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Khaleej Times
19 hours ago
- Health
- Khaleej Times
How Abu Dhabi's halfway houses help recovering drug addicts return to society
Abu Dhabi's halfway houses are offering recovering drug addicts more than a roof over their heads; they are providing structure, therapy, and a path back to society. The houses are backed by creative holistic treatment methods involving their family members and gradual release back to society; Khaleej Times spoke to field doctors who detailed how the project supports reintegration into society. Launched in May 2023 by the Family Care Authority (FCA), the halfway house project supports people after they complete medical detox or in-patient psychiatric care. 'The goal is to reintegrate into society and be an active person economically and socially after the treatment period,' said Salama Al Ameemi, Director General of the FCA. Unlike traditional rehabilitation centres, the FCA's halfway houses combine inpatient and outpatient services, with a capacity for 21 residential patients and up to 200 in outpatient care. Cases arrive through walk-ins, referrals from treatment facilities, or from the police, prosecutors and courts. 'What we do is basically rewiring human behaviour,' said Al Ameemi. 'We work on the psychological side, the emotional side, the professional side, and the quality of the person so that he can return to normal life and be able to take responsibility for himself.' A structured recovery The halfway house programme follows a phased approach. Dr Alyaa Aljasmi, Halfway Houses Division Manager, explained: 'The first phase is about medical stabilisation during the first month. The second phase is more about psychological and social rehabilitation, with specialised programmes such as behavioural therapy. The third phase is the reintegration phase, making sure the person can work, prepare for a job interview, and integrate gradually into society.' Daily life is highly structured. 'They wake up between 8.30 and 9am, have breakfast and medications, then meditation, followed by group therapy,' said psychiatrist Dr Shokry Alemam, chief doctor at the half-way facility. Sessions cover cognitive behavioural therapy, dialectical behavioural therapy, relapse prevention, and a 12-step programme. 'In the afternoon they have physical exercises, dedicated time for reading, homework, supervised entertainment,' he said. 'At the end of the day they have reflection sessions, and lights off by midnight.' Family at the core What sets Abu Dhabi's model apart is its integration of families into the recovery process. 'The international models are based on individualism. But here we're a collective society, so family is there,' said Al Ameemi. 'We believe this support system is very important, so they are not judged by society or their family.' Family involvement starts on day one. 'We do family counselling, family therapy, marital therapy, couple therapy, according to the marital status. Some families treat the beneficiary as if it's misbehaviour, not a disorder,' said Dr Shoukry. 'One of the major changes is to change the stigma, and understand that it's a disorder.' Preventing relapse Relapse prevention is a top priority for the programme, with individualised plans addressing three main risk factors — places, situations and people. 'We prepare the plan with them to avoid places with related memories and people who are active users,' said Dr Shokry. 'If they find themselves in a risky situation, they are more than welcome to join us again, just to protect themselves.' The approach appears to be working. 'Most of our beneficiaries have integrated successfully with their families; at least half of them have secured jobs in the private sector,' said Dr Alyaa Innovative therapies The halfway houses use a range of methods rarely seen in the region. Equine-assisted psychotherapy is led by renowned specialist Professor Andreas. 'Horses have the ability to reflect internal emotions, which helps beneficiaries express emotional conflicts they can't express verbally,' explained Dr Shokry. Neurofeedback targets specific brain areas linked to addiction, depression, ADHD and other conditions. 'We create a treatment plan, and the beneficiary receives at least 20 sessions for each method — this helps modify the function of brain cells to return to normal levels,' he said. Art and movement therapy further support emotional expression. A gradual return to life Integration into society is carefully paced. 'It's gradual; the patient goes home for two days and then stays at the halfway house. The days at home increase as we make sure he is applying the skills he learned,' said Dr Alyaa. 'If he (or she) faces challenges, they should go back to the medical team.' The programme is voluntary, which Al Ameemi considers a success factor in itself. 'As long as the person voluntarily wants to be treated, this is a success story,' she said. For many, the biggest fear is not drugs, but life itself. 'The speed of life makes them afraid. They live in structured environments for a long time, so when they leave, they feel they need to return to that structure,' explained Al Ameemi. 'They are also afraid their family will go back to doubt or lack of trust.' The FCA hopes the model will expand across Abu Dhabi emirate. 'We are here to support this group because they need this kind of medical and social support to return to normal life,' she added. 'When we succeed, we can go to the region and show it to people.'
Mid East Info
17-06-2025
- Health
- Mid East Info
Family Care Authority Extends Halfway Houses Social Reintegration Programme to Include Aftercare Service - Middle East Business News and Information
The Family Care Authority FCA has launched the Aftercare Service as the second phase of the Halfway Houses project, marking a key component of its Integrated Care Model. The initiative enhances recovery pathways by offering flexible, high-quality treatment programmes that do not require inpatient residency. Designed for individuals who have completed residential care or whose conditions do not necessitate inpatient treatment, the Aftercare Service provides specialised programmes, including individual and group therapy, social skills development, relapse prevention, and family support. The service is designed for patients with mild to moderate addiction, who are of legal age, have completed detoxification, and require ongoing support. Committed to their rehabilitation, these individuals benefit from a structured and supportive environment that ensures continued recovery. It also provides care for individuals who completed the Halfway House residential treatment programme. Operating at full capacity, the service is provided by a dedicated team of specialists, delivering care that meets the highest psychological and behavioural health standards and ensuring an effective treatment experience with a lasting impact on the recovery journey. Her Excellency Salama Al Ameemi, Director General of the Family Care Authority, said: 'The Aftercare Service implements our wise leadership's vision of a cohesive society by empowering individuals and strengthening family bonds and enforcing social stability. Aligning with the Abu Dhabi Integrated Strategy to Combat Addiction, the service provides a comprehensive, research-based treatment framework that drives sustainable recovery and facilitates the reintegration of individuals as productive members of society.' Rashid Saeed Aldhaheri, Halfway Houses Section Head at the Family Care Authority said: 'We believe that recovery extends beyond inpatient care, requiring ongoing, structured support to ensure psychological well-being, independence, and effective social reintegration. The Aftercare Service embodies FCA's dedication to pioneering mental health and social services that drive lasting and measurable impact.' About Family Care Authority: The Family Care Authority (FCA) in Abu Dhabi is dedicated to the governance and regulation of the social sector, with a strong emphasis on empowering families to achieve self-reliance. An affiliate of the Department of Community Development, the FCA is mandated by the Abu Dhabi government to provide comprehensive and proactive support to families across the Emirate. With a steadfast commitment to confidentiality, the FCA collaborates with strategic partners to offer integrated services, including counseling, inclusion and empowerment, Safe Shelter, and Awareness and Community Outreach, and Foster Family services. Through its family file management system, the FCA ensures seamless access to advanced services, fostering a nurturing environment for individuals and their families to thrive. In accordance with Abu Dhabi Executive Council's Resolution No. 9 of 2024, the Family Care Authority's mandate and roles have been expanded to integrate sheltering and humanitarian care services, and rehabilitation and empowerment programmes for victims of violence and human trafficking.
Web Release
16-06-2025
- Health
- Web Release
Family Care Authority Extends Halfway Houses Social Reintegration Programme to Include Aftercare Service
The Family Care Authority (FCA) has launched the Aftercare Service as the second phase of the Halfway Houses project, marking a key component of its Integrated Care Model. The initiative enhances recovery pathways by offering flexible, high-quality treatment programmes that do not require inpatient residency. Designed for individuals who have completed residential care or whose conditions do not necessitate inpatient treatment, the Aftercare Service provides specialised programmes, including individual and group therapy, social skills development, relapse prevention, and family support. The service is designed for patients with mild to moderate addiction, who are of legal age, have completed detoxification, and require ongoing support. Committed to their rehabilitation, these individuals benefit from a structured and supportive environment that ensures continued recovery. It also provides care for individuals who completed the Halfway House residential treatment programme. Operating at full capacity, the service is provided by a dedicated team of specialists, delivering care that meets the highest psychological and behavioural health standards and ensuring an effective treatment experience with a lasting impact on the recovery journey. Her Excellency Salama Al Ameemi, Director General of the Family Care Authority, said: 'The Aftercare Service implements our wise leadership's vision of a cohesive society by empowering individuals and strengthening family bonds and enforcing social stability. Aligning with the Abu Dhabi Integrated Strategy to Combat Addiction, the service provides a comprehensive, research-based treatment framework that drives sustainable recovery and facilitates the reintegration of individuals as productive members of society.' Rashid Saeed Aldhaheri, Halfway Houses Section Head at the Family Care Authority said: 'We believe that recovery extends beyond inpatient care, requiring ongoing, structured support to ensure psychological well-being, independence, and effective social reintegration. The Aftercare Service embodies FCA's dedication to pioneering mental health and social services that drive lasting and measurable impact.'
Al Etihad
16-06-2025
- Health
- Al Etihad
Family Care Authority extends Halfway Houses social reintegration programme to include Aftercare Service
16 June 2025 13:17 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The Family Care Authority has launched the Aftercare Service as the second phase of the Halfway Houses project, marking a key component of its Integrated Care initiative enhances recovery pathways by offering flexible, high-quality treatment programmes that do not require inpatient residency. Designed for individuals who have completed residential care or whose conditions do not necessitate inpatient treatment, the Aftercare Service provides specialised programmes, including individual and group therapy, social skills development, relapse prevention, and family service is designed for patients with mild to moderate addiction, who are of legal age, have completed detoxification, and require ongoing support. Committed to their rehabilitation, these individuals benefit from a structured and supportive environment that ensures continued recovery. It also provides care for individuals who completed the Halfway House residential treatment at full capacity, the service is provided by a dedicated team of specialists, delivering care that meets the highest psychological and behavioural health standards and ensuring an effective treatment experience with a lasting impact on the recovery General of the Family Care Authority, Her Excellency Salama Al Ameemi, said, 'The Aftercare Service implements our wise leadership's vision of a cohesive society by empowering individuals and strengthening family bonds and enforcing social stability. Aligning with the Abu Dhabi Integrated Strategy to Combat Addiction, the service provides a comprehensive, research-based treatment framework that drives sustainable recovery and facilitates the reintegration of individuals as productive members of society.' Head of the Halfway Houses Section, Rashid Al Dhaheri, said, 'We believe that recovery extends beyond inpatient care, requiring ongoing, structured support to ensure psychological well-being, independence, and effective social reintegration. The Aftercare Service embodies FCA's dedication to pioneering mental health and social services that drive lasting and measurable impact.'
Mid East Info
19-05-2025
- General
- Mid East Info
Family Care Authority marks International Day of Families with community activations across Abu Dhabi - Middle East Business News and Information
In conjunction with International Day of Families 2025, the Family Care Authority (FCA) launched a series of interactive public activations across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra aimed at raising awareness of the social, economic and demographic issues affecting families today. The initiatives reflected FCA's continued commitment to fostering dialogue, strengthening community ties and empowering families to face challenges with resilience and optimism. Her Excellency Salama Al Ameemi, Director General of the Family Care Authority, took part in the community activations, designed to encourage participation and reflection. The activations were hosted at key community hubs, including Nabdh in Al Falah, Al Ain Mall and Al Dhafra Mall. Each location featured two engaging experiences. The 'Wall of Wisdom' offered a space for community members to contribute handwritten notes filled with advice, reflections, and meaningful messages on family life. Alongside it, the 'Dial in a Story' experience invited visitors to record personal voice messages sharing their most cherished family memories, celebrating the stories that shape and connect generations. By creating accessible, interactive spaces where individuals and families could share, listen, and reflect, FCA continues to play a vital role in enhancing societal cohesion, fostering inclusive dialogue, and responding to evolving family dynamics across the Emirate. The Family Care Authority remains at the forefront of social sector innovation, delivering integrated services and outreach programmes that elevate the well-being of families and communities alike. These efforts reflect FCA's long-standing commitment to developing solutions that promote stability and enhance quality of life, supporting Abu Dhabi's vision of a cohesive and sustainable society. About Family Care Authority: The Family Care Authority (FCA) in Abu Dhabi is dedicated to the governance and regulation of the social sector, with a strong emphasis on empowering families to achieve self-reliance. An affiliate of the Department of Community Development, the FCA is mandated by the Abu Dhabi government to provide comprehensive and proactive support to families across the Emirate. With a steadfast commitment to confidentiality, the FCA collaborates with strategic partners to offer integrated services, including counseling, inclusion and empowerment, Safe Shelter, and Awareness and Community Outreach, and Foster Family services. Through its family file management system, the FCA ensures seamless access to advanced services, fostering a nurturing environment for individuals and their families to thrive. In accordance with Abu Dhabi Executive Council's Resolution No. 9 of 2024, the Family Care Authority's mandate and roles have been expanded to integrate sheltering and humanitarian care services, and rehabilitation and empowerment programmes for victims of violence and human trafficking.
