1. Essentials for a Good Recovery
2. Naltrexone therapy
3. 12-Step Groups
4. Substance Abuse Therapy
5. Medical Care
6. Resources
7. Final Notes

1. Essentials for a Good Recovery

   The Accelerated Detox program offered by The Coleman Institute provides patients with a significant chance of staying clean permanently. But to really stay clean, patients need to be committed to a regular aftercare program, some of which we have outlined here.

2. Naltrexone therapy

   The cravings for opiates are so intense and the length of time it takes the brain to heal is so long that most opiate addicts will relapse back to drugs very quickly if they do not have Naltrexone therapy for additional support. This is why we recommend Naltrexone therapy for at least twelve months, for all of our patients.  During the first 12 months of recovery, patients can focus on the underlying emotional causes of their addiction knowing the Naltrexone is providing a “chemical buffer” so they can stay clean while doing the initial hard work of recovery and not have to deal with intense cravings as well.  If a patient’s recovery is proceeding smoothly with Naltrexone implants, then the patient can usually take oral Naltrexone after using twelve months of the Naltrexone Implants.

3. 12-Step Groups

   We cannot over emphasize the importance of 12-step groups. These programs provide support, philosophical material, and education to learn about and deal with all aspects of recovery. The groups take patients away from the usual, using-friends and using-situations and put them into contact with people who are serious about their recovery. 12-step groups help put an end to isolation and unaccountability, two factors that keep many addicts in relapse. They are free to attend and adhere to strict anonymity and confidentiality. Your secrets are safe with them! We almost never see someone relapse who completes ninety AA or NA meetings in ninety days (a.k.a. a "90 in 90"). Unfortunately, many patients have the false impression that they are different and don't need to work quite as hard on their recovery. This is a mistake. Most cities have a wide range of diverse groups and we are happy to help direct you to 12-step groups that are very supportive and a good fit for you.

4. Substance Abuse Therapy

   Patients have a lot to learn about living and staying drug-free. While 12-step support groups are helpful, we've learned from experience that professional therapists can aid significantly by being more educational and supportive in a one-on-one setting. They can also help patients to understand relapse and deeper psychological issues that may start becoming apparent during early recovery. Depending upon patient's usage history, there are several options that we recommend.

   One option that we recommend is an intensive outpatient program or I.O.P. which meet in a group session three times a week. Another option we recommend for more intensive emotional work is individual and/or family therapy. Some patients, due to high usage levels, will benefit from an in-patient 28-90 day program to truly immerse themselves in a recovery environment and jumpstart their new drug-free lifestyle. Similarly, other patients may benefit from an extended-care halfway house depending upon how dysfunctional a patient's life has become.

   With so many options, you may be tempted to worry which one is right for you. Leave that to us! Our Aftercare Recovery Coach/Coordinator will be happy to assist in determining the correct course for each patient.

5. Medical Care

   All patients need to follow up with physicians who are experienced in both substance abuse and mental health. This physician may be a psychiatrist, family practitioner or internist, provided that he/she is familiar with substance abuse, mental health, opiate addiction and Naltrexone therapy. We can provide lists of physicians who may be available in your area. This step is particularly important since it is more and more apparent that, after a patient becomes drug-free, a variety of mental health issues arise. It is very common that patients have periods of depression or anxiety. Sometimes serious mental health problems like bipolarity, which may require medications, will develop after a patient becomes clean. If emotions are not kept on an even keel, then relapse is extremely common.

6. Resources

   We believe in a multi-faceted approach to recovery. One facet we encourage is the use of recovery resources such as books, DVD's, and podcasts. While action is the most important part of recovery, knowing what actions to take is equally important! When you leave our facility, we will provide you with a full list of resources in various formats to aid in your long-term sobriety.

7. Final Notes

   We believe that all substance abusers can achieve long-term sobriety. However, patients frequently cannot or will not completely give 100% to their recovery program. Recovering from drugs is the hardest thing a user will ever do. But if he/she is able to overcome it, the rest of his/her life will be smooth-sailing compared to the horror and pain of drug abuse. The more work he/she does in the early months, the more likely he/she is to succeed. We at the Coleman Institute will do everything we can to support your recovery. We're available for questions or support at any time.

If you have any questions or problems, please feel free to contact us.