Marham Camp

The Marham Residential Treatment Center for Women was established in October 2012 (Mehr 1391) in the Shahrak Esteghlal neighborhood of Tehransar, through a partnership with the Social and Cultural Affairs Department of District 21 of Tehran Municipality. The municipality renovated and equipped the facility, and through a formal agreement, entrusted its operation to the Simaye Sabz Rahayi Harm Reduction Institute.

This treatment center, licensed by the Tehran Provincial Welfare Organization, admits women with substance use disorders. Some patients are also referred by the judicial system for addiction treatment. These individuals—often homeless and without guardians—are admitted and treated through charitable and collaborative efforts. After completing the treatment program, they are transferred to social work initiatives and admitted into the Empowerment and Reintegration Center for Women in Recovery (Halfway House).

Key Activities at the Center Include:

– Admission: Upon arrival, each client is registered and a personal case file is created. As part of routine intake, three diagnostic tests are administered using pregnancy, morphine, and methamphetamine test kits.

– Screening: In the screening unit, clients are assessed for infectious diseases, mental health conditions, and hygiene—including scalp and body cleanliness, clothing condition, and the presence of lice, bedbugs, mites, and other parasites or fungal/skin infections.

– Detoxification: After admission and screening, clients spend 7 to 10 days in the detox unit, where they manage withdrawal symptoms in a separate room from the main dormitory.

Patient Hall
After completing the detoxification phase, clients enter the dormitory and begin experiencing communal living without substance use.

Medical Support
A psychologist and physician are present at the center daily, providing treatment and updating client case files.

Education
Women’s education during recovery is one of the center’s core activities. These educational programs help stabilize recovery and empower women affected by addiction. Training at Marham Camp includes:

– Self-help classes and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) sessions
– Psychology classes
– HIV/AIDS prevention education
– Life skills training

Addiction Counseling
Certified addiction counselors, trained at university level, use their knowledge and experience to conduct group sessions and offer individual counseling. Their goal is to help clients understand the factors that lead to addiction and relapse.

Family Counseling
Weekly family counseling sessions are held by addiction specialists to educate families about addiction, its causes, and contributing factors. Individual counseling is also provided to help families create a supportive environment for the client after discharge.

Exercise
Daily exercise programs are tailored to each client’s physical and mental condition and are conducted individually or in groups by a fitness specialist. These activities promote relaxation and emotional well-being.

Nutrition
The center’s meal plans are designed not only to be enjoyable but also to meet the physiological needs of clients.

Recreation
Recreational activities are scheduled throughout the day and include group games, film screenings, dance, music, and reading.

Social Work and Follow-Up
The center’s social work team follows up on each client’s recovery after discharge and works to secure housing for homeless clients.