A New Life Begins! How to Successfully Transition After an Outpatient Program

Finishing an outpatient rehab program doesn’t mean that your journey toward recovery ended. You will now need to use the tools and coping mechanisms that you learned during the program in real-life situations. And, that can feel both terrifying and overwhelming.

In this article, you can find some tips that will make transitioning from an outpatient program to real life a bit easier.

Have a Clear Plan

Near the end of your outpatient program, your counselor will sit down with you and create a clear, long-term plan that can help you stay on your sobriety path. This plan will include options for treatment outside of the rehab facility, such as group or family therapy, and making sure you have a strong support group.

The plan will also include tips and strategies for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, such as eating a nutritious diet, exercising, spending time outdoors, journaling, meditating, and so on.

Find the Right Support Group for You

No matter how supportive your family is, they can’t really relate to your experience and understand what you are going through. You can find this type of compassion in a support group.

Whether it’s Alcoholics Anonymous (AA,) Narcotics Anonymous (NA,) or another type of support group, you can find there a group that will listen and encourage you without being judgmental. Moreover, the sponsor can help you find new coping mechanisms that could make maintaining your sobriety a bit easier.

Focus On Your Mental Health 

Numerous studies show that there is a strong link between addiction and mental health. Patients leaving an outpatient program may be anxious that they won’t be able to face real-life situations successfully. While you will focus on your mental health during the program, you need to continue this work so that you keep obsessive thoughts at bay. Try to establish a new routine that includes daily affirmations, meditation, and journaling. 

If these strategies don’t seem to be effective, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a therapist.

Change Your Circle of Friends

Addiction can be a result of peer pressure. Hanging out with a certain group of people and desperately wanting to belong may have pushed you toward trying and abusing substances.

Finishing an outpatient rehab program is your chance to start anew and find a new circle of friends. Try to be sincere with your new friends about your past as they may be able to encourage you to stay on your sobriety path and help you avoid relapse. 

Going back to your old social circles will make it easier to relapse. Seek help from rehab johannesburg today to avoid any regressions.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help Again! 

As we said, finishing an outpatient program does not mean that your sobriety journey is over. You still have a lot of work ahead of you and it’s normal to feel lost or overwhelmed sometimes. Whenever you do, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a specialist. 

Palm Tree Clinic ensures patients have the very best program on offer at our mental health clinic located in cape town.