Deborah Becker

Well, you should expect to stay about three years.

And it's tough.

You're in the middle of nowhere.

Right away, you're assigned to someone who stays with you 24 hours a day.

This person's called a socio or guardian angel.

And this partner really is another resident who has been and still is in the program.

And then you're assigned a job.

There's a strict work schedule, six days a week.

You're always with your group of residents and former residents talking about your life, why you want to be drug-free, and then you gain privileges and more independence as you progress.

Well, the community really is considered the treatment.

There's no AA meetings.

One resident told me that all he knew about AA was what he saw in movies from the US.

Some of the principles of AA, like connecting with others and discovering a purpose, are a focus.

There is very minimal traditional therapy, only if it's necessary.

And these types of communities generally see addiction as a symptom of someone's deeper pain.

Also, at San Patrignano, addiction medications are not used.

Medication for opioid use disorder is considered the first line of treatment in the U.S., but San Patrignano's medical director, Dr. Antonio Bischini, who's also a former resident, says he does not support using meds.

And so to address this soul disease, as he calls it, San Patrignano tries to create an almost family-type culture, and the meals are the main gathering times.

And Aisha, I went into the massive dining hall at lunchtime when I was there, and residents assigned to the kitchen were spooning out food and filling water glasses.

Here's resident Valerio Baratti.