The commotion surrounding substance use is well known and very well documented. It certainly fills the lives of the substance users and their families with a great deal of intense highs and lows that ultimately engulf and direct the existence of these same human beings. For these families, life tends to become a roller coaster of emotions whereby hope, fear, disappointment and sadness become the order of the day. This is exactly where Sedqa residential services come into the picture. With the help of the multidisciplinary teams working within Sedqa’s residences, the required support is offered to contain the person using substances whilst directly and indirectly help their significant others.
Sedqa’s residential services encompass Dar L-Impenn, also know as the Substance Misuse Inpatient Unit, and Komunita’ Santa Marija addiction residential rehabilitation programme. Although these two services are different from each other, they complement one another as both form part of the same chain of services offered by Sedqa. Dar L-Impenn’s main goal is to offer its clients medical attention for a short period of time with the aim being to medically stabilize the patients and prepare them for their next step, whether it is returning to the community or moving to another long-term facility. Dar l-Impenn offers the significant others and professionals involved a unique window of opportunity to focus on the motivation of substance users whilst they are receiving concrete support. Conversely, Komunita’ Santa Marija offers a holistic, long term service to individuals experiencing addiction related difficulties in order to support them work thoroughly on themselves within a community setting. Komunita’ Santa Marija based on the Therapeutic Community model, which is a self-help approach aimed at treating the individual holistically. Via the use of the peer community and communal living and by means of ordinary mundane activities, residents are given the opportunity to build deep, lasting connections with others whilst being supported to reflect on themselves and process their emotions. Total lifestyle change is the ultimate aim of such intense work as it aims to empower residents to take control over their life and take responsibility of their challenges and recovery. This propels the individuals following the rehabilitation programme towards reaching their full potential.