Aftercare is an extremely useful and powerful tool in keeping someone in recovery once they have completed a programme at a primary treatment centre.
Leaving any treatment centre can be a very daunting and overwhelming experience. Consequently addicts new to recovery will need all the support they can get.
Returning home can be a confusing and testing time as addicts have to face people, places and things that remind them of their using days. Without the necessary support, a great number of addicts relapse soon after completing treatment.
Help is offered to rebuild the trust that has no doubt been destroyed in most of their relationships and to rebuild what is sometimes left of their lives and careers.
One to one counselling can be an excellent tool in supporting people through this most difficult time in their recovery. It allows them to talk freely and confidentially in order to process what their lives are like without the ability to numb their feelings in the ways that they have been used to.
It helps them to identify their feelings and learn new skills to deal with them appropriately without needing to reach for an addictive substance or behaviour.
Ultimately it helps them to live life on life's terms.