Helping substance dependents help themselves

On Dec. 28, 2003, five professionals with varying backgrounds in substance dependency set up a foundation that addresses the individual needs of its residents as it offers a therapeutic community that provides them the treatment and rehabilitation to overcome their dependencies. With a combined 50 years of experience in the field among themselves, the founders of The Rising Phoenix Foundation Inc. seeks to introduce a new treatment modality that combines a number of accepted therapeutic interventions, as well as intensive aftercare and family support programs for a holistic program to support a dependent’s recovery.

The therapeutic community (TC) treatment modality that is followed at Phoenix provides a nurturing environment that is far from the familiar rehabilitation treatment offered to many substance dependents. The TC modality carefully plans and designs the activities and programs that will be used to motivate a dependent to accept and confront his addiction, attitude, and behavior to move him to a more genuine change. This self-help process is combined with the caring guidance of qualified clinicians and interaction with other recovering dependents for a more thorough and effective treatment.

The founders of Phoenix – president Eduardo P. Rocha, external program director Jose Maria Diaz, executive vice president for facilities and program Bernard I. Termulo, clinical director Fernando M. David, and executive vice president for administration Oliviere "Ollie" T. Belmonte – know whereof they speak. In a recent sharing session with media at the Phoenix residence in Tagaytay City, they agreed that old treatment modalities for substance dependents were not nurturing enough.

"Past treatments for addicts were patterned after American models where residents were placed in boot-camp communities," Belmonte says. "We were forced to follow rules that mimicked a military setting. You had to toe the line or else you’d be thrown into solitary. However, that system simply won’t work in the Philippines. It is contrary with our gentle nature as a people. Rather than give the dependent the nurturing he needs, dinidikdik mo pa siya lalo."

Diaz, Termulo, and Belmonte are all recovering dependents, Rocha is a recovering co-dependent, while David has worked with all four in their recoveries. Providing the spiritual aspect to their rehabilitative experience is Frater Flavie Villanueva SVD, himself a recovering dependent.

David says the Phoenix program is safe, non-punitive, and highly motivational. The program is based on modern scientific treatment methods that have been proven to be very effective in other countries.

"Since no two individuals are exactly the same, each treatment plan should be individualized," says David. "Each resident is closely supported by the clinical staff that plots his/her road map to recovery."

Termulo explains that the term "recovered addict" is a misnomer. "We are all recovering for life," he says. "There is no such thing as a recovered addict."

"After having recovered from my own addiction and my 10-year experience in running a therapeutic community, I’ve realized that a good program must have a strong after-program support system that refrains from rejecting those who hit pitfalls in their recovery. The support system must be there precisely when such relapses occur," he adds.

Residents stay in-house at Phoenix for a short six months and receive another six months of continuing outpatient care. All residents receive an after-treatment support system that monitors the progress of clients to ensure their continued recovery. There are now 14 full-time residents at the Tagaytay residence, with four more residents on outpatient care. While most of the residents are drug dependents, one is an alcohol dependent, while another has a behavioral problem.

Phoenix’s aftercare and family support programs are designed to address outpatient needs, such as relapses.

Diaz explains, "For the residents to have a fighting chance in staying sober once outside, it is critical for them to have a strong aftercare program that walks them through their integration into the mainstream of society. Their families must also go through a parallel program. Not only do families learn how to support their loved one’s recovery, they also learn how to support themselves from the effect of drug addiction in the family."

Many of Phoenix’s residents are brought in by their families. Termulo says many dependents often have moments of sanity when they verbalize their need for rehabilitation. However, all clients are only accepted with the consensus of their families.

"The family signs up the dependent, and not the other way around," he adds. "A client’s success depends on how much support the family is willing to offer. Apart from treating the clients, we also offer the family counseling and interaction."

Belmonte says that when he came out of his first rehab, he returned to a community where drugs were still readily available. "I would walk down the street, and I would bump into my pusher," he says. "The only way to avoid him was to cross the street and walk the other way."

He adds that his faith in a higher spiritual power helped him through his recovery. "A highly technical program can only go so far," he explains. "Without spiritual enlightenment, it’s all head knowledge. Surrendering oneself to a higher power is the essence of true recovery."

All prospective residents at Phoenix are first given a two-week evaluation for their suitability to the program. The first three months of treatment are the more intensive part of the rehabilitation. The residents are regularly evaluated for their progress, earning additional responsibilities as they proceed with their treatment. Increased responsibilities within the Phoenix community also come with increased privileges.

Most residents at Phoenix come from the AB class. The foundation has a policy of not turning away any client needing help, and manages to come up with a sliding package rate depending on a client’s financial capabilities.

The Rising Phoenix Foundation Inc. is located at the second floor of 209 Aguirre Ave., BF Homes, Parañaque City. For inquiries, call 826-6166 and 825-8604 or e-mail rphoenix@yahoo.com.