How it works

Entering ALFALIFE

All of our residents enter and exit voluntarily as we respect everyone's decision and independent choice. The fully balanced program is for a minimum of 12 months. We accept residents of 18 years and older.

Program and Methods

We use Teen Challenge program which is built on and driven by Christian values and beliefs, which clearly show how precious and loved each individual is. We take this message to people whose lives are messed up, who have lost all sense of self worth, self esteem and often the will to live. Everybody deserves the opportunity to live free and to become everything they were created to be.

We have a steady ethos that firmly believes in what we term as ‘tough love’. This means that we value and show unconditional acceptance of the person who has come to us for help. We recognize that most who come to us have lived an undisciplined and chaotic drug fueled lifestyle and that the habits, addictions and patterns of behavior that the person has picked up along the way need to be challenged and addressed for change to take place. During the 12 month period residents will embark on a series of 14 courses of teaching that will help them receive the necessary information and knowledge to walk in a new way, free from any addiction. The residential drug rehab program is divided into 4 Phases, and each person will progress onto the next Phase once the level of understanding and the application of that understanding is being lived out on a day to day basis within the center.

Induction

Induction is a minimum of 2 weeks. Any change to Phase 1 will be dependent on the client's ability to settle into the program and showing a willingness to abide by the rules. Clients on Induction will have no access to telephones for personal use.

Phase 1

Is a minimum of 8 weeks. During this time a client must be showing a willingness to abide by the rules and to work towards dealing with any objectives and responsibilities that might be set for them. Objectives could include dealing with matters outside of the center i.e family, health issues, legal and financial obligations.

Clients will now have access to a telephone for personal use. All calls are for 10 - 15 minutes and they have 1 call per month.

Phase 2

Phase 2 is a minimum of 12 weeks. During this time a student must demonstrate self discipline and a responsible attitude towards money both in and outside of the center. They must be showing the ability to accept responsibility for their actions both inside and outside the center. They will also be demonstrating the ability to cope with the ongoing stresses of living within a disciplined community life and showing a positive attitude towards work.

After 4 weeks on phase 2 a student will be allowed to leave the center for a 12 hour day out. They must be accompanied by a suitable adult and must satisfy the manager on their intentions for the day.

Phase 3

Phase 3 is a minimum of 16 weeks. Students should now be showing permanent new attitudes towards their previous lifestyles. Their attitudes and behavior towards staff and other student’s should be increasing in levels of maturity and responsibility. They will be leading by example and showing levels of commitment to those on the earlier phases of the program. Their attitude towards work will be consistent and positive. During this time they will be eligible to take part in an agreed ministry. Students will start to establish future goals.

After 4 weeks the student will be allowed to leave the center for the weekend. They must stay with relatives or suitable friends.

Phase 4

Phase 4 is a minimum of 26 weeks. Students will now have a contract which will be individually tailored. They will have to demonstrate the ability to live in a low structured environment without direct supervision and a minimum of rules, or organisation. They will be expected to demonstrate confidence, reliability, initiative, leadership and submission. They will be expected to volunteer in agreed ministries. Students now have freedom of movement outside of the center in their free time and in most cases, will have their benefits paid to them.

The most capable and compassionate of ALFALIFE “graduates” are often invited to become support staff. Having “been through it”, their firsthand experience and lessons learned are an invaluable encouragement to newer residents.

Responsibility and Self-Care

ALFALIFE's objective is to help residents rebuild their own lives through community responsibility and shared decision making. As residents’ motivation and stability improve, with time and experience, they are gradually given more responsibility for supervising household duties and monitoring daily work. Their example helps to encourage less-experienced residents. The result is a community that is peer-motivated and guided.

Most residents are offered an entrance date the day they are interviewed. They spend their first two weeks adjusting or “getting to know us” before joining a daily work team. Everyone learns basic life skills and is responsible for his own personal care: sharing in community meal preparation, washing up, house cleaning, clothes washing, bedroom tidying, gardening, etc.

Success Through Family and Work

With Alfa, like respected Christian communities of the past, residents gradually work problems through in an environment based on two simple and time-honoured concepts:

Extended Family

Residents build meaningful relationships, inspiring hope and self-esteem, in an atmosphere of acceptance and love.

Meaningful Work

Residents help to fund their own recovery by working in one of our charitable businesses. This significantly reduces the financial burden on their families and the government while restoring self-dignity and a sense of purpose. The result is that, on leaving Alfa, they contribute positively to their own family life and society.

Meaningful work is vital to long-term recovery. It takes many forms, from the gentle introduction to the necessity of daily chores in our residences, to the responsibility of managing a Alfa business in the local community. Daily teamwork helps to build job skills, diligence, punctuality, dependability, self-esteem and respect for supervisors.
Residents are supervised and orientated to the realities of today’s working world in one of Alfa’s workshops or businesses, namely:

Furniture repair
Restoration and Upholstery
House Removals and Clearances
Garden Maintenance and Landscaping
Tree Surgery
Painting and Decorating
Charity Shop Retail Sales
Vehicle Repair
Catering

We contract jobs with the local public, the government, businesses, churches and charities as our principle means of funding Alfa’s charitable activities.

Long-Term Change

As members of an extended family, working and worshipping together, residents focus on achieving and sustaining change in three main areas of life:

Physically: by maintaining abstinence from harmful, addictive substances (illegal drugs, alcohol and tobacco) and recovering the good health habits of a proper diet and exercise.

Emotionally: by practising self-control and co-operation, gradually recovering a healthy self-image as a positive contributor to work teams, group recreation, and a caring household.

Morally: by acquiring a system of values which help to sustain the cumulative benefits of the change individuals achieve, successfully avoiding relapse over the long run.

Coming to Alfalife

If you or someone you know needs Alfa’s help, we can accept new residents usually within the same week. The first step is to call our centre for a short telephone interview. To find out more read our Coming to Alfa page and our FAQs.