Residents are seen through the aquarium in the dining hall. Sometimes reality is so hard to face that it is necessary to exclude it from the visual field. It is necessary to disconnect from the past for a while, trying to find the strength to restart. In the San Patrignano community, individuals live in a controlled and protected environment. Throughout the entire three-year program, there is an opportunity to focus one's energies almost exclusively on the quest for inner balance. I tried to translate into this image the vigilant and controlled anaesthesia, the condition that residents live everyday. San Patrignano, Italia. April, 16 2022. __________________ My presence did not influence in any way what happened in this scene.

Elisa, 26 yo, about two years in the community, making the last check of the day in the kennels, which, since the 1970s, have hosted hundreds of rescued dogs. Living in the community is an all-encompassing experience. Every single moment, residents deal with their own limits, fears and frailties. In the residents' stories, where heroin and cocaine are most prevalent substances,, drug use is often associated with a sense of inadequacy in social interactions and a desire to numb emotions. San Patrignano, Italia. December, 27 2022. __________________ My presence did not influence in any way what happened in this scene. The subject portrayed in this image has given her consent by signing the release.

Kevin, 24 yo, is changi ng bandages to Biba's wound, a dog of nine yo, in the veterinary laboratory of the kennels. Kevin is now a senior resident. He is allowed to administer medications to the dogs in the community kennels, which, since the 1970s, have hosted hundreds of rescued dogs. Being designated responsible for drug manipulation is a high level of confidence on the part of supervisors and strengthens self-esteem. It is typically reserved for senior residents, and not for all. San Patrignano, Italia. March, 25 2022. __________________ My presence did not influence in any way what happened in this scene.

Veronica, 25 yo, three years in the community. “Among the problems that affect the addicts, drug use is the least relevant”, Vincenzo Muccioli, the founder of San Patrignano. Veronica will soon complete the program. Now it is time to plan the reintegration phase. Success depends on every single detail. She decided not to come back to her home town. She is afraid to relapse and she is aware that surroundings, made of places, habits, opportunities and people, deeply influence the relationships and behavioural patterns. San Patrignano, Italia. February, 18 2022. __________________ This is a staged image. I found the subject in the position as portrayed in the photo, and I asked her to hold it. The subject portrayed in this image has given her consent by signing the release.

The basketball court and kindergarden. San Patrignano covers an area of 540 acres, in the hills between the Apennine mountains and the Adriatic sea, in central Italy. It is a self-sustaining community in aspects such as catering, laundry, and cleaning of premises and spaces. Permanent residence in the facility is entirely free. Residents work in their assigned sectors. San Patrignano, Italia. February, 27 2022

Left to right: Martina, 26 yo, and Cristina, 28 yo, pause during a morning break. The days’ rhythms are determined by compulsory community activities, as well as selected ones, such as studies and sport. Little time for idleness. Never alone, anyway. Upon entering the community, each individual is assigned to one of the working areas, where, at least for one year, a senior resident, nearing the end of the rehabilitative journey, will serve as the guide for the newcomer in understanding the mechanisms of addiction and attempting to dismantle them. They will share the entire day, and even the night. Every progress of the person being mentored is also a boost to the self-esteem of the mentor. Cristina arrived nine days ago. Martina is trying to help her overcoming the common difficulty faced by many other residents in the early days at San Patrignano: to fully grasp what it means to live in the community and understand its dynamics. San Patrignano, Italia. November, 20 2021. __________________ My presence did not influence in any way what happened in this scene. The subjects portrayed in this image have given their consent by signing the release.

The dining room can accommodate u p to 1500 people. Usually during the weekends all the residents share the liturgy of the meal. Three claps by the room manager and a thousand people waiting at the tables sit up at the same time, instantly. Everything is suspended for a few moments, then lunch can begin. One can choose to eat what you want, just one rule: no leftovers. San Patrignano, Italia. December, 22 2021. __________________ My presence did not influence in any way what happened in this scene.

Jessica, 26 yo, two years in the community with Donatella, during the first one-day meeting with outside people, after a year. Jessica was living on the streets when Donatella, a stranger, rescued her and her dog. A few days later Donatella welcomed Jessica into her home. "Try, otherwise you will die" Donatella said one year later. San Patrignano, Italia. October, 29 2022. __________________ My presence did not influence in any way what happened in this scene. The subjects portrayed in this image have given their consent by signing the release.

From left: Jessica and Sara, both 26 yo and one year in the community, on the terrace of the working area women’s locker ro om. After gaining awareness of the issue, parents, in some cases, turn to local associations affiliated with San Patrignano or public services to seek advice and support in their attempt to help their family members. One night, Sara found her beloved ones waiting for her at the end of the work shift. For the following month her mother literally did not leave her side for a moment. Then the phone rang. It was San Patrignano. Sara’s dream is to go back to work in a starred restaurant. San Patrignano, Italia. August, 12 2022. __________________ My presence did not influence in any way what happened in this scene. The subjects portrayed in this image have given their consent by signing the release.

Martina, 26 y o, and Moro, a dog eight yo, respectively two and one year in the community, in a running area of the kennels. The bond between Martina and Moro is deep and made of endless moments of sharing. Once her journey will be over, Martina would like to adopt Moro, but she is aware that, in the phase of reintegration into society, she will probably not have the energy to dedicate to another living being. San Patrignano, Italia. September, 24 2021. __________________ My presence did not influence in any way what happened in this scene. The subject portrayed in this image has given her consent by signing the release.

Left to right: Giovanni, 22 yo, Giacomo, 23 yo, and Matteo, 23 yo. In the last months of the program, guests are encouraged to try to envision their own future. Matteo hopes to spend the last moths of is rehabilitative journey in the kitchen sector of the community. He would like to work in a restaurant. Giacomo would like to work with his father. Before entering San Patrignano, Giovanni used to work in a day rehabilitation center. He hopes to become a healthcare assistant during his stay in the community. Meanwhile, he spends his free time in the facility accommodation centre where, since the 1990s, people with AIDS live and are cared for. San Patrignano, Italia. February, 18 2022. __________________ My presence did not influence in any way what happened in this scene. The subjects portrayed in this image have given their consent by signing the release.

Kevin, 24 yo, three years in the community. Guests live the three years long journey with their own intensity and sensitivity. At times, inner crises, which can transform into rejection of community dynamics, seem insurmountable. After finishing the program, Kevin would like to work with dogs. Whatever the outcome, Kevin does not want to burden on his own family anymore. San Patrignano, Italia. February, 2 2022. __________________ This is a staged portrait. I found the subject in the position as portrayed in the photo, and I asked him to hold it. The subject portrayed in this image has given his consent by signing the release.

Left to right: Martina, 26 yo, and Sara, 2 5 yo, respectively two years and one year in the community. Sara is facing her difficulties, the challenge of not hiding her fragilities. Asking for help can be scaring. In the community, emotions and reactions are heightened. In any single moments, toxic behaviours can arise. With the support of other residents, each instance serves as an opportunity to recognise harmful habits and attempt to dismantle them. Sara was truly proud to have finally recognised, with the help of Martina, the bad habits and is now trying to push herself to overcome them. San Patrignano, Italia. April, 15 2022. __________________ My presence did not influence in any way what happened in this scene.

Members of different areas are tidyin g up the dining hall. Residents assigned to the kitchen area usually prepare all the meals, while those of other working sectors are, on a rotating basis, in charge of table service. Table service involves interacting with guests from other sectors. Especially the first few times, it can represent a difficulty and, at the same time, an opportunity to work outside of the personal comfort zone. The difficulty in social interaction is often present in the residents' stories. San Patrignano, Italia. January, 21 2023. __________________ My presence did not influence in any way what happened in this scene.

Uniforms used during the dining room service. After the guidance period, each person is given increasingly complex responsibilities, depending on the progress made. The dining room manager designation represents a high level of confidence on the part of supervisors and strengthens self-esteem. It is typically reserved for senior residents, and not for all. Sharing emotions, spaces, work and recreational activities with individuals of the same sector is the key of the entire rehabilitative path. San Patrignano, Italia. January, 21 2023. __________________ My presence did not influence in any way what happened in this scene.

Sara, 19 yo, three months in the community. Most of the time Sara is smiling and laughing with other residents. But it takes a moment, an image, a word to touch her. On the first day we met, she said: “Please, take a picture of me every time you come. I want my mother to see how I am changing”. San Patrignano, Italia. December, 27 2022. __________________ My presence did not influence in any way what happened in this scene. The subject portrayed in this image has given her consent by signing the release.

From left: Nicola, Federico, Giuseppe e Valentino respectively 22, 21 41 and 23 yo, at the entrance of the kennels. Residents are always encouraged to gain independence from the environment, respectful of others. The necessary independence to live in a group without being overwhelmed. Each phase of the journey presents different challenges related to social interaction. In the initial phase, when one is guided by a senior resident, it is challenging to relinquish personal privacy. When tasked with the responsibility of guiding a newcomer, one must learn to care for another human being, prioritising their needs over one's own. At the end of the program, individuals must learn to rely solely on themselves, as they no longer have a mentor to reference.. San Patrignano, Italia. May, 28 2022. __________________ My presence did not influence in any way what happened in this scene. The subjects portrayed in this image have given their consent by signing the release.

Residents of the same working sector during smoking time after lunch. Since 2022, five cigarettes per day have been readmitted. Not all residents decided to restart smoking. Some not to economically burden the family, some others as an act of will. Alcohol is not longer admitted except during special events, such as Christmas dinner other few occasions. San Patrignano, Italia. February, 26 2023. __________________ My presence did not influence in any way what happened in this scene.

Marco and Martina, respectively 26 and 27 yo. Only at the end of a period of complete detachment from the person you are in love with, you are allowed to explore your feelings. Loving somebody cannot divert attention from the personal journey. Marco and Martina are planning to live together in the future. Marco has already finished his program but decided to wait for Martina. San Patrignano, Italia. December, 3 2022. __________________ My presence did not influence in any way what happened in this scene.

One of the accommodation houses where residents live. Individuals of the same sex assigned to the same working area usually live together. Shared accommodation with little privacy and continual social interaction are pillars of the program. For three years, house like this one will be called home. San Patrignano, Italia. December, 3 2022. __________________ My presence did not influence in any way what happened in this scene.

A letter from home. The words on focus of the written letter mean "Dad reads you". For about a year, letters represent the only contact with the outside world. There is no limits to the number of le tters one can receive and send. There are often human relations to be reconstructed, or, at least, to be understood, particularly within the family. A letter, especially in the beginning of the journey, can be destabilising, to the point of questioning the journey itself or, hopefully, can be an injection of energy, the energy one needs to try to find yourself. Phones are not allowed for the entire program, only minors can use it with the permission of supervisors. Senior residents, nearing the end of the journey, are allowed use it too. San Patrignano, Italia. September, 10 2022. __________________ My presence did not influence in any way what happened in this scene.

At the top is Graziella, 27 yo. At the bottom, from left to right, are Sara, 19 yo, and Janita, 24 yo. Each person arriv es at San Patrignano as an individual, often in a defensive isolation that can sometimes seem unreal. Pain has no unit of measurement. Each person in their own way, at their own pace, may come to appreciate, perhaps at the end of the journey, the importance of caring for their own and others' emotions. San Patrignano, Italia. August, 5 2022. __________________ My presence did not influence what happened in this scene. The subjects portrayed in this image have given their consent by signing the release.

The headlights of the race field. The community is one example of the answers to a gap in the Italian social structure. "Ours is a community for living, where you can start again after years spent as social outcasts" Vincenzo Muccioli, the founder. San Patrignano, Italia. Fabruary, 25 2022.

Giuseppe, 41 yo, two years in the community. "I wish my sister had taken me away. And then not. I know this is my last chance." San Patrignano, Italia. July, 30 2022. __________________ My presence did not influence in any way what happened in this scene. The subject portrayed in this image has given his consent by signing the release.

Resident walking on an internal road. Only senior residents, close to completing the program, can move around alone. Only group workouts are permitted. Loneliness requires stability. San Patrignano, Italia. December, 27 2022. __________________ My presence did not influence in any way what happened in this scene.

Elena, 23 yo, about two years in the community, here during her daily activities in the kennels. “The core of the problem is not drug, nor the abstinence crisis. It is the human being with his own fears”, Vincenzo Muccioli, the founder. San Patrignano, Italia. September, 11 2021. __________________ This is a staged image. I found the subject in the position as portrayed in the photo, and I asked her to hold it. The subject portrayed in this image has given her consent by signing the release.

Left to right: Roomy, Elena, 23 yo, Elisa, 26 yo, and Martina, 26 yo, in the community race field. Deep frie ndships often arise between residents. In the dynamics of the community, one acquires the awareness that only those who want to be helped can be. The awareness necessary to learn to ask for help and to accept the frustration of not being enough to others. San Patrignano, Italia. September, 24 2021. __________________ My presence did not influence in any way what happened in this scene. The subjects portrayed in this image have given their consent by signing the release.

Elisa, 26 yo, about two years in the community. Shortly after entering, Elisa had to take a day-trip to the city for signing legal documents. This has been an overwhelming experience to her. She had forgotten how strong flavours, colours and noises could be. Since that moment she decided to remain in the community until she will feel ready to face the outside world. San Patrignano, Italia. January, 22 2023. __________________ This is a staged portrait. She was talking about her life when I asked her to be portrayed. The subject portrayed in this image has given her consent by signing the release.