Regenesis Background

- what makes this program work? - what are our goals and vision? - where did we come from? - how is the program managed? - what are the results? "It is not enough to simply have access to latest treatments. Drug users need to be supported in all areas of their lives." - stated in the 1999 NSW Drug Summit

What makes the Program work?
Regenesis recognises that each person's addiction problem is different and each person's recovery must also be different. We determine, together with the individual, their own comprehensive program addressing all aspects of their life - social, vocational and personal.

Regenesis also recognises that addiction is a quest for change and facilitates the individual's capacity to make those changes .

Because we recognise that addictions usually occur in conjunction with other problems, such as licit drug addictions, mental illness, and multiple barriers to employment, Regenesis is committed to treating the whole person, not just the addiction specifically.

The issues underlying alcohol & drug use and criminality have been identified as anger management, low self esteem, lack of trust, and lack of resources. The conventional approach has been to discuss these issues, to talk about them or to teach.

The Regenesis approach is to also build up (with diet and nutrition, massage, movement and artistic expression) the part of one's self that can be 'in charge' to deal with emotional balance

Through biography work, Regenesis identifies areas of work that were always of comfort, or interests that remained, or hopes that continued to be held. The goal is to facilitate the person's ability to identify their capacities and interests and start developing them. This can have a solid and lasting impact on their lives.

Vision of Regenesis
Individualisation is seen as the central force in contemporary life as traditional social supports are losing their impact through social mobility, travel, globalisation and industrialisation. This individualisation allows the development of individual identity on the one hand, but also produces a profound insecurity on the other.

Each individual must create their own social and community supports out of a bewildering possibility of choices. While some are able to develop the strength to negotiate this process and achieve their individuality, others continue to feel uprooted and disoriented, confused and insecure. For some of these a compulsive behaviour cycle that allows a momentary respite from this insecurity develops.

Addiction is one of these compulsions that then limit the further development of the person. While the addiction provides a social path, including a lifestyle and a 'happiness technology', at the same time it destroys the possibility of health and development. At Regenesis, addiction is seen as a process that can function in place of individuation and bypass the need for values, moral differentiation and the achievement of mature independence.

Regenesis will support addicted people to develop their own unique personal identity. To further this process Regenesis wishes to provide a community in which the development of freedom, emotional expression, personal meaning/spirituality and social responsibility are possible and valued. In this community the autonomy of individuals is respected and they are supported to find their unique life direction, their own personal spirituality and their unique niche in the wider community.

Mission of Regenesis
Regenesis aims to provide treatment programs for human development within the context of a professional and learning organisation, which stimulate the development of a healthy freedom: freedom from addiction and the capacity for autonomy, independence and social responsibility.

Furthermore Regenesis wishes to contribute to finding answers to the problems in an individualising society. Regenesis seeks to reconnect the individual to their developmental path within the context of social and human development, honouring the principle of Self Development for World Development.

Goals of Regenesis
The primary goal of Regenesis is to offer services for the specific needs of those suffering from addiction. Regenesis strives to achieve this goal through:

• developing and implementing treatment programs, addressing current gaps in the system;
• developing programs and structures which simultaneously stimulate the development of participants and staff;
• building up resources and networks aimed at the social reintegration of those suffering from addiction;
• developing education services for the wider community for the understanding of addiction;
• developing a human resources policy; and
• striving towards optimum performance as an organisation.

The primary goal of Regenesis can thus be defined as the provision of services for recovery from addiction that support the development of independence and autonomy of both the participants and the staff.

For the realisation of this objective it is necessary that everyone involved with Regenesis is prepared to engage in self-development. Employees must be prepared to shoulder responsibility.

The organisation of Regenesis is based on this core principle of developing individual responsibility and independence. Responsibilities are thus clearly defined but also pathways for communication must be created to allow constant feedback and joint vision development.

Where did we come from?
Regenesis was established in response to the growing problems of addiction in today's society and the need for more accessible and effective treatment.

The programs at Regenesis are unique in Australia. They are based on ARTA, a group of addiction centres originally established in the Netherlands 25 years ago and now spreading across Europe and beyond.

Need for the Regenesis Program
The revolving door syndrome is well known in addiction rehabilitation, a movement from detoxification to relapse that is socially costly and debilitating to both the addict and his associates.

There is an increasing need to develop new complementary treatment methods for those people with addictions. Day programs have been identified as having benefits in assisting those in transition between leaving the addiction (sometimes done in detoxification centres) and re-connecting to society without the addiction.

The 1999 NSW Drug Summit has identified that the treatment needs of rural populations is of paramount importance. It highlighted two major concerns for local communities. The first being that treatment for addictions was not widely available, as only 26% of those seeking treatment can be currently accommodated. Secondly, there is a need for innovative, comprehensive and effective treatment facilities.

In the Southern Highlands, the growing need for addiction treatment programs has been vocalised at many levels. Regenesis was established to meet the need for drug and alcohol services in the Southern Highlands and the surrounding areas.

Unmet demand
Regenesis' part time program meets a demand for access by sole parents and those who need to remain in a community environment for work, family or other purposes. The use of outpatient-only facilities for the treatment of those with addictions or other lifestyle issues has been in demand for many years.

How is the program managed?
A Board of Directors manages Regenesis, which currently has eight directors. The Board executes the financial and legal matters according to the Constitution. It has appointed a Management Team from core staff members who are responsible for the program direction, its co-ordination and evaluation.

More details about the Management and the latest Annual Report is available to read here. Management

What are the results? In the last twelve months Regenesis has continued to provide after care rehabilitation, relapse prevention and social integration program to 30 clients. It has been successful in retaining participants in the program and in achieving and maintaining lives free of drug and alcohol addictions. Most evaluation scores show improvement in all aspects of maintaining this new life: stable emotional life, re-learning life skills, and active social integration with their community. Life skills training is an integral part of every component of the program from stabilisation, re-learning and training & social integration. This report shows significant gains with all participants in decreasing health, economic and social barriers to positive social integration and self-determination. Education of clients, family members and public groups has also been achieved by focusing on topics during the program, developing strong links with family and community services, hosting a seminar called 'Breaking the Cycle', and by participating in D&A forums. A copy of the last annual evaluation report is available to read here. Evaluation Report