Addiction Recovery

Get The Facts About Addiction Recovery

Addiction recovery is a broad, ongoing process and formal treatment is usually just the first step. Recovery also involves building a new way of life that supports lasting sobriety, emotional well-being, and personal growth.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), most people who receive treatment and stay connected to recovery support are able to stop using substances. Many also experience fewer legal problems, more stable employment, stronger relationships, and improved mental health.

“Because addiction is a disease, most people cannot simply stop using drugs for a few days and be cured. Patients typically require long-term or repeated episodes of care to achieve the ultimate goal of sustained abstinence and recovery of their lives.”

—Nora D. Volkow, M.D | Director, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Understanding what recovery involves can help you or your loved one set realistic expectations and answer questions you might have about what other options exist beyond rehab and initial treatment programs.

Life After Treatment: Addiction Recovery Support

Addiction recovery doesn’t end with initial treatment. Ongoing care options—such as outpatient programs, support groups, therapy, and sober living—can play a crucial role in long-term success. These services help people stay engaged in recovery while building stability and confidence in daily life.

Depending on your needs, your doctor or licensed addiction counselor can help you explore the best mix of services to support continued healing.

Sober Living Houses

Sober living houses provide a drug and alcohol-free home for recovering addicts. Sober living offers a safe, supportive environment after people have completed their rehab programs as a way to bridge the gap between the structure of rehab and living back in mainstream society.

Halfway Houses

Halfway houses are sober living facilities tailored to meet the needs of individuals with previous drug abuse issues who also have criminal backgrounds. The halfway house is structured to help these recovering addicts reintegrate into society and learn better life skills to avoid future incarceration.

In many cases, individuals imprisoned for drug-related crimes must live at a halfway house after serving their sentences.

Addiction Medicine

Addiction doctors may prescribe you medication as part of your overall treatment plan. This medication-assisted treatment (MAT) can help alleviate withdrawal symptoms, diminish cravings, and help you stay sober during and after recovery.

Medical professionals often recommend MAT for treating alcohol use disorder and opioid use disorder. They do not use it to treat all types of substance use disorders.

Medical Detoxification

Medical detox is often the first step in recovery. Many individuals quitting substance abuse will need to go through detox as their bodies work on rebalancing their natural chemicals. Depending on your needs, detox services are provided at inpatient and outpatient levels.

Therapy for Recovery

Therapy plays a central role in addiction recovery. Through individual or group therapy sessions, recovering addicts can improve their coping mechanisms, receive peer support, identify triggers, and learn strategies for preventing relapse.

All inpatient and outpatient rehab programs offer many evidence-based mental health services to help recovering addicts improve their overall well-being.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a type of psychotherapy or “talk therapy” that is widely used in all stages of addiction recovery. CBT helps people identify harmful thought patterns that contribute to substance use and teaches practical strategies to replace them with healthier behaviors. It can be used in both individual and group settings.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical behavior therapy is especially helpful for people in recovery who also struggle with intense emotions or co-occurring mental health conditions.

DBT focuses on emotional regulation, mindfulness, and learning to accept difficult thoughts and feelings without turning to substances to cope. It often includes individual therapy and skills training groups.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Originally developed to treat trauma, EMDR is also used in addiction recovery, especially when past traumatic experiences are linked to substance use. EMDR helps people process and reframe distressing memories in a safe environment through guided eye movements (or other forms of bilateral stimulation), in order to gradually decrease their emotional impact.

Motivational Interviewing (MI)

Motivational Interviewing is a collaborative, goal-oriented therapy that helps people strengthen their internal motivation to change. Rather than confronting or pressuring the person, MI works by exploring their values and resolving ambivalence about recovery. It’s especially effective in the early stages of treatment or for those unsure about making a change.

Contingency Management (CM)

Contingency Management uses positive reinforcement to encourage sobriety and healthy behaviors. People receive tangible rewards—like vouchers, privileges, or small prizes—for meeting goals such as negative drug tests or attending therapy sessions. CM is especially effective when combined with other therapies and is backed by strong evidence.

12-Step Programs for Recovery

Support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are programs consisting of 12 progressive steps that guide individuals in sobriety.

These 12-step programs are available both in rehab and after rehab is finished, so recovering addicts can continue their 12-step work even after completing their rehab program.

Life in Recovery: 9 Tips for Staying on Track

Once you or your family member finishes rehab, rebuilding your life may feel overwhelming. You may be worried about what life looks like after treatment and if things will ever go back to normal.

The truth is, life after rehab will be different, but that’s not a bad thing! Using the skills you acquired during treatment and making significant changes can lead you to a happier, more fulfilling life. After rehab, the critical thing to remember is to take things one small step at a time.

Long-term recovery is a life-long journey, but many recovering addicts can continue improving their lives after rehab and through the stages of recovery. You can use the following aftercare tips as a guideline for where to start rebuilding once you finish your rehab program.

1. Continue Going to Therapy

Doctors strongly recommend attending individual therapy after your rehab program.

Many times, therapy is provided during rehab. However, continuing to work on your behavioral health can help you maintain long-term sobriety and improve your overall quality of life—especially if you also have a co-occurring mental illness.

Family therapy allows an addict to make amends to family members and work through any other complications resulting from their addiction. Alternatively, family therapy may provide additional healing and support if family issues contribute to your behaviors and initial substance abuse.

2. Find a Support Group

Support groups after rehab are also beneficial. Consider joining a 12-step program in your area to have a supportive group of peers to help you remain sober.

Many other support groups are available, both in-person and online, to give you a sense of community with other recovering addicts who understand what you’ve experienced.

3. Eliminate Toxic Friends and Harmful Situations

As you strengthen your support system through family and peers, you will also want to remove toxic people or social situations from your life.

Making these changes may be hard at first, but if a particular group of people is still using drugs or are connected to your previous drinking or drug problem, spending time with them again will make it hard to stay sober.

Similarly, you may need to avoid certain social situations—like going to bars or old hangout spots—where drug or alcohol use once occurred. Avoiding temptations will improve your chances of preventing relapse as well.

4. Create New Routines

As you eliminate any possible toxic people or situations from your life, you’ll want to replace those with healthier habits. Once you’re out of rehab, creating a new routine will help you develop a new sense of normal.

When creating your routine, consider adding new activities such as fitness, meditation, reading, or forms of self-care that can help you continue to heal emotionally after your addiction.

5. Find New Hobbies and Develop New Skills

New hobbies can be a great addition to your new routine. Is there something out there that you always wanted to try? From crafting to outdoor recreation, engaging your mind and body in new hobbies is helpful in recovery.

Take a look at local classes that are available in your area. Explore a new part of town or go for a walk in a local park. As you continue to work on your recovery, you might be surprised what new hobby calls out to you!

6. Focus on Improving Your Health

One possible suggestion for a new hobby is to get more interested in health and fitness. You don’t have to become a “gym rat” to become more health-conscious, and you can begin being more health-conscious by thinking more about the types of food you eat and focusing on your nutrition.

You can also join a local free fitness group, like a run club, or sign up for a yoga class. This new focus on your health will allow your body to continue healing and provide you with a new hobby. And as a bonus, you may also find a new, healthy social group to support your recovery.

7. Get Plenty of Rest (You Likely Need It!)

As you continue your recovery journey, ensure you get plenty of rest—especially if you are participating in more active hobbies. You’ve completed the initial stage of treatment, but your mind and body are still recovering.

Ensuring you get plenty of sleep will allow your body to heal and keep you mentally refreshed.

8. Set and Accomplish Goals

Setting goals and working toward accomplishing them can provide you with motivation and positive reinforcement in your new drug-free life.

Setting goals doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be as simple as finding a support group, continuing a certain amount of therapy sessions, or even creating a new habit like making the bed every day.

Consider tracking your goals in a planner or a bullet journal, and enjoy the feeling that comes each time you check something off your list.

9. Make Amends and Move Forward

One of the more difficult parts of rebuilding your life will be making amends with those you have hurt due to your addiction. Making amends will give you and those you may have harmed the opportunity to work through things and move on.

Making amends with someone may lead to a renewed relationship, and it may not. However, the key is that you are actively working on a better, healthier lifestyle while being accountable for behaviors you made in the past.

Start Your Recovery Journey Now

The first step in recovery is getting treatment. To find out what programs are available in your area, search the SAMHSA program locator or call the SAMHSA free helpline at 1-800-662-4357.

You can also speak with your primary doctor or a healthcare provider to determine what addiction treatment and recovery options would work best for you.

Written by

Jessica Miller

Editorial Director

Jessica Miller is the Editorial Director of Addiction Help. Jessica graduated from the University of South Florida (USF) with an English degree and combines her writing expertise and passion for helping others to deliver reliable information to those impacted by addiction. Informed by her personal journey to recovery and support of loved ones in sobriety, Jessica's empathetic and authentic approach resonates deeply with the Addiction Help community.

Reviewed by

• Fact-Checked
• Editor

Kent S. Hoffman, D.O.

Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer

Kent S. Hoffman, D.O. has been an expert in addiction medicine for more than 15 years. In addition to managing a successful family medical practice, Dr. Hoffman is board certified in addiction medicine by the American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine (AOAAM). Dr. Hoffman has successfully treated hundreds of patients battling addiction. Dr. Hoffman is the Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of AddictionHelp.com and ensures the website’s medical content and messaging quality.