For a person with alcohol abuse disorder, seeking alcohol addiction may be one of the hardest things – and completing addiction treatment is a major accomplishment worth celebrating. However, recovery after the treatment won’t be simple and easy – and is a lifelong process.
Life after alcohol addiction treatment can seem like a maze with no end. However,the good news is that your addiction specialist will be with you during recovery. They will create a long-term recovery plan to keep you focused on maintaining your sobriety.
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What Happens After Alcohol Abuse Treatment?
After alcohol abuse treatment, your life can feel like a roller-coaster of highs and lows. This is why only 20% of patients remain alcohol-free afterone year of their treatment.
If the person passes the first year of recovery alcohol-free, their chances to stay sober increase, and if they stay sober for at least two years after the treatment, their relapse rate drops to 40%. This means that after alcohol abuse treatment, every additional alcohol-free year reduces the risk of relapse.
Here is a breakdown of life following alcohol abuse treatment.
30 Days After Alcohol Abuse Treatment
Initial 30 days after alcohol abuse treatment can be challenging. You may find your situations difficult to manage. However, it’s important to ease yourself and allow yourself to take sufficient time to organize a balanced schedule and set boundaries so that you can stay sober.
During this time:
- Attend the local support group and decide which one is right for you.
- Find someone you can call if you ever feel triggered to drink.
- Incorporate a physical activity like jogging, yoga, or walking in your weekly routine to improve your mind and body health.
3 Months After Alcohol Abuse Treatment
After 3 months, your health will improve, and you’ll begin to notice a huge difference in how you feel emotionally and physically. With the passage of time, your cravings to drink should subside.
During this time:
- Stay involved in counseling sessions and support group meetings.
- Write down about your recovery, what triggers you to drink, and how you overcame the triggers.
- Set your professional goals.
6 Months After Alcohol Abuse Treatment
Completing the first 6 months without drinking is a huge milestone. During these days, you will begin to see your progress and realize how far you have come.
Six months after the rehab, you should:
- Start mending your broken friendships and relationships.
- Take on new hobbies.
- Find better work opportunities.
- Establish your financial goals, both short-term and long-term.
1 Year After Alcohol Abuse Treatment
Completing the first year of sobriety is a great event you should celebrate with those who supported you. Reward yourself by getting a ticket to sports or concerts, buying a nice dinner, and participating in your favorite activity.
After completing your first year, you should:
- Explore new ways to motivate yourself.
- Share your story with people entering treatment.
- Make a five-year plan for both personal and professional future goals.
Alcohol Abuse Treatment in Danville, Martinsville, and Richmond, Virginia
After your treatment, you can also participate in alcohol aftercare programs to stay healthy and sober. Such programs may include sober living homes, individual counseling, and support group and family therapy to stay healthy and sober.
At EPIC Health Partners, we have a highly qualified and compassionate team that provides clinic-based and community-based services for children and adults with mental health, behavioral, substance misuse, and alcohol abuse issues. We also offer Addiction Recovery and Treatment Services (ARTS) for addicted people.
To learn more about our addiction recovery and treatment services (ARTS), call us today at (434) 835-4601 or use our secure request an Appointment online form.
