How to Create a Drug-Free Environment After Rehab

For those who enter rehab, detoxing and remaining clean and sober can seem like a daunting task. However, as time goes on, participants can accumulate substance-free days and eventually successfully complete their rehab program. The next phase is remaining drug free in the outside world. While this concept may also seem like an overwhelming challenge, rehabilitated drug users can increase their chances of success by following a few steps.

Evaluate the Living Environment

Where a person will reside after completing rehab can place a substantial role in his or her ability to stay clean. A study published in the Substance Use and Misuse Journal indicated that most female recovering heroin addicts reside with at least one current or former heroin user. Returning to a home in which there is drug use can make relapse far more likely. For many people, simply living in their old neighborhood provides constant reminders of drug use, including places where drugs can be purchased, locations where drug use takes place, or even walking by a dealer's house. If these triggers exist, moving to a new, drug-free location upon leaving rehab is the best choice.

Socializing with Sober People

Sometimes creating a drug-free environment after rehab may be a matter of changing friends. Studies have shown that the same peer influence that can lead to teen drug use can also affect adults. It may be more difficult for an adult who no longer uses drugs to attend social occasions, share meals, or interact with friends who use drugs and still maintain sobriety. Spending time with people who do not use drugs may also reduce the urge to drink or get high, thereby reducing the likelihood of relapse.

Seeking Counseling and Keeping Appointments

Counseling can help a recovering drug user address and heal the underlying issues that led to drug use, as well as the secondary issues that may have arisen as a result of drug abuse. Moreover, effective counseling can also:

• Help former drug users process feelings and stressful situations while avoiding relapse
• Help ease family transitions after rehab
• Deal effectively with eliminating relapse triggers
• Assist client with setting goals
• Strengthen healthy coping and social skills

Exercise

Exercise is often incorporated as part of the rehabilitation plan in many facilities and should be continued after completing a rehab program. It was initially believed that exercise was simply an effective way to distract patients from their withdrawal symptoms. However, more recent studies indicate that exercise may have far more benefits for the recovering drug abuser. Exercising can be productive in minimizing stress and releasing anger. Remaining physically active can also release endorphins into the blood stream, which may improve overall well-being and mood. Furthermore, exercise is part of a normal, healthy, balanced lifestyle and benefits virtually everyone.

Helping Others

A study published by Addiction indicated that engaging in community service and helping other people reduced the risk of recovering alcoholics binge drinking. Community service allows recovering drug users to shift the focus from thinking about their own issues and talking about themselves to helping other people. Focusing on others who have very basic needs may help people who are recovering from drug abuse change their perspective for the better. Creating a drug-free environment and remaining sober after completing a recovery program at a drug rehab center is very possible. By realistically assessing the situation into which the recovering drug abuser is entering outside of rehab and taking active steps to plan to remain sober and avoid triggers, a healthy, happy, drug-free life is within reach. Meta: How to create a drug-free environment after rehab is is a solution those who are planning on remaining clean and sober, but it can seem like a daunting task.