5 Aftercare Strategies for Colorado’s Recovering Addicts

After attending a Colorado drug rehab, you may be feeling pretty good about your recovery. It may have been weeks or months since you used drugs and/or alcohol, and you are confident that you will be able to maintain your sobriety after leaving rehab.

As excited (or nervous) as you may be to get back to your life, you really are not giving yourself the best possible chance at stability without a solid aftercare plan that will continue your treatment at a maintenance level after you leave. A 2011 study showed that for each month of aftercare treatment up to six months, participants’ chances of remaining abstinent increased by 20 percent.

Here are some sober living and other aftercare strategies Colorado’s recovering addicts can consider as they complete treatment and transition out of Colorado drug rehab.

1. Spend some time in a sober living house.

For those whose home environments would present strong temptations to resume using, living in a sober living house may provide the aftercare support you need to stay sober and keep you out of an unhealthy environment until your recovery is more established. Sober living houses provide ongoing therapy and monitoring in a less-structured environment than rehab, to help those newly in recovery with their ongoing needs for support and retraining.

2. Make use of outpatient group and individual therapy.

After inpatient rehab, some decide to continue their treatment with outpatient group and/or individual therapy sessions on a weekly or bi-weekly basis as they transition back into their previous environments. Many times, inpatient treatment ends and addicts know they have more work to do in order to maintain their recovery. Outpatient treatment is a good option in these situations.

3. Attend support groups.

There are many support groups for recovering addicts now, and these groups can give people the support, education, and ongoing motivation they need to maintain their sobriety. AA/NA are the biggest and most widespread support groups for those in recovery, but newer options like Smart Recovery, LifeRing, and Women for Sobriety have also gained traction in recent years for those who do not prefer 12-step programs.

4. Take advantage of spiritual or religious counseling.

While not all pastors or spiritual leaders have particular knowledge of substance abuse treatment methods, they can often help you work through the underlying issues, including spiritual ones, that may have led to your addiction.

5. Try family therapy.

Time in rehab often brings family dysfunctions and other issues to light, but there may not have been time to explore them adequately during your time in treatment. Family therapy during aftercare can help to resolve lingering issues and facilitate healthier relationships that can either support your sobriety or maintain healthy boundaries so you can move forward.

If you or a loved one need aftercare treatment after rehab or any other substance abuse treatment services, The Recovery Village at Palmer Lake offers Colorado addiction treatment resources including everything from detox to aftercare services to help you in your journey to recovery. Contact us today to explore what we can offer!