Going Back to Education After Addiction Treatment
Returning to school and old goals after addiction treatment can feel extremely overwhelming at first. However, the good news is that not only can it be done, but it can actually help with recovery. By returning to goals and dreams you once valued, you may find your self-esteem improves and you have a new direction. If you’re someone who’s just left treatment and is worried about returning to your education, here are a few things to think about. Read on for some tips that will help and make you feel great about your decision.
Making a Transitional Plan
Returning to school after receiving fantastic support at a place like Dana Point rehab where you had access to experienced therapists, emotional support, mental health professionals, and peer support is a big step that you may be more ready for than you think. The truth is that your rehab experience prepared you for personal growth and the counseling services you received likely have you more ready for life than you’re aware of. With that said, it’s always a good idea to rely on your treatment team, therapists, doctors, and supports when it comes to making a transitional plan.
Before returning to school, talk to the people and experts you trust about the best plan for your personal situation. This may look different than it did before you went into treatment. Maybe you move from online classes to classes in person. Perhaps you move from full to part-time or vice versa. Having those conversations ahead of time with people who know about your recovery journey is a great way to make choices that will ensure success.
Getting Extra Support
If you’re considering attending college for the first time, it could be a great idea to reach out to academic experts, too. Meeting with college counselors who can help you apply to your top schools, offer interview prep, and even help with college essays and applications can be a good way to improve your self-esteem and increase your chances of getting accepted into the right school for you.
When applying to school, it’s okay, to be honest about your past experiences and your recovery journey. Writing an essay about the things you’ve learned in treatment is perfectly acceptable as is keeping your experience private. Take the time to consider what transparency level feels best for you.
Keeping Recovery as a Priority
No matter how you plan to re-enter school, make sure to prioritize the importance of self-care during recovery. During your treatment, you likely worked with therapists to identify tools and skills that are helping you in recovery. Be sure to keep up those healthy habits, meet with support groups and teams, and do what you need to to stay clean. Don’t put school ahead of your sobriety. Your mental well-being is most important when it comes to meeting new goals. For this reason, it might be a good idea to identify support systems at school like academic advisors or a favorite professor or teacher you trust. Being honest with them about your experiences or concerns could be a good way to re-enter any academic program and something you’ll thank yourself for in the future.
At the top of the day, it’s unlikely you may doubt your call to come to high school once feat addiction treatment. The reality is that moving forward with your dreams and goals is often the right choice after leaving any treatment program and can help with long-term recovery. Be sure to surround yourself with support, stay connected, and pace yourself as you crush those new goals. You can do it and you’ll thank yourself for it down the road.
