Anyone who has suffered from friendship with the green serpent and wants to get rid of addiction needs to learn to live again, and this is facilitated by social rehabilitation of alcoholics. She helps former patients adapt to society, teaches them how to live without alcohol, and restores self-esteem and confidence in their own abilities. And what is especially important is that a person who has received psychological and social support resists previous temptations more firmly.
Treatment is over, what next?
Reach complete cure The disease is difficult due to the fact that during prolonged use of strong drinks in the body, biochemical processes change, their implementation becomes impossible without alcohol. At the physiological level, a persistent addiction develops, similar to a drug addiction. No matter how much the patient wants to get rid of it, it is sometimes impossible to do this with just one desire.
Much depends on those around him: if an alcoholic does not recognize himself as sick and refuses treatment, he must be convinced, and those who decide to get rid of their destructive passion must be supported in every possible way.
No matter how successful the treatment is, no matter what modern methods no matter how they were used, at first after recovery a person feels detached from society. Having put in a lot of spiritual and physical strength to overcome a strong addiction, he suddenly realizes that he received only recovery, but not a return to normal life. Having lost the main meaning - a glass, he has no idea what to do next.
Therefore, despite improved health and the absence of a hangover, a former alcoholic, unable to find himself in a new, frightening reality, can return to the old company and make friends with the bottle.
To prevent treatment from being in vain, such a scenario can only be avoided by receiving help with socialization. It is necessary to former patient felt psychologically healthy. Of course, changes will not happen instantly; this will require some time, understanding and support from loved ones.
These issues are addressed by rehabilitation centers specializing in the social adaptation of former patients. Men and women with varying degrees of recovery turn to them: some with a complete ban on alcohol consumption, others with partial permission for small doses.
During the course:
- There is a release from the influence of alcohol residues remaining in the body, which provoke the disease;
- Patients receive psychological support that strengthens their desire to healthy image life and strengthening independence from alcohol.
Orthodox rehabilitation centers
Many special institutions, both public and private, assist former patients in returning to society. But especially effective results (about 80% of remission) are shown by rehabilitation centers at monasteries and churches.
As in secular institutions, they help you get rid of the consequences of drinking alcohol and become a full-fledged member of society. Employees also carry out preventive work among children and youth. They are also attractive because the help is provided free of charge.
Specifics and tasks:
- In Orthodox rehabilitation centers, unlike secular drug treatment clinics, they do not deal with withdrawal from binge drinking and treatment of the disease, and do not use medical and psychotherapeutic methods. They work with a person’s state of mind: they help determine the reason that pushed him to addiction, eliminate it and form new outlooks on life.
- For this purpose, there are many programs designed for different time periods: from several months to three years. There are also institutions that do not set specific limits, but work with patients until complete recovery.
- The work of Orthodox rehabilitation centers is based on initiation into spiritual life, mandatory participation in church services, occupational therapy, and for those who have come to God, receiving spiritual education.
- Former alcoholics study the Bible, get acquainted with spiritual literature, and clergy mentors regularly hold conversations with them about the meaning of life, understanding sin, and finding oneself. During the rehabilitation course, patients participate in religious services, pilgrimages, take vows of sobriety, renounce sectarianism, and are baptized.
Anyone can seek help from an Orthodox rehabilitation center, whether after treatment at a drug treatment clinic or not. The only condition is that he must want it himself. All work is based on a person’s voluntary decision.
Many organizations help not only former drunkards, but also their family members - the so-called codependents. They are provided with consultations and preventive conversations that help them, together with the former alcoholic, rebuild their life into a new life.
Outpatient and inpatient recovery
The outpatient form of support implies constant presence only during the daytime; they go home to spend the night:
- For former patients, consultations with narcologists, psychologists, therapists, and other specialists are provided. Conversations with a spiritual mentor are held regularly, people participate in divine services and church sacraments (baptism, wedding, funeral service).
- One of the effective forms of support is family sobriety clubs; all family members are invited to the meetings. Classes are held regularly, in addition to confessors, psychologists also participate in them.
- Also, good results come from working in groups built on the principle of the Alcoholics Anonymous club.
Inpatient rehabilitation is considered the most effective form of recovery. Groups can be mixed or separate for men and women. The number of people in them is limited: from 5 to 40 people, depending on the capabilities of the establishment. Former alcoholics live in a closed area not far from the monastery or on its territory. They have no contact with the outside world, are often far from home, which sharply limits the possibility of relapse, drinking alcohol, and communicate only with believers. A prerequisite is strict adherence to discipline.
Main stages of recovery:
- For a certain period of time, which is agreed upon in advance, those affected by addiction live at the monastery. Under the supervision of a clergy mentor, they reflect on their previous life and try to change it.
- They are required to engage in occupational therapy: they work in subsidiary farms, workshops, construction, and arrange the territory of a temple or institution. This gives former patients an awareness of their relevance and usefulness to society. In addition, the acquired work skills help to realize oneself in later life.
- The former alcoholic lives independently, manages his own finances, but is still supervised by a spiritual mentor.
One of the most important questions that worries people who have experienced alcoholism and their loved ones is how much such help costs, how much does it cost to stay in a hospital during correction:
- Christian rehabilitation centers believe that anyone suffering (male or female) has the right to participate, regardless of their income.
- The centers are supported by donations from sponsors, relatives, and simply concerned citizens. Assistance in socialization is provided free of charge, but the rest depends on the capabilities of the institution. In some, meals are provided at the expense of the organization, in others, a certain amount of money is required for food, as well as your own work clothes and bed linen.
- If necessary, it is possible to contribute money for medical care, which must be replenished as it is spent.
- Upon admission, in addition to a passport, they may request a certificate from the skin and venous dispensary, and fluorography.
- Nonresidents must have money for a return ticket to their place of residence. To avoid the temptation to buy alcohol, all funds are deposited with employees and issued at the end of their stay.
- Those who decide to seek help without first undergoing treatment should not drink for at least a week.
Rehabilitation of an alcoholic is, first of all, assistance in building correct relationships with society and finding one’s place in life. Orthodox rehabilitation centers restore a person’s faith in himself and give him strength to continue living without alcohol.
Alcoholism is a big problem, large-scale social problem. Some Orthodox monasteries have created special rehabilitation centers. There, treatment for alcoholism is provided in the monastery. The centers are engaged in the spiritual rehabilitation of those suffering and their return to society. They provide comfortable living conditions for patients.
Alcoholics are given the ability to live and work fully for the benefit of their family and society. They can come to their senses, turn to the Lord and improve relationships with others. The duration of rehabilitation depends on the degree of obsession with drinking.
Residential treatment of alcoholics in a monastery has many advantages. Patients cleanse their souls, repent before the Lord of their sins, and work on themselves to give up the habit of drinking.
Healing will be more successful with the support of the patient loving people. Monastic centers actively promote this. It is explained to the relatives that they must help the sufferer free himself from addiction. Mothers, spouses, and relatives must patiently communicate with alcoholics.
In what cases do addicts go to monastic centers?
As a rule, people turn to Orthodox centers for help when traditional treatment has not helped, after a series of breakdowns.
A Christian in rehabilitation can, upon reflection, realize how his fall came about. He has a chance to comprehend his life and improve his relationships with loved ones. If he sincerely repents, God will certainly help him overcome his sinful addiction. Treatment will have a positive result only if the person has a sincere intention to quit drinking alcohol forever.
The earlier treatment is started, the more successful its outcome will be. Delay is dangerous. Toxins can damage internal organs. Problems with the liver, nervous and cardiovascular systems may begin. You need to contact a medical facility in time, without waiting for alarming symptoms. Alcohol detoxification must be done carefully. It is necessary to choose a diet suitable for the patient. Medications should be consumed in moderate doses so as not to damage the liver and heart.
During the period when withdrawal from binge drinking is carried out, it is necessary to urgently isolate the patient. However, it should be noted that he must do this voluntarily. Free treatment alcoholism in monasteries and churches helps to place addicts in a completely different, unusual atmosphere for them. Side by side here are friends in misfortune.
The center's staff and brothers and sisters of the monastery treat the sick with compassion and love. Strong faith in the Lord and unflagging trust in His mercy will help to overcome the obsession with a vicious passion. Many people come to the centers for whom rehabilitation has become the first conscious steps towards an Orthodox church.
Principles of monastic healing
Liberation from addiction is carried out humanely, without violence against the individual. Both spiritual, psychological and physical methods of treatment are used.
The spiritual aspect shows that the root of the problem is the individual’s distance from God. No matter how hard a person tries to fill the spiritual emptiness within himself, no matter how hard he tries to fill the deficit of love, no one except the Lord will help. Spiritual rehabilitation, including Repentance and Communion, as well as participation in divine services, miraculously helps in overcoming alcohol addiction.
Psychological rehabilitation overcomes behavioral addiction and helps you start living without alcohol.
Physical rehabilitation methods include:
- occupational therapy;
- playing sports;
- walks in the open air.
Rehabilitated alcoholics follow a daily routine. Addicts must train their will. It is imperative to exclude idleness. Then there will be no time to think about alcohol. His place must be taken:
- study;
- soulful books;
- labor;
- conversations with a psychologist;
- communication with friends.
Monastic healing techniques
Treatment of alcoholism in monasteries and churches includes rehabilitation, consolidation of the results obtained traditional treatment. Of course, you should make your own efforts. Seeing the seriousness of the treatment, the center staff and monks will definitely try to help. For the purpose of rehabilitation, sick people are collected into groups.
Those who wish can cleanse their souls in the Sacrament of Confession, repent of their sins and try to give up their addiction to alcoholic drinks. Sick people must regularly attend Liturgies. Prayers are offered for them at water-blessing prayer services. Those who are obsessed with drunkenness should definitely pray during the day, read the Holy Gospel and the Psalter.
When you have faith in God and trust in the providence of the Lord, you can cope with alcoholism without drugs, hypnotic sessions and coding. Coding is an undesirable, radical means. It is better not to resort to it, as it has a negative effect on the psyche.
Patients are often ashamed of themselves. To overcome this feeling, they need to participate in socially useful activities. Then self-esteem will increase, you will feel like a worthy member of society, and relationships with family and friends will improve.
Monasteries and nunneries
You can find out which monasteries provide treatment for alcoholism in the nearest diocese. There you can also inquire about the hospice for visitors. In such monasteries they often help drunkards who have lost their apartment and family.
The most famous monasteries that provide care for alcohol addicts are the following:
- The Orthodox temperance brotherhood at the church in honor of Saints Florus and Laurus in the Moscow region provides for work in workshops and in gardens, as well as joint prayer.
- In the Orthodox community "Erino" you are allowed to live for up to three years. Monastic regime.
- In the Vysotsky Monastery in the city of Serpukhov, conversations with priests, joint prayer and work are held.
Help is also provided in nunneries for those suffering from drunkenness:
- In the Holy Vvedensky Ivanovo monastery, the sick will be introduced to joint prayer and work.
- At the Alexander Nevsky Monastery in Maklakovo, located in the Moscow region, women will be involved in monastic life.
- In the monastery in honor of Christmas Holy Mother of God, located near Ussuriysk, needs help in working in the parishes. Addicts will definitely pray at monastery services.
Free rehabilitation courses receive numerous grateful reviews.
