What is therapeutic community?

The therapeutic community (TC) PROI is a program of recovery from drug addiciton. The TC helps in the recovery of lives destroyed by the abuse of drugs. The program is not a jail - jail is for criminals - and it is not a hospital - the hospital is for people who are ill. Instead, the TC is a program of self-help, where there are no locked doors or gates. It is a community where residents live and actively take part in a program of recovery, where they have an opportunity to make their own decision about whether to remain in the program or to leave it.

In May 2005 UG PROI opened the TC in the village of Viliki Trnovci, in the municipality of Kakanj. The setting is pleasant, rural and beautiful, and it offers residents an ideal place for recovery. The Drug Addiction Department of Kosevo provides support and help for the TC..

The TC at Trnovci was the first in BH to provide a non-religious and multidisciplinary recovery program. Staff of the TC include the program director, an administrative assistant, two psychotherapists, and two counselors providing 24-hour, 7-day a week coverage on site.

The TC has accomplished a great deal in its first two years:

As of 1 February 2008 10 residents successfully completed the program
Currently, 20 residents are enrolled in the TC
To date, 35 residents left the TC prior to completing the program, most frequently in the first month or two

The aim of treatment at the TC is to help drug addicts "get off" drugs and develop a healthy lifestyle that will enable them to return to the community as productive and fully functioning members of society.

There are three main rules in TC:

1. No violence or threats of violence

2. No drugs or alcohol

3. No sex or sexual acting out

If a resident breaks one of these rules, he is obligated to leave the program. UG PROI has no responsibility for a resident who leaves the program.

Individuals must meet certain conditions for entering the program:

Willingness to enter the program
Abstinence from drugs for a minimum of 10 days prior to entry (this must be verified through two screening tests)
Blood testing for HBC, HCV, and HIV; TBC test; support of psychiatrist and infectologist
Health insurance
Ability to pay a fee of 300 KM per month.

Rules of the community

Residents must stop work when instructed by a counselor or at the ringing of a bell, and not before or after that time.
When food is not harm you must eat.
Singing is once per week.
Groups are not moving and not omit (leave out).
In the case of bad weather groups may be held during working hours.
Plays and games can be seen only with permission.
Watching TV news is obligated every day.
If coffee is left over at the end of the day, we do not throw it away; we put it in the milk the next day.
If a resident decides to leave the community, he must take his belongings. Anything left behind is stored in the TC.
A list of the residents of the community is not given to police, but the police are allowed to identify all members.
Personal information connected with the TC community may not be discussed with persons who are not members.

Basic rules of behaviour in therapeutic community

In a moment entering in TC every person have to give family diligent things which is in entering moment with him.
Residents must keep all cigarettes they are given for a particular day. Borrowing and lending cigarettes are not allowed. Butts must be placed in a designated container. Work may not be interrupted for smoking. There is no smoking in bedrooms, the kitchen, and the WC, and during group meetings. Smoking is allowed only in designated areas.
Shoes must be left clean and tidy and in the space for shoes. Only slippers may be kept near beds.
Dirty laundry is to be placed in bags or put in the wash room until washing. Residents must check and take finished laundry when it is washed and ironed, and they may not come back for laundry.
Bed and cupboard must be tidy.
You must respect time for meals and time for work.
The sound of the bell marks the start and end of work. Work may not be interruped before the bell sounds. Leaving the work area requires permission from the responsible person. At the end of work, tools must be cleaned and placed in the storehouse.
One minute of silence is obligated before every meal; the responsible person gives the sign for the end of the minute of silence. No discussing during meal, group meetings are for that. Places at the table are not assigned, except for responsible persons.
Eating between meals is not allowed.
You can stay in bed just if you have a serious problem; during that period smoking is not allowed.
Before entering the office, WC, or other rooms you must knock.
You can stay in rooms just in time for vacation. No discussing of group meetings in rooms. At 22.00 h lights are switched off and silent time begins.
No swearing or vulgar words. No talking about absent person. No speaking loudly. You must respect persons and property. Animal mistreatment is not allowed. No criticizing before learning all the facts. Every thing has its own place and every place has its own thing.
Take care about rules and rules will care about you.

List of rights for residents in therapeutic community

All members and users of therapeutic community have absolute right to:

An environment which is affirmative and drug-free.
Treatment regardless of sex, nationality, skin color, belief, political convictions, sexual orientation, marriage status, religion, age, mental or physical defects, medical state, previous criminal acts, or social status.
Dignity, respect, health, and security during treatment.
Information about the philosophy and methods of program.
Systematized information about current rules and regulations of program, such as information about sanctions, discipline measures, or any change of rules.
Complain about rules and procedures, sanctions and discipline rules or their changes approved by the administrative office.
Explanations of how cost are payed, methods and time of paying and available money, and personal belongings during the program and after leaving.
Confidentiality of information about taking part in the TC and keeping documents according the laws BH.
Discussion about personal notices according to the instructions of administrative office.
Leave the program and community without using any kind of force.
Personal communication with close members of family and friends, according to the rules of program except when it is forbidden or documented as the part of the therapeutic plan.
Protection from violence, any kind of physical punishment punishing, and emotional or sexual harassment.
Regular and healthy food, safe and appropriate lodging, recreation and adequate conditions for personal hygiene.
Medical care, help and protection and right to reject it.
Admission to counselor if there is need.
Regular contacts with children who follow client.
Clear definition of responsabilities, adequate support and supervision and right to reject offered position.

Daily plan of activities

07:00 getting up (making bed, hygiene)
07:30 breakfast
07:50 pause for cigarette
08:00 morning meeting, work
10:00 snack and pause for cigarette
12:00 break (washing, pause for cigarette and preparing for lunch)
12:30 lunch
13:30 coffee and pause for cigarette
14:00 work, group meetings
16:30 snack and pause for cigarette
18:30 break of working (washing and preparing for dinner, pause for cigarette)
19:00 TV news
19:30 dinner (after dinner pause for cigarette)
20:15 cultural night (pause for cigarette pause after cultural program)
22:00 good night and lights out
22:30 absolute silence

Daily schedule can be changed according to winter or summer time, and changes are also possible on weekends and holidays.

List of necessary things for therapeutic community

CLOTHES

1. -T-shirt- 3 pcs.

2. -sweater- 3 pcs.

3.- shirt- 2 pcs.

4.- warm up suit- 1-2 pcs.

5.- pants- 2 pcs.

6.- sports suit- 1 peace

7.- work suit- 2 pcs.

8.- jacket or coat- 2 pcs.

LAUNDRY AND UNDERWEAR

9. -underwear - 5 pcs.

10.-under shirt - 5 pcs.

11.-socks - 5 pcs.

12.-pajamas - 2 pcs.

13.-big towel - 2 pcs.

14.-small towel - 2 pcs.

15.-bedclothes and pillow - 1 peace

SHOES

16.- shoes- 1-2 pair

17.- snickers- 1-2 pair.

18.- slippers- 1 pair

ITEMS FOR PERSONAL HYGIENE

19.-shaving equipment

20.-after shave lotion

21.-manicure set

22.-slippers for showering

Unwritten philosophy of therapeutic community

Sincerity, honesty and fidelity,
Responsible love and care for others,
Have a confidence in your group and the person who take care of you,
Who doesn't work - doesn't eat - nothing is for free,
Compensation is correct,
What do you give you will get the same - what goes around comes around,
Do as it is told to you,
It is better to understand that to be understood,
It is better to give than to take,
You can't keep it unless you give it away,
Personal development is the most important,
Be aware what are you searching for, maybe you will get that,
You alone can do it but you can't do it alone.