Withdrawal
The best solution : ABSTINENCE
Every user can decide to stop taking drugs and start life over, free from psychotropic substances. Many young people have confided in us that they have managed to become drug free through will power alone.
Some drug addicts try to give up by using alternative substances known as drug therapy, that is to say replacing an illegal substance with a legal one (antidepressants, sleeping pills, anti-anxiety pills, neuroleptic drugs, Subutex,
Methadone...) As a result it can never be a real severance : the user still remains dependant on a psychotropic drug which modifies their behaviour.
The underlying problem hasn't been resolved; the user switches from an illegal drug use, a street drug, to a legal drug, a drug produced by a pharmaceutical drug company. Yet these drugs inevitably have multiple side effects, as well as inducing a feeling of depression, unhappiness, suicide.
Most drug addicts and their parents ignore the existence of abstinence centres in which the former users can regain a life free of all psychotropic drugs. These centres allow their patients to find a sense of freedom, body and mind, and to regain their dignity and self-esteem.
« We do not triumph over any drug by the drug. Drug substitutes are not a sufficient therapy, but rather a veiled form of abandonment in front of the problem... »
Adresses utiles
To all of you who want to stop taking drugs permanently and to rediscover a life free from the influence of psychotropic drugs, we recommend two communities, who have demonstrated their competence, their efficiency and their dedication with love and respect for the addict.
Center for withdrawal through total abstinence: San Patrigano
An education
Treatment is essentially education and rehabilitation. The person is not considered to be suffering from an "illness", therefore pharmacological treatments for addiction are not used.
Individual program
The program for recuperation is individualized and varies depending on the different characteristics and needs of each individual. Each person follows rigid therapeutic steps that have no defined time limits. However given the problems and the necessity for a radical change by the person, this is a long term residential recuperation program. It lasts a minimum of 3 years.
The Importance of the Group
When a person comes into the community they enter the training given by San Patrignano. One youth is entrusted to another youth, who becomes his mentor, and during the first year of therapy with the community (the duration varies from one person to the next) he follows him constantly. The youth lives in the same room as his tutor and other youths. Each room has its own manager, each section has one or more referred educators. These are the principal groups with which the person lives during his days with the community.
No charge
San Patrignano is totally free. Having free entry and residency in the community allows each person to feel in charge of his own path. The products and services developed with a view to self-sufficiency meet about 50% of the needs of the community. The remaining funds are provided by donations.
Secularism
The founding principles on which the education of therapeutic intervention is based (respect for life, oneself, others and the environment) are universally recognized by the various religious denominations and are enshrined in the Italian Constitution.
Center for withdrawal through total abstinence: Cenacolo Community
Young addicts, male and female, who want to enter are asked to do several "preliminary interviews", so that they are aware of the style of life in the Community and to verify the person's desire to change. This time also serves to include the family and prepare the young person to enter the Community. After several interviews the young person is invited to spend some days, from morning to night, in a fraternity, to experience the life of the community, and then if they want to and the community agrees, they are welcomed.
Entry is free, each family, freely, can collaborate as much as possible. The community does not accept people with severe psychological problems (schizophrenia, severe mental problems). It is not qualified to provide them with the on-going, specialized medical care that they need.
Testimony from someone who has been through withdrawal
I spent my childhood in a beautiful and harmonious family atmosphere, surrounded by love. My problems started when I was thirteen years old: after school, with some of my friends, we tried alcohol and marijuana for the first time: and that is when evil entered my life. At first, I hid what I was doing from my family and everyone else. I was convinced that I had discovered the real life and I spent my evenings going from one party to another: the fun never stopped. I decided as well: “If I smoke marijuana for my whole life, that’ll be it. I will never consume other drugs. I will never be a junkie like those I see on street corners”
Time passed and during the nighttime parties I tried synthetic drugs for the first time, and that is how heroin entered my life.
I was sure that I could quietly manage this evil that was bamboozling me.
Little by little, without my noticing, I became enslaved by evil. At the beginning, I succeeded in hiding everything from my parents, but then they discovered that they had a drug addicted son. At that moment a deep discord began between them: one wanted to help me one way and the other another. Me, I exploited the situation by often choosing to be with my father, because he had confidence in me and believed that in one way or another I would be able to save myself.
But over time, the situation worsened. The days were all the same, little by little I lost the confidence of everyone and I started to lose my dignity too. Nobody wanted anything to do with a drug addict. I tried to find the drug by whatever means necessary: I became capable of lying and stealing from anybody. Then I started to have trouble with the law too.
When I had truly hit bottom, my parents, no knowing what else to do, suggested the Community [Cenacolo].
I did the interviews painfully and I entered. The first month I didn’t know where I was, I was prey to great confusion and a great inner conflict. At that moment, it was very difficult for me to see the light. But after some time, courtesy of the guys who were already in the Community, I saw that there was a particular familial atmosphere, which enveloped me and which pushed me forward.
Everyone liked me and tried to help me. It was as if little by little I came out of a deep lethargy. There for the first time I saw the light even if I still found myself deep in a tunnel. The most difficult step for me was to uproot the lie and the wickedness of my heart by accepting me with all my weaknesses. I felt superior to others, I thought I didn’t need anyone, I imagined I was right. Because of that, I found myself always alone.
Happily, I met the guys at the Community, who through prayer were happy and fulfilled. I also understood that the only way out for me was to get down on my knees and pray to God for help: and so I started to pray.
At first it was difficult, I didn’t want to see the truth about me and I cursed God and the whole world. I’m one of those who need a lot of time to accept the love of God, to recognize that God loves me too. Today, I feel as if I’ve started a new chapter in my life. I have a heart full of hope born by living the true values of Life. I would like to thank the Community because they opened my way to the Lord, because they accepted me as I am and gave me the possibility to change my life.
I thank the brothers who welcomed me with the gift of true friendship that helped me say in the Community. Today, I no longer live my life for myself but for others and I want to give more still.”
- TOMISLAV