For someone that is addicted to drugs or alcohol, just getting into rehab is a major accomplishment. It can take years for an addict to admit that he needs help with a drug problem. There is the denial to deal with, first of all. The addict can tell himself and others that he isn’t actually addicted. If you’ve ever known an addict, then you’ve probably heard the phrase: “I can quit whenever I want to.” It’s not true, but the addict will often actually believe it.
In order to get truly sober, residential rehab will be needed. The addict needs 24 hour a day care by professionals that know how to get someone safely detoxed. Once the drugs are out of the person’s system, you might think that he is then going to be good to go. Sadly, this is not the case. The problem with most rehab programs is that they just get the addict through his initial detox phase and then do nothing else to help him. While some rehabs can seem like they’re getting the addict clean, abandoning the addict to his fate at this stage is just inviting disaster. That is why Narconon Arrowhead takes a different approach.
Preparing for Aftercare
Narconon Arrowhead uses “aftercare” with all of its clients. Aftercare means the actions that are taken after a client has finished his or her rehab program in order to ensure that the person is able to stay clean. Narconon Arrowhead knows that the key to effective aftercare actually starts before the program itself is over.
Many rehab programs will help a person detox in a short ten day or thirty day program, but they don’t have much of a plan for what happens next. Arrowhead knows that getting an addict off of whatever he is addicted to is only the very first step. Just because a person doesn’t currently have drugs in his system doesn’t mean that he won’t go right back to using them when he is on the “outside” again. This is because drug addicts have situations in their lives that are leading them to use drugs in the first place.
Arrowhead knows that in order to have effective aftercare, a rehab has to start by having an effective program to change the way the client operates in his or her life. For example, Arrowhead has all clients do Life Skills courses that focus in on areas where drug addicts are sorely lacking. Every client works to improve his communication skills, for example. By knowing how to talk to others effectively and get your viewpoint across, an addict can turn down drug-pushing friends with confidence. The program also helps addicts develop a personal moral code that they can use to evaluate future decisions. When you actually have a good idea of what right and wrong actually mean, you can make correct decisions in the future.
Helping Patients Succeed
Once a client has graduated from Narconon Arrowhead, he has completed the first step towards a happy and healthy future. This doesn’t mean that his journey is completely done, however. He will probably be repeatedly confronted by situations in the future that will test his resolve to stay drug-free.
In order to help with these distractions, Narconon Arrowhead provides one of the best aftercare programs in the country. Addiction Specialists check in with graduates frequently to help resolve any issues that are coming up and to help give the care and help needed to stay permanently free of drugs.
Reference:
ProjectKnow.com: Addiction Aftercare http://www.projectknow.com/research/aftercare/