Drug Addiction Aftercare in New Jersey

Aftercare Programs and Sober Living in NJ

Are you looking for drug addiction aftercare in NJ? After successfully going through many levels of treatment – medical detox, inpatient care, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient care, and so on. But the final step in the recovery process is aftercare. This critical phase of sobriety can also be the most challenging as relapse rates are as high as up to 90% within the first few years.

That is why there are many preventative measures that can be taken to help sustain a healthy life free from substance abuse after treatment. These aftercare services vary greatly depending on a person’s condition and their needs. Luckily, there are many options available, on many different levels. 

While there are so many options, there are a few, most popular ones that have proven effective over the years. There is no limit to how many services or what combinations of services can be used. But they should be decided according to a patient’s specific needs.

Here is a list of drug addiction aftercare programs in NJ commonly sought out during this level of care:

  • Counseling and Therapy: challenges undoubtedly arise as individuals transition back into the normal day-to-day flow of things. Seeking therapy and continuing to build coping mechanisms, learning how to deal with stressful situations, and becoming aware of triggers is essential to long-term sobriety.
  • Family education and counseling: Families are often a cornerstone in their loved one’s recovery. Educating the family about the disease of drug addiction is essential. Involving them in the therapy process is also integral to building a healthy supportive environment within the family.
  • Case management: As a client transitioning from the final stages of treatment, having a case manager help with discharging is important. Seeking out aftercare services is a crucial factor in setting up the individual for long-term success in sobriety.
  • Relapse prevention therapy: this type of therapy teaches individuals the skills they will need to deal with cravings, emotional triggers, stressful and high-risk situations that may occur in the world around them.
  • Outpatient recovery services: Outpatient recovery is a form of aftercare where clients transition from residential treatment to an outpatient facility with a far less strict and structured schedule. Individuals that use these services have the freedom to begin acclimating back to their daily routines while also still attending treatment.
  • Sober living homes: for many addicts who are transitioning from treatment back into their communities, sober living homes provide a healthy and safe environment. From regular drug screening to mandatory house meetings and divided chores, those who live in a sober living home learn healthy coping mechanisms and develop a robust support network.

Who Needs Aftercare Services?

Ideally, aftercare should be a part of everyone’s recovery process. It is not mandatory and it is different for each person. But the matter of the fact is that addiction is a brain disease, and like mental disorders, are long-lasting. This means that the battle against it goes on even after the treatment program is over. The program is like the basic need, the basis for recovery, and that needs to be followed by additional, equally important help.

Relapse is not only a big post-treatment risk, but it tends to be a reality for many recovering addicts. Because overcoming addiction is about more than just willpower and wanting to quit. There are chemical needs and imbalances that make it harder to resist cravings. They literally make it harder for the brain to function normally, as neurotransmitters are thrown into disarray. The damage done to areas of the brain can affect self-control, behavior, and decision-making.

Even though all of that is already a lot to handle, that is not all that comes from addiction. The psychological effects of addiction can take a long time to heal. Therapy should be long-term, and not just to treat addiction. Some people might go for months without any addiction-related issues, and then something might suddenly make them turn to substance abuse. Frustration, traumatic experiences, stress, and other problems might drive recovering addicts to relapse.

Addiction is a lifelong battle, but there are ways to make it easier. And that is where aftercare treatment comes in. As a patient is prepared to finish their rehabilitation program, they can plan out what their next steps will be. This way, they can make sure that they are doing all they can to continue working towards improving their health.

What Is Aftercare Treatment?

The aftercare stage of addiction treatment is the last in a series of steps towards recovery. However, it is just as important as the ones before it. Aftercare consists of all the measures taken to make sure relapse won’t happen and recovery continues. 

Being outside of a treatment program can feel scary. At that point, a recovery addict might feel anxious and worried about keeping up the work they’ve done. Others might feel like they still have much to deal with. Aftercare is meant to help with that and much more in early recovery, while also helping former patients plan out their lives from then on.

The continuous support from professionals and other recovering addicts is key for relapse prevention. Once out into the world, there is much to avoid and to deal with to keep on track. Triggers, feelings of purposelessness, lack of goals, and even withdrawal symptoms can happen at any time. Aftercare treatment will allow individuals to deal with these things in a healthy way, to cope, and to continue sober.

Aftercare Treatment Services and Activities

There are many ways for patients to receive aftercare treatment. The best part is that it’s possible to receive it while keeping to your usual routine. You can go to work or study while attending treatment sessions and groups. Some of the options available for aftercare treatment are:

Individual Counseling and/or Therapy 

One of the most important parts of aftercare treatment. Challenges undoubtedly arise as individuals transition back into the normal day-to-day flow of things. Therapy allows people to continue building improving their mental health and working on overcoming addiction. They also help with setting goals and making plans so recovering addicts can evolve, grow, and become independent.

Family Education and Counseling

Familial relationships are very powerful, as they can either be a great source of support or actually become a trigger for relapses. Educating and instructing the family about addiction helps them know how to truly help. Families are often a cornerstone in their loved one’s recovery, so it is important that they’re on the same page. Involving them in aftercare is also integral to building a healthy supportive environment within the family.

Case Management

As a client transitioning from the final stages of treatment, having a case manager help with discharging is important. Seeking out aftercare services is a crucial factor in setting up the individual for long-term success in sobriety. Because there are so many ways to go or options to choose from, case management can help narrow them down efficiently. And most importantly, it helps make sure those who are recovering are on the right track.

Relapse Prevention Therapy

Relapse is a result of a number of factors, and they can all be hard to avoid. This type of therapy teaches individuals the skills and techniques they will need to deal with unavoidable issues – like emotional triggers, or stressful and high-risk situations. While they can’t shield themselves from them, they can learn how to behave and overcome them in a healthy way.

Outpatient Recovery Services 

Outpatient recovery is a form of treatment where clients can transition from residential treatment to an outpatient facility. With a far less strict and structured schedule, it does not require a 24-hour stay in the treatment center. Individuals have the freedom to begin acclimating back to their daily routines while also still receiving treatment. While it can be the sole type of care an addict receives, it is commonly attended as a transitional step in treatment.

Sober Living Homes

Many who are transitioning from treatment back into their communities might not have a safe, healthy environment to go back to. Sober living homes provide a sober way of living where you can meet others going through the same change. From regular drug screening to mandatory house meetings and divided chores, those who live in a sober living home can have better odds of staying clean.

Support Groups/Group Meetings

A common and highly recommended habit to partake, participating in support groups is crucial for a number of reasons. It is a way of making connections, feeling useful, knowing you’re not alone, and getting insight from others’ experiences. 12-step programs, Alcoholics/Narcotics Anonymous, and other support groups have worked for many years, and there are websites with information on their locations.

Creating an aftercare treatment plan is something patients do not have to do on their own. While it is important to do your research, creating an aftercare plan requires medical know-how. Once a patient is almost done with their program, they can get help creating an aftercare plan even before finishing it.

There are many different professionals who can help set up an aftercare plan. Patients can speak to their therapists, psychiatrists, case managers, and/or counselors to know what can be done. Additionally, they can also speak to an outside therapist or an addiction professional/specialist to find out about their options.

They will take the patient’s current state and needs into consideration, as well as their history. By doing so, they can point out their needs and see what resources are available to address them. For instance, if your center didn’t provide family therapy, that would be important for your aftercare plan.

There is no specific amount of time for aftercare to last. The minimum timeframe recommended for adults is a year, while teenagers might need longer-lasting follow-up. The duration can also change as the aftercare plan also changes – since it possible to adapt them according to improvements and needs.

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While it is important to receive treatment, it should be somewhere that is the right fit for you. We at NJRehab.org are specialized at rehab placement, helping hundreds of people find the best rehab center for them. Our team is prepared to guide you and tell you about the options available as you research what you need and what you can afford.

If you or a loved one are looking for aftercare services in New Jersey, you can contact us online or call our hotline at 1-973-858-5125 for help. All calls are free and they are 100% confidential. We will answer any of your questions and help you at any stage of your treatment.

If you or a loved one are looking for aftercare services in New Jersey, please call our free hotline for 100% free help.

***If you do not have insurance to cover addiction treatment, please contact SAMHSA for governmental assistance.

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