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    libbycataldi
  • 9 years ago
    • Categories: Recovery

A RECOVERING COMMUNITY: SAN PATRIGNANO

I visited San Patrignano, a recovery community in Rimini, Italy, for four days last week, where 1,500 people are in residence, all committed to learning how to live a full and healthy life without drugs. The community was started in 1978 by Vincenzo Muccioli, and the program requires a commitment of three to five years, is free to the person and to tax payers, teaches each person to work in one of fifty sectors (graphics, cooking, woodshop, building, plumbing, weaving, design) and has a documented recovery rate of 73 percent after three years of exiting the community (three studies completed the University of Bologna). There are many models for recovery, and this is one.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5F-Gz9iDAA)

(http://www.sanpatrignano.org/en)

My reflection: When Jeff was in active addiction, he refused the option of San Patrignano. “Three to five years,” he said incredulously. “You’ve got to be kidding.” When I told a publicist in New York City about San Patrignano’s model, she said dismissively, “No one cares what they do in Italy. We are the United States.” Jeff was in 12 different short and long-term treatment centers in the United States over a 14-year period.

Today’s Promise to consider: There are many models for recovering from drugs and alcohol. Education is critical. Learning about different models for long-term care might help save my loved one’s life. I can’t force my loved one into recovery, but I can learn about and offer him options.

 

 

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View Comments (35)

  • I have studied this recovery community and it is quite unique and remarkable in many different respects. I have also spoken to other parents who did send their child to San Patrignao and each were very pleased.

    I wanted desperately to send my son there but with felonies on his record due to his addiction I could not obtain a passport for him.

    If I win the lottery I will buy an island somewhere and mimic San Patrigno. This is the type of program that our addicted children desperately need. We can not expect our addicted children to recovery with a 30, 90 or even 120 day program. They need extended care and that takes years not months.

    There are other programs similar to San Patrigno in Canada and I believe Seattle but the key to San Patigno is it's in a foreign country a long way from the United States.

  • I want to go there now. Take everyone I know and love. PAt, I'll help you if I win the lotto. Similar issues here.

    I'm watching my son doing on one day at a time -narc anon, personal counselling and addictions counselling. Medication for deep depression.

    Sometimes, he says it is all too much. And he just needs to chill. And not have work of recovery always in his face. But it is.

    Still, there is much to celebrate in active recovery! Even after reality of relapse.

    Education is key and the learning never ends.

    ON we go to create our own healing spaces.

  • I agree with Pat. 30 days or 6 months is "not" enough time for an addict to receive proper rehabilitation. They need daily structure and the psycho-social type of environment that san patrignano offers. They absolutely cannot be cured in even months; it takes years of a new structured environment and the diligent work and support of everyone at sanpa.
    If you talk to any of the people there many will tell you that at the beginning they did not like but with time they grew to love the new lifestyle and feel a new sense of worth!
    THIS IS WHAT THE ADDICT NEEDS FOR "REAL" REHABILITATION!!! We need to contact local, state, and federal governments to get this started in our country.
    It is also an alternative to prison and the time served there is better than prison and decreases recedivism greatly as opposed to coming out of prison and going back to old ways because that is all they knew...
    this country needs to ban together to get the ball rolling and start a SanPatrignano here. The one in Italy is a testament to what real rehabilitation is but it is not big enough for all the addicts that exist. The European and Asian world is studying them to re create it their own countries.
    this week there is a world workshop that ends the 15th of this month so people can learn from their model!
    wish I could have been there.

  • The last addictions doctor my daughter saw was very compassionate and she felt safe with him. When we first met with him and discussed treatments I remember him saying that rehabs were definatly an option but that Sara would have come out at some point and face the world and life around her. She would need to learn better mechanisms to do this (he said this in a much better way than I have here).

    That reality really scared me. The world, society and life are difficult at the best of times let alone trying to put your life back in order after tearing it all apart. There is very little compassion in society for addicts so its no wonder many slip back into the world of drugs.

    This program sets addicts up for life by giving them the tools they need in a supportive understanding environment. Why we don't have many more programs like this is beyond me. Surely they would be a financial alternative to jail.

    Pat you mentioned other programs similar in Canada. Do you know the name of this program? I would like to check it out.

  • when I emailed admissions at San Patrignano, I received a response that due to visa restrictions U S citizens were not being admitted.

    I had shown the website to my son who was interested. Another disappointment. Any ideas for closer similar programs?

  • Dear Pat,

    I'm so disappointed you got this information from San Pa. While it's true that getting a Visa is difficult, it's not impossible. An American boy I know entered San Patrignano just one month ago!

    I'll send you a message to your gmail account with a mother's name whose son was at San Patrignano and she'll help you negotiate the waters if your son is serious.

    My love to you,

    L

    • I posted another comment just a few min. ago, my addicted love one's dad's nationality is Italian & from Milan. Would this be helpful? Let me know how to advocate for more places like San Patrignano here in the USA! They gotta do something, this country's drug epidemic (particularly opiates/h) is WAY out of control!!

  • Hi Libby,

    Thank you so much for the information. When in the midst of my daughter's active addiction I searched high and low, day and night trying to find answers. I found comfort by websites from other parents and I can not thank you enough for your words of wisdom and resources through continued education. Now, two years later my daughter now diagnosed with bi-polar (sober for two years) uses her love for knowledge to continue to thrive transferring next year to UC Berkley...of course as you know the road is long and requires love, support, boundaries. As a parent, I think this experience (hidden scars yet vivid memories) makes you want to reach out to other families. I feel so many families suffer in silence and I would love to see if the US can model San Patrignano? I absolutely agree that the majority of inmates are filling our jails and prisons due to addiction. I think if we had access to free programs like San Patrignano we would not have such overcrowding as well as repeat offenders. I will continue my research and would appreciate and welcome any ideas for modeling a program like this in the US. I know when I was searching for long term treatment options I personally hit so many walls...not to mention my insurance company was absolutely horrible to deal with...we definitely need to change our model in the US because addiction is truly an epidemic in this country.

  • Dear Tracy,

    Your words "hidden scars yet vivid memories" are powerful.

    God bless your daughter! She is thriving at UC Berkley. It is a long road, but she is on it. Good for her.

    San Patrignano is an amazing model and an even more amazing place. All that you write is true about addiction and the prison system in the US. Insurance is a huge issue. During Jeff's 14-year addiction and admission into 12 different treatment centers, insurance helped only once and for five days.

    What will it take for the US to embrace the San Patrignano model for treatment? I don't know, but I pray that something changes in the States to help all us who are suffering.

    Love to you.

  • I am trying to reach libbycataldi to find out about a US
    child getting into San Patrignano. My son was in contact with them and had two skype interviews but they just kept telling him he could not get a Visa; this was back in
    October. He then relapsed & went off the radar. I have located him and want to begin the process again of trying to get him to Italy. Could you put me in touch with the woman who's son got in. Also I want to know if anyone is in the process of fund raising to build such a place here in the U.S. I would like to participate in any such project. Thank you, Robin

    • I would also like information on how to get my son into San Petrignano. I have made several requests on the website with no reply. Any info is appreciated.

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