Induction

Induction is a crucial stage of the rehabilitation process.

On admission a Senior Peer Supporter will meet clients. During the early stages of the programme they will support the client and answer any questions or queries from a service user’s point of view.

Initially the objective is to make the client comfortable and at ease.

Along with identifying individual needs and induction into the centre it is also important to remove any other relevant issues that may cause concern to the client during the therapeutic process. Often these include outstanding debts, housing or family issues.

The Family Therapist will work with the client and with their permission, contact the family or significant other to invite them to participate in the family programme.

The resettlement team will begin to negotiate any outstanding debts and place the client on the housing list to avoid time delay at the conclusion of the programme.

A contract is entered into with the client to ensure that the boundaries, rules and regulations are understood, whilst obtaining commitment from the service user.

Phase l – Therapeutic Rehabilitation

The Therapy provided at the BAC O’Connor Centres is evidenced based and delivered by a multi disciplinary, qualified team.

We believe it is important that clients have a long-term plan for how they will rebuild their lives. Although we accept that “living one day at a time” is important in the early stages of recovery, later in the process clients are encouraged to think about their long term goals and how these may be achieved.

Therapy

During the programme the client will work in both group and alone with their therapist to analyse their true personality and their patterns of behaviour. Many clients have strong emotional reactions of guilt, shame and anger to overcome on their road to recovery. Many also have to find new and better ways to deal with the issues that may have led them into active addiction.

The structured programme is delivered by a collective range of therapy – CBT, Group, Gestalt, Reality, Client Centred, Rational Emotive, Behavioural, Transactional Analysis, Ego States, and Neurolinguistic.

Nutrition, Physical Fitness & Health

The body is as important as the mind in the recovery process. A nutritional dietary and fitness curriculum is provided through the programme by a qualified fitness instructor and resident chefs.

Complementary Therapy

Acupuncture, Reflexology, Relaxation, Meditation, Massage, Reiki.

BAC O’Connor Centres provide a range of complementary therapies which, in our experience, assist the client to achieve their specific goals.

Each client will be assessed by our Complementary Therapist who will then propose a treatment plan for that individual.

This treatment has been found to aid the symptoms of detoxification such as lack of sleep, anxiety, paranoia, anger, grief, Stomach cramps, general pain, mood swings and the easing of cravings.

Family Therapy – An Overview

BAC O’Connor believes that addiction affects not only the addict but also has a huge impact on family members and friends.

Central to our belief is the idea that most people want to be healthy and live the best life that they can. Family members have been trying to cope with difficult circumstances doing the best they can. Our family programme offers help to family members and concerned others to learn about addiction and its effects. Armed with knowledge and understanding is itself empowering, the process of recovery can begin.

Many professionals say that the first step towards change is awareness. It is with that in mind that we give family members the time, by way of one-to-one and group sessions, to deal with their own story, learning new coping skills and problem solving techniques.

Mentors

The BAC O’Connor Centre recognise the importance of giving individuals the opportunity to support each other through the rehabilitation programme.   In order to achieve the goal of becoming a mentor service users will have completed their own programme and will be asked to mentor new clients coming onto the programme.  The Mentor will be guided by staff and will support the new client with settling into the new environment and will answer questions from a service users perspective.  Mentor’s will also help and support service users with their written assignments.

Support Groups

The BAC O’Connor Centre encourage the use of outside support agencies during and after the programme.  We are committed to supporting service users in building a support network and therefore have AA & NA groups visit on a monthly basis to introduce the group to individuals who are on the programme.  In addition the service users at The BAC O’Connor Centre have set up their own support group which runs on a Sunday evening and is an abstinence based group.