Aftercare

The first and most important component of comprehensive aftercare planning in Austin is transitioning into the appropriate aftercare program. If the client has a stable home environment and solid support from family and friends, a traditional outpatient program is appropriate. For those that may need more focused care and medication management, an intensive outpatient program (IOP) may be the better choice. Additionally, there are clients that may benefit from transitioning to a sober living facility where they can live with recovering peers and continue to receive support from the treatment facility while working on their life skills and relapse prevention strategies.

While a client may feel confident and assured when they leave residential treatment, they may not know how to handle the triggers and stressors of their home environment. To minimize the risk of relapse, clients must develop a relapse prevention plan. A good relapse prevention program helps clients identify their triggers, reaffirm why they got sober in the first place, and what their body and mind need to keep moving forward in recovery. This plan can include continued attendance of 12-step meetings, exercise programs, mindful meditation practice, journaling, and creating a daily schedule filled with positive recovery-centered activities.

Having a solid support network is vital to lasting recovery. Aftercare programs in Austin place a strong emphasis on clients developing, nurturing, and growing a solid support system consisting of family, friends, recovering peers, counselors, and others who provide encouragement and motivation to those newly sober. While encouragement is an important feature in a support system, people in that support system also hold the client accountable in the event they are slipping in their recovery efforts.

An integral part of aftercare planning is connecting with local resources that help clients build on their recovery. In addition to continued involvement in 12-step groups, individual therapy, and family programs, clients have access to addiction-trained therapists in your community. Also, clients can have contact with community resources that can aid them in finding work, continuing their academics, and helping with budgeting and financial planning.

Another essential facet of aftercare services in Austin is the development of healthy coping skills clients can use to deal with triggers and stressors in their everyday life. In addition to exercise programs, mindful meditation, and attending 12-step meetings, clients can learn new coping strategies such as the following:

• Trying new hobbies
• Adopt a healthier lifestyle, including eating healthy and getting restful sleep every night
• Practice positive affirmations and take time each time to unplug from everything

It is vital for those in aftercare programs in Austin to still have ties with the residential treatment facility. Many inpatient facilities feature alumni programs in which new graduates have contact with those who completed treatment programs and have considerable clean time. Those new in recovery can also contact their therapists and other staff members from their residential treatment program to assess their progress and get additional support.