Intensive Outpatient Programs are an integral part of many patients’ drug or alcohol recovery process. These programs help patients work through their triggers and withdrawal symptoms to improve their relationship with substances. However, after the program is over, there may need to be additional services or aftercare to help someone keep up with the habits they have learned. 

Red Willow offers IOP because we know that proper therapy and evidence-based practices help those with addictions. In this blog, we will discuss how aftercare can help enhance what was learned in IOP and how proper support is crucial to recovery. 

Why Aftercare Is Essential

Sticking to what you learn in rehab or IOP can be difficult when you are thrust back into your normal life. Aftercare can help many people stick to their new routines and work through the peer pressure they may experience. 

Relapse Prevention

The biggest benefit of seeking care after completing an Intensive Outpatient Program is to prevent relapse. The goal of IOP is to give patients the tools they need to resist a substance or heal their relationship with a substance. Relapse is more common when no support or additional care is being provided. Addictions are hard to kick when others around you are causing pressure or temptation.

Staying with others who are sober, attending therapy, or working to learn more about addiction can help lower the risk of relapse. 

Support Network

A group of supportive people has been shown to help those with addiction avoid relapse. Family, friends, peers, and co-workers can help people avoid triggers, combat social pressure, and be a shoulder to cry on when times get tough. Seeking additional therapy after IOP helps provide people with a circle of other IOP graduates who better understand the unique struggles of addiction. 

Types Of Aftercare

Working with an individual therapist is not the only option for aftercare. Doing personal tasks like exercising, socializing, getting a new job, or changing diet can be considered forms of aftercare. Following a routine and gaining other healthy habits will help lower the risk of relapse. Here are some additional options that are more structured to help continue the journey of recovery. 

Therapy

Meeting with a therapist each week or every other week can help all kinds of people deal with stressors in their lives. Red Willow offers multiple recovery services because we know that well-rounded care is the best way to change your habits. Meeting with the right therapist can help patients develop better coping skills, provide an unbiased opinion, and teach patients more about the brain. 

Therapy is important in aftercare because you will experience new stressors after getting out of IOP. Dealing with problems in real-time can be stressful. Counselors and therapists will carry a calm demeanor that is helpful during distress.  

Sober Living House

Those who were previously living with members who may not support their sober habits may be at higher risk for relapse. Staying away from alcohol, drugs, or other substances can be hard when you are constantly surrounded by it. Sober living houses are a good transition back into sober life by living with people who are working towards a common goal.  

Continued Education

When under the influence of any substance, the body and brain can experience lifelong alterations. Keeping up on new research, learning about addiction, and how to make the body and brain healthier after addiction is considered aftercare. There are many ways to continue education on addiction issues and recovery practices. Check out our resource page on specific topics. 

More Tips For Recovery

It is hard to predict what could be triggering or become a setback after IOP, which is why aftercare is important. Different methods are available for different people and unique needs. Here are some other activities that can be paired with other aftercare methods.

• Get more frequent exercise
• Join a group (book club, yoga class, knitting club, etc.)
• Find more friends who support a sober journey
• Continue to learn how substances affect the brain
• Educate others on what you have learned
• Journal about your feelings and struggles
• Take up a new hobby to fill some downtime

IOP From Red Willow Counseling And Recovery

Seeking Intensive Outpatient Therapy is not a sign of weakness. We want all types of people to know that they can seek help for their mental health and physical health at any time. With two locations, Red Willow Counseling and Recovery can help patients learn more about addiction or how to cope with mental illness.

No matter at what stage you are in your journey, our specialists are excited to help you. Reach out to us to schedule an appointment or have a consultation with our team.