Recovery doesn’t end after treatment. People facing life after rehab may have conflicting emotions: They may be excited to live substance-free, but the end of rehab can also bring fear of returning to substance use and concerns about how to maintain recovery when daily routines and relationships resume.
Adjusting to life after rehab can be difficult. You may no longer have the constant support of counselors and peers. You may find yourself in difficult situations that make you want to use again. Rehab and therapy programs prepare patients for life after rehab. They teach strategies to help you deal with hard situations and maintain recovery. They may also provide follow-up support.
Whether you’re returning home after rehab at an inpatient facility or reaching the end of an outpatient program, it is important to develop a plan to maintain recovery. Ideally, you will work with your treatment provider before rehab ends to define how you’ll stay on track in recovery. For many people, a plan that includes continuing care after treatment improves their chances of staying off drugs or alcohol.
Some programs offer post-treatment support. This is also called continuing care, aftercare, disease management, or recovery support services. This care is typically overseen by trained professionals, such as case managers and recovery coaches, and may include any combination of the following:
If your program does not offer these services, ask to be referred to someone who can help.
Friends and family members often ask how to help someone after rehab, and these people can be a key part of your recovery team. As part of your post-treatment plan, list the people who you can rely on for healthy support and encouragement.
Build relationships after rehab with people who can help you stick to your plan for recovery. Find support or self-help groups of other people in recovery. They can also help you adjust to life after rehab. At the same time, avoid people in your life who misuse alcohol or other drugs. Being around them can make you want to start using again.
Friends and family members often ask how to help someone after rehab, and these people can be a key part of your recovery team. As part of your post-treatment plan, list the people who you can rely on for healthy support and encouragement.
Build relationships after rehab with people who can help you stick to your plan for recovery. Find support or self-help groups of other people in recovery. They can also help you adjust to life after rehab. At the same time, avoid people in your life who misuse alcohol or other drugs. Being around them can make you want to start using again.
Long-term lifestyle changes that focus on overall health and wellness have proven benefits for people in recovery.
Long-term lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, have proven benefits for people in recovery. Exercise can help you feel better, provide a distraction from cravings, and help reduce stress — which can be a trigger for resuming substance use after rehab. And maintaining a healthy diet provides your body with needed energy and nutrients.
Recovery housing is a drug and alcohol-free environment in a home or residential complex. It can be a good option for people who have completed treatment but need additional support while adapting to life after rehab. These short-term programs usually provide supervision and peer support. People living in recovery housing may be encouraged or required to attend a 12-step program and connect with community groups that offer employment, health care, legal support, and social services.
It is important to recognize situations that trigger cravings for drugs or alcohol, because they may lead to relapse after rehab. Keep a list of triggers to help you avoid them or cope in healthy ways. Triggers may include:
It is important to recognize situations that trigger cravings for drugs or alcohol, because they may lead to relapse after rehab. Keep a list of triggers to help you avoid them or cope in healthy ways. Triggers may include:
The term "relapse" can often feel negative and stigmatizing when used to describe substance use. In fact, with many health conditions, "relapse" is used to indicate that an undesired symptom or outcome has occurred. It's important to remember that substance use disorders are medical conditions, and a relapse can be a normal part of recovery.
If you or someone you know resumes substance use after treatment, it shouldn't be viewed as a failing, but as a part of the ongoing recovery process.
As with many other health conditions, relapse after treatment is always possible: It can occur soon after rehab or even years into recovery. Remember that resuming substance use is not uncommon, and using after treatment does not mean a person, or their treatment, has failed.
It's important to be prepared and practice self-compassion in the event that you use again. Start by making a plan for what to do if you or someone you care about has a relapse. The plan should list the people to contact (such as a health care provider, sponsor, or family member) and the steps to take to get immediate help from an addiction treatment professional. Having a plan can help in quickly finding support or getting back into treatment. The sooner someone who has relapsed gets into treatment, the more likely they are to continue their recovery.
Make the Connection
County of Summit ADM Board
Half of Us
Mark, a Marine veteran, talks about getting treatment to overcome his alcohol dependence.
CloseMarsha shares her story to help inspire others to find the treatment they need.
CloseMaegan describes her struggle with substance misuse during her freshman year of college.
CloseContent reviewed by Dr. Jasleen Salwan, MD, MPH, FASAM, February 2023.