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Rehabilitation after Rehab: The Important Step on the Path to a New Life

Dr. Paula Rosca, Director of the Department of Substance Use Disorder Treatments, Ministry of Health;  Nir Sha'ar, Director of Addiction Treatment Frameworks, Ministry of Health
3 February 2026

The main stage in the journey of dealing with addiction actually begins after physical detoxification.

The role of rehabilitation

Rehabilitation plays a critical role – it rebuilds the foundations for a stable and balanced life, provides emotional, social and occupational support, and reduces the risk of relapse. Proper rehabilitation after rehab allows for an exit from the cycle of destruction and creates a real chance for a healthy life, independence and renewed contribution to society.

Rehabilitation frameworks in Israel

A variety of rehabilitation frameworks operate in the country: Therapeutic communities, hostels, day centers, support groups and dedicated services for populations with dual morbidity.

The rehabilitation process

The process focuses on reintegration into the community, development of life skills, employment and long-term support. Success also depends on the quality of family and social support.

The most important stage in the journey of dealing with addiction begins precisely after the end of physical detox. Rehabilitation is the heart of the process – it is what allows rebuilding a full, stable and safe life, reducing the risk of returning to old habits, and embarking on a new path of balance, meaning and hope.

The importance of rehabilitation after detox

Addiction is not only physical dependence, but also destructive thinking patterns, emotional difficulties and harm to the closest relationships. Rehabilitation helps individuals learn how to cope with pressures and difficulties in everyday life, build resilience, and restore a sense of self-worth and hope. It provides an emotional, social, family, and occupational support system, and without it, the risk of relapse is high.

Principles of modern rehabilitation

  • Personalization
  • Long-term support
  • Independence and development
  • Accessibility to rights
  • Preservation of successes
  • Personalization: A rehabilitation plan is built for each person, tailored to their specific needs, background, and pace of progress.
  • Long-term support: A professional accompaniment process that includes integrated emotional, psychological, social, and occupational therapy.
  • Independence and personal development: Encouragement of life skills development, independent decision-making, and reintegration into work and the community.
  • Accessibility to rights: Assistance in exercising various medical, social, and occupational rights, depending on the situation.
  • Preservation of successes: Ongoing monitoring, participation in support groups, and monitoring sessions to maintain achievements over time.

Frameworks for rehabilitation in Israel

In Israel, there is a wide system of rehabilitation frameworks after rehab, which allow those who require it to choose a path that suits their needs and reintegrate into society.

Welfare departments are the initial address for receiving help. In addiction treatment units for adults, individual, family, and group therapy is provided. The appropriate treatment plan is determined after an intake, which includes an initial psychosocial assessment. Treatment within this framework can last up to two years, and there is a symbolic co-payment of NIS 50 per month (as of 2025).

List of welfare departments in Israel

Residential frameworks in boarding conditions that offer intensive care, community life, individual and group therapy, studies, vocational training, and occupational rehabilitation. The frameworks are designated, for example, for adolescents, young people from the religious and ultra-Orthodox sectors, and street dwellers in the process of rehabilitation. The treatment period ranges from several months to a year or more, with the framework accompanying the individual throughout the treatment and recovery process.

Therapeutic community

Life in a therapeutic community is characterized by a structured daily routine, clear boundaries, and moral and functional requirements.

Admission to a therapeutic community: Admission is made by referral from a social worker prior to discharge from inpatient detoxification, or through the addictions unit at the Ministry of Social Affairs. It is possible to apply to the community independently, but this is less recommended, as ongoing supervision by a treating professional in the community is required.

Cost: A self-participation fee in varying amounts, determined individually by the Ministry of Social Affairs.

List of therapeutic communities in Israel

Hostels

Hostels accept men and women who have completed a treatment process in a therapeutic community and can integrate into a hostel for an additional period of approximately six months, alongside supported employment.

Admission to a hostel: By referral from a social worker at the addictions unit of the Ministry of Social Affairs.

Cost: Monthly self-participation fee of NIS 50 (as of 2025).

The therapeutic approach recognizes the need for a structured daily framework after detoxification, with the aim of stabilizing complete abstinence from drug use. Day centers provide tools for coping with addiction and the surrounding environment, while emphasizing community-based treatment and continued living in one’s natural environment.

Individuals can live at home and receive group and individual therapy, emotional support, and ongoing professional guidance within the community, enabling them to maintain daily routines and family and occupational functioning.

During their stay at the center, individuals continue the individual and family therapy they began prior to arriving at the day center, accompanied by social workers from the welfare department in their area of residence. This treatment may also continue after completion of the day center program.

Day centers offer individuals who have completed physical detoxification from drugs intensive socio-psychological treatment, five days a week. The program includes a variety of tailored activities alongside individual therapy, and is accompanied by support from the local welfare department. The recommended duration of treatment at the center is up to one year.

Goals of the day center
  • Providing a supportive, protective, and stable framework.
  • Assisting in building positive interpersonal communication and changing patterns of thinking and behavior.
  • Developing life skills and social skills.
  • Acquiring work habits and basic concepts toward integration into employment and studies.

Admission to a day center: By referral from a social worker in the addictions unit at the Ministry of Social Affairs.

Cost: Women and men over the age of 18 – NIS 50 per month (as of 2025); adolescents – no co-payment.

List of day centers for drug rehabilitation

Dedicated services for individuals who experience both a mental illness and addiction. These services include inpatient facilities and specialized therapeutic communities that provide integrated treatment addressing both mental health and addiction-related challenges. Individuals who are recognized by the National Insurance Institute with a mental disability of at least 40% are eligible to apply to the rehabilitation basket in order to integrate into adapted rehabilitation frameworks, including in the areas of employment, housing, and leisure.

Employment is a highly essential stage in the recovery and rehabilitation process. There are dedicated employment centers across the country—in Bat Yam, Ashdod, Netanya, Tirat HaCarmel, and Be'er Sheva—that offer a comprehensive rehabilitation services package. This package includes assessment, language studies, special education, ulpan programs, completion of formal education, vocational training, and job placement. These employment centers operate under the responsibility of the Ministry of Labor, Welfare and Social Services, and as of 2026 will be operated by the health maintenance organizations (HMOs).

According to available data, approximately 71% of graduates from the employment center programs are successfully integrated into structured workplaces.

Admission to an employment center: By referral from a social worker in the addictions unit at the Ministry of Welfare.

Cost: Monthly co-payment of NIS 50 (as of 2025).

These groups offer emotional support to individuals recovering from addiction, help reduce loneliness, and strengthen motivation to continue on the recovery path. They are especially recommended after completing the various stages of treatment and returning to everyday routines. Some of these groups also provide support to family members.

  • Narcotics Anonymous Israel (NA – Narcotics Anonymous)
    Self-help and group support meetings for individuals addicted to drugs who have recovered or wish to recover.
    National hotline: 050-5947837.
    Visit the Narcotics Anonymous Israel homepage
  • Nar-Anon – Support groups for family members of individuals addicted to drugs
    Helping family members cope with the challenges of addiction.
    Hotline: 050-5845886.
    Visit the Nar-Anon homepage

Vocational rehabilitation and community integration

Vocational training programs, support for integration into regular or sheltered employment, and support services for reintegration into social and economic life.

The services are tailored to age, sector, and mental and medical condition, and are provided through the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Social Affairs, and the National Authority for Community Safety. The range of services and support for individuals in recovery is continuously expanding.

Emphasis for family and environment

The success of rehabilitation relies largely on family and environmental support. A strong support network, family guidance, and participation in dedicated workshops significantly improve the chances of successful recovery and reintegration.

The future of rehabilitation in Israel

In recent years, there has been a trend toward expanding community-based rehabilitation services, integrating advanced technologies to make remote support more accessible, and renewing therapeutic approaches. All of this aims to provide broad and accessible support while maintaining daily routines and personal independence.

It is important to emphasize that detoxification without continued rehabilitative treatment significantly reduces the likelihood of sustained recovery, and may place individuals in a destructive cycle of relapse and repeated deterioration of their mental and physical condition.

Rehabilitation after detoxification is a challenging yet hopeful journey, based on the integration of body and mind. It enables individuals to develop a new identity, rebuild relationships, and reintegrate into society as healthy and contributing members.