Leaving rehab is when the work really begins. That is why at Hope we believe rehab aftercare is important. For our clients, returning home is when their recovery is really put to the test and at times this can be challenging so stay in touch.

Our Rehab aftercare is designed to keep you connected to both Hope Rehab Thailand, and your Counsellor after leaving treatment. However it is worth noting that long distance aftercare is no substitute for building a local support network with either meetings or finding a local counsellor. Please bear in mind you counsellor has new clients so can offer 15 minute phone calls (not counselling sessions) and weekly emails for a period of 6 weeks officially.  Download 100 tips for recovery.

The most powerful aftercare program is directed and managed by YOU! Basically, continuing the healthy daily routines started at Hope. Attending independent recovery groups online or in person is the most successful form of aftercare. Also joining meditation classes and CBT counselling will aide your aftercare.

A few weeks prior to leaving Hope, clients begin to work one on one with a Recovery Coach if you do an extended program. Each Recovery Coach works closely with the clients to determine potential problem areas when returning home, such as living and work situations, transportation, and social environments. Clients, with the guidance and support of their Recovery Coach, find solutions and set goals in those areas to minimize any undue stress returning to everyday life. We also develop plans to break into support groups back home and determine which support groups will best fit each client’s needs.

Taking personal responsibility for one’s own recovery and aftercare is all-empowering and sets you up for a long-term recovery. We can offer advice and suggestions however the client needs to act on it for it to work.

Leaving treatment, we are pleased to maintain close personal contact with each client to make sure their transition back home is as easy as possible. We continue support through pre-arranged phone calls or messages and provide motivation to continue the recovery journey using the tools learned at Hope.

Many clients do stay in touch with their counsellor and other members of the Hope team, which we welcome. Obviously Hope staff cannot chase clients around the globe and it is well known chasing an addict or alcoholic is a mistake.

Aftercare and post–treatment support: It is a clients responsibility to make contact, access and engage with our aftercare groups and counsellor support.

Alongside personal contact, we also hold weekly online video meetings in order for clients to check-in on their recovery in a group atmosphere with peers they know and trust from Hope. This is a great opportunity for Hope alumni to support each other and give back by assisting any of their fellow peers who may be in need of a few friendly faces.

We have a group set up on social media, a Facebook account called “Hope friends Group”. It is a safe and secure way for clients and staff alike to remain in contact long after their treatment has finished. Many clients who are still clean today stay in touch with their peers and the staff for support from their homes all around the world.

After completing primary rehab of 60 days, many clients go on to our advanced program and to the hope Sober House for a more intensive form of aftercare. We understand not every client has the time or recourses to do this, however it does provides a gentle and safe transition back to the community.

The chances of relapse are high based on historical averages. Although an individual plan is made for relapse prevention, many of the problems faced are common to most clients. These include but are not limited to:

The disease of addiction can be both brutal and subtle at the same time. We need a dynamic and safe plan that includes people, places and self. Your aim is to maintain the gains achieved at Hope Rehab. Failing to follow one’s treatment plan is the first warning sign of relapse.

Drug and alcohol abuse over long periods of time affect addicts/alcoholics in a number of ways. After completion of any drug/alcohol rehabilitation program, there are many issues directly linked to their problems they will need to face when home. Financial, health and relationship problems are high on the list of these issues. It may not be so in all cases but is something that will cause increased levels of stress and anxiety, which must be addressed quickly by using rehab aftercare services.

Psychologically, the act of returning to your home environment can be a massive trigger. Places and people associated with using must be avoided and in a lot of cases removed from your life completely. This is never an easy task as the real work of changing those old habits really begins here and can at times be really painful. Breaking the chains to your past addictions and building a new productive life in recovery is the way for supporting your recovery after treatment.

This article on Addiction Today explains more about Rehab Aftercare and aims to remind people of the importance of structured post-rehabilitative support.