Intensive Therapeutic Centre “Riera Major”

The Riera Major Residential Therapeutic Centre is a professional care resource whose main aim is the recovery, treatment and reintegration of people with dependence on alcohol, cocaine and other substances (tranquillisers, cannabis, opioids, designer drugs), through intensive residential treatment in a rural setting lasting four months, followed by intensive outpatient follow-up of three months in an urban setting. The centre’s capacity is 25 mixed places.

In operation since 2007, the facility has undergone constant development: optimisation of the activity programme, consolidation of a multidisciplinary team (psychologists, psychiatrist, educators, social workers and support workers) and renewal of infrastructure, security, aesthetics and comfort.

A distinctive feature of the programme is the intensity of the work with families: from the second fortnight of admission they can keep in contact with the residents, attend weekly group therapy sessions at the centre itself and take part in interviews with the therapeutic team.

FSC has prioritised both professional excellence in drug dependence —which guarantees the quality of the intervention— and the comfort and suitability of the facilities, helping the person to focus on their treatment. The Riera Major residential therapeutic centre (CTR) has very comfortable facilities and spacious areas: swimming pool, gym, volleyball court, dining room, common rooms, double rooms with bathroom, professional offices, laundry, etc., in a privileged setting —the Montseny Natural Park— which makes it easier to take temporary distance from the usual home environment.

The Riera Major Residential Therapeutic Centre is accredited by the Generalitat de Catalunya as a social and healthcare centre and is a member of the Coordinator of Professional Therapeutic Communities and Reintegration Flats for drug dependence in Catalonia.

Intensive therapy in two phases

The intervention is structured in two phases:

Phase 1 (residential, ~4 months). Intensive treatment in a rural setting to gain distance from habits and from the social group associated with substance use. During this period, where appropriate, physical detoxification, awareness of the problem and motivation for change in addictive habits and attitudes are supported; in addition, skills and tools are practised to maintain abstinence after discharge.

Phase 2 (intensive outpatient, 3 months). Follow-up at FSC’s Psychosocial Care Service (SAP) in Barcelona to apply what was worked on in the residential phase and to face the day-to-day difficulties of the person and their family, consolidating abstinence from their own environment. Patients can live at home or in FSC therapeutic flats and travel to the SAP for their therapy.

Weekly schedule in the outpatient phase: 2 therapy groups, 1 individual session, urine tests, psychiatry visit and family therapy.

Therapeutic programme

First phase (admission, ~4 months)

Aims: complete detoxification (if applicable), awareness of the problem, motivation for change and acquiring tools to sustain abstinence.

Activities:

• Individual psychotherapy: 1 session/week.

• Group psychotherapy (3–4 h daily, in 2 sessions): relapse prevention, social skills, cohesion, cognitive stimulation, introspection, etc.

• Family support programme: weekly group at the centre.

• Continuous medical and psychiatric follow-up.

• Occupational workshops: gardening, vegetable growing, DIY, maintenance, housework.

• Cultural and educational workshops: IT, debating, magazine, handicraft activities.

• Leisure activities: individual and group.

• Physical activity and sport.

Second phase (intensive outpatient, 3 months)

Aim: to put into practice what has been learned, overcome everyday obstacles and consolidate abstinence in the person’s social environment. Living at home or in a therapeutic flat and travelling daily to the SAP.