Located in the north of Israel, Beit T’Shuvah is a residential addiction treatment program known for its high level of care. It is a therapeutic community with many programs focusing on alcohol and drug addiction.
Alcohol and Drunkenness
Alcohol and Drunkenness is a comprehensive, interdisciplinary educational program to prevent excessive alcohol use. It is designed by the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and is implemented by the Israel Society for the Prevention of Alcoholism.
The interdisciplinary curriculum focuses on the cognitive and affective domains and contributes to a significant change in the attitudes of Israeli teenagers toward excessive drinking. The program teaches the skills of self-service and decision-making by addressing issues such as self-control and communication.
During the last decade, alcohol use has become increasingly problematic among young adults. Among Israeli teens, binge drinking is a typical pattern of behavior. Despite the dangers of excessive alcohol use, adolescents often experience social pressure to drink.
Alcohol abuse has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality and is related to an increase in chronic conditions. Because of this, Israeli programs have been developed to promote awareness, reduce harmful alcohol use, and address the consequences of alcohol use.
In 2010, the Israeli government launched a national program to reduce harmful drinking. Various programs have been created to deal with substance abuse in Israel, from broad-based educational programs to intensive residential treatment centers.
Israel Society for the Prevention of Alcoholism operates a residential treatment center. Treatment services are provided individually and tailored to the patient’s needs. Besides treating alcoholism, the program also teaches self-service, communication, and other life skills.
The National Insurance Institute of Israel provides monthly income support to addicts. In 2013, 448 people received this help.
In addition, the Haifa University School of Education initiated a comprehensive course in substance abuse prevention. This course is taught through interdisciplinary lectures and workshops. During the course, students learn about the health risks of alcohol and drug use, AIDS, and AIDS-related behaviors.
A public awareness campaign has been implemented in different languages across the country. Newspapers, radio, and television campaigns have been used. These campaigns have run for several consecutive years and aim to raise awareness about the problem of alcohol and drug use.
The Unit for Treatment of Victims of Alcohol, under the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, offers various therapeutic methods. The unit’s staff has developed and modified therapeutic models for alcohol and drug addiction. They have collaborated with multiple hospitals and Alcoholics Anonymous support groups.
Beit T’Shuvah
Beit T’Shuvah is a recovery program that blends Jewish spirituality with 12 steps, traditional psychotherapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy. It’s a unique approach to addiction treatment and rehab and reshaping the field’s landscape.
Since 1987, Beit T’Shuvah has been treating addicts. Over 2,500 Jewish people are treated annually. This means that the center reaches not only addicts but their families as well. The facility doesn’t receive government funding but relies on private donations to keep it afloat.
In 2016, Beit Yosef became a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization. The center offers a wilderness therapy program for Jewish young adults struggling with anxiety and depression.
As a former addict, Rabbi Mark Borovitz is passionate about helping addicts recover from alcoholism and addiction. He combines Torah knowledge with street smarts to help addicts navigate recovery. He is also a faculty member at the Spirituality Mind Body Summer Institute, hosted by Teachers College at Columbia University.
Beit T’Shuvah is the first Jewish recovery facility of its kind. And the model behind the center is set to expand to New York City in 2019.
In addition to the residential facility, the program is also a synagogue congregation, providing an environment for connection and community. Additionally, the Jewish Addiction Support Services (JACS) program is an outreach program that provides educational opportunities for Jewish individuals and organizations and provides resources for the community.
Beit T’Shuvah has a long history of success. For instance, it was the first Jewish treatment center to offer a full-scale addiction program blended Jewish spirituality with Alcoholics Anonymous’ 12 Steps.
Beit T’Shuvah treats patients for a minimum of nine months. Residents are required to attend weekly services and engage in various extracurricular activities. Some of the therapies offered include surfing, surf therapy, and pottery. A full choir and band are also available.
With a mission to create a new world free of addiction, Beit T’Shuvah’s goal is to save lives. And, as more and more addiction programs follow the model, the field is poised to grow.
By integrating Jewish wisdom with traditional spirituality, psychotherapy, and the 12 Steps, the T’Shuvah Center has created an addiction recovery community that is both authentic and action-oriented.
House of Victory
The House of Victory is an excellent example of a non-profit organization that provides accessible and affordable rehabilitation to men who need it most. The facility aims to promote a healthier and more prosperous social climate in Haifa, Israel.
It’s not unusual to find a homeless man in Israel’s bigger cities, especially in the country’s northern half. Many have given up hope on changing their fates, sinking deeper into their addictions. For some, the House of Victory is a beacon of hope.
Aside from housing, the House of Victory offers a comprehensive and specialized treatment program to men with substance abuse problems. They provide various services to make recovery a bit easier, such as individual and group therapy. Using the latest technology, the program can accommodate up to 24 addicts at one time. Whether they need help with alcohol or drug addiction, the staff at the House of Victory is dedicated to helping them.
In addition to their laudable efforts, the government is doing its best to keep a lid on the pandemic. One such intervention focuses on educating the public about the dangers of substance abuse. Simultaneously, they’ve begun initiatives to reduce the number of homeless people, especially those addicted to drugs.
Among its many accomplishments, the House of Victory is one of the few organizations in Israel that provides a free and affordable residential treatment program to men with substance abuse problems. As a result, a large percentage of the men who the House of Victory has served have managed to find a more productive path to recovery. Not only does the House of Victory have an impressive track record, it is a model of reconciliation.
Using the latest technology, the House of Victory provides a holistic treatment program for men with substance abuse problems. Whether they need help with alcohol or drugs, the facility offers various services to make a recovery easier. Using the latest technology, the House of victory can accommodate up to 24 addicts.
Israeli Therapeutic Community
A Therapeutic Community residential addiction treatment program is one of the many programs designed to deal with substance abuse. Israeli programs promote awareness, encourage healthy lifestyle choices, and provide a supportive environment.
There are several types of programs in Israel: broad-based education programs, intensive residential treatment centers, and community-based outpatient treatment programs. These programs vary in length and focus on prevention. All of these programs work to improve the individual’s knowledge and skills.
According to Dr. Haim Mell, director of the Israel Anti-Drug Authority, the success rate of Israeli rehabilitation programs is lower than in other countries. He believes the psycho-social treatment offered is ineffective in eradicating the disease.
The substance abuse prevention program aims to influence attitudes and behaviors among adolescents. It includes video and classroom sessions involving open discussions and skills development.
Three national treatment centers in Jerusalem accept half of 800 families. These programs are for young adult males and young females. They are all approved by the Ministry of Health.
In addition to these communities, there are several needle exchange programs. Some are located in Ashdod, Beer-Sheva, and Tel Aviv. Another program, Aviva, is designed explicitly for addicts with young children.
The Alcohol Treatment Unit provides lectures to pupils, parents, and teachers. It also provides training workshops on alcoholism.
Retorno rehab is located in a bucolic, rural setting in Israel. This therapeutic program is part of the public rehab system. Patients are sent to the center as a last resort. They are expected to adhere to religious dietary restrictions and to observe Sabbath.
Currently, there are about 14,000 patients in rehab in Israel. This includes American and non-Jewish patients. An English-speaking program is also available.
One of the main reasons for the lack of Jewish long-term residential addiction treatment centers is for relatives of addicts. They are seeking to uncover the roots of their loved one’s addiction.
Retorno is currently recruiting American addicts for its programs. The center claims to keep in touch with all former clients.
There are also several luxury rehab centers in Israel offering holistic addiction recovery. These facilities range from kosher to non-kosher and include detoxification services.
