Proyecto RESTART

El proyecto RESTART, formado por cinco socios de España, Italia, Portugal y Austria, tiene por objetivo promover la práctica de deporte rehabilitador en los servicios terapéuticos para personas que sufren adicciones tradicionales y modernas del ámbito digital.

El deporte rehabilitador consiste en la práctica de deportes base y programas de entrenamiento de actividad física para aumentar la motivación, autoestima, autoconfianza, establecimiento de límites y, al mismo tiempo, promover la salud y el bienestar de las personas sometidas a tratamientos de recuperación de las adicciones.

Conectando con la iniciativa de la Unión Europea “HealthyLifeStyle4All”, RESTART pone en funcionamiento un ciclo de tres jornadas transnacionales donde los socios podrán intercambiar su experiencia y buenas prácticas en la promoción de la práctica del deporte rehabilitador, para apoyar a las personas con adicciones en sus tratamientos de recuperación e inclusión social.

Segundo Meeting: 20 y 21 de mayo de 2025 en Graz

The visit of the project participants began with an evening city tour in Graz, providing an opportunity for informal socializing. Delegations from Barcelona and Gijón were able to join this introductory event.

The first official project day commenced with a journey via public transport to the outskirts of Graz, where we visited the “Lebenswelten Steiermark”, an institution of the Order of the Brothers Hospitallers of Saint John of God, providing services for people with disabilities in Kainbach near Graz. Upon arrival, Brother Paulus Kohler OH, General Manager Mag. Frank Prassl MBA, and Dr. Friedrich Rous – Head of Medicine / Specialist in Psychiatry and Neurology warmly welcomed the project group. The visit began with an introduction, to the hospital, followed by a presentation by Martina Pusterhofer about the ongoing EU project MOVE ON.

The next point on the agenda focussed on digital gaming an gaming addiction. It was moderated by Markus Meschik, PhD local expert in digital games and addiction. He shared insights into his work with children and young adults who struggle with gaming addiction as well as the conserved parents. This led to an engaging group discussion on the topic in the course of which the expert answered the question of the group.

After lunch in the hospital cafeteria, the project group walked to the WALKABOUT drug therapy unit. There, was held a presentation on the facility’s structure, therapeutic methods and the sports programme of the institution. In the afternoon, the group visited the Caritas “Kontaktladen”—a low-threshold service offering street outreach, needle exchange, and drug checking services. The day’s main focus was on addiction to illegal substances, sports in addiction treatment and digital gaming as an example for modern non drug related addiction.
At the end oft the first project day the international groups joined together for a social dinner at a local restaurant to enjoy a typical Austrian meal, collaborate in discussion about the day, the target group of the project and commonalities and differences in culture as well as practice.

The second project day was spent at the WALKABOUT outpatient clinic, a counseling center for the pre- and post-treatment of detoxification and rehabilitation patients. The clinic’s services were presented, along with a guest lecture by Stefan Behagel, an expert on sports therapy with people with mental health problems and addiction, on the Pro Move project by the organization Pro Mente, which organizes sports activities for individuals with mental illnesses in Graz.

Later, project members collaborated in groups to work on documents reflecting the insights gained regarding the role of sports in drug counseling.

To conclude the visit, all participants enjoyed a joint lunch at a local restaurant before the groups departed.

Tercer Meeting: 24 y 25 de septiembre de 2025 en Instituto São João de Deus – Funchal

The third meeting, September 24th and 25th at Instituto São João de Deus – Funchal, an institution of the portuguese province of Order of the Brothers Hospitallers of Saint John of God, that provides services for people with mental health illnesses, alcohol use disorde, dementias, disabilities and also social reintegration services in Funchal, Madeira.

There was held a presentation on the facility’s structure, the big project of Quality as a process of continuous improvement, therapeutic methods, the various projects implemented in this institution, such as the Cognitive Rehabilitation Project (implemented for people with alcohol use disorders) and the Sports programme of the Alcholic Rehabilitation Center.

There were also presentations on the work carried out on substance use on Madeira island, where Dr. Paulo Milheiro, in representation of the council of Funchal and Dr. Sérgio Cunha, in representation of the regional health service and UCAD unit, presented their projects carried out in the community.

This led to an engaging group discussion on the topic in the course of which the experts answered the question of the group.

After lunch in the hospital cafeteria, the project group walked through the institution, in a guided visit to some of the units, like acute psychiatry, social reintegration and alcholic rehabilitation center.

Later, project members collaborated in groups to continue work on documents reflecting the insights gained regarding the role of sports in substance use counseling.

The second day of the project was spent outdoors, walking along a levada. Levadas are narrow water channels that were built to irrigate water from the mountains to the agricultural fields in the lower parts of the island. Currently, these levadas are used as walking trails that offer locals and visitors a unique and adventurous way to explore Madeira Island.
This activity ended up promoting not only physical activity and contemplation of the beautiful landscapes that the island offers, but also a reflection/sharing of ideas with the group on the importance and possibility of using the environment in which we live for sports and physical activity.

Thanks to all participants and collaborators for your envolvement and effort so far. Will keep working together to share and reflect the importance of promoting sports in substance use disorders.

Partners

Club Deportivo Básico Sanatorio Marítimo – SPAIN

Calle José García Bernardo, 708
33203 Gijón
Spain
Tel.: +34 985362311

Instituto S. Joao de Deus – PORTUGAL

Rua Sao Tomas De Aquino 20
1600-871 Lisboa
Portugal
Web: https://www.isjd.pt
Tel.: +351217213300

Lebenswelten Der Barmherzigen Bruder · Steiermark – AUSTRIA

Johannes Von Gott-Straße 12
8047 Kainbach Bei Graz
Austria
Web: https://www.kainbach.at
Tel.: +43316301081

Provincia Italiana Della Congregazione Delle Suore Ospedaliere Del Sacro Cuore Di Gesu’ – ITALY

Via Urbisaglia
00183 Roma
Italy
Web: https://www.ospedaliere.it
Tel.: +390736987113