The New Beginnings foundation Inc. Was formed in 1990 by a group of prominent
Filipinos who were recovering from their own addictions. Upon their return from
treatment in the United States, they realized the need to provide the Philippines with
humane, caring and effective treatment options.
The New beginnings Out-patient and Day-patient treatment program is a uniquely
different approach in treating the disease of alcoholism, drug and gambling addiction. If greatly differs from any other drug rehabilitation program in the Philippines and Southeast Asia. The New Beginnings is the Asian pioneer of what is popularly known as a 12-Step based treatment approach. Our primary orientation is that chemical dependency or alcohol problem or gambling addiction. A caring community concerned with the recovery, growth and freedom not only of the addicted person but the entire family system as well.
Our treatment philosophy is based on the behavioral symptoms of addictive disease
which are:
1. Compulsion
2. Loss of control
3. Continued use of a substance or gambling despite adverse consequences
4. Denial
It is our belief that most of the psychological, social and environmental disturbances
which accompany addiction are negative consequences of drug and alcohol and gambling abuse itself and not a symptom of an underlying pathology. The symptoms of the addiction are progressive and predictable. Without effective treatment, this disease is potentially fatal.
We encourage our clients and their families to achieve the following goals:
A. Complete abstinence from all mood-altering chemicals
B. A significant improvement in the quality of life
C. Ongoing maintenance of a recovery program
The core of our treatment approach is the peer group, similar people seeking solutions to
similar concerns. The interaction of the group is based on care, honesty support and
immediate feedback among its members.
Studies and research has brought about significant advances in understanding the nature of addiction. The New Beginnings program offers a unique integrated approach that combines the latest counseling techniques, which effectively confront issues relevant to substance abuse and codependency. We utilize the principles of the 12 Step self – help programs of Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.), Narcotics Anonymous (N.A.), Gamblers Anonymous (G.A.), Al-anon & Nar-anon combined with a variety of educational and group therapy sessions.
Facts about our Staff
Most of our counselor are alumni of The New Beginnings treatment program. They have
been able to benefit from counselor-training programs conducted by our consultants who have years of experience in the field of Addiction counseling in the consultant who have years of experience in the field of Addictions counseling in the United States. This
training is adequately fortified by sending our counselors oversea to attend advance
training programs for Relapse Prevention and Denial Management.
A combination of personal experiences in recovery coupled with an adequate
counselor-training program gives us a unique perspective to effectively address most
treatment concerns.
How do we meet individual needs?
At New Beginnings, we treat the addicted person and the family system as well. With this
in mind, we have developed a program which includes:
- Psychosocial history and evaluation
- Group, Individual, Multi-family & Couples therapy
- Intensive family treatments programs
- Individualized case management
- 90 – day Residential Care treatment
- Residential and Outpatient Halfway House treatment
- Aftercare therapy groups
- Active participation in AA & NA groups
It will be difficult to beat chemical dependency, alcohol abuse and gambling problems without help from others. Our program encourages clients to draw on the resources of our professional staff, the love and support of family members and the empathy of a recovering peer group. Over time, clients will discover a support network of other recovering persons who genuinely care. That discovery often leads to a happy and productive drug-free lifestyle.
What happens in the Out-patient and Day-patient Program
The Out-patient and Day-patient program is the heart of our treatment approach Alcohol, Chemical and other dependency is a disease of “Denial”, not only for the addicted individual but for the entire family system as well. With this in mind, we approach this symptom with care and compassion, ever mindful of respecting the client’s perception of the problem.
On the first week of treatment, the client is given a written assignment called the Drug, Alcohol and Gambling Timeline. It is a unique intervention tool, wherein a literal inventory of all the substances a person has used is documented. It is interesting how this inventory becomes a very powerful way of confronting the “Denial” of one’s chemical dependency.
The Drug, Alcohol and Gambling Use History is presented to the core group in the middle of the firstweek.
The resident is also introduced to group therapy. This is a process of getting in touch with
one’s feelings in an atmosphere of care and support from the core group and our
counselors. In group therapy, the “Denial” around a person’s emotional and spiritual
issues are confronted safely but honestly.
We show videos and lead discussion groups to introduce Step 1 of Alcoholics
Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. We have an extensive video library with various
topics about addictions and recovery. At least 3 videos are shown weekly in order to
provide accurate information about the disease.
The family immediately becomes part of the treatment process by participating in
“Family Day” every week. This day begins with a video/lecture about different aspects of
chemical dependency, specifically symptoms of “Codependency” which is the effect of
addiction on the family system. In the afternoon, a Multi-Family Therapy is most
effective in accelerating the recovery process of the entire family system.
Step 2 and Step 3 of Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Gamblers Anonymous are introduced to the client in the ensuing weeks. We have workbooks as well as videos which contain all visual and written assignment materials designed to develop one’s belief in “Spirituality”. The foundation of our spiritual program is based on developing Honesty, Open-mindedness, Willingness …with these tools; we are well on our way to recovery. We believe that there is a distinction between spirituality and religion. It is possible to develop a sense of “Spirituality” outside the realm of religion. The belief in a “Higher Power” is an indispensable part of a safe and enjoyable recovery from addictions.
From the 7th week through the 9th week of treatment, clients will be able to continue
group therapy sessions and proceed with accomplishing Steps 4 & 5 of AA / NA within a
safe and supportive environment. Clients are able to go home on weekends and stay at
New Beginnings on weekdays. This phase of treatment is most useful for those wo are
not yet ready to face difficulties at home. It also allows them to make better decisions
about their future.
On the 10th week of treatment, an Exit Plan os [resented by the resident to the core group and the family. Included in the Exit Plan are post-treatment plans such as work or study options, participation in Aftercare groups and AA/NA meetings daily. A “Closure” group is led by our counselor with the family before commencement. It is in this group that family rules, also known as “boundaries” are agreed on by the resident and his/her family.
“Aftercare” is composed of 2 group therapy sessions per week, for a period of 1 year
These sessions provide continuing support and encouragement from a group of
recovering friends. The Aftercare sessions are composed of Gender Specific and Mixed
Gender groups on Tuesday and Friday afternoons.
There are many steps along the road to recovery. We know from experience that a
successful treatment program must be structured, yet flexible enough to understand that
each individual has a unique recovery process.
Recovery from chemical dependency does not end after the 90-day treatment program: it
is a lifelong process which is confronted “One Day at A Time”. This is why New
Beginnings is committed to long-term follow-up support. Along the wat, our alumni
know that we are here to listen and empathize.
Beating alcoholism, drug and gambling addiction may not be easy. But successful recovery is possible. Often, the hardest part is admitting the problem. At New beginnings, we can help you take the first step in changing your life.
New Beginnings Foundation Inc. 