The social reintegration project for the first time includes individuals treated for alcoholism, gambling, and video game addiction, aiming to facilitate their employment, education, and housing.
Each year, around 12,000 people in Croatia receive treatment for issues related to drugs, alcohol, gambling, and video gaming. For many, the hardest part of recovery begins right after leaving the hospital, when they face unemployment, interrupted education, strained family relationships, and stigma. To ease their return to everyday life, the government's Commission on Addictions and Behavioral Addictions adopted a new Social Reintegration Project at the end of July 2026.
The Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ) emphasizes that social reintegration is a crucial part of recovery because success is no longer measured solely by abstinence but also by the individual's ability to live independently, work, and actively participate in the community. "Recovery is more than just stopping drug or alcohol use," experts note, highlighting that the project uses the concept of "recovery capital," which encompasses the personal, familial, and social resources needed for long-term stability.
The new national framework represents a significant expansion of the existing resocialization program that has been in place in Croatia since 2007. For the first time, support measures will also cover individuals treated for alcohol problems and behavioral addictions such as gambling and video gaming, not just drug addiction.
Four main pillars form the foundation of this project: education, work, housing, and emotional support. Participants will have the opportunity to complete primary or secondary school, acquire new vocational skills, and engage in other adult education activities. The Croatian Employment Service will provide career guidance to select occupations that match their abilities and labor market needs, along with workshops on active job seeking and education through the voucher system.
To prevent individuals from being left without support after treatment, coordinators will be appointed within the health, social, and employment systems to guide users through the various stages of recovery and connect institutions. Special initiatives are also planned for women, minors, and other at-risk groups.
Data from HZJZ show that previous resocialization programs have yielded measurable results. By the end of 2025, 1,346 individuals had undergone vocational counseling and work capacity assessments. Educational activities involved 437 people, while 1,224 users received approval for schooling funded by the Ministry of Science, Education, and Youth.
During this period, 1,235 people managed to find employment, and more than 15,000 users utilized various forms of psychosocial support provided by non-governmental organizations. In 2025, approximately 540,000 euros were allocated for social reintegration programs, representing a 20 percent increase compared to the previous year.
The implementation of the new project will be tracked through a system of internal and external evaluation. Monitoring will cover the number of users who enroll, their engagement in education and employment, the use of housing and psychosocial measures, and therapy adherence. The goal is to continuously improve the program and ensure that recovery ends with lasting community integration, not just leaving the treatment system.
The main objective is to reduce prejudice and isolation in society, increase the independence of individuals recovering from addiction, and decrease the likelihood of relapse. Through this project, efforts are being made to improve access to support measures across all Croatian counties and enhance collaboration between healthcare, social welfare, education, the labor market, and civil organizations.
