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Description
The project “Weekend classes for addicts and help for their relatives” solves 3 problems: the absence of continuous assistance sessions through weekends for people with addictions that are actively participating in the labor market; the harm caused to families and relatives of addicts by addicts, and the negative attitude of employers towards addicts. The main goal of the project is to help people with addiction living in Kaunas County recover and enable them and their relatives to live a full life. The project will involve 24 addicts living in Kaunas County, 60 of their relatives and family members, and 24 employers. The way chosen to solve the identified problems is to provide intensive assistance to people with addictions, their relatives and family members, and their employers. An innovative service will be developed and provided in the project - participants of the project will be offered weekend continuous help sessions complemented by individual counseling. Relatives will be provided with group and individual consultations. Information sessions for employers will be provided. All activities will be implemented by a professional team: a psychiatrist, psychologist, and 3 addiction counselors. The project aims to achieve the following results: participants with addictions will participate in the training; a vulnerable group will be empowered; new services designed to meet the needs of vulnerable people have been encouraged; CSOs have encouraged the inclusion and awareness of vulnerable groups; stronger civil society capacity and sustainability; organized CSO capacity building activities
Summary of project results
The project is intended for persons suffering from addiction but still working. This group of people is particularly vulnerable because they themselves do not yet understand their problem, often deny having a problem and try to hide it or overcome it by resorting to more consumption.
During the project, groups of people with violations, motivational and weekend activities for dependent persons are enabled. Individual consultations, psychotherapy sessions for both addicts and their relatives. The classes were held for twelve months, during which there was a monthly weekend class, psychotherapeutic groups and individual consultations. Nine educational seminars, six for employers and one each for service workers, SPC, addiction counselors. A methodical publication was prepared, "Effective communication" and "Successful marketing" trainings were held.
The main result of the project is a participant who does not use or uses less, who successfully integrates into the labor market, maintains healthy or better relations with his relatives or employers. This is a person who can deal with his illness and live a full life. 19 individuals fully completed the six-month treatment program. Consulting or educational services were provided to 74 persons. 24 persons participated in the training program, a new service was created and the competencies of the institution''s employees were raised.
The project "Weekend activities for persons with addiction and support for their relatives" is useful because of its flexibility in providing support to persons with addiction. The project format provides opportunities to provide services to dependents and their relatives without negatively affecting the participants'' lifestyle or pace. Since the weekend classes were held only once a month, the participants do not experience discomfort due to disruptions to their rest or work regime, and their relatives feel calmer knowing that the person caring for them is spending the weekend working on their illness. This project filled a niche that was empty until now.