SHIFT aftercare treatment
is for learning how to replace learned self destructive behaviors, thoughts and
emotions by learning to practice new skills and techniques in order to prevent
on going unhealthy patterns of behavior in daily life. Aftercare helps undo negative
emotions, thoughts and behaviors by learning how to express and contain emotions, as well as improving inter-personal communication
skills. Individual, couple group and family counseling and support can help the
individual to strengthen his or her personal, familial, and professional relationships
in order to enhance and maintain a better quality of life.
Statistics show that 60% of alcoholic & addicts relapse within three months of being discharged from treatment.
Persons with addictions and
co-morbidity factors go through cycles of :
- Heavy Use / Abstinence
- Harm Reduction /Relapse
- Manipulating therapy and rehabilitation programs and leaving against medical advice
- Masking relapse from their families, physicians and sponsors
- Sporadically attending self-help meetings and sober living programs
- Medical non-compliance
Psycho-social factors that
increase the risk for relapse
- Family histories of alcohol, substance abuse
- Psychiatric, psychological, and physical disorders
- Moderate to major life stressors / Loss of familiar negative social contacts
- Social isolation and lack of support from family and friends
What are the
tools to help build recovery?
Self Help programs are the hammer and Therapy is the nail.
Aftercare treatment
is necessary once a person has been discharged successfully or unsuccessfully from an inpatient or residential treatment program.
Aftercare programs usually include weekly 12 step meetings, fellowship groups, sponsorship, and sober living. The key ingredients
to a healthy recovery is structure and support.
To sustain and
maintain a HEALTHY RECOVERY the individual has to develop his or her own treatment
program that meets their OWN INDIVIDUAL NEEDS and not the needs of others. There is no such thing as cookie cutter approach
to prevent relapse.
Individuals who have five
or more years are in full remission. Similar to being diagnosed with diabetes
or cancer. There is no cure for addiction.
Two step forward, three steps
backward, four steps forward, and three steps backward. A recipe for a healthy recovery process is to shift back and forth between old and new emotions thoughts feelings and behaviors in aftercare treatment.
Change is difficult. Stress means change. Recovery from alcohol and other substances and behaviors have to be managed through a ongoing relapse prevention programs. Otherwise it’s just a
matter of time for the next relapse to occur. To continue to move forward in
on-going recovery he or she has to develop an awareness or insight into personal emotional factors, and interpersonal relationships.
When someone stops going to aftercare they no longer need help, They will refer to themselves as an “ex junkie” or “former addict.” are not used to identify a person in recovery.
Persons who try to rationalize and justify their
leaving treatment is often in ongoing denial. Using rationale for actions to pull
away from on-going participation in aftercare puts someone at very high
risk to relapse and chronically
relapse with episodic and binge drinking.
AT RISK TRIGGERS:
EMOTIONAL
PHYSICAL
SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGICAL
FAMILY
VOCATIONAL
SPIRITUAL CONFLICT.