Tips for Staying Clean after Detox

What Happens After Detox?

Alcohol and drug detox is the first step to a rehabilitation plan after being admitted into a treatment center and is the process of releasing the drugs and alcohol from your system. This usually happens in a dedicated, sober detox center. For many substances, medical detox is provided, with medical oversight and care 24 hours a day, psychiatric treatments, and FDA-approved medications to allow you to remain as comfortable as possible as you safely detox.

Once you complete your detox program, there are several types of rehabilitation programs you can utilize to help you gain recovery tools and relapse prevention tools, as well as address the underlying causes of your alcohol or drug addiction, mental illnesses, PTSD, and replacing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors with healthier coping mechanisms.

Continued treatment levels of care include:

Residential inpatient rehab – you will move into a sober rehab treatment center for 30, 60, or 90 days, living there full-time. During the day you will attend individual and group therapy sessions, educational programs, and counseling, and receive physical and mental health care including dual diagnosis treatments, nutritional counseling, and exercise programs.

Outpatient rehab – in outpatient drug rehab, you live outside of the facility (at home or in a sober living home) accessing treatment in an outpatient facility in a customizable program, depending on your individual needs.

Partial Hospitalization Programs – Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs) are commonly used as short-term transitional platforms between inpatient detox or rehab and full-time home living. In these programs, which are prominent offerings at facilities like Drug Rehab Los Angeles, you commit to full days of treatment. Concurrently, you reside at home and/or in a sober living environment, approaching rehab as if it were a full-time job.

Intensive Outpatient Programs – IOPs are more intensive than general outpatient rehab, usually providing nine or more hours per week of group and one-on-one therapy, with life skills training or other case-management services, doctor’s appointments, and psychiatric help still available to you.

These programs are all designed to help you gradually learn to live your life in a new way, without using substances, and knowing what to do when your brain tells you that you want to relapse. Aftercare programs are usually offered by rehabilitation centers, providing life-long connections to peer support groups including 12-step and SMART recovery groups, as well as other community support, medical care, and the option to schedule therapy appointments.

Can Detox Alone Treat Addiction?

Once you are deemed medically stable, the next step is rehab, because detox alone does not cure addiction. It is only the first step down a long road to recovery. If you were to return home directly after detox without further therapy, counseling, and education, relapse would be very likely, as you would immediately be surrounded by the same people, places, and stresses you were before. Addiction is a lifelong brain disease that can be managed but requires constant vigilance and a supportive sober network, along with a change in mindset and perspective that can only be achieved through addiction treatment programs.

Why Go to Rehab After Detox?

Going to rehab after detox for alcohol and drug abuse has many benefits, including:

Inpatient vs. Outpatient Rehab After Detox

Inpatient rehab given inside a treatment facility is recommended for most people leaving drug or alcohol detox, as it removes you from your day-to-day life and allows you to regain your physical and mental health in a peaceful, welcoming environment, and healthy meals with an exercise plan. Inpatient rehab provides ongoing medical care and intensive mental health treatments, as well as a structured, regulated, and sober environment.

Outpatient rehab usually follows inpatient care, but in some cases may occur directly after detox. You may be a good candidate for outpatient drug rehab if:

Tips for Staying Clean Long After Detox is Over

Staying sober after you have completed drug and alcohol detox is best supported by a full rehab program that provides inpatient rehab, outpatient rehab options, and aftercare support. Some other ways you can stay clean once your detox is over are:

Building a strong, supportive community

Community support is one of the most important things for a person when leaving rehab. For this reason, many rehab centers have dedicated alumni groups and community gatherings, as well as providing information about local support groups and sober activities.

You may find that family and couples therapy can rebuild relationships that were strained due to addiction and can provide your friends and loved ones with unbiased information about how addiction affects a person, and what they can do to best support you, moving forward.

Taking care of your physical health through proper sleep, nutrition, and physical fitness

Not only does sleeping enough, getting exercise, and eating well make you feel strong and healthy and raise endorphins, but you will also gain more self-confidence, higher self-esteem, and feel good about taking care of yourself while experiencing lower stress levels. Eating right, taking doctor-recommended supplements, and staying hydrated will help you undo any harm that substances have done to your body. A good food and exercise routine will help you build a schedule and keep you busy in a healthy way, reducing the risk of relapse.

Another benefit to exercising is that by working out at the gym or joining a sports team, you will have the opportunity to meet other people who are into physical health and wellness and may make new, sober friendships that are based on healthy activities.

Creating and following a detailed relapse prevention plan

Knowing what your triggers are, and knowing what to do when you experience them, is the best way to stay sober after detox and rehab. As addiction is a chronic issue, there will be times in your life when you experience cravings or urges to relapse. Knowing exactly who to call, where to go, and what you want to do, and then following the plan, will keep you safe and stop you from relapsing.

Continuing to go to therapy, and attending support group meetings regularly

Along with a sober community, continued therapy and support groups are important services many rehab centers will offer to graduates of their rehab programs. Keep your attendance up, even when you don’t feel like going, or feel like you don’t need it any longer, do the homework they provide, and actively participate. You may even begin to volunteer to help others or be of service in other ways.

Keep busy

Many people are triggered into relapsing by becoming bored or lonely. Join a club, group, or sports team, pick up a new hobby, and surround yourself with sober friends. You may wish to learn an instrument, start writing, or join art classes. Personal and spiritual growth will keep you on the right track.

Staying Clean After Detox at Resurgence Behavioral Health

With our medical detox programs, our short- and long-term residential inpatient programs, and our variety of outpatient programs including partial hospitalization programs, intensive outpatient programs, and aftercare, Resurgence Behavioral Health can customize a treatment plan that will help you stop your substance abuse and stay clean.

Some of the types of therapies we employ in our inpatient and outpatient programs include:

In inpatient rehab, we also provide leisure activities like a movie and game nights, and off-campus outings, and all programs at Resurgence offer life skills and vocational skills training, educational programs, and nutritional/physical fitness counseling. Mental health treatments including dual diagnosis and psychiatric medication are provided to those who need them.

To learn more about the Resurgence treatment center and how we can help you stay sober long term or to verify insurance coverage for rehab, contact our team today. Our highly credentialed staff truly cares about each patient, and we will treat you with the respect and care you deserve in a customized treatment plan.

Here are some tips for staying clean after detox! Call Resurgence Behavioral Health today for more information! #detox #resurgence https://t.co/uY9Qq4nR2q

— Resurgence Behavioral Health (@RBHRecovery) May 13, 2022

David Rofofsky
After growing up in New York, David chose to get help with substance abuse in California because of the state's reputation for top-tier treatment. There, he found the treatment he needed to achieve more than nine years of recovery. He's been in the drug and alcohol addiction rehab industry for eight years and now serves as the Director of Admissions for Resurgence Behavioral Health. David remains passionate about the field because he understands how hard it is to pick up the phone and ask for help. However, once the call is made, someone's life can be saved.

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