Gumi Addiction Management Center, an Open Recovery Space for All

14,873 Cases Managed, 6,168 in Rehabilitation, and Over 12,000 Anonymous Counseling Sessions
Expanded Facility Offers Broader, More Comfortable Recovery Support
Customized Programs for Alcohol, Smartphone, Gambling, and Drug Addictions

Since its opening in 2020, the Gumi Addiction Management Integrated Support Center in North Gyeongsang Province has recorded 14,873 case management sessions and 6,168 participants in rehabilitation programs as of the end of August this year, establishing itself as a key hub for addressing addiction issues in the region.

To further strengthen user-centered, customized recovery support, the center relocated in October this year to a larger and more comfortable space, where it continues to assist citizens in their recovery.

The Gumi Addiction Management Integrated Support Center has relocated to a larger and more comfortable space to better assist citizens in their recovery. Photo by Kim Ihwan

The new location has expanded from the previous 79.8 square meters (24 pyeong) to 148 square meters (45 pyeong).

The outdated and cramped environment has been improved, and new individual counseling rooms, program rooms, and classrooms have been established, allowing for greater privacy protection and more professional recovery support.

This has laid the foundation for providing integrated services-from counseling to rehabilitation and family healing-in a more stable and comprehensive manner.

The center broadly addresses a wide range of addiction issues that are increasing throughout modern society, including not only alcohol addiction but also excessive dependence on smartphones and the internet, youth gambling, and drug addiction.

In particular, there have been as many as 11,934 cases of “unregistered counseling,” where individuals choose not to disclose their names, solidifying the center’s reputation as an “open recovery space” where anyone can seek help without hesitation.

Mr. Jeong, who struggled with alcohol addiction, shared, “I thought I was the only one suffering, but by meeting others with similar concerns, I realized I was not alone. Now, I tend a small garden and live each day with gratitude,” describing how he regained a new daily life through the center.

Ms. Min, who overcame her husband’s addiction through the family program “Todak Todak,” said, “By accepting my husband’s addiction as an illness, I was able to recover my own life as well. If it weren’t for this place, I would still be in pain.”

Lim Myeongseop, head of the Gumi Public Health Center, stated, “Addiction is an issue that can affect anyone, and it is never something to handle alone. The moment you summon the courage to knock on the center’s door is the starting point of recovery. The city of Gumi will stand by its citizens and take that first step together.”

The city plans to continue strengthening its integrated addiction response system-including professional counseling, self-help groups for those in recovery, and family healing programs-to realize a healthy, addiction-free city of Gumi.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.