Going to prison isn’t easy; however, getting out of prison can be just as difficult. Depending on the length of your sentence, you may find yourself out of sorts when you get back into the real world again.
The longer you were incarcerated, the more difficult it can be adjusting to normal life again. That’s not to say that people with reduced prison sentences won’t find adjusting to real life challenging as well. Regardless of whether you’re in prison for ten years or ten weeks, it’s a hard experience during and after.
The key to adjusting to your new life post-incarceration is anticipating what may happen following your sentence. Here are some of the most common things people experience after they finish time in prison.
Culture Shock
Things may have changed in the real world since you were away. The world may feel unfamiliar and strange compared to the way that it was before. You will likely go through a period of feeling like a stranger in a new land.
It’s important to give yourself time to adjust. If you were sentenced for several years or even decades, one of the most difficult things to adjust to might be technology. It can feel like you’re on an alien planet. Hopefully, a friend or family member can help reintroduce you to technology which may have changed over the years.
Depression
It’s common for people to enter a state of depression following prison. You may regret having lost so much time behind bars, or missing parts of your family’s lives.
It may be difficult to find a job or even rent a house with your criminal history. It’s ideal to see a therapist if you start feeling depressed. They can help you on a better path to accepting your new life.
Strained Relationships
When you first get out of prison, you may think everything will be perfect. You may expect your relationships to start where they left off before you were incarcerated. However, it can be disappointing to see that people change. Your relationships may not be the same as they once were.
You should be patient with your loved ones and give them time to get to know you again. Even though you may feel like nothing has changed on your end, their lives have continued to go on in the world outside bars.
Increased Chance Of Alcoholism
Statistics show that people who served time in prison are more prone to alcoholism. Be sure that you’re dealing with your feelings rather than pushing them aside with alcohol.
If you notice that you’re drinking more than once a week, you may want to start exploring whether you might have a problem or not.
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