Substance abuse counseling should not stop when you complete your
treatment program. Recovery is ongoing; even if you feel fantastic
after rehab, remember that you have not reached the end. The next phase
of your recovery may end up being one of the most difficult, as you make
the transition from rehab to independent living. Although you have
learned how to deal with triggers, it may be hard to implement those
lessons in the face of temptation.
The Importance of Substance Abuse Counseling
Follow through
Imagine you have a broken leg, and it is set in a cast. Six to eight weeks later, you get that cast removed. It might feel great. You might be ready to go for a run or bike ride. However, your doctor is probably going to advise you to take it easy for a while, to build your strength and avoid re-injuring yourself.
The same applies to substance abuse counseling after rehab. Feeling confident is a wonderful sign, but you must still follow through with aftercare. Counseling can help you develop your recovery muscles, so to speak. It can support you as you meet new, post-rehab challenges that you may not have expected.
Why continue substance abuse counseling?
Unfortunately, many people do relapse after rehab but that doesn't mean you will be one of them. Counseling helps you strike a balance between temptation and control, between keeping a level head and succumbing to a moment of weakness. You do not need to prove that you are capable of recovering without help. Support can make a big difference to your recovery, both during and after rehab.
If you are going through a tough time and struggling with cravings, substance abuse counseling can be a buffer that keeps you safe. You can call a counselor or point person who can help talk you through a craving. You can meet with them as soon as possible to reinforce what you've learned and figure out how to deal the next time it happens.
When to seek help again
Relapse does not make you a failure, and it is not a sign that you should give up. It's probably an indication that you still need support from substance abuse counseling. If you do relapse, talk to your counselor about the possibility of more support.
Perhaps you could benefit from an intensive outpatient program that provides a little more structure than being on your own without the level of commitment required for an inpatient program. You can seek help at any stage; there is no right or wrong way to recover from addiction.
The Importance of Substance Abuse Counseling
Follow through
Imagine you have a broken leg, and it is set in a cast. Six to eight weeks later, you get that cast removed. It might feel great. You might be ready to go for a run or bike ride. However, your doctor is probably going to advise you to take it easy for a while, to build your strength and avoid re-injuring yourself.
The same applies to substance abuse counseling after rehab. Feeling confident is a wonderful sign, but you must still follow through with aftercare. Counseling can help you develop your recovery muscles, so to speak. It can support you as you meet new, post-rehab challenges that you may not have expected.
Why continue substance abuse counseling?
Unfortunately, many people do relapse after rehab but that doesn't mean you will be one of them. Counseling helps you strike a balance between temptation and control, between keeping a level head and succumbing to a moment of weakness. You do not need to prove that you are capable of recovering without help. Support can make a big difference to your recovery, both during and after rehab.
If you are going through a tough time and struggling with cravings, substance abuse counseling can be a buffer that keeps you safe. You can call a counselor or point person who can help talk you through a craving. You can meet with them as soon as possible to reinforce what you've learned and figure out how to deal the next time it happens.
When to seek help again
Relapse does not make you a failure, and it is not a sign that you should give up. It's probably an indication that you still need support from substance abuse counseling. If you do relapse, talk to your counselor about the possibility of more support.
Perhaps you could benefit from an intensive outpatient program that provides a little more structure than being on your own without the level of commitment required for an inpatient program. You can seek help at any stage; there is no right or wrong way to recover from addiction.
Ben Brafman, LMHC, CAP is the President and CEO of Destination Hope,
a licensed dual diagnosis substance abuse treatment center in Fort
Lauderdale, Florida. Ben has more than 20 years of experience in the
addiction and mental health fields, which led him to develop a
combination of innovative treatment protocols at Destination Hope. He
has been published on various topics including dual diagnosis and
chemical dependency, and gives back to the community by educating other
addiction counselors at his Academy for Addiction Professionals.
