Alcoholism and addiction are powerful forces that can destroy a person’s life. The good news is that recovery is possible. It is possible to reclaim one’s life and move on to a healthy and productive future with the help of treatment for addictions and alcoholism.
Despite a successful inpatient or outpatient rehab program, recovery is not complete because there is always a risk of relapse. Recovery can be a rewarding and challenging experience for people who are in the process. There are many different steps and outcomes. Although the journey to recovery is often filled with obstacles, staying focused on one’s goals will ensure the best possible outcome.
The Journey Before and After Rehab
People often experience overwhelming emotions before going to rehab, such as fear, guilt, shame, hopelessness, anger, or grief. These emotions can lead to acting out behaviors, including substance abuse. People often feel overwhelming emotions before rehab, such as fear, guilt, shame, hopelessness, anger, or grief. Treatment and counseling can help people identify and resolve these emotions and stop relying on drugs or alcohol to numb or escape their emotions.
Although they may feel relieved from their emotional pain after rehab, they may not necessarily find peace or happiness at this point. As they no longer receive the level of professional or peer support, they received while in rehab, they may be concerned about relapsing. While rehab often leads to feelings of relief, it does not necessarily lead to the feelings of happiness that some people are looking for. When a person decides to pursue sobriety, they are likely to find happiness through finding a new sense of purpose.
The Stages After Rehab
Post-rehab is often viewed as a single stage, but it can be divided into four stages:
* The honeymoon stage is the first post-rehab stage.
* Struggle marks the second post-rehab stage.
* Reaching a plateau is the third stage of post-rehab.
* Maintenance is the final stage of post-rehab.
The Honeymoon Stage
In this stage, patients have been discharged from rehab and are eager to resume normal activities. During this time, addiction symptoms are usually in remission, and patients may feel like they have conquered their addiction.
Addiction can be a chronic disease that can be extremely difficult to break, and relapses are common. You should never give up. Recognize that addiction is a disease and is not something you can just quit overnight. Recovery from addiction depends on staying sober without relapse, which can be challenging.
The Struggle Stage
During this stage, patients begin reacting to triggers and experiencing cravings again. They may now miss the structure and support of rehab at this point.
Stay connected with your support system and make sure you have a solid plan for handling triggers, cravings, and moodiness during this time. The holiday season is a particularly vulnerable time here and there are a lot of triggers that may set you off during the holidays. It’s important to take care of yourself this time of year and remember that the support system around you needs to be in tune with what you’re going through.
The Plateau Stage
In this stage, patients have been sober for a long time and are beginning to feel more stable. They may, however, still have cravings, and as their symptoms improve, it can be easy to become complacent about recovery. During this time, it’s important to continue to work on your sobriety.
As relapse is possible and the plateau can be quickly overcome by another dip. After a patient has recovered, they may begin to feel more stable and content. As you work on your sobriety, you will still struggle with cravings and your symptoms may improve. By focusing on creating a healthy lifestyle, you can continually improve physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
The Maintenance Stage
During this stage, patients have been sober for an extended period and are feeling more stable. They may still struggle with cravings and as symptoms improve, it can be easy to become complacent about recovery. While you are in this period, you should continue to work on your sobriety.
A relapse is always possible with addiction, as it is a chronic disease. Stay connected to your support system and ensure that you have a plan in place for dealing with triggers. Addiction treatment does not end when you leave rehab. It is a lifelong process.
If you or someone you know is suffering from addiction, please do not hesitate to contact us by calling 855-334-6120. There are many resources available to help you stay on the road to recovery. There is nothing wrong with asking for help.
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