Introduction

Treating addiction is a multistep process. It is beyond detoxification. For effective treatment and rehabilitation, there is a need for follow-up.

What is “Aftercare”? Aftercare describes follow-up treatment after the initial rehab treatment for people who suffer from addiction.

The treatment process occurs in a residential setting within a controlled environment and for a specific period. After the treatment period, the patient has to go back to their old environment. For proper treatment, the rehab has to follow up their treatment with the patient.

In this article, we will explore the importance of aftercare treatment.

Importance of Aftercare Treatment

The three basic steps in addiction treatment are Detox – Inpatient Treatment – Aftercare Program.  

When people suffer from substance addiction, these toxic substances accumulate within the body. The first step in treating these people is Detox. During detox, these substances are safely cleared out of the body system via medical procedures. After detox, inpatient treatment occurs.

During inpatient treatment, various methods are adopted to restructure the person mentally. Three months of inpatient treatment may not be sufficient to cure a drug addiction problem of 10 years hence the need for long-term recovery plans.

In the Aftercare Treatment, patients are guided on how to

– Continue their recovery journey

– Prevent relapse

Addiction starts as a habit; habits are formed from people’s responses to cues in their environment.

This is why relapse is possible when people move back to their old environment after treatment at the rehabilitation centers. The aftercare program helps the recovering addict form new habits within their old environment and avoid the trigger factors.

During proper aftercare, there should be support groups for recovering addicts. To help them build their mental resilience against their trigger factors. Recovering patients should have access to counseling therapists and group therapy sessions.