1800 832 032 | info@mymovecounselling.ie
Residential Treatment vs. The Gate Recovery Programme - What’s the Better Fit for You?
Looking at residential addiction programmes? There is another way.
The Gate Recovery Program (GRP) offers a powerful outpatient alternative, with deep therapy, lasting change, no need to leave your home, job, or family behind.
The Gate Recovery Programme
Residential Treatment vs. Gate Recovery: What’s the Better Fit for You?
1. Addiction is a Mental Health Issue — we treat It that way.
Addiction doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Most people struggling with it are also carrying deep emotional stress, trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, or low self-worth.
Residential rehab often focuses on stopping the behaviour: no drink, no drugs, no gambolling. But GRP starts with a deeper question — why are you using / drinking / gambolling in the first place?
Our approach is different, we put mental health at the centre. We help clients understand their emotions, beliefs, and patterns that drive addictive behaviour. When we treat the underlying pain, recovery becomes real and sustainable.
2. Group Work or One-to-One Support?
Residential rehab is built around group therapy. Clients might attend 50+ group sessions with far less one-to-one therapy sessions.
At GRP, the balance is the other way around: 24 individual one-to-one sessions with a therapist and 12 group sessions. That means clients get to explore their personal story in depth.
3. What About Family?
GRP includes them intentionally. There are four scheduled family sessions throughout the programme, these sessions are closed events between client, their family and a skilled therapist. Family members can also opt for group sessions with other families on a weekly basis - we call it The Liberty Program. We find that recovery happens faster for clients and indeed for family members when the people around the client are directly supported.
6. Inner Strength, Not Just Higher Power.
Many traditional programmes emphasise surrendering to a higher power. GRP welcomes spiritual perspectives, but we focus on helping clients build their own resilience from within.
7. What Happens After the Program?
After Residential rehab ends, clients are often directed to 12-step meetings for ongoing support.
GRP offers a more flexible path. Some clients continue with our group meetings. Some combine it with 12-step. Some continue with our one-to-one support.
Recovery work continues after the programme, but driven by the clients choice.
8. Cost and Earning Impact.
Residential programmes are costly and time-consuming. They involve 24-hour staffing, accommodation and meals. Making them expensive by nature. They also require full-time commitment, meaning clients usually have to stop working, often losing income in the process.
GRP is far more affordable as it is outpatient only - we don't have those expenses. Additionally most clients work during its duration. In fact PAYE earners can claim back up to €580 back from Revenue on Fees paid to us. Allowing clients to continue to earn and care for their loved ones.
In Summary, Addiction recovery isn’t just about stopping the behaviour, it’s about understanding the why behind it. The Gate Recovery Program treats the mind as well as the behaviour, involves your family (or Core Supporter), and fits your life.
Full Information Page on Gate Recovery Programme Here.
5. Real Life vs. Rehab Residence?
Residential treatment takes clients out of their normal life and puts them in a highly structured, temptation-free setting.
It is safe, but it’s not reality. GRP is outpatient only — client's recover while living their real life.
Facing challenges from the first day, not the day after residential treatment finishes.
4. Relapse: Punishment or Progress?
Many residential centres have zero-tolerance policies: if clients relapse, their expelled.
GRP treats relapse as learning — not failure. If it happens, we explore what factors triggered it and use it to adapt the treatment. It's about progress, not punishment.