Sobriety is hard work, and you may be scared about life after you’ve finished your in-house rehabilitation program. So what’s next?

Coming back home after treatment can be daunting, but there are many ways you can work to stay sober. What you need to realize is that the recovery process can continue to be a struggle long after you complete rehab.

When you are in treatment, you receive 24/7 support. This promotes solace and safety, and makes it simpler for someone who is struggling with addiction to stay on task. It gives a solid foundation and tools to help you heal and deal with your issues even after leaving rehab.

Of course, moving on from rehab can be very exhilarating, but it may also create challenges as you learn how to navigate your new and sober life.

You should realize that temptations are there in your home life that you may have to face after leaving rehab. By recognizing this you can figure out how to avoid or manage these issues. This helps you to to stay sober as you move into the future.

Avoid Common Temptations

Of course, moving from a supported environment back to your typical life can be a difficult transition. When you leave the facility, you may see that you are being tempted by trigger situations, or have thoughts of moving back into old habits and harmful behaviors. Issues like coming back to your old home, socializing with old friends or family, and even familiar emotions can make it difficult to stay sober and not go back to using or drinking.

Here are some ways to avoid or manage these temptations:

Stay supported. Socialize with sober people, or with people who believe in your recovery and want you to be successful. Look for a support group in your city or even a friend you can call when you need a little extra help to avoid temptation.

Adjust your environment. Before coming back home from rehab, ask a close friend or a person you trust to help get rid of any paraphernalia from your home. Stay away from places that may make you feel like using.

Set your future goals. This makes it much simpler to keep your temptations at bay – because you will have those temptations. When you have a game plan on why you want to stay sober and how it will improve your life, it is much easier to stay on target.

Keep all your follow-up appointments. If you are working with your rehabilitation center or a doctor, always continue going to the appointments you schedule with them. While you may feel tempted to skip out or believe that you can go it alone, truthfully it’s much easier to manage any temptations when a health professional is in your corner.

Give thanks every day. We should always appreciate the life we have, and recognizing that promotes healthy thinking. Writing five things each day in a gratitude journal can make you feel fulfilled and blessed.

Make new healthy habits. It can take up to two months before a new habit becomes automatic, so find something that you enjoy doing – and stay with it!

Take Part in Sober Pastimes

Replacing destructive behaviors with positive, healthy habits is crucial during recovery. Sober activities can be fun – even without drugs or alcohol. Here are a few examples:

  • Exercise or play sports
  • Meditate
  • Read
  • Create arts and crafts
  • Go back to school
  • Study a new language
  • Garden
  • Volunteer

Find Ways to Receive Community and Support

No matter where you are, there are places that provide community and support. Surround yourself with like-minded people in a support group, by attending counseling and getting involved in meet-up activities. There are also many types of continuing care, such as individual therapy, check-ups, and 12-Step programs.

The help of an inpatient drug and alcohol rehab works on each level of treatment, helping individuals physically and mentally. Discovery Place is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing affordable, alternative drug and alcohol addiction recovery programs. Discovery Place is here to help you overcome addiction. If you’d like to learn more about our many programs, sure to browse our treatment programs page today. Our caring experts can help you find the right course of treatment that will begin your path to recovery.

Testimonials

  • Discovery Place was the answer for my son. He did the 90 day and then the step down program and sober living. We give this organization 10 stars. They met my son where he was …emotionally, mentally, physically. They helped him put his life back on track. Discovery Place employees care about their guests. If your son, brother, nephew, grandson or husband needs excellent supportive care THIS is indeed the facility.

    Kim Morton
    Alumni Parent
  • I have remained sober and it is because of DP. DP is the best place there is, hands down. I keep everyone there in my prayers, and I encourage everyone there to take what they are practicing and do it in their lives, after.

    Roy Mantelli
    Alumni
  • Over the past year, I’ve been putting into actin what Discovery Place taught me, and I have experienced a complete perspective change of the world, and the people in it. I get to be a man of service and love today, and for that I am grateful to Discovery Place.

    Matt Kassay
    Alumni
  • Discovery Place means the world to me. They showed me the tools that I’ve tried to use everyday in my life to think less often of myself, and more frequently of others. I am learning to lend a hand when I am able and to have a honest and humble relationship with God and the people around me. Not only am I clean and sober, but also I am happy and fulfilled.

    Tommy Parker
    Alumni
  • Discovery Place and the men who work there made recovery attractive, and more importantly, fun. There is strength in the struggle. I am forever grateful for my time at Discovery Place.

    Creed McClellan
    Alumni
  • When I got to Discovery Place my whole life was in shambles, but I didn’t know it. I spent 6 months in their programs, participating in all three phases, and was met with kindness and love all along the way. It is unbelievable to me, where I am now relative to where I was when I arrived at DP.

    Lance Duke
    Alumni
  • I can never say enough good things about Discovery Place and the people who work there. Before checking in to DP, I was out of options and out of answers. Fortunately, Discovery Place has a solution. Taking suggestions from the staff at DP saved my life, and as a result, I’m now more content and hopeful about life. I’m grateful for Discovery Place showing me how to live a healthy life so that I can become a better man and help the next guy.”

    Tyler Buckingham
    Alumni

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