Before / on arrival:

An Assessment with the House Manager, Social Worker, resident and family/ to discuss the resident’s reintegration plan. This will also the agreement to a relapse prevention plan. An Individual treatment plan to be formed by the social worker within the first sessions with the service user.
A relapse prevention plan must be thorough and clear as this will form the foundation of program at Freedom Recovery Halfway house. If the relapse prevention plan is kept thoroughly, it will mean that the service user gain trust back within oneself and one’s family

1. Orientation:

During the first week the resident will go through orientation and see your care worker and social worker to set up the individual treatment plan.

2. Educational Program (1 – 3 Months of the Program):

Classes & Groupwork: From the second week of the program, classes and group work will be attended to. Classes and groupwork will be offered by care workers, social workers as well as the Occupational therapist on CV Writing, Job Interview preparation and other valuable life skills training to prepare the service user for a new life after rehabilitation.
Individual Counselling: Residents have access to Individual Counselling time with Aux Social worker, Social Workers, Addiction Counsellors, and program facilitators for individual assistance. As the second Phase of the recovery process, it is now the responsibility to take ownership of his own recovery and must book the sessions with Therapists himself.
Family Seminars: On the Second Saturday of every month, contact sessions will be available on request from families. Classes and seminars will also be done to assist the family and resident in their own process of healing and to assist the family to understand addiction better.
Vocational training: Vocational training might also be offered from time to time as budget allows. We are also constantly looking for free courses at local skills development Agencies. Vocational training might include, but not limited to the following courses:
Baking, Décor, Bricklaying, Electrical, woodwork and steelwork.
Accredited Courses and training: Families can also on own cost enroll the resident in on-line or self-study courses while on the program. The Resident will actively participate in certain classes but will be allocated study time to complete courses on their own pace. This will assist the resident to believe that they are still progressing, and his life does continue.
We do have a computer lab and Wi-Fi for the residents onsite.
Additional Therapeutical Classes: This might be introduced from time to time as well. Dance, Drama, Arts, and poetry are only few of the therapeutical models that service users might be exposed to. It is an important part of recovery to learn how to deal with hurt and emotions.
Domestic skills: Due to the nature of service user’s addiction and the younger age service users did start their addiction, several practical domestic skills have not been taught by service users.
The program will focus on training like gardening, upkeep of the household, budget skills and general cleaning duties.
Outreaches and sharing of life stories: Outreaches will be arranged to schools and churches to share stories of hope to communities. This will be done through sharing of stories as well as Arts, sport, and culture. Stigma in the communities will only be minimized by service users sharing their stories.

3. Advanced Phase (3-6 Months)

After the initial 3-month program on halfway house, residents will move on recommendation to the Advanced Phase.
All Educational Programs must still be followed as per first three months.

The following guidelines are tried and tested for this Phase:

• Residents will now be allowed to have phones. On recommendation from the staff, it can be approved for two hours in the evening, or as per MDT Decision. The amount of time will increase as they progress.
• In this period residents are allowed two weekends a month, not consecutively
• Residents will now be the responsible person when moving in the groups of a minimum of three
• Residents will now be entrusted with small amounts of money starting with R50. If they are not responsible with smaller amounts they will not be entrusted with bigger amounts. Receipts are essential.
• It is not advised to enter a romantic relationship at this stage
• For any visits permission from Management is required
• Residents may spend the day with their family if they pick residents up. Prior arrangements must be made with Management
• Management needs to know the resident’s whereabouts always
• Residents should make sure they are always contactable – no excuses
• Continual serving opportunities will be done as Management see fit for this period.

In this time residents will be entrusted and given more and more responsibility. Residents’ actions will determine whether they can handle privileges. It is advised that residents seek accountability. When accountability starts seeking you, this will be seen and treated as a red light.

4. The final re-integration phase

The final 2 weeks of the program will be focused on the re-integration back into society. Few pointers and guidelines to assist:

• A final panel meeting will be done with family members
• An interview where possible with current employer
• Family session regarding relapse prevention plan
• Connecting a resident with possible aftercare groups in the area where he will reside.