New
Jerusalem's recovery programs grew out of the grassroots recovery
movement spearheaded in North Philadelphia by Rev. Henry T. Wells.
This movement attempted to meet the growing need for effective and
affordable recovery programs for the poor. New Jerusalem's programs
offer both residential and out-patient services to those in need of
them without regard to ability to pay for them.
Definition of
Recovery:
The word "recovery" stands for the process of intentionally
overcoming the negative compulsions and patterns that characterize
the disease of addiction to mind-altering chemicals. This process
also includes moving progressively toward one's full potential for
healthy, independent, and socially-responsible living. New Jerusalem
is committed to facilitating this process through the provision
of a continuum of care.
Five
Empowering Therapies:
The grassroots recovery movement has proven very effective for those
who have willingly embraced it. In the course of its evolution, it
has developed powerful and empowering therapies which New Jerusalem
is committed to maintaining and developing. Among these are the following:
1. The therapy of addicts helping addicts, which has proven more effective
than academic approaches.
2. The therapy of solidarity in recovery which involves mutual responsibility
for support and correction among the members of living communities.
3. The therapy of recovery spirituality: The Twelve Steps, Alternatives
to Violence (AVP) and other forms of non-denominational spiritual
search and disciplines of spiritual growth which aim at a relationship
with the God of one's understanding.
4. The more holisitic and realistic therapy of the family-like recovery
community model rather than the medical-institutional model. This
allows challenges met in the recovery program to have more relevance
to those that will be met in life. Often, it provides necessary training
in how to stay clean in drug-intensive neighborhoods.
5. The therapy of giving back to the community, of helping the society
that made yousick to recover as you recover.
