Routes to RecoveRy
A plAce cAlled home
Safe and stable living conditions are essential to
ongoing recovery
SUPPORTED HOUSING IS AN OPTION FOR PEOPLE WHO
HAVE ALREADY ACCESSED TREATMENT, to give them a
more stable lifestyle and a better environment in
which to recover.
Offered by many treatment providers, the housing
provides a safe place for people trying to recover from
drug or alcohol addiction, allowing them to be around
drug workers and others going through the same
experience to aid their recovery journey.
THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITIES
A therapeutic community is designed as a mini society
to get inhabitants used to living without drug or
alcohol dependency. Sometimes they are integrated
with a residential treatment programme and have the
aim of ‘unlearning’ addictive behaviour, helping people
to develop practical skills to live an independent life.
There are many successful therapeutic
communities worldwide, many of which use
8 | drinkanddrugsnews | Rehab Guide 2019
supported housing to bridge the gap to truly
independent living.
WHERE RECOVERY CAN BEGIN
Phoenix Futures’ Scottish residential service houses a
therapeutic community that operates on a peer-led
model. Members take ownership of the whole
community’s recovery plans and all aspects of day-
to-day life, including cooking, cleaning and tending
the garden. Residents have also been involved in
designing the house, right down to choosing the
wallpaper and colour schemes.
When residents arrive they will enter the first
stage, establishing a commitment to the
programme and a desire for recovery, before moving
into the main house for the core part, learning to
talk about experiences that have had a direct
impact on their lives. Then when they are ready,
they will move on to the senior stage, which
A therapeutic
community is
designed as a
mini society
to get
inhabitants
used to living
without drug
or alcohol
dependency.
gradually
introduces them to
life in the wider
community and
opens doors to training and volunteering.
‘For thousands of people, this is where their
recovery began,’ says chief executive Karen Biggs.
‘People need three basic things:
a decent home in the right area,
continued support including a
network of family and friends,
and something decent and
permanent to do.’
Ron Dougan, chief executive,
Trent and Dove Housing
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