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Relapse prevention skills is one of the important programs that Transformations Treatment Center offers its clients to ensure that they are ready to deal with life on the "outside." Entering a drug addiction rehabilitation program is essential in overcoming a drug addiction. Most drug addiction treatment centers offer their clients short, 28-30 day stays to help them conquer their cravings, go through withdrawal safely and begin re-learning how to function without and or alcohol. The truth is, however, that while a short stay in a substance abuse treatment facility might help a person get over the withdrawal symptoms of their particular addiction, that same short stay does little to truly prepare the recovering addict for the pressures he (or she) will face as he tries to rebuild his life outside of drug rehab.
This is where the Relapse Prevention program at Transformations Treatment Center becomes important. Transformations Treatment Center offers each of its drug rehabilitation program graduates a year of free aftercare. This aftercare involves three group therapy sessions each week in which recovering addicts and alcoholics can talk about their experiences outside of rehab and work together to help each other deal with the pressures and stressors that exist in the outside world.
According to Matt Brindisi, the Admissions Coordinator for Transformations Treatment Center and Relapse Prevention Program, "I have seen why people come in and out of treatment and it is usually for the same reasons by different faces. People try to come out of the gate too quickly because they think that 30 days is enough treatment. Realistically, that does not make much sense. Some people have been using for 5, 10 or even 20 years. So for someone to think they will be cured after 30 days is not realistic. Unfortunately, some people may not have the ability to stay 90 days because insurance just will not allow it. So we offer those who cannot stay 90 days the opportunity to come back three days a week for one year with hopes that they will achieve that one year of sobriety."
Brindisi goes on to say "Studies have shown that if an individual can achieve one year of sobriety, statistics show they move forward into long term sobriety."
That first year is the hardest for addicts and alcoholics. Many recovering drug addicts try to hit the ground running as soon as they are released from a treatment center. A good drug treatment center inspires the recovering drug addict to live a sober life. What often happens is that the recovering drug addict ignores the importance of relapse prevention and the importance of recovery aftercare. They are ready and they think they are strong enough to handle everything on their own. For some recovering drug addicts this is true! For most, however, this could not be more false.
What ends up happening is that the recovering person thinks that they can jump right back into a regular life and will not be tempted to abuse drugs or alcohol anymore. Instead what they find is that their old drug-filled life hasn't changed as quickly as they have. Almost immediately they are faced with making a large number of major changes and the stress of this can trigger the beginning of a relapse.
The Relapse Prevention Skills program at Transformations Treatment Center will teach recovering person how to recognize the signs of a relapse. Recovering addicts and alcoholics will learn how to acknowledge and work through the major stages of relapse: emotional, mental and physical. The group sessions offered as part of the Relapse Prevention Program will place the recovering addict or alcoholic among other people who are facing the same stressors.
One of the many advantages offered in the Relapse Prevention Program offered by Transformations Treatment Center is the varying stages of recovery that each program participant is in. While a person goes through drug and alcohol treatment they are usually placed with people who are in the same stages of addiction. In the important Recovery Aftercare Program, however, the addict will sit in sessions with people who have been out of drug and alcohol treatment for as little as a few days and as long as eleven months. This varied group setting can offer inspiration and support in a way that other types of social situations cannot. The group will help the recovering addict work through each step of building a and teach him (or her) how to work each step completely before moving on to the next instead of trying to do everything at once.
Many recovering addicts swear by the Relapse Prevention Skills program at Transformations Treatment Center and are anxious that others understand just how important relapse prevention is.
One of the members of the relapse prevention program at Transformations Treatment Center had this to say: "I have been a part of the Transformations after care program for over a month right now. I come back to group because it offers me support and I find strength in the group. I graduated with a lot of the people that are in my aftercare group and I lean on them inside and outside the group."
Recovery Aftercare is essential for helping recovering addicts and alcoholics get through that tenuous first year of recovery. The relapse prevention program at the Transformations Treatment Center is set up to offer the recovery aftercare that every recovering drug addict needs to stay sober. |
