Aftercare: Addiction Rehabilitation & Aftercare With Dr. Harry

Addiction Aftercare With Dr. Harry

Completing addiction treatment from drugs or alcohol is a major accomplishment, however, it doesn’t mean that there’s not more work to do afterwards. During the fragile time in the weeks and months after completing rehab, people are considered “in recovery” and are at risk for relapse. Recovery is, in fact, a daily maintenance and a dynamic new way of living life free from dependence. An ‘Aftercare program’ with Dr. Harry can help minimize the risk of falling back into addictive behaviors and self-destructive patterns, and keep you moving forward on the road of recovery.

According to research, the quality of the aftercare you receive will strongly enhance your chances of remaining sober once you have finished addiction treatment. From the minute you begin your rehabilitation with Dr. Harry, your treatment team will begin to build a comprehensive program that incorporates an inclusive plan for aftercare. Aftercare is essential for relapse prevention, and with the right kind of assistance and therapeutic support from Dr. Harry, you can maintain your hard-won sobriety and build your lifetime foundation for recovery.

What is “Aftercare From Addiction Treatment?”

Addiction treatment usually begins with medically supervised detoxification and stabilization. It is followed by a multidisciplinary residential program of recovery after which patients need to focus on what is called “Aftercare”. It is suggested for patients to follow up with outpatient programs, transitional living programs or even long-term continuing care programs. Many people find that they make a better and more successful transition by spending time in sober living, which offers a community with a structured and secure environment to residents concentrating on recovery.

All aftercare situations provide the time and space to focus without temptations or stressors from the outside world. Recovering addicts need safe environments, and a reinforced sense of fellowship, support and community.

Aftercare services may include:

One-to-one counseling sessions (Can eventually include partners, spouses or children)
Group therapy meetings

12-step programs such as AA, or Al-Anon/Nar-Anon for the family members of recovering addicts

Educational programs to provide information on the nature of addiction and mental illness

Taking psychotherapeutic medications

Developing coping strategies for addiction and mental illness

Building stronger relationships with friends and family members

Finding and maintaining employment

Locating resources in the community

Aftercare from addiction treatment is all about following an effective relapse prevention program. Now is the time to learn about “triggers”, which are environmental, social and psychological factors that can trigger substance abuse. As part of prevention people learn to identify stressors, which could be potential triggers like abusive situations or conflicts in current relationships. In fact, directly following an addiction treatment program is considered to be a risky time for addicts in recovery.

There are going to be many new situations to face clean and sober, and in aftercare people find out how to cope with stress, life circumstances and even cravings. It is during this time in aftercare that patients need to continue with counseling sessions and support groups to help cope with emotionally vulnerable states and high-risk situations. With aftercare they can become more experienced with thinking through the outcome of relapse and resisting impulses. This is considered to be a relapse prevention plan, and it prepares participants to evaluate the potential outcome of a slip, before taking that first drink or picking up that drug.

A minor slip doesn’t have to turn into a major relapse if a patient is in aftercare.It is not uncommon for a person to relapse into old behaviors, and an aftercare program helps them to cope with the eventuality and better assess the situation.

Recovery 101 With Dr. Harry L. Haroutunian M.D.

Dr. Harry developed the “Recovery 101” lecture series on topics of Addiction Medicine, Recovery Issues, Communication Skills and Relapse Prevention.He is the author of “Being Sober” and co-author of “Hijacking the Brain”. All of his work speaks to the current and remarkable advances in neuroscience and behavioral medicine. Dr. Harry’s research and findings demonstrates how drug addiction is a complex and multifaceted brain disease, characterized by a loss of control over the use of drugs, which results in recurring and progressively adverse consequences.

Before getting into recovery, an addict has to admit that there is a life-threatening problem. Here are some of the signs and symptoms of possible drug and alcohol issues:

Not being able to stop using drugs or to stop drinking. This is considered loss of behavioral control. The impaired judgment can lead to risky or inappropriate conduct. There are usually failed attempts to quit or to “control using”.
The need to drink greater amounts of alcohol or do more drugs to attain the same effect is a problem.

You have “Cravings”.
You have consistent mood swings
There are more and more increasingly stressed family or interpersonal relationships
There is impaired, diminished job or academic performance
You have a heightened defensiveness about the subject of alcohol or drug use
You have a physical dependence on alcohol or drugs (not always apparent)
You have withdrawal syndrome

Aftercare: Addiction Rehabilitation & Aftercare With Dr. Harry

Overcoming alcoholism, drug abuse and dependency begins with the decision to ask for help. Whether you are addicted to alcohol, prescription medication, cocaine, marijuana, heroin, methamphetamines or opioids.

Aftercare is a vital component in the successful future of your recovery: the stronger your support system, the better your chances of long-term recovery. Dr. Harry offers life-changing treatment. He offers a comprehensive, multidisciplinary treatment program to fully equip his patients with the tools necessary to live an addiction-free, healthy, and fulfilled life

“Dr. Harry,” is an internationally known speaker on the topics of addictive disease and its treatment. Dr. Haroutunian is a physician, educator and internationally known lecturer and entrepreneur. He practiced medicine in Vermont for more than thirty years and is Board Certified in Addiction Medicine and Board Certified in Family Medicine. Dr. Haroutunian was recruited by Garrett O’Connor, M.D. to Betty Ford after training and then working as faculty in addiction medicine at the Weil Cornell Medical Center.