Israeli rehab center for Jews from around the world
Addiction is a difficult and not often talked about phenomenon affecting millions of people around the world but it's not always easy to get help and can be even more difficult among certain population groups.
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Addiction, whether to alcohol, drugs, gambling, or even over-eating or over-shopping is a devastating phenomenon that is not often talked about and is very difficult to overcome and the first step is to usually seek help but it's not always easy to find.
In Israel, the Retorno rehab, detox and community center located in the countryside near Jerusalem has become the go-to solution for Jewish patients not only from Israel but as far as New York, London and South America.
The center has a professional team with over 30 years of experience and a tailored approach for each client, all while maintaining a kosher environment.
Retorno CEO Rabbi Eitan Eckstein first recognized the need for such a center. "In the last 30 years since I created retorno, I built it up in Mexico 35 years ago, I think we treated until today more than 2,000 kids and adults," he says.
Since its founding, the center has helped hundreds of clients to recover and restart their lives. One of these patients has been on the edge of suicide before checking in to Retorno.
"[I] hopped on a plane, got here to Israel, and I started here at Retorno. And I can tell from when I started here to where I am today, seven months later, I'm a completely different person," he says.
The counselors specialize in all forms of addiction. "[This is] a very special place, we deal with everything that covers addictions - gambling, alcohol, drugs, sex, computers, phones, everything that has to do with addiction," says counselor Aaron Luczak.
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Retorno counselor Aaron Luczak - animals serve a major role in the healing process
(Photo: Screenshot)
"We're experts in these stages, the first stages that will give you your first comfort, your first loving support, and the medical support that will guide you through the first month of your treatment," adds Nissim Cheshbon, manager of the detox center at the facility.
Treatments are varied and some animal therapy is included. Yehuda Liff, a social worker at Retorno, says that different animals have different effects on each patient. For example, touching a snake may help patients overcome feelings of fear and disgust "That's a very big part of the therapy here to find and connect to people in different kinds of ways," he says.
Substance abuse is an addiction that can impact people of every age and social and religious background and help is not always readily available. This is why Retorno assists people not only here in Israel but worldwide and the center is holding a special conference in London and making its critical services available to people in need.
So if you or a loved one is suffering from addiction you can reach out to Retorno either in London or in Israel.