IMPORTANCE OF AFTERCARE AFTER MARIJUANA ADDICTION TREATMENT


What is an aftercare program? Aftercare is the next intervention following the preliminary marijuana abuse treatment.

Often times, an aftercare program that follows after a residential or inpatient marijuana abuse treatment is regarded as an added support. Aftercare involves many forms of activities, including counseling, support groups, follow-up meetings, booster sessions or learning new coping strategies and skills.

From Rehab Treatment to Aftercare

Some people believe that the moment they completed marijuana addiction treatment, their addiction is completely over. Sadly, addiction doesn’t get away with a treatment for marijuana abuse all at once.

Getting a marijuana addict treatment is only the initial step towards recovery. This is where an aftercare program come into place.

The aftercare program makes sure that recovering individuals will have a continued treatment to remain sober. This helps them to continue recovery and lessen the chances of relapse.

Counseling and support continue after marijuana addiction treatment. Aftercare makes sure that there is a continued recovery process happening in the lives of recovering individuals.  It makes the transition to a new sober life with reduced risk to relapse.

During aftercare, individuals follow routines and schedules that make it harder for them to be involved again with marijuana use. Following a stint of cure for marijuana addiction, people will definitely face temptations, triggers, pressures and problems. However, with an aftercare, they are like having a shield making it possible for them to stay clean and sober for the first many months and years.

Knowing the Chances of Relapse

Statistics have shown that nearly 50 percent of those who successfully completed marijuana addiction treatment, will relapse. The highest possibility of relapse is during the first 60 days following the rehab treatment. This probability will continue until the first five years of recovery.

Forms of Aftercare

Aftercare programs are a significant part of a lifelong plan made for recovering individuals. It involves ongoing addiction education, social activities, individual counseling, group meetings, and even occasional recreational outings.

The program can be offered for female only, male only or teen only. Some agencies offer it in according to the nature of addiction. For instance, there is an aftercare program for marijuana abusers, those with eating disorders or alcohol addiction.

Aftercare programs come in varied forms. There are programs that are offered immediately after marijuana addiction treatment.

Others come in a form of sober living homes. These are temporary shelters for recovering addicts, who are not ready to go back yet to their homes, or those who still need adjustment following treatment for marijuana addiction before they go back to reality.

The most commonly seen aftercare program is the outpatient aftercare. During the sessions, aftercare personnels educate individuals to acquire relapse prevention skills, stress management skills, managing anger and stress and relationship skills.

The continued support and education after  marijuana addiction treatment options help individuals in their smooth transition into their normal lives. Aftercare offers a lot of benefits that help them to stay clean and sober even after many years in recovery. This is why it is a very important part of recovery.