City gov’t set out to offer a holistic Aftercare
Starting in May 2021, the City Government set out to offer the city’s 26 barangays a six-month aftercare program in the form of a “12-Step to Recovery” program.
Going to a treatment facility is the first and most crucial step for many in their recovery from drug addiction, but only few have the opportunity because it requires money and resources. Those that have been assessed as having a low to moderate level of addiction are enrolled in the Community-based Recovery Program (CBRP) in the barangay, which uses the Matrix Comprehensive Outpatient Program (MIOP).The CBRP provides a framework for engaging stimulant abusers in treatment and helping them in achieving abstinence. Patients learn about issues critical to addiction and relapse, obtain advice and assistance from a worker, become familiar with self-help programs, and are monitored for drug use by urine testing. Also, the program includes education and home visitation for family members affected by the addiction.
Continuing therapy and counseling after rehab is equally critical. Achieving sobriety, though, is a huge achievement. But drug addiction treatment does not stop after a person has successfully reclaimed and withdrawn from drugs. Aftercare is a type of on-going treatment service that is given to people recovering from drug addiction after they have achieved initial sobriety. In the meantime, the Recovering Drug Dependent (RDD) must be enrolled in the Aftercare program – a form of intensive outpatient rehabilitation services before they can graduate. Currently, the 27 barangays have no capacity to offer an aftercare program and are confronted with a challenge as to how they can issue a certificate of completion to their RDDs as proof to PDEA and DOH that their clients have complied with the requirements of the Dangerous Drug Board Resolution 4 of the 2020 Series.
To assist barangays in their drug-clearing efforts, CADAC is now preparing to offer a 6-month LGU-based “Aftercare: 12-Step to Recovery” to include programs and activities on Spiritual Enrichment, Personality Development, Anger Management on Spiritual Context, Sports and Recreation, Skills Orientation / Demonstration /Livelihood Training , Financial Management & Stewardship and Lecture on Statutory Benefits.
With the aim of showcasing the latter as one the city government’s best practices, the team is up to the challenge of crafting a manual that will provide a holistic approach to recovery. In view of the fact that a well-structured and well-monitored aftercare program is essential for the individual in recovery, CADAC-TWG and Aftercare workers will undergo a series of planning-workshops and manual reviews and enhancements to meet the needs of the client and help them to get back on the road to recovery in the event of a relapse.