Steps To Take After Drug Detox As A Transgender Person

Steps To Take After Drug Detox As A Transgender Person

Completing the drug detox process as a transgender individual is a significant achievement. This is owing to the fact that detoxing from drugs can be a very uncomfortable and sometimes painful or life-threatening process, especially for a transgender person that has been taking large or frequent doses of an addictive drug. Even with this, the most important part of the recovery journey is what happens in the next chapter after the drug detox process. This next chapter is very important as it prioritizes the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of the trans person. This critical phase requires a comprehensive approach, addressing their specific needs and concerns. In this blog post, we'll outline essential steps to take after drug detox for a trans person.

What Happens After A Drug Detox Program For A Trans Person?

For a trans person that has undergone a drug detox program, they may wonder what to do next. After they have gone through detox and dealt with the withdrawal symptoms, the goal of medical professionals taking care of them is to get them stabilized mentally and physically. As soon as this is done, they’ll typically be faced with several options:

• Return Home
  This is common practice, but it is not always a good idea. Not only do the trans people that return home after drug detox have an increased risk of relapse, but they often go through the drug detox process multiple times before finally committing to an inpatient addiction treatment program. Outpatient addiction treatment may work for some transgender individuals, but simply trying to live sober after drug detox is a tall order.

• Transition Into an Inpatient Addiction Treatment Program
  Some transgender detox centers always recommend this option, regardless of the severity of the trans person's drug addiction. It can be difficult to manage their participation in an inpatient program, especially regarding the strict schedule and cost. However, inpatient treatment provides the transgender individual with intensive therapeutic care and helps them develop coping skills and relapse prevention skills necessary for maintaining long-term sobriety. Inpatient addiction treatment programs for a transgender person can last for one to six months.

• Move Into A Trans Affirming Sober Living Home
  This could be a good option for trans people struggling with mild drug addiction. A sober living home is also an excellent compromise for a trans person who wants the best chance of recovery but doesn't want to feel like they’re under extreme clinical care and supervision. While a sober living home resident, the transgender individual participates in intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) or outpatient treatment (OP).

Steps To Take After Drug Detox And Treatment As A Trans Person

Drug addiction treatment programs for a trans person typically last for a few months after the detox process. During or after detox, the trans individual usually spends most of their time working on themselves, learning new skills, and developing new capabilities to help them maintain their sobriety in the real world.

What’s essential for trans people to understand is that recovering doesn’t stop when the comprehensive addiction treatment program is done. Each trans person will have to find a way to maintain their sobriety and manage their potentially addictive thoughts and behaviors for the rest of their life. Here are a few steps a trans person can take after drug detox that can help.

1. Find Transgender Affirming Sober Friends
   Trans people may develop and maintain addictions because of the influence of other people in their lives. Trans individuals who spend time on Grindr and have trouble meeting up with people who are not using meth or other drugs may have a hard time maintaining sobriety.

   If they have friendships with other people built on drug use, they can find it harder to socialize when they go back to their life after an addiction treatment program. They may experience difficulties and temptations to use when they’re simply going to a party, sharing meals, or otherwise interacting with their old friends. Hence, making new friends who, like them, are sober can be a vital resource of support to their recovery.

2. Evaluate The Environment And Consider A Change If Necessary
   Like old friends, the environment of the trans individual can remind them about their previous drug use and the negative behaviors that came with it. They may even walk by their old drug dealers when they’re just on their way home. These memories become triggers for relapsing. While it may be hard to move and settle in a new place as a trans person, it’s worth doing to maintain a life of sobriety.

3. Watch Out For Signs Of Relapse
   Relapsing doesn’t mean that the drug addiction treatment program the trans person went through wasn’t effective. It simply means that change is difficult, even when it’s positive. Trans people in recovery must have their guard up at all times to maintain their sobriety. For starters, understanding where their drug vulnerability exists is helpful. Feelings of sadness or loss may trigger some transgender individuals, but sensations of happiness or power may trigger others. When triggering thoughts pop up, trans people shouldn’t ignore them; they should go back to therapy, visit a trans sober friend, catch a support group meeting, or otherwise deal with the issue.

4. Focus On Mental Health Care
   Returning to an old routine after being in a drug addiction treatment program can bring anxiety and stress back into the life of the trans person, especially if they’re also experiencing intense cravings for the drug of their choice. Trans people in recovery should avoid focusing on the negatives and being in a low mental state. If the negativity builds too much, a relapse is likely to happen.

   Finding a moment daily to do something positive is important at this point. A few moments of early morning meditation, for example, could help bring the trans person the peace of mind needed for the rest of the day or week. They can also exercise or do chores to encourage their feeling of being healthier and more in charge of their life’s direction.

5. Keep Follow-up Appointments And Attend Support Group Meetings
   Some drug addiction treatment programs for transgender people work with a stair-step model, where the care they provide to the trans persons becomes increasingly less intense depending on their progress. If this sounds like the program you were in, its eventual goal is to have you eventually handle sobriety without assistance. Often, these programs include follow-up appointments with counselors, even after the formal part of the program is done.

   Follow-up appointments can help the trans person deal with the stresses of living their life while maintaining their sobriety, but going to support group meetings may help more. These group meetings can bring a feeling of affiliation, which helps the trans person feel less alone in their struggle to maintain sobriety and deal with life’s various difficulties.
   

Reach Out To Q Space Detox Today!

Detox and rehabilitation from drug addiction don’t have to be frightening as a transgender person. At Q Space Detox, our expert team will ensure that you or your trans loved one are safe and comfortable as we guide you through medically supervised detox and manage withdrawal symptoms. Once you complete detox, we will help you find the long-term recovery plan that best ensures your continued sobriety. If you’re looking for a drug detox center, contact Q Space Detox. Call 305-745-7768 or reach out to our team online.