Drug and alcohol addiction is a medical illness that affects people’s bodies, minds, and behavior. When the addiction has progressed to an advanced stage, the person may need extended care to overcome their addiction. Extended care is provided by a team of staff and physicians that implement an intensive therapeutic program. These are some reasons why one might need an extended care program.
High-risk Situations
People addicted to drugs, alcohol, or other substances may want to return to old friends and parties where drug use is common. Still, once one returns to these environments, it can be difficult for the person to stop using drugs, even if they want to. It can put them at risk of getting hurt or worse. To prevent this, people who have been through a rehabilitation program and have returned home may need an extended care program. It will help to maintain sobriety and encourage a drug-free lifestyle.
Relapse Prevention
If a patient has been treated for addiction in the past but then relapsed, they must receive help to prevent this from happening again. Extended care will keep the person away from their old environment, offer support, and ensure they have what they need to stay away from drugs or alcohol. People who have been through a rehabilitation program may need an Extended Care Program to help them avoid relapsing.
For Support
People who have been through a full treatment for addiction in the past and are doing well may feel that it is no longer necessary to continue with treatment. However, they must continue to receive support and supervision from the treatment team. It will help ensure that they remain safe and sober over the long term. They may also continue treatment for other mental health issues such as depression or anxiety, which are common side effects of addiction.
Educational Training
One needs to always read up on the latest research and treatment methods in addiction treatment. The staff at the Extended Care Program are qualified to help the patient learn new skills and give them resources to apply their knowledge. They help a patient gain the insight they need to recover. They also educate family members, which can be crucial in preventing relapse into drug addiction.
Care Management
Extended care providers can help the patient find appropriate referrals and resources to deal with any other medical issues that may be present. This level of care management helps the patient achieve better outcomes, both medically and socially. Proper extended care helps a person live a sober lifestyle without any disruptions from other people or places that might set them off track or cause them to relapse.
Social Support
After rehabilitation, it is important to have social support. It can prevent people from getting lonely, reaching out to old friends, and buying more drugs. Establishing social support includes making new friends or joining a support group. Extended care will help them maintain sobriety by keeping them busy with healthful and productive activities. One can learn new hobbies and interests while in the program to help them stay away from drugs or alcohol and their old environments.
Learning Triggers
The best way to recover from an addiction is to learn from past relapses and figure out ways that you can prevent that from happening again. It is usually done through therapy and group counseling, but continued support after treatment is also very important. Extended care helps with this because they will monitor the patient’s progress and work with them to make sure they are remaining sober. The program will offer support in creating new healthy friendships and interests. It helps people keep away from the triggers of their addiction.
Individual Therapy
In the period of recovery from addiction, people need support and help to deal with the issues that led them to drugs or alcohol in the first place. They may also have small problems that cause them to relapse, and therapy can be used to help them deal with these issues in the future. Most programs require patients to participate in individual therapy during extended care. In conclusion, the patient needs to understand that for their new sobriety to last, they will need to continue to get support from their extended care program after treatment. Addiction treatment is a long-term process. Extended care services are an essential part of the overall recovery program. To get help enrolling in an extended care program, call 833-846-5669.