Shifting from residential treatment to “everyday” life after getting sober can be one of the most challenging aspects of recovery. While life transitions can often bring a newfound sense of freedom, it often also involves feeling off-balance, anxious, and hesitant to embrace change.
The Importance of Outpatient Care
Individuals who have completed a treatment program for substance use disorder (SUD) should transition to a lower level of care, like outpatient treatment, to help them manage the shift from residential treatment to their normal lives. The services received in intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), such as continued therapy, support groups, case management, medication management, and opportunities to learn important life skills guide newly sober individuals as they find their balance and new “normal.”
Finding a New Routine
Transitions in life often ask people to be open to doing life in a new way. This can feel disorienting at first, especially after individuals have gotten used to a routine that was working for them. It can be helpful to find new ways of being in life. Continuing support from an individual’s treatment team can help them adjust, which allows them to maintain the responsibilities of everyday life and give them a sense of groundedness as they continue managing their sobriety.
Giving Yourself Grace
With change can also come struggle. Recovery is not linear and healing is rarely perfect. Neither of these things are destinations, but rather, continual and ever-changing processes. As each recovering individual finds what feels good for them and allows them to continue reaching the goals they have, they must give themselves grace and meet themselves where they are in their journey.
Life after residential treatment can be an equally empowering and disorienting process. There can be fear, hesitancy, and questions of whether or not an individual can trust themselves to succeed without the support of a treatment team around the clock. Making this transition allows individuals to build trust within themselves in this new season of life as they continue outpatient care, find new routines, and give themselves grace.
Transitioning from inpatient care to outpatient care is an important step in moving through different phases of treatment for substance use disorder. Continuing recovery with lower levels of care as you reach your goals in recovery is one of the best gifts you can give yourself. Continue to seek support in ways that support your transition and progress. At Avalon Malibu, we recognize how intimidating this change can be and are here to support you as you navigate life outside of residential care. Call Avalon Malibu today at (844) 857-5992.
