Drug addicts who are going through recovery must make many commitments before leaving drug rehabilitation if they expect to remain clean, report drug rehab counselors at Sober Recovery. In addition to deciding not to use drugs, they also must find new friends and places to hang out so as not to be faced with the temptation to use drugs again. Part of the drug rehabilitation process is to help addicts identify the people and places that could be emotional triggers for repeated drug use as well as which people will come right out and offer the recovering addict a drink or a drug.
Significance
Most drug rehab centers provide addicts with enough time to sever the physical dependence on drugs. It's the psychological dependence that lasts much longer, and that is often triggered once the addict leaves treatment. During treatment, addicts are prepared for the cravings and taught to be vigilant. They are warned about the temptations they may encounter if they return to old friends and old haunts. Sometimes even family members and workplaces can be triggers for relapse.
Therapy
While in rehab, counselors often work one-on-one in therapy with addicts to help them identify those people and places that could cause problems. Recovering addicts are encouraged to share in group therapy sessions about their fears of returning to the outside after rehab. Patients often receive an emergency phone number from the treatment center that they can call when they aren't sure about certain social situations and how to handle them.
Considerations
In addition to the triggers caused by drug-using friends, addicts leaving treatment often face other obstacles that require resocialization. Many addicts have lost their jobs and face long periods of boredom and excess time on their hands. Many drug treatment centers provide classes in art, crafts and job skills to prepare addicts to deal with spare time.
Activities
Addicts in treatment learn how to socialize among their peers at the drug rehab center without the use of drugs. They interact socially and therapeutically with other addicts and the staff by sharing in group therapy sessions and playing games, helping with chores and meal preparations. Many treatment facilities arrange to bring the patients out to local Narcotics Anonymous meetings so they can begin to meet new friends. Family counseling is provided at most rehabs to prepare the family members for the return of the addict to the home and to enlist the encouragement and help of the family.
Benefits
Drug counselors at DrubAbuseTreatment.org report that long-term residential treatment programs ranging from six to 12 months,are usually more successful with addicts who have a long history of drug abuse than short-term, 30-day programs. The resocialization efforts of the facility usually include job training and activities such as hiking and wilderness training, team sports and challenges like ropes courses and arts and crafts. During the activities, rehabilitating addicts learn how to overcome fears and to deal with other personalities and their own frustrations with learning new skills.
