Even if you highly motivated during your stay in rehab, you can still end up failing in your attempt at sobriety if you have insufficient aftercare. The transition from the protected environment of this type of facility to the real world can be bumpy unless you are prepared for it. Here are 5 mistakes to avoid with aftercare planning so your move home goes smoothly.
1. Planning Your Aftercare at the Last Minute
There is not much point in just learning to be sober in drug rehab because you will soon be back in the real world. This is why everything you do needs to be preparing you for when you go home. Aftercare planning needs to begin from day one because if you leave it too late, you won’t be ready for the transition.
2. Creating an Aftercare Plan that is Unbalanced
A good aftercare plan is going to cover the different aspects of your life including physical health, mental wellness, and spiritual needs. If you focus too much on one area, it may mean your sobriety is unbalanced and therefore not as strong as it could be.
3. Not Having Enough Support
One of the most common mistakes that people make with aftercare planning is they underestimate the amount of support they are going to need. This happens because people tend to feel stronger and more confident while still in rehab than when they initially return home. Fellowships such as the 12-Step groups and SMART Recovery are the cheapest and most easily available option, but you can also get support from a network of family and friends. It is usually better to have too much support rather than too little.
4. Expecting Other People to Take Responsibility for Your Aftercare
A quality rehab programme is going to provide you with all the resources you need for your aftercare, but you need to take personal responsibility for getting what you need. The therapist and support staff are there to guide you, but it is ultimately up to you to make sure you have sufficient aftercare. If you have any doubts or concerns, you need to talk to your therapist right away rather than waiting until you go home.
5. Not Testing Coping Strategies While You are Still in Rehab
One of the benefits of being in rehab is you can experiment with your tools for recovery in a controlled environment. This means you get plenty of practice, and you can find out what works for you and what doesn’t. If you wait until you go home before testing these tools, you may struggle to make them work for you.
