First Lady Michal Herzog paid a special visit to the Haredi rehab center in Beit Shemesh, "A Different Way." The center, which specializes in treating addicts from the religious and Haredi population, wanted to present to the President's wife its treatment method and successes in the rehabilitation and recovery of Haredi addicts.
Eliezer Koshitsky, director of the center's treatment department, explained the types of addictions treated at the rehab center and the individual approach made possible thanks to the family atmosphere and the fact that a maximum of twenty addicts are present at the center at the same time.
Koshitsky, who was formerly an addict, said that the center also provides a therapeutic package to the addicts' families as an integral part of the treatment, and this proves itself in its effectiveness and success in persevering in the new life after completing the detoxification process.
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The President's wife asked the center's directors, Yochi Toledano and Tamar Levy, to talk about the reasons for its establishment, and the two, who experienced the tragedy of addiction in their families and grew up in the shadow of the damage addicts do to themselves and their surroundings, shared a frankness that moved the First Lady.
The first lady noted that she sees raising awareness of the issue as a supreme value. "I believe that we are all equal and we all have disabilities, some hidden and some obvious. I feel that the coronavirus has contributed greatly to the recognition of the issue of mental health and the existence of an open dialogue. The struggle of addicts involves shame and the most important thing is to talk about it and not hide it," she said.
The President's wife asked Katya Levin, a psychiatrist at the 'Another Way' Center, to expand on the phenomenon of double morbidity that characterizes many addicts who suffer from another medical problem, usually mental, in addition to the addiction problem.
Moshe Seifesh, a clinical social worker with extensive experience and expertise in the field of addictions, also expanded on the unique characteristics of the religious and ultra-Orthodox addict and the manner in which he provides assistance to the patient and his family as part of his work.
The President's wife spoke with the patients who told about the crises they experienced, the years of hiding and trying to blame others, and the path they took until they took responsibility and realized that they had to take care of themselves.,
The first lady encouraged them and strengthened them: "It is very important to shatter the stigmas. Not to approach you from a place of judgment. The greatest difficulty is to speak, and I am trying to change that. The fact that you are speaking involves courage, and I salute you for that. Living with a secret is an action that requires a lot of energy, and I very much sympathize with and understand you. Your families appreciate your step," she said.
The patients thanked the president's wife for the encouragement.
One addict who is about to finish treatment noted that in 'Another Way' he learned that addiction is not the result of weakness, but a treatable illness that stems from things that have happened or been experienced in the past. "The Holy One, blessed be He, is in this place, it is a holy place. They save our lives here and give us the strength to accept ourselves.".
Yochi Toledano, CEO of 'Another Way', told the President's Wife that despite the financial difficulty of maintaining the place, she made a decision, together with Tamar Levy, director of the professional network, and Eliezer Koshitsky, the therapeutic director of 'Another Way', to continue operating the place even if it involves raising donations. "We receive professional evaluation from the ministries of health and welfare and local authorities, but unfortunately, we are not budgeted. Haredi addicts from Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh also deserve professional treatment, and we are determined to help them.".
The professional team thanked the first lady for her support: "You have given strength to patients and to us. We appreciate all your activities to raise awareness of the issue. Each person is a whole world.".
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