If you have been ordered to attend outpatient alcohol treatment because of a DUI or other charge, you will find that the treatment you have received has been very helpful. There is a lot that you can learn about yourself from treatment, so many people wonder what to do after they have completed the required sessions. Should you continue to attend outpatient treatment for alcohol abuse even when your court-ordered sessions are completed? To find out the answer, let’s look at why and how treatment can be so successful in the first place.
1. You’ll learn a lot during treatment
You may have never wanted to enter into treatment in the first place. However, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at just how much you can learn while you are attending the program. It will be helpful to you as an alcohol user to soak up as much education on addiction as you can while you are there. Your court-ordered treatment may be up, but why not stick around and learn how to control your addiction? It is important to learn how alcoholism develops, how it can run in your family, and how you can treat it.
2. You’ll mend broken relationships
You may or may not have damaged or even ruined relationships while you were drinking. Some people are what is known as a “functioning alcoholic”. They are able to maintain a job, school, and family and friends while abusing alcohol. Others are on the other end of the scale and lose jobs, quit school, and destroy relationships. Wherever you fall on that scale, it is still important to mend any issues you may have with your loved ones while you can. Continued treatment will help you learn how to mend fences with your loved ones and how to seek forgiveness.
Some outpatient treatment centers even offer family therapy nights. This is another chance for your family members to learn more about your disease and what you have been going through. Everyone will have the chance to talk in a safe, monitored setting.
3. You’ll attend therapy sessions
You’ll have the chance to attend different types of therapy sessions if you stay in treatment. You’ll want to take these lessons seriously, even if you think they are silly and unnecessary. For example, your therapist may ask you to complete homework when you aren’t in a session, such as journal writing. This helps you understand your thoughts, wants, and goals in black and white. Therapy sessions will also allow you to discuss the skills you have learned so far. The more you put into therapy, the better you will feel in the long run.
4. You’ll make lifelong friends
Many addicts end up bonding with one another during rehab since they are going through the same type of struggle together. If you have been ordered to go to treatment by the courts, you may try sticking to yourself until the sessions are over. However, bonding with others can help you stick to your sobriety. You can make friends who will be there for you when you are struggling to stay sober and who will talk you down from that ledge. You may think that you can talk to your other friends about your problems, but a friend from treatment will truly understand what is going on.
5. You’ll have positive feedback
You may try turning to your family, co-workers, and friends after getting out of court-ordered treatment. But will they be there for you yet? Hopefully, the answer is yes, but that may not be the case for you right now. You need positive reinforcement and feedback when you are struggling with alcohol addiction, and what better place to find it than with continued treatment? You’ll be able to speak with multiple specialists and therapists who can help you every step of the way. They can also recommend other treatment options if you are looking for more help. You don’t want to do this alone!
Alcohol addiction is a serious subject. You may have been court-ordered to attend treatment, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop when the courts say you do. It’s always a good idea to continue as long as you can, as the treatment will help you stay away from alcohol.
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If you are ready to get the help you need, our rehab is the place to be. Let us help you by calling 833-820-2922 today.