Outpatient treatment for drug addiction offers great success rates. Ultimately, the only person in charge of your recovery is you. There are steps you can take to either help or hinder your recovery, so it's important that you make good choices. Here are four things you can do to improve your chances of achieving good outcomes from outpatient drug addiction treatment:
1. Remove temptations from your home
Drug addiction is hard to overcome. People become physically dependent on the drugs they use, but many people also crave the psychological impacts of those substances. Outpatient drug addiction treatment allows you to continue living at home throughout your treatment. You won't be supervised while you're at home. However, keeping temptations in your home can cause you to relapse. Hold yourself accountable and make your recovery easier by removing drugs and alcohol from your home before starting treatment.
2. Attend all of your scheduled appointments
Outpatient drug addiction treatment requires patient cooperation. Since you won't be staying at the treatment facility, you'll need to arrive on time for all your scheduled appointments. Remember that your appointments are crucial for overcoming your addiction. The doctors and counselors at the treatment center are there to help you. You'll only be cheating yourself if you skip appointments. Keep all of your appointments unless an emergency arises that prevents you from doing so.
3. Request all the services you need
Outpatient treatment services are designed to provide all the help that drug addicts need to overcome their dependency. You'll be able to access medical detox services in addition to addiction counseling. Many of these services will be offered as a standard part of your treatment, but if you feel that you need something specific that you aren't getting, don't be afraid to request it. Open communication will help you get the specific help that you need. Tell your counselors about all of your symptoms so they can diagnose any comorbidities along with your addiction issues. Sometimes psychiatric medication is needed to help people on the road to recovery.
4. Make arrangements for ongoing care after you finish the program
By the time you finish outpatient drug addiction treatment, you should be completely drug-free. However, your sobriety will need to be carefully maintained for the rest of your life. Before completely disengaging from outpatient treatment service, you'll meet with your counselor to come up with a plan for ongoing care into the future. Continuing to get therapy for your addiction issues can help you retain your sobriety.
