Benefitting From Counseling
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Benefitting From Counseling

Unfortunately, I had a pretty traumatic childhood. My parents were always fighting, and I was faced with trying to decide what to do about my own personal feelings. When I got older, I knew that I needed to do something to relieve the stress that I was feeling even many years later, so I started focusing on going to counseling. My first few appointments were a little nerve-racking, but the counselor worked hard to make me feel comfortable. I was really impressed with how gentle and kind she was, and I felt really great about the progress I was making. This blog is all about benefiting from counseling.

Benefitting From Counseling

Common Mistakes To Avoid During Outpatient Drug Addiction Treatment

Ron Henry

If you or someone close to you is going through outpatient drug addiction treatment, the journey can sometimes be difficult and overwhelming. You have to be very mindful of the decisions you make during this process, as certain mistakes can lead to setbacks or even worsen the addiction. 

Here are some common mistakes to avoid during outpatient drug addiction treatment:

Not Following Through With Aftercare Plans

Aftercare plans are designed to help maintain a successful recovery after completing an inpatient rehabilitation program or an intensive outpatient program. Unfortunately, many people do not follow through with their aftercare plans after completing their prescribed treatment program. This can lead to relapse, as there is no support system in place for them to continue on the path of recovery.

Aftercare plans often involve ongoing therapy, support groups, and lifestyle changes such as healthy diet and exercise. Ongoing therapy is a huge part of recovery, as it can help you learn more about your addiction and the challenges you may face in the future. Support groups are also beneficial, as they can provide a safe and supportive environment for recovering addicts to share their struggles and successes.

You have to stick with your aftercare plan and receive ongoing support from family and friends, mental health professionals, and addiction counselors throughout this process. Without these resources in place, it can be difficult to stay on track and maintain your sobriety.

Not Setting Realistic Goals

Setting realistic goals is essential for a successful recovery from substance abuse and addiction. A common mistake is setting unrealistic goals, like expecting yourself to stop using drugs immediately without any help or guidance. What that does is it creates unrealistic expectations that you cannot meet and often leads to frustration, discouragement, and relapse.

Instead, set small goals for yourself that will eventually add up to larger accomplishments and greater success in reaching your overall recovery goal. This could include making small lifestyle changes such as eating healthier, exercising more often, or engaging in activities you enjoy. These smaller goals will help keep you motivated and focused on the bigger picture.

Falling Back Into Old Habits

It's easy for individuals who have gone through substance abuse treatment programs to fall back into old habits once they leave the safety of the program environment. You need to recognize these triggers ahead of time and create strategies for how you will respond when faced with potential temptations.

This may include avoiding certain people or places that could lead you down a dangerous path and instead focusing on activities that will promote positive thoughts and emotions, such as spending more time outdoors or having hobbies that will keep you busy.  


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