Why Drug Rehab Aftercare Programs Are Essential to Success

drug rehab aftercare

Addiction treatment or “rehab” programs are fundamental to recovery from substance abuse. Through yours, you’ll go through detox and withdrawal, then learn important coping skills and self reflection through counseling and therapy. Chances are, you’ll leave your program feeling refreshed, healthy, and ready to start your new life in recovery.

But this is only the beginning. Addiction is viewed as an ongoing condition that can be managed, not necessarily cured. Addiction alters brain chemistry, and it often goes hand-in-hand with mental health disorders that also require lifelong care. Relapse is more common than many people realize — a study from the Journal of the American Medical Association showing that up to between 40 and 60 percent of people who have been through treatment fall back into substance abuse within a year.

Fortunately, this doesn’t mean that failure is inevitable. Far from it. You have the power to stay in recovery and even bounce back if you do relapse. In order to maintain sobriety long-term, you will need to stay strong and keep yourself in the right place mentally. At Soba Recovery, we’re here to tell you participating in aftercare programs will play a crucial role in this.

What Is Drug Rehab Aftercare?

Residential inpatient treatment (the most common type of rehab program) is there to help you overcome your every day urges to abuse substances and prepare you for leading a life of sobriety. However, real life is not so simple. When you leave your treatment program, you will suddenly be back in everyday life, complete with its triggers. This is why it is important to incorporate drug rehab aftercare programs into your addiction recovery. Put simply, rehab aftercare is a personalized plan that keeps you on track long after your initial addiction treatment is over.

Think of your primary addiction treatment as a training program to help prepare you for the real world. But since the real world is filled with unpredictable challenges, ongoing support is necessary to make sure that things don’t get out of control. Addiction aftercare takes many forms, but above all, it offers an outlet for the stresses of everyday life. Whether you’re participating in group or individual counseling, or even staying active in a hobby you picked up while in rehab, addiction aftercare services are crucial to keeping you on track.

Aftercare for substance abuse also provides you with focused support that you may not be able to find elsewhere. Even the most understanding and supportive friends and family members may still not be able to understand what you are dealing with if they haven’t been there themselves.

Aftercare Programs Guide You to Long-Term Sobriety

With the right addiction aftercare plan in place, you will not feel like you are suddenly left all alone back in the real world. But it’s not just about coping with your life in early sobriety. While again, individual aftercare plans can (and do) vary greatly, they are there to ensure you keep on top of both your long-term and short-term goals. Many people choose to tailor their aftercare plan so it can be adjusted throughout their real-life progress. At Soba Recovery, we feel this leads to successful lifelong management of addiction and substance abuse.

While relapse rates remain high, studies have shown aftercare for substance abuse programs to be highly effective in curbing them. One study published in the U.S. National Library of Medicine journal revealed that the likelihood of long-term abstinence rises by about 20 percent for every consecutive month individuals participate in an aftercare plan during the initial six months after they complete addiction treatment.

Forming Your Own Addiction Aftercare Plan

There are many different forms of ongoing treatment that can go into a drug rehab aftercare plan. Your own will depend on your own situation and preferences. For most people, however, aftercare plans contain a combination of the following:

  • Relapse prevention counseling
  • Mental health care (usually ongoing from initial addiction treatment)
  • Physical health care (may also include a fitness regimen plan)
  • Healthy activities / guidance on living a healthy, fulfilling life
  • Assistance finding safe housing removed from substance abuse triggers
  • Vocational counseling (help with conducting yourself professionally and finding employment)
  • Community-based support groups (like Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, etc.)

It’s worth noting that while a good addiction treatment center will help you form an aftercare plan and even provide some of the involved services, many plans include support from outside groups. This is all part of your long-term addiction recovery, allowing you to grow strong bonds with your local community and build a successful healthy life for yourself.

We Can Help With Drug Rehab Aftercare!

At Soba Recovery, our team is here for you both through initial treatment and addiction recovery. Our full-service program will help you through detox and into sobriety, as well as an aftercare plan that is unique to you and your specific needs. In fact, we consider aftercare to be a vital component of the recovery process as a whole. Whether you’re still in need of initial addiction treatment or have questions about forming an aftercare plan, we’re here to help. Get in touch with us today to learn more about how you can achieve long-term sobriety and the life you deserve.

Why Recovery Is A Lifelong Process

recovery is a lifelong process

As you know, there is no magic pill to “cure” withdrawal symptoms during detox, the only way is to go through it. The same concept can be applied to recovery. Recovery is a lifelong process. That’s why aftercare is very important when it comes to the prevention of relapse and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Wherever you are in the process of getting sober, Soba Recovery would like to extend a heartfelt congratulation to you. Your bravery is admirable. We believe in your long-term addiction recovery process. We believe that you have what it takes to be successful in this lifelong journey. So, welcome to the next chapter of your life!

Substance Abuse Recovery Process

We understand that the addiction recovery process has not been easy, but it is worth it. From now on, it will take discipline and practice to maintain your sobriety. Just like everyone else’s, life is not easy. There will be bumps and hiccups. The most important part is to learn how to manage the recovery process. From day one at Soba Recovery, we incorporate psycho-behavioral therapy into your addiction treatment strategy. We don’t believe in a “one-size-fits-all” treatment approach because we understand that each individual is unique. We offer a wide range of psychological therapies such as behavioral therapy, parental support, conflict resolution, anxiety, and depression therapy, just to name a few. These treatment modalities are to prepare you to be successful after completing treatment at our facility. Here are some tips to stay on track with your sobriety.

Tips to Maintain the Addiction Recovery Process

  • Know your “why”: Everyone has their own “why”. Some people’s “why” might be their families, their relationships, some might have done it because of their careers. Someone might’ve just decided to get sober for a better life they know they deserve. This “why” was the motivation that kept you going through the darkest hours where everything seems to be impossible. So, remember your “why” and keep it close to your heart. With life’s ups and downs, sometimes, we all need a reminder of why we do what we do.
  • Stability is the key: At Soba Recovery, we provide you with all the necessary tools and resources to be independent and maintain a life of sobriety. All of our clients are strongly encouraged to pursue a new career or return to their previous job. We firmly believe that stability plays a major role in long-term sobriety. Since recovery is a lifelong process, having a job will provide a steady source of income that will allow you to take care of yourself and your family. Have you ever thought about your passion or life calling? If you don’t have the answer for that yet, maybe this is the time to do some soul searching. Having a career that you love will make you feel fulfilled and purposeful. That feeling of fulfillment will get you through life when obstacles present. Another important part of maintaining stability is going to support groups and finding a sponsor (if you pursue AA or NA). Accountability is important, but more than that, life-long friendship can be found here.
  • Stress management: Stress is one of the major triggers for addiction and relapse. That’s why Soba Recovery focuses on stress management, anxiety and depression therapy from day one. Therapy is highly recommended after you finish with our treatment program. Incorporating yoga, meditation into your daily routine is one of the stress management methods. Free resources of these practices are available online, feel free to check it out and pick a program that is best for your needs and comfort level. Taking care of your body is another aspect of stress management. Remember, mental and physical health go hand in hand. Planning your weekly meals not only saves you money on grocery shopping, but it also ensures that you will always have nutritious, healthy food on hand. Along with diet, getting adequate sleep is also essential. According to the sleep foundation, younger adults (18-25 years of age) and adults (26-64 years of age)’s recommended sleep time is 7-9 hours. Make sleep your priority!
  • Love yourself: As human beings, we all make mistakes, so don’t be too harsh on yourself. You have made it this far, be proud of yourself! Self-care is a form of self-love, but don’t forget about others who have been there for you throughout this journey. Make time to reach out to your friends and family. You’d be surprised at how much it means to them and how good it’d make you feel.

Get Help With Your Substance Abuse Recovery Process

Soba Recovery commits to be there for you every step of the way during your addiction recovery process. Do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have any concerns. Our aftercare program is catered to all of your needs post-treatment. You will not be alone. Again, we believe in your long-term recovery! Call us today if you or someone you know is struggling with addiction.

What Is the First Step in the Recovery Process?

first step to recovery

“Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.” – Anthony Robbins. Soba Recovery would like to offer you a heartfelt congratulations for taking the first step towards sobriety. It does not matter what type of journey you have taken to get you here, but rest assured that you are where you’re supposed to be. It takes courage, clarity, and determination to make the decision to take back ownership of your life, so you should be proud of yourself. In honor of your determination, we will use this moment to explain the process of medical detox, which is commonly known as “detox”, and what you should be expecting. This next step might be one of the most challenging times of your journey that you have ever experienced, however, do not be afraid because you are not alone. There are tools, resources, and a support system to assist you during this path to beat substance addiction. Consequently, we would like you to keep in mind that deep down you have what it takes to complete this journey, and recognizing the need to change then aspiring to manifest that change is one of the most challenging parts of the process, and you did it!

Detox: First Step in the Recovery Process

Detoxification, also more commonly known as “detox,” is the process of eliminating a certain substance from the body. There are different routes for introducing a substance into the body: ingestion, inhalation, absorption through the skin, or injection. Once that substance is in the bloodstream, your kidneys and liver are the two major organs that perform the tasks of breaking it down and eliminating the substance from your body. You might have heard from your co-worker or a neighbor that they are on a “detox diet.” The main goal is to eliminate the toxins from things we eat or drink from our bodies.

Now that we’ve covered the basics, a drug or alcohol detox is essentially the same concept. The end goal is to remove the harmful toxins from the body. For a certain type of opiate addiction, a “substitute” drug such as methadone or suboxone might be prescribed at the beginning of the medical detox process; the idea is for clients to lose their dependence of the substance through the use of the less potent substitute medication, and eventually, remove the substitute medication altogether. However, certain clients might be required to remain on a low maintenance dose of these medications for the rest of their lives.

Why Choose Soba Recovery for Detox

There are thousands of facilities in the US that treat substance abuse. So, you might ask yourself, why Soba? The main reason that treatments offered at Soba Recovery are one of the best is that clients are treated holistically. Substance abuse, unfortunately, still carries a bad stigma among the community. On top of that, withdrawal symptoms, sometimes, can make the detox process seem impossible. Nevertheless, our staff understands how hard your journey has been and what we can do to make this experience as positive as possible for you physically and mentally. At Soba, we know addiction treatment is not easy, but we don’t see why it should not be fun. The even better news is that you don’t have to do it alone. At Soba Recovery, you are catered to 24/7 by a professional medical staff. Being monitored by medical staff also ensures compliance with the program. After all, who wouldn’t want an accountability buddy? The goal is for you to experience an enjoyable, safe, and comfortable detox process.

What’s the Plan for Drug Detoxification?

Like mentioned above, drug detoxification is the first step in the recovery process. During this time you’ll be monitored closely, while administered medicine to help ease withdrawal symptoms. Detox can look a little different for everyone, so it’s hard to pinpoint what your exact experience will be. Needless to say, we’ll make you as comfortable as possible during this time.

After you complete detox, we recommend two different treatment strategies with the goal of tailoring to your lifestyle and needs; residential inpatient treatment and partial hospitalization. Residential inpatient offers a 90-day stay in order to achieve the most optimal outcome of addiction treatment. On the other hand, partial hospitalization is an alternative for those who are not able to attend the 90-day inpatient treatment due to job/family responsibilities. The goal here is to tailor the plan that fits YOU the best.

Reach Out to Soba Recovery Today

Soba Recovery currently has two locations, one in Mesa, Arizona, and one in Texas. Both locations offer truly individualized addiction treatment. We know getting help with addiction can be scary, and detoxification can be a hard first step to take. Please reach out to us today if you’re struggling with addiction, and we’ll let you know all of the ways we can help you overcome your substance abuse!

A Brief History of the Opioid Epidemic

history of the opioid epidemic

Soba Recovery understands the importance of spreading awareness of the opioid epidemic in America. Today we’ll share a brief history of the opioid epidemic; how the U.S. got to this point in the first place; and what we have done to contribute to societal improvements during the epidemic.

Opioid Crisis History and Background

Opium made its first appearance in the US in 1775. During the civil war, opioids were used to treat pain caused by battle wounds. Consequently, numerous soldiers became addicted to opiates. Resulting in lawmakers passing The Harrison Narcotics Act in 1914 to prevent recreational use of opioids. In the 1970s, the stigma about addiction caused by opioids was so severe that doctors and surgeons ceased the use of narcotic agents for pain treatment. Opioids made a strong comeback in the late 1980s and early 1990’s when drug manufacturers published statements promoting the use of opiate drugs by assuring the medical community that prescription opioids did not cause patient addiction. This led to a tremendous increase in opioid prescriptions.

What’s Happening Today in the Opioid Epidemic

In 2017, the Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency to address the national opioid crisis. Here are some of the most recent statistics according to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

  • Since 1999, more than 750,000 people have died from a drug overdose. Overdose deaths include prescription opioids, heroin, and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl.
  • In 2018, 47,000 cases of opioid overdoses resulted in death, with 32% of those deaths involved prescription opioids.
  • In 2018, the states with the highest rates of opioid overdose deaths were West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New Hampshire
  • 2018 data also shows that 128 people in the United States died from opioid overdose every day.

This is just a brief snapshot of the big picture. Mortality rate, without any doubt, is one of the gravest consequences of the opioid epidemic in the US. However, the opioid crisis also imposes an immense effect on the general welfare of the community. Not to mention, the economic impact that it has on our society in addition to the emotional and psychological effects on the patients’ families and their loved ones.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and National Institutes of Health (NIH)’s stand during the opioid epidemic:

With the goal to alleviate problems caused by the opioid epidemic and formulate solutions to improve how the U.S healthcare system should be dealing with this crisis, HHS and NIH focus their efforts into five major priorities:

  • Improving access to treatment and recovery services
  • Promoting use of overdose-reversing drug
  • Strengthening public understanding of the epidemic through better public health surveillance
  • Providing support for cutting-edge research on pain and addiction
  • Advancing better practices for pain management

As the U.S. is providing efforts to alleviate the devastating damage, we at Soba Recovery provide more education for the general public and potential patients through our blog. In addition to that, a representative is available on-line 24/7 to answer any questions or concerns that potential clients and their families may have without compromising their privacy. We create a safe space for people to talk and to reach out if they are seeking treatment for themselves or for their loved ones. Our staff is expertly trained in educating and discussing treatment plans while providing realistic expectations and being emotionally supportive.

Soba Recovery Is Here to Help You

From day one, our core focus is on being caring. Here at Soba Recovery, you are not just a client, you are one of us. That is why we use a combination of different modalities to optimize your recovery treatment and provide you with the most holistic care. In addition to medication-assisted therapy, we utilize psychological counseling, acupuncture, yoga, and massage therapy.

Unfortunately, the stigma of addiction and addiction treatment still exist. Soba Recovery is here to contribute efforts to erase that stigma. We ensure a judgment-free zone for anyone who comes here to seek treatment or know someone who is dealing with addiction disorder.

Soba Recovery thrives on providing gold-standard treatment along with education. We are a Joint-Commission accredited facility with top of the line treatment modalities. Not only do we satisfy the national guidelines on substance abuse treatment, we go above and beyond to exceed the requirements. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to our knowledgeable staff. We are here for you!

What Is Medication Assisted Therapy in Addiction Treatment?

doctor explaining medication assisted therapy

Soba Recovery offers Medication Assisted Therapy (MAT) in adjunction to our other holistic modalities such as behavioral therapies, yoga, massage therapy and acupuncture. The goal is to treat substance abuse disorder by providing a “holistic” approach. Medication Assisted Therapy or MAT, is highly individualized based on the clients physiology and medical history, along with the type and duration of the abused substance. The main goal is for you to experience the safest, most comfortable detox process with the least amount of side effects. Your long-term recovery is our number one priority!

What Is MAT?

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the long-term follow-up of recovery addicts who were on Medication Assisted Treatment, indicated that 61% of people reported being abstinent from drugs and alcohol after three and a half years, and fewer than 10% meet diagnostic criteria for dependence on the drugs. MAT has been proven to be effective in overcoming addiction and substance abuse, and improve addicts’ survival and retention in treatment, increase their ability to maintain employment, and improve birth outcomes for pregnant women. These results and the science behind them are some of the reasons why Soba incorporates MAT into our treatment program at all of our facilities.

Medically assisted therapy is used primarily to treat the addictions of opioids, such as heroin, and other opiate-containing prescription pain relievers, like Percocet, Norco, and Oxycodone. So, you may wonder how does it work? MAT works by restoring the chemistry in the brain that has been “thrown off,”. It also helps relieve the intense physical craving that you will experience during the detox process. In addition to that, MAT helps alleviate some of the physiological effects, which helps make the detox process more tolerable.

Medication Assisted Therapy Approved Drugs

At Soba, the medications we utilize for the MAT approach are approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The three medications that are indicated to treat opioid addictions are methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone.

  • Methadone: This is a synthetic opioid that is a designated schedule II drug. Methadone is indicated to treat severe pain. However, at a lower controlled dose, methadone can be used to alleviate withdrawal symptoms and relieve intense craving in opioid addiction, especially heroin. This synthetic drug works by binding to the same target as heroin, morphine, and other opiate prescription pain medications. Once these “targets” are occupied with opiates, they become activated. When the activation of these targets takes place by the abused substance, the end effect is euphoria – the hallmark of drug addiction. With Methadone, even though the target is the same, methadone works at a slow, controlled rate. Therefore, at the treatment dose, methadone alleviates withdrawal symptoms without producing the euphoric effects.
  • Buprenorphine: Like Methadone, Buprenorphine works by binding to the same receptors or “targets” as the abused substance. The difference is that Buprenorphine is a partial agonist, while methadone is a full agonist, meaning Buprenorphine would activate these “targets” less strongly than the full agonist – the abused substance. By doing so, Buprenorphine improves withdrawal symptoms and craving sensations.
  • Naltrexone: Opposite of Methadone and Buprenorphine, Naltrexone works by blocking the activation of the opioid receptors or “targets.” Naltrexone works by preventing the abused substance from binding to these “targets;” therefore, it blocks the rewarding effect such as euphoria.

What to Expect With Medication Assisted Treatment

All of the medications mentioned above are available at Soba. You might wonder how do you know which one is the best fit for you? No worries! Our clinicians and staff are highly trained when it comes to opioid addiction treatment; therefore, the therapy will be highly individualized in addition to counseling psychological support to best suit your needs. As far as duration, there is no maximum or minimum recommended length of therapy. The need of staying on MAT should be reassessed by your provider and discussed with you periodically.

All of the above medications come in different dosage forms for easy use and convenience. They come in tablets and skin patches. Buprenorphine even comes in a once-a-month injection.

The most common side effects of these medications are similar to those of opioids, such as constipation, alterations in sexual functioning, weight gain, and sweating etc. These side effects will be discussed in great detail with you once you are enrolled in the MAT program. Ultimately, our goal is to come to a joint decision with you since you are a part of the team.

Your Success Is Our Success

The ultimate goal is your lifelong recovery. Sometimes, addiction and seeking treatment might seem so daunting, but please be assured that we are here for you. Reach out to us today if you or a loved one is seeking addiction treatment. Our staff will happily review all of our different treatment options for you. Call us now!

A Look at Acupuncture For Addiction Recovery

acupuncture being used as treatment for addiction

As a client at Soba, you are a part of the team. Decisions regarding your treatment plans will be made collaboratively between you and our staff. During the detoxification process, medications such as methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone are utilized to de-intensify the physical effects of withdrawal. These FDA-approved agents have also been proven to increase the success rate of long-term sobriety. Medication therapy is important, but it is only a segment of our treatment strategy. At Soba, holistic medicine is one of our major focuses, which is why our treatment is one of the best. We don’t just treat the disease. Your mental, psychological and emotional health are also our priorities.

What is Holistic Medicine?

Holistic medicine is the type of medicine that not only treats the patient’s disease or condition but also tends to the patient’s psychological, mental, and emotional well-being. Holistic medicine is not a specific type of treatment, rather, it includes different treatment modalities.

The emphasis of holistic medicine relies on the underlying problems instead of treating the symptoms, which are superficial. Another important aspect of holistic medicine is the optimization of one’s health, which addresses properly balanced nutrition, in addition to a person’s emotional and psychological state.

As mentioned above, holistic medicine is an umbrella term for a variety of treatment modalities. They include (but are not limited to) acupuncture, yoga, meditation, reiki, and counseling. Even though holistic medicine is not a new scope of practice, the majority of people are unaware of the treatment strategies that holistic medicine offers along with its healing benefits. In this article, we will focus on one of the most well-known holistic methods, which is acupuncture.

What is Acupuncture

Acupuncture first originated from China more than 2500 years ago. Over time, acupuncture has become a well sought-after method of treatment and preventative medicine. It was not until the early sixteenth century that acupuncture reached European countries and America through merchant trading. The principle foundation of acupuncture is to balance the “flow of life”- known as “chi.” It results in a harmonious body, mind, and spirit. Most of the time, acupuncture is utilized in conjunction with either an exercise therapy or massage along with an herbal or other supplemental diet regimens.
The technique:
According to Chinese medicine, there are “trigger” points, or strategic points, throughout the body. The technique involves the insertion of a very thin needle that is the width of a hair through the skin at these strategic points.

What Is Acupuncture Treatment Used For?

As mentioned above, Oriental medicine believes that stimulating these trigger points in the body results in the balance of “chi.” Western medicine has done basic research to further study the mechanism of action of acupuncture. It has shown that acupuncture works by stimulating the nervous system. It has been understood to affect the regulation of insulin, growth-stimulating hormone, thyroid hormone, and more.

Oriental medicine focuses acupuncture on the treatment of pain and neuropathy. Nowadays, acupuncture is indicated to treat a wide range of conditions from chemotherapy-induced nausea/vomiting, dry mouth, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and smoking cessation.

The myth is that acupuncture is painful, but the truth is that everyone has different thresholds for sensing pain. It is reported by patients that they get very relaxed during the acupuncture sessions and they end up falling asleep or fall into a deep state of relaxation.

Case reports of side effects do exist, however, they are very rare. Allergic reactions to stainless-steel are rarely seen. If you have any type of metal allergy, please inform your practitioner. Bleeding complication is one of the side effects as well, though it is very minimal and does not commonly happen.

Acupuncture in Addiction Treatment

At this point, you might be thinking that acupuncture is a great treatment therapy but how does it help you with your recovery journey. Great question! As you are already aware, Soba’s philosophy is to focus on treating our patients as a whole. We are not just labeling you as a disease or disorder. We get to the root of the problem. As you are being detoxed, medication therapy will be used under stringent monitoring by our expert staff. We also tend your emotional, mental, and psychological health on top of that. Acupuncture has been proven by research to be beneficial in treating pain, anxiety, and depression, which are some of the more common side effects that are expected to be experienced during detox. This is why Soba offers the possibility of incorporating acupuncture into the treatment strategy. We also offer group/individual counseling therapy, stress management, and relationship coaching. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns. We are here for you!