

In your recovery from addiction, detox often feels like a massive hurdle standing between you and a life of freedom. For others, it might appear to be a one-and-done step — meaning that detox is all you need for a successful, sustained recovery.

As much as we’d love for that to be true, detox is actually only the first step in a lifelong journey of healing and growth.

Once detox is complete, the real recovery process begins. Detox is crucial for cleansing your physical body in order to start with a fresh slate, but aftercare is even more important for cleansing the mind and undoing the damage caused by addiction. For this reason, no one should leave a detox facility without an aftercare treatment plan in place.

When does a discharge occur?

Discharge happens when you have successfully completed detox and the drugs and/or alcohol are no longer in your body’s system. This can be anywhere from three days to two weeks after you start. Certain factors – such as medical history, the presence of co-occurring disorders and the length/method of addiction – play a role in not only how severe one’s detox will be, but how long it will take.

Once your medical caretakers determine you to be fully detoxed and ready for the next step in the process, your therapist will meet with you and work alongside you to come up with the best plan for detox aftercare to ensure a sustained recovery.

Who is part of aftercare planning?

You, of course, have a say in your aftercare planning, as it’s important to the success of your overall treatment to make sure the plan is personalized to meet your needs.

Additionally, your therapist plays a crucial role in any aftercare treatment plans to ensure the proper steps are being taken to look after your mental health. If you were prescribed medications during detox, you will likely also work with a psychiatrist — these individuals are allowed to prescribe medications and will be essential as you navigate the medical side of recovery.

Lastly, your loved ones — be they relatives, roommates or trusted friends — may also be a part of your detox aftercare plan. The people who you live with, or who play an important role in your life, are vital to all have on the same page as regards your treatment plan; they can offer additional support during this time of transition, as well as help keep you accountable if needed.

What does detox aftercare look like?

Generally speaking, aftercare transitions through phases of intensity as you become more independent and strong in your recovery. While some individuals do return home immediately following detox, this is never recommended. Because recovery is not just the process of cleansing the body, but a whole journey of rewiring the brain and healing the mind, those who do not pursue additional treatment tend to relapse within the first couple of weeks after returning home.

In order to prevent relapse, aftercare treatment plans often include time in an inpatient treatment facility and then a sober living home.

Inpatient treatment

An inpatient treatment facility is where you can continue to receive monitoring, support and clinical services following detox. These facilities offer different levels of care and supervision depending on your needs, but have strict rules surrounding sobriety in order to encourage habits that you will take with you when you return to everyday living.

In an inpatient treatment facility, you will continue to attend both individual and group counseling, be guided through holistic therapies like yoga and meditation as you work on your mental health and begin working towards goals that will help maintain sobriety long-term. The routines, habits and healthy coping mechanisms created during inpatient treatment are all things you will be able to take with you to the next stage.

Outpatient sober living

While inpatient treatment is more supervised, outpatient sober living offers more freedom while still providing a safe and secure environment. Many individuals will choose to move into a sober living home following inpatient treatment for the sake of increased stability while they “dip their toes” back into the outside world. Many seek employment during this time and having a safe place to return to can be extremely beneficial to long-term recovery.

Sober living homes also offer the availability of help 24/7, but do not provide constant medical monitoring. Truly a transitional phase, outpatient sober living prepares you for the next step, giving you a community to rely on all the while encouraging and promoting your own growth and independence.

Individuals may reside in a sober living home for anywhere from one month to six months until they and their therapist determine they are ready for life outside treatment. Then, once they do return home, it is always encouraged to attend weekly meetings with either a therapist or support group to help maintain that mindset of recovery and feel supported in a like-minded community.

Beginning the process

Drug detoxing and addiction recovery is a long journey, but it doesn’t have to be a gruesome one. While challenges will present themselves, you can equip yourself to face these challenges by taking the initiative to find a good detox provider and ensuring that aftercare treatment is planned and ready.

To begin your recovery journey today, consider reaching out to Freedom Detox. We offer personalized treatment in addition to aftercare plans to make sure your recovery is sustained. To learn more, visit our website anytime or contact our offices by calling 800-475-2312.

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