For those struggling with substance use disorder, taking the first step and enrolling in professional treatment is a major victory. But it is only the first step of the recovery journey. Naturally, while going through a rehabilitation program, you live in a fully supportive environment. Part of this support is learning how to stay sober after rehab by avoiding relapse and applying the coping skills and strategies gained during treatment.
At 7 Summit Pathways, our alcohol and drug rehab programs separate you from the triggers that led to your substance use disorder. Removing these temptations makes it easier to remain sober. However, once you’re ready to move on from rehab, it is critical that you know how to stay sober and how to prevent relapse.
Ideally, after undergoing treatment, you’ve learned the tools you need to heal and cope with triggers that arise during your everyday life. Life after rehab is exciting. However, living a sober lifestyle brings with it challenges that you’ll have to navigate to avoid relapse. Call 7 Summit Pathways at 813.212.7149 to start your recovery journey. Our aftercare program can help you maintain your sobriety and recovery.
Have a Relapse Prevention Plan in Place
As you prepare to leave rehab, the staff and counselors at your treatment center will help you develop a plan to stay sober. During your time undergoing rehabilitation, you’ve probably learned that seeking help is essential to recovery. That’s why your plan should include some sort of continuing care, such as:
- Individual or group therapy
- Check-ins with your counselor
- Support groups
- Sober living home
- Aftercare services
After completing treatment, you will have coping skills and strategies for recognizing and avoiding triggers, but you must have a plan to use them effectively.
How to Stay Sober After Rehab?
Recognize and Manage Relapse Triggers
One of the most critical parts of rehab is recognizing the underlying issues that may have led to your substance use disorder in the first place. These possibilities include people and situations you’ll need to avoid once you return to your everyday life. These triggers can lead you to crave drugs or alcohol, which may cause a relapse. You’ll need to have healthy coping mechanisms in place so that you can deal with problems and stress without turning back to addiction.
Create a Support Network
Many of your friends and family members may ask how they can help once your rehabilitation program is complete. Instead of declining their offers, make a list of those people you can rely on to support you and encourage you to remain sober post-rehab.
Building relationships with people who understand the nature of addiction is essential. That’s why support and self-help groups are incredibly useful after recovery. Your network of people will create positive energy around you and give you individuals you can turn to when temptations to use arise.
Along with your healthy support network, you should also recognize unhealthy influences in your life. If being around certain people makes you want to start using again, avoid them.
Maintain a Healthy and Active Lifestyle
Once you’re ready to create a fresh routine in the real world, try replacing your old habits of addiction with new, healthy activities. You’ll not only distract yourself from specific triggers this way but also create lifestyle changes that aid your overall health and well-being. A huge variety of options can offer a distraction from cravings and reduce stress, including:
- Exercise and sports
- Healthy eating
- Reading
- Arts and crafts
- Online learning
- Gardening
- Learning a new language
- Volunteering
Recovery is a journey, and having plenty of healthy, sober activities will keep you focused on the pathway and help you maintain sobriety.
Choose a Treatment Center with Aftercare Services
If you haven’t chosen your rehabilitation treatment center, find one with aftercare services. Once your program is complete and you return to your everyday life, you’ll want all the support and guidance you can get.
Contact 7 Summit Pathways Today
At 7 Summit Pathways, aftercare is essential to our treatment services. Learning how to stay sober after rehab requires tips, skills, and strategies so that you can avoid triggers and prevent relapse. We won’t leave you to fend for yourself after rehab. Instead, we firmly believe that by offering support through our aftercare program and continued support, we can help patients live healthy, sober lives. To learn more about 7 Summit Pathways based in the Tampa area, contact us today at 813.212.7149 or reach out online.