Embarking on the recovery journey after completing treatment can be an exciting and intimidating time. Certainly, you feel good that your loved one is working to attain the skills and relationships to help them on this journey. Yet, you may also share some concerns about your loved one being able to stay focused and motivated, and this is completely normal.
Likewise, your loved one may experience similar feelings, and they may show some fear and doubt when reentering the world. If you and your loved one share these feelings, it will be worth exploring aftercare options.
Aftercare describes what type of program your loved one will enter once they leave treatment. There are a variety of aftercare options to choose from. For some people, it is deciding what support group will help them maintain sobriety. For some, it might require groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or SMART Recovery. There are also options like sober living homes for others who are worried about diving back into daily life.
Sobriety is a continuing effort; therefore, aftercare teaches an individual in recovery to maintain long-term sobriety. Such programs, resources, and organizations will help your loved ones continue to build on the skills they learned during treatment. It also helps educate you and your loved one to continue working together to face the challenges of maintaining recovery. Ultimately, it will prepare you and your loved one to make the transition from treatment to recovery more manageable.
Aftercare plans can vary; therefore, when looking into aftercare options for a family member, you should always make sure you know what they are recovering from. Learning which type of substance use your family member struggles with will allow for more specific options catered to them. For example, someone recovering from alcohol use may not require the same aftercare treatment as someone who suffers from opioid addiction.
When talking about aftercare options, you must remember that sometimes it can be a touchy and emotional topic for your family member. Try to make sure that you listen to what they say. Offer your help, but make sure you are not coming off as "forcing" options on them.
You have to keep in mind that sometimes your passion for their recovery can be viewed as overwhelming and overbearing. Communication and understanding is the most important thing when talking about aftercare options.
When a family member is going through recovery, there is always a chance they will not want help in their aftercare. The best thing to do in this case is to understand. Although they may not want help from you during their aftercare process, it does not mean that you cannot be there to show support. When someone you love is working through recovery, you must remind yourself that this is their journey, and sometimes they will want to seek out their options, which is okay.
It is not your choice in how they handle their aftercare, but you can still choose to cheer them on from the sidelines. Keep in mind that it is not always intentionally malicious for them to exclude you from helping them, and they may come back later to ask for help.
The thing to keep in mind is that the person you love is going through an immense amount of stress at this moment in your life. Returning to life's daily routines can seem almost impossible, and showing support and being there for them is the best thing you can do.
If you need additional support, seek a professional and peers from their support networks. A professional such as a therapist or counselor can guide you through the process. They can even help you develop a plan with your loved one to ensure that you are both doing your part and getting the space you need to learn. Additionally, peers are individuals that can help your loved one stay accountable. Peers share similar experiences and are a vital asset to helping your loved one navigate aftercare.
Discussing aftercare is not always easy, especially when you find that your part may not be as involved as you may think. When going through these difficult conversations, remember that the person you love is trying to do what is best for them and their recovery. While it may not be easy to hear, try to remember how much you love them and that support will help carry them.
When a family member is going through recovery, an excellent way to get involved is to help them explore aftercare options. At NorthStar Transitions, we work with families to ensure they have a plan before embarking on the journey of recovery. More often, this requires aftercare. You and your loved one will create a plan with us before leaving treatment. This will involve setting goals, continuing therapy, and looking for healthy options that support continuing care within the community. If you and your loved one decide they need transitional living space, we help with this, too. The ultimate goal is to be able to put you and your loved one in a position to succeed. If your loved one is currently struggling to find the care they need, don't wait; seek help today. To learn more about our programs, reach out to us and call (303) 558-6400.
