Substance
abuse rehabilitation
On our Yaroslavl farm we run a rehabilitation center where drug and alcohol addicted young people and adults can come to 12-month periods or longer when needed.
The rehabilitation program began in 1999. At one time, 35-40 rehabilitants can stay on the farm. The most rehabilitants are 18-26 years of age.
A well functioning strategy is to place the child in the shelter home while the parents are on rehabilitation. On alcohol rehabilitation there also have been lonely mothers with their small children. The rehabilitants are sent to the center mainly by the street patrol.
The personnel knows the drug addicts' problems from personal experience
The leader of the rehabilitation work Simeon Antonov and his wife Anya are rehabilitated former drug-addicts, as well as the two other couples who work with the rehabilitants.
Rehabilitation methods
Before coming to the center, the rehabilitants go through a medical examination. During the stay in the center, no chemical methods of rehabilitation are used.
The rehabilitants come to an environment far from "temptations" where former drug-addicts personally help them to go through the restoration process. Group work and carrying responsibility every day are very important.
During the rehabilitation course they participate in farm work. Good food, fresh air and daily exercise through work significantly improve their health and condition. The work also provides meaningful program and a possibility to learn to be a member of a group with a common goal.
The rehabilitants learn to maintain order in their life and to work (some of them have never worked before). The work and relationships are based on Christian principles. Drinking, smoking etc. are forbidden.
There are daily devotionals in the center. Through them and personal counseling the rehabilitants can also receive spiritual help.
The results have been very good, the most rehabilitants become free from their addictions. After the rehabilitation they usually go back to their homes, find a job or go to study.
Cooperatation with other rehabilitation centers
In Krasnoyarsk and Ekaterinburg our patrols cooperate with local Christian rehabilitation centers. Also there the results have been good. Many youths and parents of street children have become drug free.