What KETHEA does

KETHEA (Κέντρο Θεραπείας Εξαρτημένων Ατόμων / Center for Treatment of Dependent Persons) is the largest addiction treatment and social reintegration network in Greece, officially established as a private-law legal entity in 1987 with roots in the country's first therapeutic community Ithaki (1983). Operating under the auspices of the Hellenic Ministry of Health as a non-profit, the organization delivers drug-free psychosocial rehabilitation programs addressing drug, alcohol, gambling, and internet addiction. KETHEA reaches approximately 15,000 treatment beneficiaries and 20,000 prevention-program participants annually through more than 100 units across 31 cities and 20 Greek prisons, supplemented by two national helplines (1145 for addictions, 1114 for gambling) and a year-round Youth Centre in Athens.

The service portfolio is anchored in residential and outpatient therapeutic communities, family support services, vocational training, legal aid, and school-based prevention programs. The technology backbone includes a Clinical Management Information System (CMIS) with EuropASI-standard outcome tracking at 12 and 24 months, a Moodle-based e-Learning platform, a LimeSurvey-based evaluation system, and electronic application forms for certifications. KETHEA maintains consultative status with the United Nations ECOSOC and UN DPI, holds leadership positions in the European Federation of Therapeutic Communities (EFTC) and the World Federation of Therapeutic Communities (WFTC), and operates an IC&RC Certification Board covering Greece, Cyprus, Malta, and Bulgaria.

KETHEA's revenue model is non-transactional: all therapeutic and prevention services are provided free of charge to beneficiaries. Operating funding comes primarily from the Greek state budget and European structural funds (ESPA 2014-2020, ESPA 2021-2027, and the Recovery Fund), supplemented by online donations. The organization is governed by a seven-member Board of Directors appointed by the Minister of Health since November 2019, with a General Assembly retaining representation for service recipients, employees, and volunteers. KETHEA employs approximately 200 staff and publishes a bi-annual scientific journal, Addictions, in association with Wiley Blackwell's Addiction journal.

Name

KETHEA

Legal name

Κέντρο Θεραπείας Εξαρτημένων Ατόμων

Website

https://kethea.gr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

KETHEA is Greece's largest addiction treatment and social reintegration network, providing free drug-free psychosocial rehabilitation for drug, alcohol, gambling, and internet addiction through 100+ units across 31 cities and 20 prisons, serving 15,000 beneficiaries and 20,000 prevention-program participants annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Addiction Treatment and Rehabilitation Services

NAICS

Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities (623220)

SIC

Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Residential Substance Use Rehabilitation (Inpatient Rehab) (HLAFACAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Peer Support, Recovery Coaching & Sober Living Services (HLAFACAN), Substance Use Disorder Prevention & Recovery Services (BPAGACAE), Substance Use Recovery & Harm Reduction Support Services (BPAGAEAO)

Keywords

• Addiction treatment services
• Psychosocial rehabilitation programs
• Drug-free therapeutic communities
• Addiction prevention education
• Social reintegration services

Headquarters

HQ city

Athens

HQ country

Greece

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Funding (ESPA): KETHEA receives funding through European and National Strategic Reference Framework programs (ESPA 2014-2020 and ESPA 2021-2027) administered by the Greek government. Services are provided free of charge to all beneficiaries.
2. State Budget: Operating under the auspices of the Hellenic Ministry of Health, KETHEA receives state funding as a legal entity of private law under governmental oversight.
3. Donations: The organization accepts online donations through its website using secure payment protocols (SSL and PayPal) for supporters wishing to contribute financially.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

KETHEA provides drug-free psychosocial rehabilitation programs for individuals suffering from drug, alcohol, gambling, and internet addictions, together with family support, prevention services, and social reintegration assistance. Services are delivered through more than 100 units spanning 31 cities and 20 prisons across Greece, supplemented by helplines (1145 for addictions, 1114 for gambling), a youth centre, an e-learning platform, a scientific library, and a bi-annual addictions journal.

Product overview

KETHEA is the largest addiction treatment and social reintegration network in Greece, offering a comprehensive ecosystem of services. The core offering consists of therapeutic programs (drug-free psychosocial rehabilitation for drug addiction, alcohol, gambling, and internet addiction) delivered through 100+ units in 31 cities and 20 prisons, serving approximately 15,000 recipients annually. This is supported by integrated digital platforms: e-Learning (Moodle-based training platform), e-Survey (LimeSurvey-based evaluation system), and e-Applications (electronic forms for certifications and services). Complementary services include prevention programs (school and community-based reaching 20,000 annually), the Scientific Library (15,000+ titles), the Addictions Magazine journal, Youth Centre, and helplines (1145 for addictions, 1114 for gambling). The portfolio also includes IC&RC professional certification for addiction counselors across four countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• KETHEA ALPHA: Alcohol addiction treatment program under KETHEA
• Κέντρο Κοινωνικής Επανένταξης
• KETHEA ΣΧΗΜΑ + ΧΡΩΜΑ
• Στέκι Νέων ΚΕΘΕΑ

Products and services

• Therapeutic Programs (Θεραπευτικά Προγράμματα) Drug-free psychosocial rehabilitation programs for individuals with drug, alcohol, gambling, and internet addiction, delivered without substitution medication. Programs include counselling, family support, healthcare, education, legal support, and social reintegration assistance across residential therapeutic communities, outpatient counselling centres, street outreach, and prison-based units. Sub-programmes include KETHEA ITHAKI (residential therapeutic community), KETHEA ALPHA (alcohol addiction), KETHEA ΣΧΗΜΑ + ΧΡΩΜΑ (art-focused therapeutic community), and the Social Reintegration Centre.
• Prevention Programs School and community-based prevention and early-intervention programmes targeting parents, educational communities, professionals, and high-risk groups, including selective prevention for high-risk youth such as early school leavers, young offenders, and children from dysfunctional environments. Reaches approximately 20,000 individuals per year.
• Helplines Confidential telephone helpline services providing initial contact, support, and referrals: 1145 for addictions and 1114 for gambling. Available to individuals and families seeking help.
• KETHEA Youth Centre (Στέκι Νέων ΚΕΘΕΑ) Year-round friendly space in Exarcheia, Athens for children and young people up to age 21, providing assessment, counselling, creative activities, psychoeducation, workshops, seminars, crisis interventions, referrals, and a summer activities programme.
• Scientific Library (Βιβλιοθήκη για τις Εξαρτήσεις) Specialised library holding over 15,000 titles of Greek and foreign books and articles and 25 journal subscriptions, with an electronic catalogue accessible via library.kethea.gr. Part of the National Documentation Centre's network of scientific libraries and serves external researchers, students, and professionals.
• Addictions Magazine (Εξαρτήσεις) Bi-annual scientific journal published in association with Addiction (WILEY Blackwell), featuring original research articles, translations, and news in the addictions field. Member of the International Society of Addiction Journal Editors (ISAJE).
• IC&RC Professional Certification Certification board for Alcohol & Drug Counsellors and Prevention Specialists established in collaboration with the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC), covering Greece, Cyprus, Malta, and Bulgaria. Provides examinations, certification, and renewal for addiction-treatment professionals.

Quantifiable outcome

• 15,000 beneficiaries annually receive treatment services
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and moderate.

• United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)coreOthers · 1 January 2001KETHEA has held consultative status with UN ECOSOC on drug-related issues since 2001. This grants the organization formal recognition within the UN system and the ability to participate in ECOSOC deliberations on drug policy matters.
• UN Department of Public Information (DPI)coreOthers · 1 January 2001KETHEA is associated with UN DPI as a specialized organization regarding drug-related information, enabling participation in UN information initiatives and access to international networks.
• European Federation of Therapeutic Communities (EFTC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKETHEA chairs the Board of EFTC (2019-2021 term). EFTC is a European federative organization supporting the psychopedagogical approach helping drug addicts return to a drug-free lifestyle. EFTC spans 25 countries and represents over 40 treatment organizations.
• World Federation of Therapeutic Communities (WFTC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKETHEA is a member of WFTC, a worldwide association for sharing, understanding and cooperation within the global Therapeutic Community movement, promoting recognition of the TC approach among health organizations.
• European Family Therapy Association (EFTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKETHEA is a member of EFTA's Forum of Family Therapy Training Institutes. KETHEA has been certified as a provider of family therapy training (certified member of Training Institutes Chamber). EFTA connects over 900 family therapists, 130 training institutes across 26 countries.
• Vienna NGO Committee on Drugs (VNGOC)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerKETHEA participates in VNGOC, a platform for civil society engagement on drug policy issues at the international level.
• International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKETHEA has established a Certification Board for Alcohol & Drug Counsellors and Prevention Specialists for Greece, Cyprus, Malta, and Bulgaria in collaboration with IC&RC. IC&RC represents 76 organizations and over 45,000 certified professionals worldwide, promoting common standards for addiction treatment and prevention.
• Greek Documentation and Monitoring Centre for Drugs (EKTEPN/EMCDDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKETHEA cooperates with EKTEPN, the national focal point for the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA). Collaboration includes providing data for epidemiological indicators and annual reports, and documenting treatment services per EDDRA system specifications.
• European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKETHEA contributes to EMCDDA's EDDRA system for documenting and exchanging information on demand reduction interventions, aligning evaluation methods with WHO, EMCDDA, and Council of Europe specifications.
• Arcola Research (UK)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in COMANITY Erasmus+ program. Arcola Research provides research, evaluation and consultancy services across health, criminal justice, education, and technology sectors for governments, NGOs, and community groups.
• Lifelong Learning PlatformmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerKETHEA participates in EU programmes coordinated by the Lifelong Learning Platform, an umbrella organization gathering over 40 European organizations representing more than 50,000 educational institutions.
• University of California San Diego (Psychiatry Department)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in long-term training program 'Addiction Counselling competencies: The Knowledge, skills and attitudes of professional practice' (180 hours). Provides research collaboration and expertise exchange.
• Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Law Department)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in inter-institutional postgraduate program 'Criminal Law and Addictions' providing two orientations: Criminal Law of Addictions and Therapeutic Treatment of Addictions.
• University of Nicosia (Law Department)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in inter-institutional postgraduate program 'Criminal Law and Addictions' with Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and KETHEA.
• Tavistock Institute of Human RelationsmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner providing expertise in social science applications and human relations for addiction training programs.
• Addiction Journal (WILEY Blackwell)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerKETHEA's scientific journal 'Addictions' is published in association with Addiction, one of the most respected international academic journals in the field. The collaboration enables translation of articles and sharing of research knowledge.
• National Documentation Centre (EKT)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerKETHEA library is part of EKT's Network of Scientific and Technological Libraries, enabling interlibrary loan services for users.
• European Association of Libraries and Information Services on Addiction (ELISAD)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerKETHEA library is a member of ELISAD, a European network for libraries and information services specializing in addiction.
• Substance Abuse Librarians & Information Specialists (SALIS)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerKETHEA library is a member of SALIS, an international network of specialized scientific libraries in the field of substance abuse.
• Hellenic Ministry of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKETHEA maintains memorandum of understanding with Ministry of Education for preventing and addressing bullying and inter-pupil violence in schools. Also an approved organization for running thematic weeks in schools.
• Hellenic Manpower Employment Organization (OAED)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for prevention programs in OAED apprenticeship schools, reaching vocational training students.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Phoenix House: US-based nonprofit operating therapeutic communities and outpatient addiction treatment programs. Operates a similar drug-free psychosocial rehabilitation model with family support and prevention services, making it a strong comparable on treatment philosophy.
• San Patrignano: Italy's largest therapeutic community for drug addiction recovery, providing residential drug-free psychosocial treatment similar to KETHEA's model. Both organizations run large residential programs with comprehensive social reintegration pathways and have decades of operating history in Southern Europe.
• Fénix - Asociación EGO (Spain): Spanish therapeutic community organization providing residential drug-free addiction treatment and social reintegration. Operates the same psychopedagogical model as KETHEA within a Southern European context and is connected through the European Federation of Therapeutic Communities.
• Daytop International: Historic therapeutic community organization providing residential drug-free addiction treatment. Shares the same psychopedagogical therapeutic community approach as KETHEA and is a member of the World Federation of Therapeutic Communities alongside KETHEA.
• Dianova International: International NGO network operating addiction treatment, prevention, and social reintegration programs across multiple countries. Dianova's mix of residential therapeutic communities, prevention, and international advocacy closely mirrors KETHEA's portfolio structure.

Others

• Greek Documentation and Monitoring Centre for Drugs (EKTEPN): Greece's national focal point for EMCDDA and KETHEA's partner for epidemiological data exchange. While EKTEPN is a documentation/monitoring body rather than a treatment provider, it shapes the data infrastructure and policy framework in which KETHEA operates.
• World Federation of Therapeutic Communities (WFTC): Global industry association of which KETHEA is a member. WFTC promotes the therapeutic community approach KETHEA uses, and membership provides peer benchmarking, training standards, and international advocacy that shape KETHEA's operating context.

Emerging players

• Shatterproof: US nonprofit focused on addiction treatment system reform, prevention, and family support. Overlaps with KETHEA on prevention programming, family-focused services, and policy advocacy, though Shatterproof does not operate treatment facilities.

Broad incumbents

• EMCDDA - European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction: EU agency that KETHEA actively cooperates with for epidemiological data and EDDRA documentation. While not a treatment provider, EMCDDA sets the monitoring and evaluation frameworks that KETHEA's CMIS aligns with, making it a critical ecosystem participant.

Regional players

• Anthropos - Hellenic Centre for the Rehabilitation of Drug Addicts: Greece-based rehabilitation organization providing therapeutic community services for drug addiction. Operates in the same Greek market as KETHEA with overlapping residential treatment and social reintegration offerings, making it the closest domestic competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCcCOk_RXTi5clSlzVeoZ1HA
• Facebookfacebook.com/ketheatreatment
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kethea

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about KETHEA