The Regenesis Program

The Regenesis Program can help people who are:

  • Struggling with drug &/or alcohol addiction,
  • Needing after-care following a detox or residential program,
  • Suffering a relapse or at risk of relapse, or
  • Experiencing problems at work, school or home because of addiction.

Clients of Regenesis are individuals with any addiction to alcohol, to illicit drugs, to prescribed medicines, or to gambling. They can be self-referred or referred by others or other agencies. At Regenesis an individual program is tailored and developed for and with each client.

Location
Regenesis is located in Moss Vale, part of the Southern Highlands townships. It is mid-way between Canberra and Sydney, approximately 1½ hour's drive from Sydney or 2 hour's drive from Canberra.

Description of the Day Program
The Regenesis Program is a part-time day program. It is non-residential which means that most people live in their own places or with friends or family. Some people find that the part-time nature of the Program makes commuting from other cities easier.

The Regenesis Program aims to be therapeutic by focusing on the individual development in a group community setting. Attending the Program means coming to group sessions two days a week from 9 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. along with attending individual sessions with a counsellor.

The Group Program days usually include:

  • Group discussions
  • Artistic activities or Musical sessions or Drama therapy or Movement component (eurythmy)
  • Working together in the house and garden

When someone enters the Program, they enter a specific group with others in their stage of the Program. Groups of people with similar concerns or similar goals in their life are vital for each individual to get the feedback they need to make their own decisions in an informed and caring way. The group discussions are confidential to that group and are usually dynamic and relevant to what is going on that week, which can be:

  • addiction issues,
  • relapse concerns,
  • social difficulties,
  • difficulties in program,
  • weekly structures,
  • reduction & relapse concerns,
  • managing sleep and emotions,
  • taking responsibility for thoughts, emotions & actions,
  • clearing the past,
  • exploring possibilities for the future,
  • drug education,
  • biography presentations,
  • birthdays, rites of passage, and/or
  • visitor presentations.

The groups can sometimes decide to develop the creative activity they are working with to a level of performance or exhibition. This decision is only made with the full agreement of everyone in the group.

You can view more details on the Day Program: Day Program

Recreation & Employment
The Regenesis Program also works with the individual to explore recreation and employment opportunities. It is important for each person to find what interests them, what is meaningful to them in their community. This brings back to the individual some balance to the habits which brought imbalance to their lives, such as needing outlets for expression or practicing how to relate to others without so much fear, or feeling confident in having something to contribute to others.

Complimentary therapies
Individual sessions with other therapeutic practitioners are often offered, such as with a homeopath, for therapeutic massage, art therapy, etc.

Length of Program
The individual programs are in stages and the time commitment varies depending on the stage you are in. Participants are asked to commit to three to six month blocks of time at least, with the program time individualized to each person's needs.

Counselling Program
Individual counselling is usually provided within the Day Program, as described above. However, sometimes there are barriers to people attending the Day Program but are assessed to be likely to benefit from counselling sessions. This is usually worked out on an individual basis, and the goal is usually to lead to be ability to attend the Day Program. Sometimes there is a great amount of fear of entering a group of people, and this is worked with so that the person can eventually attend the Day Program. Sometimes the level of addiction is too severe to be able to attend a Day Program, so limited counselling is provided to assist the person in choosing a rehabilitation centre or other care.

Costs
All costs for the program are negotiated individually with each person on a sliding scale. Regenesis is not government funded or subsidised, so some level of fees will be charged to everyone attending. However, the sliding scale makes it possible for people of all levels of financial situations to attend the Program.

Requirements for Joining

  • Recently detoxed from drugs or have strong commitment to be free of addiction and takes immediate steps to do so;
  • Aged 16 or over
  • A financial contribution depending on capacity
  • Attendance at an interview with counsellor at Regenesis
  • Have stable or supported living environment; and
  • Have some degree of healthy community support (drug-free friends, parental support, or ongoing work or recreational engagement).

Regenesis offers its unique program to all, excluding no one from participation in the program because of culture, language, ethnicity, faith, or gender.

Results

Regenesis has now been in operation for 3 years we have gathered statistics for this duration. Click here for the results.