Crisàlide (Catalan for “chrysalis”) is a day centre run by the Fundación Salud y Comunidad (FSC) in Barcelona for people who are leaving an addiction behind and are in outpatient treatment. It has been running since 1991 and offers therapeutic, occupational and educational workshops that help people stay abstinent and prepare to return to an active life: work, relationships and leisure time.
What a reintegration day centre is
Stopping using is only one part of the process. When they manage to stop, many people find themselves facing empty days, friendships tied to substance use, years out of work or the feeling of not knowing where to start. A reintegration day centre fills that gap: on top of the treatment appointments, it adds a structured daily activity that gives the week a rhythm and makes it possible to practise what is worked on in therapy.
It does not replace the main treatment; it reinforces it. The person stays linked to their outpatient centre and, at the same time, finds a place to try out new habits with professional and group support. To better understand the stages of the process, see how addiction is treated.
Who is Crisàlide for?
It is designed for people undergoing outpatient treatment to stop drinking, using other drugs or other addictions, and who benefit from:
- Getting back into routines and a daily structure.
- Close support to stay abstinent, especially in the early stages.
- Avoiding isolation and the risk of being left on the margins of social life.
- Regaining pre-employment habits before looking for work, where relevant.
Reintegration workshops: what happens at the centre
Day-to-day life combines different kinds of activities, led by a team with extensive experience in addiction. These include:
- Occupational therapy through woodwork, which trains concentration, patience and perseverance.
- Art therapy, to express emotions that are hard to put into words.
- Relaxation space, with techniques for managing anxiety and tension.
- Vegetable garden workshop, a task with its own rhythms that gives a sense of responsibility and achievement.
- Relapse prevention, to identify high-risk situations and prepare responses.
- Leisure time management and cultural outings, to rebuild a social life without substances.
Behind all of them lie shared goals: consolidating abstinence, boosting self-esteem, tolerating frustration better, solving problems without turning to the substance, managing emotions and building social skills. All this takes place in a safe, inclusive environment that prepares the person to take an active part in their personal and social life.
How the support works
The team follows each person’s progress every day. This closeness means a relapse can be spotted straight away and acted on so the process can resume without losing what has been achieved. In addition, Crisàlide coordinates regularly with the centres that refer each person, so that outpatient treatment and the work at the day centre move in the same direction and each service user receives individual care.
The length of stay is not fixed: it depends on each person’s needs and how they progress.
Practical information about the centre
- Location: Barcelona.
- Open since: 1991.
- Who it is for: people in outpatient treatment to overcome dependence on alcohol, other drugs or other addictions.
- Funding: Government of Catalonia (Generalitat de Catalunya), through the Department of Labour, Social Affairs and Families (Departament de Treball, Afers Socials i Famílies), supplemented by some fees paid by service users.
- Length: variable, depending on each person’s progress.
FSC has other day and residential services; you can compare them on our treatment centres page.
When to ask for help
If you are in treatment and find it hard to fill your days without using, or feel you need more continuous support, talk to your treatment team: a day centre may be the next step. If you have not yet started any treatment, the first step is a professional assessment.
At the free first appointment in Barcelona we advise you on the most suitable service for you or your family member. Call +34 93 424 04 00.
Frequently asked questions
What does Crisàlide mean?
It is the Catalan word for chrysalis, the stage in which a caterpillar transforms before becoming a butterfly. A name that evokes the idea of change.
How do I get a place at the Crisàlide day centre?
Crisàlide complements outpatient treatment, so people usually come through the centre that is providing that treatment, with which the team coordinates regularly. If you have questions about your case, you can call 93 424 04 00.
How long do people stay at Crisàlide?
There is no fixed length. The length of stay is adjusted to each person’s needs and how they progress.
Is there any cost?
The centre is funded by the Government of Catalonia (Generalitat de Catalunya), and this funding is supplemented by some fees paid by service users. At the first appointment we will explain the conditions that apply in your case.
What happens if there is a relapse?
Daily follow-up means it can be spotted straight away and worked on without giving up on the process. Relapses are part of many recovery processes and are dealt with together with the team and the referring centre.