Experience open dialogue in the heart of nature, learn harm reduction strategies, and recover as a whole person alongside your family
What is Therapeutic Community?
A therapeutic community is a supportive and collaborative recovery environment. With a structured and organized approach, participants learn from one another and take responsibility for their own actions.
In alignment with the governments policy to diversify therapeutic community models, Taiwan Lourdes Association has launched the Chou-Lu Farm Therapeutic Community to provide innovative care for individuals with substance use disorders.
What would you experience?
Embark on a 12-month recovery journey structured into four phases: Adaptation, Action, Maintenance, and Recovery. Our team provides guidance to help you create a practical, step-by-step recovery plan tailored to your needs. We believe that establishing a stable and healthy routine is essential for long-term recovery. Each individual is encouraged to take responsibility for their progress. We recognize that every small, positive change is a meaningful success.
The Four Phases of Recovery
- Phase 1: Adaptation
Begin by adjusting to a structured daily routine, adapting to life at Chou-Lu Farm, and building social connections. This phase focuses on stabilizing both mind and body.
- Phase 2: Action
Develop a deeper understanding of your relationship with substances, set recovery goals, and take actionable steps toward achieving them. This phase emphasizes raising awareness and transforming old thought patterns and behaviors.
- Phase 3: Maintenance
While implementing your recovery plan, evaluate progress and make adjustments as needed. This phase aims to strengthen problem-solving skills and resilience.
- Phase 4: Recovery
Focus on life planning, effective time management, and building a strong network of social resources. Address inner trauma, prioritize mental health, and seek help when needed to sustain long-term recovery.
Our Team and Services
Our team includes social workers and peer mentors with lived experience of substance use, along with professionals specializing in: psychological counseling ,expressive Arts Therapy (e.g., pottery, painting, weaving, and music) ,ground Therapy (e.g., animal care, gardening, and outdoor activities),physical therapy (e.g., fitness training, Tai Chi), and spiritual therapy. Additionally, doctors and nurses from psychiatry and other medical departments collaborate to provide comprehensive care.
We are committed to building a robust recovery service network, offering ongoing support and resources to ensure every individual’s path to recovery is well-supported.
What can you learn at Chou-lu Farm?
Recovery from addiction is a long journey, transforming from shame to pride. Since 2019, we have adhered to a harm reduction approach to provide professional care for individuals and families affected by substance use disorder. We have developed a localized Therapeutic Community for Substance Use Recovery model, emphasizing the principles of Living and Training the Mind in Nature, Harm Reduction through Open Dialogue, and Holistic Growth through Diverse Interventions.
In addition to refining existing programs, we have introduced new interventions such as pottery therapy and animal-assisted therapy to help individuals create practical and gradual recovery plans. These efforts aim to enhance self-worth, foster accountability, expand available choices and resources, and encourage honest reflection and situational awareness.
Through this process, participants are guided to transition from "chemsex addiction" to learning "to be safe while chemsex" and eventually adopting "mindful chemsex" practices. This approach equips individuals to remain calm and wise when facing substances, enabling them to make choices that minimize harm.
How do I start?
We are just a phone call away. Follow these steps to start your recovery journey:
- Step 1:
Initial phone consultation and scheduling of an assessment appointment.
- Step 2:
The applicant undergoes a thorough in-person or online assessment to evaluate their current situation, substance use patterns, harm caused by substance use, and readiness for change.
- Step 3:
Based on the applicant’s physical and mental health, individual needs, and our service capacity, the team will conduct a comprehensive evaluation to determine whether Chou-Lu is the most suitable option. If not, we will provide referrals to other services that best meet the applicant's needs.
- Step 4:
Following the comprehensive assessment, we will provide the application results within five business days.
Service Fees
Chou-Lu offers accessible, low-threshold, and practical recovery services with diverse interventions. Detailed information about the costs during the residency period will be provided on the day of the assessment. For those facing financial difficulties, Chou-Lu will assist in connecting with relevant resources and applying for support.We are here to support you in every step of your recovery journey.
Contact information
Elusui Director of Chou-Lu Therapeutic Community
Email: choulu.tc@lourdes.org.tw