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Follow-up Care is Crucial to a Successful Recovery
Personal Opinion
First and foremost each person’s recovery and what works best for him or her is unique. Family situations, income and addict’s willingness to get treatment make it difficult to say what will work best for your family member.
You should begin by attending AA/NA meetings as soon as possible. It may take a while before you find a treatment center. The more meetings you attend the better the chance of beginning a successful recovery. Many have recommended at least one meeting each day.
A recovery program, whether residential or outpatient, should be close to home if possible so the outpatient follow-up program will be with the same group and be consistent. Also, many offer family counseling along with the addict’s recovery program. Transitioning into the home environment may be smoother and more gradual. (Individual therapy has not shown to be more helpful than group therapy in treating addictions.)
My son wanted to go to school while working on his recovery. (As I write this, he is making his second recovery attempt.) We decided, at a minimum, that he would go to an outpatient program and attend AA/NA meetings. I called several places and found one I thought would be best for him. I wanted to find a place that also offered residential care, so that, if needed, he would already have an established comfort level. Also, he is taking Suboxone, so we needed a program that allowed this medication.
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