Rehab 'allows attendees to bury their addiction'

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by Change | 3 Dec 2008

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A US rehab programme is offering attendees the option of literally burying their alcohol or drug addiction as a step to recovery.

The Addictions Cemetery at a US rehab clinic invites those with a history of substance abuse to plant a headstone and bury their dependencies.

Its headstones bear inscriptions bidding goodbye to the conditions which have lead the writers to attend the substance abuse programme.

In 2006, the Serenity Ranch in Alberta was established by Jim Gray, who formerly suffered from alcohol addiction and set up the treatment centre as a way of helping others overcome the problem.

Mr Gray claims an accident in which his son was hit by a drunk driver inspired him to take action to try and help others to overcome their problems.

He says: "99 per cent of the staff here are recovered themselves, so they can relate to where the struggling alcoholic/addict is coming from and for the most part the addict responds with their trust and willingness to change."

The graveyard was created as part of the rehab centre's six-week treatment programme, as it allowed attendees to tangibly leave the disease behind.

In related news, the Tabankulu recovery centre in Cape Town uses surfing to help people overcome a dependency and reignite their passion for life.

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