How do I find the best addiction rehabilitation centre in Cape Town for me?
Addiction is a disease of loss. You probably feel powerless and desperate as the damage caused by drugs and alcohol continue to grow. However, you are not alone in your fight against addiction. Deciding to go to rehab is the first step towards regaining control over your life. For that reason, we are here to help you make the right choice. Since we understand how daunting and overwhelming the process can be.
Are all rehabilitation centres in the Western Cape the same?
The simple answer is ‘No!’. Some rehabilitation centres in Cape Town are far superior to others. They do, however, share some common characteristics and many of the private rehabilitation centres offer the following services:
- Intake screening and assessment
- Medical assessment, monitoring and treatment
- Individual Therapy
- Group Therapy
- Introduction to the 12-Step programme
- Lectures on addiction and related topics
- Life skills development
- Family intervention
- Relapse prevention
- Introduction to Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous
- Aftercare planning
How do rehabilitation centres in Cape Town differ?
Rehabilitation centres differ in terms of staff qualification and experience, type of treatment methods, accreditation, and aftercare services offered. Therefore, the length of treatment may also vary and can range from 21 days up to six months or more, depending on your needs or the treatment programme offered. It is therefore vital that you investigate the differences between facilities to make the right choice for your recovery needs.
Furthermore, some rehabilitation centres offer very basic shared accommodation with limited recreational facilities, while others offer private luxury suites and a host of leisure activities. For example, the gym, swimming pool and gardens at Rustenburg Clinic provide time and space for relaxation, recreation, and self-reflection.
Click here to learn more about our stunning facilities.
How do I choose between the rehabilitation centres in Cape Town?
This is a difficult question as there are so many factors to consider. It is our opinion that the best rehabilitation centres in Cape Town are safe, clean, warm, inviting and affordable. They provide a serene environment to help you feel calm, accepted and at ease. This will allow you to manage your stress level, focus on your treatment process, and make positive behaviour changes to sustain your new life in recovery.
Therefore, the first step is to find a rehabilitation centre located in a safe environment. Then you can start to ask the right questions to find the treatment experience that is perfect for you. What aspects should you focus on when comparing rehabilitation centres in the Cape Town area? We suggest the following questions:
1. What credentials do the rehabilitation centres in the Western Cape have?
Not all facilities are accredited, and a lack of accreditation is a problem. It means that centres are not accountable to a professional body and can therefore operate according to their own standards. Accredited facilities can be considered trustworthy because they are closely monitored and operate according to a fixed set of standards.
Rustenburg Clinic is accredited and fully licensed with the Department of Health and Department of Social Development as an addiction treatment facility, detox centre and psychiatric dual diagnosis clinic.
2. What types of addictions do the rehabilitation centres treat?
Rehabilitation centres in the Cape Town area tend to specialise in specific addictions, such as drug addiction and alcoholism. There are, however, many different types of behavioural addictions, such as gambling, sex, pornography, and love addictions.
You must find a rehab that has experience treating your specific addiction, whether it’s an alcohol, drug, or behavioural addiction. At Rustenburg Clinic, we have experience treating all types of addictions.
3. Do the rehabilitation centres have qualified staff?
Not all rehabilitation centres employ professional staff. Consequently, the best facility for you will have qualified, experienced and caring therapists to help you reach your treatment goals. You do not want to waste money on a sub-standard facility and then fail to get the help you need.
We therefore recommend that you ask the rehabilitation centres you are considering about the qualifications of their clinical staff. This will ensure that you will have access to skilled professionals throughout your stay. Rustenburg Clinic has a qualified, experienced and multidisciplinary team ready to help you get the recovery results you deserve.
4. Are there detox facilities on site?
You may have to undergo a detox process before starting an inpatient treatment programme. The purpose of a detox is to get rid of the addictive substances in your body. The length of this process varies depending on the substances you use.
It is important to know if you need to detox and whether your chosen rehab centre has these facilities. Rustenburg Clinic has a detox facility and medical team on site. The team is there to support you, closely monitor your progress, and give medications to manage withdrawal symptoms if necessary.
5. Do the rehabilitation centres have quarantine facilities?
The Covid-19 epidemic has changed the way that rehabilitation centres in Cape Town are able to operate. In the past clients were admitted to facilities and joined the programme immediately, if detox was not required. Now, each new client is a potential Covid-19 risk.
It is therefore vital to take precautions to protect yourself and others from contracting the virus. You should ask about infection control measures and quarantine facilities at any of the rehabilitation centres you are considering. Rustenburg clinic has dedicated quarantine suites and strict measures in place to prevent the transmission of Covid-19.
6. What types of therapies are offered by the rehabilitation centres?
Most rehabilitation centres offer individual and group counselling sessions but the types of therapies they use may differ. For example, some facilities focus on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), while others rely on the 12-step approach treatment method.
The best rehabilitation centres will design a treatment plan that is tailored to your unique needs. They will help you to:
- Deal with triggers and cravings,
- Manage your emotions,
- Develop your coping skills,
- Make positive behaviour changes to improve your relationships and daily functioning,
- Teach you impulse control and drug-refusal strategies to avoid relapse in the future.
Rustenburg Clinic offers both inpatient and outpatient treatment programmes that incorporate Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) and an introduction to the 12-Step Programme. Additional complimentary therapies include somatic psychotherapy, expressive therapy, and mindfulness practice. Learn more about our treatment programme and facilities here.
7. Do the rehabilitation centres treat co-occurring disorders?
If you are struggling with an addiction, you will probably also have symptoms of anxiety and depression. Research shows that people who have a substance use disorder are twice as likely to be diagnosed with an anxiety or mood disorder. These conditions can lead to a vicious cycle that perpetuates itself.
It is important to ensure that you receive treatment for all your presenting problems. Holistic treatment will markedly alleviate emotional suffering and optimise functioning in all areas of your life. The experienced team at Rustenburg Clinic specialises in the treatment of addiction, anxiety, and depression as separate or co-existing conditions.
8. Are family programmes offered?
Addiction impacts the whole family, leading to dysfunctional relationships and/or unhealthy family dynamics that can potentially trigger a relapse. Family therapy sessions provide the opportunity to repair broken relationships. Your family members and significant others are encouraged to be a part of your journey towards recovery at Rustenburg Clinic.
9. What kind of aftercare services do the rehabs provide?
As your treatment process comes to an end, your therapist should design a relapse prevention and aftercare plan with you. A well thought out, detailed and structured aftercare programme is essential to help you maintain sobriety.
Some rehabilitation centres do not offer aftercare services. It is therefore imperative to ask if the facility has an aftercare program or can help you find one. You are welcome to join Rustenburg Clinic’s free weekly aftercare programme, contact us to learn more.
10. What payment options do the rehabs offer?
Asking about payment options will help narrow your search for an affordable rehab and make the decision process less stressful. Also remember to check if the facility charges medical aid rates.
If you don’t have medical insurance, you can ask about payment plans or subsidised treatment. Fortunately, most medical aids cover the cost of treatment at Rustenburg Clinic. However, a shortfall co-payment may be required in some cases.
Why choose Cape Town as your recovery destination?
First and foremost, Cape Town offers a variety of options when it comes to private and World Class addiction treatment. Certainly, several Cape Town rehabs have a long history of successfully providing addiction treatment, and rank among the best in the world. This is why our rehab centres attract many international clients who seek quality care. Furthermore, our international clients benefit from exchange rates that make treatment more affordable than in their home countries.
Secondly, rehabilitation centres in Cape Town and the surrounding areas boast some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. From the majestic Table Mountain and Hottentots Holland mountain ranges to the beautiful pristine beaches and serene winelands.
Cape Town therefore offers a beautiful environment that promotes healing, recovery from addiction, and new beginnings. You will discover a new way of living, a healthy lifestyle and appreciation for what is good for your wellbeing. Importantly, getting out, exercising, exploring, and enjoying the beauty that this part of the world offers, will more than likely form a part of your early recovery process.
Cape Town is renowned for its beaches. So if you love surfing, swimming, long beach walks, horseback riding on the beach or just catching a tan, one of the accredited rehab centres may be the right choice for you. Of all the rehabilitation centres in Cape Town, Rustenburg Clinic has helped thousands of people overcome their addiction and live happy lives!
If you or someone you love needs help with addiction, please contact Rustenburg Clinic to arrange a free assessment. This is the first step to deciding if we are the right rehab centre for you.