When it comes to addiction the focus is most often put on the treatment portion of the recovery process. While treatment is certainly the core of recovery, it’s essential not to forget that addiction is a lifelong disease and doesn’t just go away once treatment ends. There are many stages to addiction treatment and recovery, beginning with accepting that you need help, moving on to detox, treatment, and aftercare. Without all the steps in the process, it is possible that a person will never be able to break the cycle of addiction and that they will only continue to relapse.
Aftercare is perhaps the most often overlooked aspect of the process, but it is the most crucial in terms of continuing on once treatment ends, and the vital role that it plays can help both those with the addiction and their families. That is why it is important to look for outpatient aftercare programs in Northridge along with your treatment programs when it comes time to get you or your loved one the help you need to combat your addiction.
At Northridge Treatment, we understand the value of the entirety of the treatment process, including aftercare, and that is why we make sure to offer all of our clients’ access to aftercare services once they have completed treatment. Our goal is not to treat our clients in the short term but to help them achieve lifelong sobriety and return to a normal life free of drugs and alcohol that they can be proud of.
The detoxification process is the first step to create a foundation of lifelong sobriety.
Dual diagnosis treatment addresses mental illness and substance abuse.
Aftercare is a collection of services offered to rehab clients once they have completed treatment. The aftercare services are designed to extend the benefits of treatment beyond just what the program offers so that clients can continue to work on their addiction-related issues while they rebuild their lives.
The form that aftercare takes will vary by person and program. Still, aftercare can be useful in a wide range of situations, from helping clients get back some of what addiction has taken from them to rebuilding relationships, and it can help the family of an addict learn how to live with a loved one in recovery.
At Northridge Treatment, we believe that aftercare is the key to long-term success. That is why we work with our clients as they exit our treatment program to help them pick the aftercare services they need to continue down the road to sobriety. Not every option works for each client, but we have a wide range of options available here at Northridge Treatment to help continue the support and treatment that we started.
Aftercare is not one specific type of program or treatment but covers a whole array of different things designed to make sure that folks in recovery have not only a support system but also the tools they need to continue their recovery journey.
This may include things like education or job resources, housing, help from mentors and advisors, and most notably, 12-step programs. 12-step programs are designed to help people with addiction rebuild their life by putting them together with people who are going through similar struggles and also giving them a guide and mentorship to keep them on the right path. Examples include programs like AA and NA.
There is even help and support for the family of those addicted. In these groups, family members can not only vent their grievances and share experiences, but learn from others what to expect and how to cope with having a loved one with an addiction and how to rebuild relationships and help them on their journey.
Northridge Treatment provides access to dozens of local programs for clients and their families so that no one has to feel overwhelmed by addiction and everyone involved can get the help they need to continue onward.
Some patients check into a sober living facility after rehab. They are permitted to venture out of the facility, but they are usually given curfews. While in the sober living facility, they will continue to undergo group therapy. They will also be taught job skills so they can be successful when they get back to real life.
Outpatient care requires splitting your time between therapy and everyday life. There are three main types of outpatient care, and they vary according to how much therapy you need. Partial hospitalization requires the patient to stay at the facility 6-8 hours a day and live with their family the rest of the time. Intensive outpatient therapy requires a few visits a week and regular outpatient will be just one or two visits a week.
The facility may host other activities throughout the year including barbecues, get-togethers, group therapy meetings, and so on. These may be hosted weekly, monthly, or on specific dates throughout the year. They are made to make the patient feel like they are part of something and to provide social activities they can look forward to. They are particularly helpful to patients that don’t have a family or a strong support group.
Contact us for a free consultation and let us guide you on your journey to wellness. Our experienced staff is waiting to help you take control of your addiction and achieve long-term results.
Aftercare plays a supporting role in traditional treatment. As we mentioned, addiction does not disappear once treatment ends, and clients often still need help once treatment is over to get back on their feet.
The entire purpose of aftercare is to provide these people with access to support systems, continued treatment, and other resources that they may need to repair the damage that addiction has done. With the extra support, it is much more likely that a person will return to their normal life and will be able to continue to stay sober.
Northridge Treatment offers aftercare recovery in Northridge so that those who are trying to get help and rebuild their lives know that they have caring and compassionate people who are still supporting them. If you need help finding aftercare services or are just now starting your recovery journey, contact Northridge Treatment today.
Oftentimes, patients go back to the ‘real world’ with no place to turn. They may not have job skills, or they may have let their skills get rusty when they were using drugs or alcohol.
Sober living facilities teach patients skills so they can get a job and feel like productive members of society. These feelings of self-worth will keep them from going back to their old ways.
A drug addict never completely gets over their addiction. That’s because addiction is a chronic disease. So, let’s compare it to another chronic disease like heart disease.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for heart disease. You can only manage its symptoms with ongoing care.
Addiction is similar. You never completely lose your dependent tendencies. You can only work to manage them. This requires continued treatment. Visits with a therapist will help you keep them under control.
When you are in therapy, your counselor will work with you to come up with healthy coping mechanisms that replace the urge to use. But unfortunately, this doesn’t prepare you for every situation. If something particularly terrible happens, you may be tempted to go back to using drugs.
When these unusual situations arise, you may not know how to deal with them, but a counselor can help. Instead of taking a drink, you can schedule a therapy session that keeps you strong during bleak times.
If you do drugs for long periods of time, it can begin to negatively affect mental and physical health. Even after you get clean you may continue to experience health issues. Your aftercare should include physical checkups to ensure you maintain excellent health after you complete treatment.
Northridge Treatment is your home for aftercare in Northridge and the surrounding area. We are a proud part of the community and work to serve the addicted population so that they can become valuable members of the community while working to better themselves.
We have access to dozens of 12-step programs, sober living homes, support groups, and other resources that are ready and waiting for clients and their families. You are not alone in your struggle against addiction; we are here to help.
Whether you have already been through treatment and need help to find local resources or want help and don’t know where to turn, our team of doctors and clinicians is here to help you. We will work with you to develop a customized aftercare plan that works to meet all of your specific needs.
Now that you know a little more about Northridge outpatient aftercare, the time is now to come to our treatment center and let us get you the help you need. We are always ready to help you and your family with addiction, and our kind and caring staff know about the unique struggles of living with addiction.
We also know that asking for help can be difficult, but know that we are your friends and neighbors and we are here to help you find your sobriety and continue to live a sober life long after your treatment program has ended and you have returned to a normal life. Call today and begin your initial consultation to see how Northridge Treatment can help you.
