The Role of Medication After Treatment

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a powerful and sometimes necessary approach to effective treatment and recovery efforts. However, for some alumni graduating from a treatment program and transitioning into daily life in the “real world,” continuing to use medication to address personal needs and challenges may be necessary. While using medication after treatment is common, it is still important to approach medication after treatment with the right intention and plan to make the most of the advantages medication can offer. Meanwhile, Hawaii Island Recovery’s dedicated medical detox program, trained staff, and approach to luxury rehab in Hawaii can help each person through the effective use of medication in recovery. 

While some may be intimidated by the prospect of using medication in their recovery journey, others may greatly benefit from prescribed and monitored medications during such a time of change. MAT, especially during the beginning of a person’s recovery efforts in detox, can be instrumental in helping to manage tumultuous feelings and a plethora of withdrawal symptoms to promote a healthy approach to sober change. 

Using medication to address individual symptoms while establishing new coping strategies, developing new life and recovery skills, and more can be an amazing experience. Seeing medication as a supportive tool while developing these strategies can be paramount. However, whether an individual is just beginning their recovery journey or is continuing to benefit from medication after treatment, continuing to see medication as a tool rather than a replacement for other effective therapies is vital for a healthy approach to its use. 

Even after graduating from a dedicated treatment program at Hawaii Island Recovery, medication can still play a role in sustained success in sobriety. Knowing the benefits of medication after treatment and working with professionals can help each alumnus determine if they would benefit from their continued use of medication and can help set appropriate expectations regarding MAT. 

Medication has seen success in empowering those in recovery to focus their efforts on success. Anxiety, depression, and stress are all profoundly difficult to navigate, and each can comprise a person’s motivation or established coping strategies in the face of stress. Using medication to address these difficult feelings can help prevent relapse and empower alumni to stay focused on their goals, making the best decisions for their continued success in recovery.

Urges and cravings are a common part of daily life for many alumni. Even those who are continuing to navigate their newfound sober lives successfully will continue to experience these challenges. Simply having an urge or craving doesn’t mean that a person has failed in their journey. However, this doesn’t mean that overcoming these intense feelings is easy, and many alumni may benefit from additional support to ensure they do not act on these cravings until they pass. 

Medication can help to quell these feelings, especially when used in combination with other coping strategies and grounding techniques, and can be a necessary part of a sustainable sober life as an alumnus. 

Medication can also help to address symptoms of mental health disorders that can otherwise prevent an individual from effectively and wholly engaging in other goals. Being able to better focus on personal goals like professional development, exploring new hobbies, engaging in fulfilling self-care activities, and more can all be essential for maintaining sobriety and continuing to reach new milestones in sober life. Moreover, medication can be essential in empowering alumni to continue setting and achieving these goals. 

Stress can be unavoidable for anyone. Each person, whether they are navigating the complexities of addiction recovery or not, will still have to overcome any number of stresses in daily life. From professional and workplace stress to navigating complicated social relationships and more, preparing for some degree of stress is paramount to knowing how to handle it. Medication can be instrumental during this time, helping alumni improve their resilience, or ability to “bounce back” from stressful or upsetting events, without turning to the use of addictive substances or other self-destructive behaviors. 

This can be especially true when coping with anxiety and panic, as medication can address these feelings that may otherwise affect a person’s thought patterns or behaviors, and ensure that each person is making an informed decision about how to react to a given stressor. 

Graduating from a dedicated treatment facility and transitioning to life as an alumnus in the real world is incredibly stressful, and many may be worried about how they will transition to a world that is not necessarily curated with sobriety in mind. Using medication after treatment can act as a continued support during this time, providing a feeling of security to those navigating their sober transition while beginning to face the stresses of life outside of a treatment facility. 

Even just feeling supported can be a massive motivating factor, and can empower alumni to push through tough challenges. Likewise, this additional support can also make it easier for alumni to engage in other effective continuing care opportunities, from local support groups to Hawaii Island Recovery’s sober community and community engagement opportunities. 

Proper and informed use of medication can empower the most effective change for those just beginning their sober journey or continuing to maintain the changes made at Hawaii Island Recovery. Our luxury rehab in Hawaii is dedicated to your long-term success, and personalizing each program to help those inside our walls or continuing to maintain sobriety as an alumnus is what makes our approach to recovery different. Medication is just one option to empower each person in sobriety. We are ready to work with you to find the medication and strategies that address your needs and goals for a sober life. For more information on how we can help you maintain your hard-earned sobriety, call us today at (866) 390-5070.