Aftercare: Tonton’s second step to recovery
Finding hope in the midst of defeat and addiction is a struggle for many drug dependents and their families, until hope comes, an aid to those who need guidance and support in avoiding relapse during the recovery process. In breaking the chains of addiction, “aftercare” can help.
Tonton became an alcoholic and smoker at age 25 after the death of his mother. Now, at age 32, he is embracing his recovery journey. He described a decade of his life where addiction to drugs and alcohol deteriorated his mental and physical health which started when he entered a fraternity. To support his vices, he became a drug runner and hold-upper and was arrested in a buy-bust operation. On November 27, 2019, through a court order, he was endorsed to undergo a treatment and rehabilitation at DOH-TRC-Northern Mindanao Wellness and Reintegration Center (NMWRC), Bukidnon. Services like medical, psychological, psychiatric, social, spiritual and religious, sports and recreation and residential/house are all offered in the center. Further, a treatment plan was designed for Tonton’s fast recovery.
Coming to a rehab and treatment facility is the first and most important step for many in their recovery from addiction, but it is only one step. During the weeks, months and even years after completing rehab, individuals in recovery are still at risk for relapse. Outside the rehabilitation center, there is an increasing threat and the risk of falling back into addictive behaviors and self-destructive patterns. Aftercare programs help minimize that risk, and keep the patient in moving forward on the road to a completely drug-free life.
Tonton is one of the seven patients who was endorsed by the center to the city government of Koronadal to undergo the aftercare treatment program. In a case conference called by the center, the “after-care” treatment plan of the seven patients who are all candidates for discharge was presented to the CADAC team. The plans were specially designed and best suited to address the client’s needs, geared to prepare them for reintegration and independent functioning within their families and communities while preventing the recurrence of drug abuse or relapse.
As soon as Tonton and the 6 others will be discharged from the rehab center, they will report to the city government for the next 18- months for the After-Care program.
The City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC) headed by Action Officer Ret. General Agustin Dema-ala will spearhead in providing the appropriate treatment for clients, depending on the severity of their cases. CADAC, meanwhile, will offer physiological, social, psychosocial as well as spiritual interventions.
Also, the after-care program will monitor the patients through regular drug testing and have them undergo seminars and trainings that will help them recover spiritually and mentally.
In order for Tonton to prevent any relapse, the “after-care” program will help him slowly be integrated back into society. He can also avail of DSWD’s cash-for-work program, or TESDA’s livelihood training program to start a new life outside the center and prison cell.
When recovering drug dependents begin rebuilding relationships with the community, they begin building hope that will serve as their powerful source of motivation and inspiration to get sober, stay sober and totally break the chain of addiction.