Approach and Impact Our treatment centres in Stevenage and St Albans provides free intensive structured, abstinence-based, day treatment for adults with substance addictions: alcohol and illicit and non-illicit drugs and behavioural addictions such as: eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, self-harm, gambling, shopping/spending, relationships, love and sex); free crèche childcare (Stevenage based); and free therapy and support for family and friends. Our approach incorporates: Therapy within a group with that has a shared commitment to the goal of abstinence The powerful motivational effect upon the individual that comes from this shared aspiration cannot be underestimated, as he/she is supported and challenged on a daily basis to grow, develop and overcome their illness. Well recognised counselling and therapy practices Our structured day treatment employs cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and solution focused therapy to enable clients to maintain motivation, manage their using triggers and sustain recovery. "When you’ve come from a place of isolation and then step in to a room where everyone understands and shares with you it’s amazing.” A spiritual dimension to recovery We actively encourage and support clients to embark on a spiritual journey as part of their recovery. In the 12-Step tradition we encourage clients to develop a relationship with a Higher Power (whether this be their own particular religion’s conceptions of God, or something more abstract such as human potential, love or nature). We have many times seen the inspiration, joy and comfort that clients have found through exploring the spiritual dimension to life, whether through meditation, worship, prayer or contemplation. "When you then go in to group and everyone introduces themselves to you it’s a feeling of total love." Recovery services for all addictions Whilst many come to us with addictions to drugs and alcohol, we also help those with behavioural addictions (e.g. eating disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, self-harm and relationship, love, sex, gambling, shopping, work and shoplifting addictions). Fully qualified counsellors that have themselves recovered from addiction Our recovery service staff are all fully qualified counsellors (diploma level or higher) and have each at least eight years of recovery from addiction. This personal experience of addiction helps reinforce the integrity of the approach in the eyes of the clients. "You come here broken, scared and nervous and the first counsellor you meet is someone who says, ‘I’ve been there too’. When they said that to me I felt special." Help with practical matters We provide support and advocacy with, amongst other things, reuniting with children in care, money management and debt, re-entering the workplace, family mediation.