When someone decides to seek treatment for drug addiction, they're faced with numerous options. One Staten Island facility claims to have the best approach to treating addicts: a long-term treatment program. NY1's Anthony Pascale filed the following report, Part 3 of his series "Coming Clean."
They came hooked on different drugs, but they're here with the same goal.
The men enrolled in The Camelot intensive residential treatment program want to beat the addictions that have ruined their lives.
"In a matter of maybe six months, I lost everything. Roof over my head, car, spent all my money," said Paul, a recovering addict.
Paul's been here for two months and says the program has already taught him to lose his ego.
"I'm learning, before anything else, is humility. I had none of it," he said.
Executive Director Luke Nasta says 66 percent of those who walk through these doors successfully complete the year-long program.
Camelot, like many rehabilitation programs, doesn't keep track of how many clients relapse after leaving. But Nasta says long-term programs like this one are far more successful than the 28-day rehabs that are more common.
"Remove the person from their environment, bring them into the community, have them be part of the community, which is guided, which is structured, monitored," Nasta said.
Dr. Peggilee Wupperman teaches psychology at John Jay College and has studied addiction for a decade. She says long-term treatment programs can only be successful if the client learns to deal with the emotions that often lead them to abuse drugs.
At Camelot, group therapy sessions help addicts discover the roots of their addiction.
Dr. Wupperman says an aftercare program is also key.
"So that way, they can take these skills they learned at rehab and actually use them in a place that's halfway treatment and halfway real life," she said.
Camelot is receiving state funds to build a supervised re-integration facility for those who complete treatment. Outpatient programs already exist.
Paul still has several months to go, but he says his desire to get clean is stronger than ever.
Pascale: You sound committed.
Paul: Yes, I know for a fact this is what I want.