HOW TO FIND TRANSITIONAL
LIVING
AFTER REHAB
TABLE OF CONTENTS WHAT IS TRANSITIONAL LIVING? IS THE LOCATION CONVENIENT? HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE THERE AT ONE TIME? HOW LONG IS THE TRANSITIONAL LIVING OFFERED? ARE THEY ACCREDITED? IS THE STAFF PROPERLY TRAINED? WHAT ARE THE LIVING CONDITIONS LIKE? HOW MANY MEALS ARE PROVIDED? WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE? WHAT MEETINGS ARE OFFERED? WHAT ON-SITE ACTIVITIES ARE AVAILABLE? DO THEY OFFER GED ASSISTANCE? DO THEY HELP WITH FINDING A JOB? WHAT RULES DO THEY ENFORCE? WILL THEY CUSTOMIZE THEIR OFFERINGS?
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WHAT IS TRANSITIONAL LIVING
?
Completing a rehabilitation program is the first step toward recovery from an addiction, but it is certainly not the last. If proper support is not given after treatment, relapse is very common. In fact, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, as many as
40%-60%
Many people do not receive the support and structure required to succeed in their new drug-free lifestyle. They are fragile after leaving treatment, and there are too many triggers in their day-to-day life that cause temptation. That’s where transitional living comes in. Transitional living is the perfect environment for anyone exiting rehab. It provides a built-in support system that has one goal in mind: To help the individual succeed in their recovery.
of individuals leaving rehab end up relapsing. A healthy transitional living situation can help many people avoid relapse.
Benefits of transitional living:
Eliminating Temptations
Reducing Stress of Returning to Real Work
Help in Job Searches or College Applications
No two transitional living centers are exactly alike – each offering different programs, support systems, and services — and by asking these questions, the decision of which facility to choose will be a lot simpler.
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A
IS THE LOCATION CONVENIENT
?
One of the first things to consider when choosing a transitional living facility is where it is located. Sure, the quality of care is always important, but the center also needs to be close to the places where the people living there need to go.
HERE ARE SOME SITUATIONS TO CONSIDER: If a car is not available, is the facility within walking distance to public transportation (some centers will not even allow personal transportation, making this even more crucial)? If the individual is working, is the facility close to where they need to go to work every day? If there is too long of a commute, this is not setting up the person for success. Is supportive family in the picture? If so, it is smart to choose a facility that is near them so that they can visit frequently without any excuses.
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HOW MANY
?
PEOPLE LIVE THERE AT ONE TIME
Every transitional living center has a different capacity allowance, and it is important that the person making a temporary home there feels comfortable with how many people are living with them.
Some facilities will only have
15-20
while others allow up to
people living there at any given time,
40
or more.
If the person is an introvert, it might be a good idea to choose a smaller facility, while others may prefer more people around them to socialize with. That being said, every center will do their best to make the attendee feel comfortable, no matter what their preference is.
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HOW LONG IS
?
THE TRANSITIONAL LIVING OFFERED The amount of time that a person is allowed to stay at a transitional living center varies greatly. Some will only allow their clients to stay there for SIX MONTHS, and then they must make other arrangements, while others will allow up to 18 MONTHS of the additional support.
Every circumstance is different, and so is the length of care needed. And what happens if at the end of the original arrangement, the person doesn’t feel ready to leave? Will the facility work with them and allow them to stay longer? It is crucial that these timelines are discussed in advance so that false expectations are not made.
6 MONTHS
TO 18 MONTHS
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ARE THEY ACCREDITED
?
An accreditation from CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) is a sign of quality and commitment to care.
This nonprofit evaluates all different aspects of the treatment process and only gives their stamp of approval to the ones they feel are the cream of the crop.
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IS THE STAFF PROPERLY TRAINED
One of the biggest reasons a stay at a transitional living center is so effective after rehab is because of the staff that offers around-the-clock support. For this reason, most staff members will be trained and educated on how to provide this support.
That being said, if the individual entering the facility has other health issues — such as diabetes, depression, etc. — it is vital that the staff has experience working with these conditions.
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WHAT ARE THE
?
LIVING CONDITIONS LIKE
Of course the support that transitional living facilities provide is the main reason to choose one, but that doesn’t mean that the living conditions shouldn’t be considered. After all, the person will be living there for at least six months, and it will be considered their home during this time. SOME QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT LIVING CONDITIONS INCLUDE:
Are they allowed to bring in their own food (and given a separate place to store it), or do they simply eat what is provided to them?
Does each person get their own room, or are there two, three, or four people sharing a living space?
How many people share a bathroom?
Are there washers and dryers onsite, or will a weekly trip to a laundromat be required?
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HOW MANY MEALS ARE PROVIDED
?
Some transitional living centers will provide their residents with all three meals, while others will offer two, leaving the resident on their own for either breakfast or lunch (they almost all serve dinner). Not only is this an important fact to know beforehand because of the convenience of provided meals, it can also help lower the out-of-pocket expenses that may be accrued during the stay.
WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILBLE
?
In order to help improve the rates of success after leaving rehab, many transitional living facilities provide services to help with adapting to daily life. Many of them offer classes that teach about how to rebuild life after an addiction and how to resist temptation in the future. These courses can offer very valuable information to help the person, both while still at the transitional living center and once they leave. The kinds of classes offered at transitional living centers varies greatly, so if a specific course is preferred, it is important to ask about it beforehand.
L I FE
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WHAT MEETINGS ARE OFFERED
?
Just because rehab is over, that does not mean continued help is not needed to live a drug-free life. That is why all transitional living centers offer a variety of meetings to give ongoing support to their residents. However, not all of the facilities will offer the same ones, so it is wise to ask about it.
Some of them will offer one-on-one counseling and group meetings, which will give the individuals there a chance to discuss their daily struggles in an environment that is understanding and supportive.
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WHAT ON-SITE
?
ACTIVITIES ARE AVAILABLE
Most transitional living facilities will offer some activities onsite, such as yoga, acupuncture, and even massage. If someone has a specific passion they would like to pursue, they should see if this activity is offered at the transitional living center they are considering. These activities can provide a nice break from the hustle and bustle of life and aid in the recovery process.
DO THEY OFFER GED ASSISTANCE
?
For many people exiting rehab, the first step to continued success is to find full-time employment. However, if high school was never completed, this can prove to be especially difficult. Luckily, a lot of transitional living centers understand this and offer assistance with both studying for the GED and actually taking the test. Once the GED is obtained, finding a secure and stable job will be much easier, which will help to reduce the chance of relapse.
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DO THEY HELP WITH FINDING A JOB
Even with a GED or high school diploma in hand, finding a job is not easy, but it is an important step for an individual to be able to live in the real world and reach their full potential after treatment. Most transitional living facilities understand this, and provide services to assist their clients with getting a job. They can help craft resumes and cover letters that will score interviews, locate job openings in the desired field, and even give interview tips. Some transitional living centers might even require a job after a certain period of time, so it is important to make sure that expectation can be met if needed.
JOHN SMITH
?
WHAT RULES DO THEY ENFORCE
All transitional living facilities have house rules that they enforce during a person’s stay with them. These guidelines are set to help give everyone the best chance at succeeding in their recovery and not relapsing. Some of the most common rules that can be expected include an enforced curfew and a zero-tolerance policy against substance abuse (many of them even have random drug screenings that must be completed).
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WILL THEY CUSTOMIZE THEIR OFFERINGS
After all of the above questions are asked, there may still be some specific needs of the individual wanting transitional living that need to be met. For this reason, it is always a good idea to make sure that the facility is willing to customize their offerings accordingly.
Once the rehabilitation process is complete, entering the real world again is not always easy. There is temptation all around, and many people recovering from addiction have lost many of their friends and family in the process. A transitional living facility is an excellent choice for anyone leaving rehab because it provides them with a built-in support system that understands what they are going through.
Clearly, a transitional living center is extremely beneficial. However, not every facility will be a fit for every individual. Each person has their own needs and desires and is on their own pathway to achieve a drug-free life. Before long, they will have acquired the skills and confidence they need to live on their own.
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Our facilities, located in the beach-front community of Delray Beach, provide a comfortable, private environment with a quiet atmosphere that allows you to focus on your treatment.
Discover the benefits of an individualized, personal program for you or a loved one:
(877) 547-1267 www.delrayrecoverycenter.com