5 Common Mistakes That Alcoholics Make After Rehab

Completing a rehab program, whether it's a residential inpatient program or a series of outpatient treatments, is just the first step in the path to recovery. Rehab is where people can get sober, dig deeply into the root causes of alcohol abuse, and make plans for how to live without alcohol. After rehab, these convictions and changes in mindset are put to the test. Recovering alcoholics often make several mistakes that hinder their progress toward living without alcohol, and avoiding these mistakes can help increase the chance of a successful recovery.

1. Failing to Establish Continued Support

Rehab isn't the ultimate solution to alcoholism. Even after completing rehab, people are likely to struggle with the desire to return to patterns of alcohol abuse. Because of this, individuals must have a plan in place to step right into a setting that provides ongoing support during the recovery process. This is often called aftercare, and it may go on for years after completing rehab.

Many individuals choose to attend 12-step programs, like Alcoholics Anonymous. Others get outpatient treatment or counseling on a regular basis to address issues as they arise. In addition, most rehab programs encourage people to connect with a sponsor, which is someone who will be a positive influence and provide stability and accountability during the transition back to daily life.

2. Returning to the Same Environment

Alcohol abuse is often at least partially caused by environmental triggers. These are specific places or situations where the alcohol abuser would almost always end up drinking. After rehab, going back to these places can cause a huge internal struggle. Although the individual wants to stay sober, all of the unconscious cues are creating an urge to stick with the previous habits and have a drink or two.

Because of this, it's important to make plans during rehab about how to avoid environmental triggers. Some ideas include taking a new route to and from work to avoid bars and liquor stores, or even moving to a new home or apartment for a fresh start. On a less extreme level, individuals can at least have a friend or family go through their home and remove all alcohol and drinking paraphernalia before they return home from rehab.

3. Staying Close to Friends who Drink

Just as the physical environment can be a trigger that leads to relapse, so can people. Often, alcohol abusers going into rehab had been spending much of their time with friends drinking. When returning to spending time with these people after rehab, it's all too easy to slip back into old habits, especially if the friends are still drinking heavily. Instead, people should seek out circles of friends who are happily living sober lives.

4. Having Too Much or Too Little Free Time

The transition back into daily life is a delicate balance, and many people upset the balance after rehab. Having too much free time can be a problem because boredom often leads to drinking, which used to fill a large amount of time. On the other hand, having too little free time can leave recovering alcohol abusers feeling stressed about all of the activities and responsibilities, which also encourages alcohol use.

The best strategy is to choose a handful of new and enjoyable activities to help fill free time. These may include exercising, cooking, gardening, volunteering with a local organization, or spending time with friends and family who are good influences. People who are not working should consider getting a job as well, which helps build self-worth in addition to passing time productively.

5. Giving Up After a Minor Relapse

Although it would be ideal if this were not true, recovery often includes setbacks. Many people who go through rehab don't manage to completely avoid alcohol in the months following treatment. However, it's important to remember that one minor setback doesn't have to trigger a full-blown relapse. Having one drink is not a sign of failure, but rather, a sign that more work is needed. By acknowledging that the drink was a mistake and seeking help from their support network, individuals can get back on the path to an alcohol-free life.