Building a Support Network
An important part of staying sober outside of a treatment center is having a strong support network. Friends and family are often part of this network, but drug and alcohol addiction can often drive wedges between people, so not everyone who is in recovery will be in contact with their loved ones.
Treatment centers are well aware of the rifts that can be caused by substance abuse and offer family programs to bridge some of the gaps that arise between loved ones.
But family and friends may not always be enough support to help a person maintain their sobriety. So many outpatient treatment programs involve patients going to group therapy sessions.
These group sessions can be a place where a person in recovery can connect with other people who are in recovery and are going through similar struggles when it comes to sobriety. In these groups, people can find sponsors who can act as mentors in recovery.
Support networks should also include mental health professionals, such as therapists, as professional help will still be vital even outside of inpatient treatment.