Physical Health Zambia Project #44986

Support Addiction Treament for 30 Youths in Zambia

by SERENITY WELLNESS CENTER

Summary

This project will provide 30 vulnerable young adults in Zambia access to a 30-day residential rehabilitation program. Specialized services, including individualized assessment, medication-assisted detoxification, individual, family and group counseling will be provided, all based on the biopsychosocial-spiritual model. Interventions target young adults battling addiction given the high levels of substance abuse, untreated mental illness, severely limited access to mental health in Zambia.

$10
total raised

1
donor

0
monthly donors

4
years

Challenge

Similar to most low income countries, substance abuse issues in Zambia are highly stigmatized and neglected, due to lack of trained clinicians and inadequate rehab facilities. Zambia has only one psychiatric hospital and few private outpatient rehab centers. Poor citizens fail to access services due to high treatment costs. This project offers an opportunity for a more effective inpatient rehabilitation at least to 30 vulnerable young adults battling addition from low resource areas Zambia.

Solution

SWC provides addiction treatment combining nutritional, medical and psycho-therapeutic interventions to aid recovery. Using motivational interviewing behavioral therapy, participants under a thorough substance abuse test/assessment, including drug test and use history. Medically assisted detoxification is offered to aid withdraw symptoms. Individual therapy, group therapy, family meetings, sports, art, psycho-education and aftercare plans are the major treatment components of the project.

Long-Term Impact

The goal of this project is to reduce both the direct and the broader out-turns of drug abuse in Zambia for 30 young adults. By assisting participants with recovery from substance dependence, the program subsequently aims to reduce the incidence of accidental deaths, sexual assaults, and HIV transmission. The vision is to lessen the social, economic, psychological, and physical health effects of alcohol abuse, not only in the individual participants, but also in their family and communities.