ADAPTING TO A SOBER

LIFE WHILE IN OUTPATIENT

ADDICTION TREATMENT

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Adapting To A Sober Life While In Outpatient Addiction TreatmentOutpatient drug and alcohol programs are designed to allow individuals to remain in a real world environment while benefiting from a structured therapeutic program. Outpatient programs and Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) are part of the continuum of care that recovering substance users can take advantage of as they break their physical, habitual, and psychological dependence on drugs or alcohol.

There are three ways that a person can enter an IOP: • Entry point into substance abuse treatment: After an evaluation, clinicians recognize that individuals would benefit most from an Intensive Outpatient Program as their first step towards recovery. • Step down in continuum of care: Clients are transitioning from a program with a higher degree of intensity, namely a residential inpatient program.

• Step up in continuum of care: Clients are referred to an IOP after an unsuccessful attempt at an outpatient or community care program.

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Adapting To A Sober Life While In Outpatient Addiction Treatment

Goals of Outpatient Addiction ServicesWhile specific program goals may differ, the main goals of all outpatient programs are to achieve:

• Abstinence/sobriety

• Behavioral changes to support sober living

• Participation in community support groups

• Meeting fundamental needs and obligations (housing, employment, probation requirements, etc.)

• Developing a positive support network

• Improvement in problem-solving and coping skills

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Transitioning from a Residential ProgramShifting from a residential inpatient program to an outpatient program represents a more extreme change than if the outpatient program is the entry point into treatment. Continued treatment is one of the most important factors for sustained recovery. However, only 1 in 5 people who have gone through residential treatment continue with a recovery program. It is important for people transitioning from residential programs to outpatient recovery to quickly:

• Understand and improve family dynamics: When a family member develops an addiction, other family members may develop their own unhealthy behaviors in response, such as codependency, enabling, lying, sabotage, and more. Recognizing these behaviors and actively contributing toward a healthier family dynamic will be an important part of establishing a positive home environment.

• Identify and cope with high-risk situations: Moving from an inpatient to an outpatient program will mean renewed exposure to high-risk situations. Being able to minimize exposure to these situations will help avoid the temptation to use. However, sometimes these situations may be unavoidable, in which case an individual will have to rely on his or her resolve, coping strategies, and support network. • Develop and reach out to a positive support network: If a person feels a lack of control over a craving despite coping strategies, it’s important to have a system in place for people to rely on others beyond themselves. A support network, including family, recovery group members, sponsors, and even professional service providers are crucial in helping a person through recovery. It is just as important that a person feel comfortable reaching out to his or her support network so that when the time comes, the person will actually utilize the network.

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Changing HabitsOutpatient programs have the potential to allow for environmental triggers that can influence clients to relapse and begin using again. To prevent this outcome, a number of changes must take place in a person’s life and home environment.

• Remove all drugs and alcohol from a home: The first step is to limit exposure to drugs and alcohol as much as possible. A person has the most control over this in his or her home environment.

• Engage the family in recovery: If someone in recovery lives with a spouse, children, or other relatives, these others will all be greatly affected by the changes that come with drug and alcohol addiction treatment. Intensive Outpatient Programs should engage other family members in therapy to educate them on the disease of addiction as well as create more constructive channels of communication within the home. Not only does this help support the family member in rehab, but it also helps prevent other family members from developing a drug dependence as well.

• Structure personal time: Unlike in a residential inpatient program, a person’s day in an outpatient program will be largely unstructured. In an IOP, participants will be expected to attend program sessions 2-5 days per week for about 4 hours at a time. The rest of a person’s week is up to them to organize. As individuals transition out of the program and into community support care, more and more of their time will be freed up. This gives them the opportunity to cultivate new hobbies and start healthy activities that engage them and give them something to look forward to other than using.

• Continuing aftercare: Addiction doesn’t have a cure. There is no point where a person will suddenly be free of addiction. Committing to a healthy life means a life of mindful abstinence. To help adjust to this new lifestyle, it is important for people to continue aftercare. Aftercare may change over time, but it is important to carry on with it. For example, perhaps a person attends AA meetings for a few years then switches to having coffee with a sponsor once every couple weeks and attending alumni events.

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Develop a Relapse Prevention PlanWhile relapse isn’t inevitable, it remains a risk while in alcohol and drug recovery. Throughout addiction recovery, individuals are faced with challenges, confusion, vulnerability, and tension. A person is at the greatest risk for relapse after leaving acute care. To help prepare for the additional challenges a person faces in the world rather than a sober living setting, individuals should develop a plan of action for addressing relapse. Individuals should write down:

• Their feelings about abstinence and relapse • Constructive ways to manage and respond to stress • Strategies to manage and respond to cravings • Resources available during recovery • High-risk situations • Likely reasons for a relapse • Warning signs of a relapse • How to respond to relapse

While having a list of coping strategies and personal resources on-hand is definitely useful, recording a person’s feelings about relapse and identifying personal reasons for and warning signs of a relapse helps define a person’s perspective on where the danger is for them. By having a more complete understanding of where a person stands with a support network, coping methods, available recovery resources, and more, people can better prepare themselves for the changes that will come over the course of their recovery.

People in formal recovery treatment are 4 times more likely to achieve lasting sobriety than those who are not. After making the decision to stop using, individuals should give themselves an honest chance at recovery by seeking professional help with overcoming their addiction.

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High Focus Centers operates facilities throughout central and

northern New Jersey that offer Intensive Outpatient Programs and

Partial Care Programs for drug and alcohol recovery as well as

psychiatric care. Treatment programs are available for both adults

and teens, and a special program for trauma focuses on helping those

struggling with PTSD. Dual diagnosis treatment is also available. For

more information about outpatient drug rehabilitation or psychiatric

programs in New Jersey, contact an admissions counselor for High

Focus Centers.

Develop a Relapse Prevention Plan