Personalized Rehab Programs in South Africa

Recovery from substance misuse is an extremely personal process. Healing isn’t just a way of stopping unhealthy behaviors. It’s also the process of building a rich, fulfilling life in a more sustainable way. Because of this, many facilities aim to meet the unique needs of each of their clients. If you’d like to receive highly personalized treatment, you might consider attending a destination rehab in South Africa.

This country is a popular destination for many reasons. It not only has great historical and archeological significance; it’s also a beautiful place to explore. The diverse climate is home to 8 different biomes, including forests, deserts, and savanna. Clients who want to begin healing in a beautiful and natural setting are often drawn to South Africa.

Exploring South Africa

South Africa is located on the southern tip of Africa, bordering Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Swaziland. It entirely surrounds the country of Lesotho. Because of its position on the continent, South Africa has nearly 2,000 miles of coastline.

The country is also home to eight world heritage sites, including the Cradle of Humankind fossil site. The awe-inspiring history, temperate climate, and rich culture make this area a powerful place to begin healing.

Recovering From Substance Misuse in Nature

Connecting with nature can be great for people in recovery.¹ Outdoor adventures can improve patients’ mental health, increasing “self-efficacy, mindfulness and subjective well-being.”

This is especially important for clients with substance use disorders. According to a 2018 study, more time spent in natural environments “may be associated with lower cravings” for illicit or dangerous substances.² And because of South Africa’s rich and diverse landscape, it’s easy for clients to reap the benefits associated with exploring the natural world.

However, inpatient treatment in an isolated, rural location isn’t a good fit for everyone. In South Africa, you can attend rehab in a more populous area while still spending time outside.

Cape Town

Cape Town is one of South Africa’s more famous cities. In addition to being a major center for politics and economics, it is beautifully situated between Table Mountain and Table Bay.

Although Cape Town is a major city, residents can easily visit the surrounding area. For example, Cape Town’sble Mountain can be viewed from The Living House, providing a beautiful way to ground yourself through the ups and downs of your time there.

Views of Cape Town’s beautiful Table Mountain from The Living House’s lush gardens

Cape Town has a temperate, Mediterranean climate averaging around 70°F (21°C), in January and February, and around 55°F (13° C), in July.” This beautiful weather makes it easy to enjoy time outside. For some clients, this may include going on off-site adventures during rehab.

Safari

Whether your rehab facility is located in Cape Town, another South African city, or a more rural area, you may have the opportunity to go on a safari. On these excursions, clients can see some of the world’s most stunning creatures up close.

Don’t think of this as a break from therapy; think of it as an opportunity to connect with the natural world in a brand-new way, says Giles Fourie, Director and Co-Owner of White River Manor:

To have a safari as a part of your therapy process is very special. The company we use and the people who take our clients out really understand it from a therapeutic perspective. It’s not just about going to sit in a vehicle and view animals, it’s about really understanding our experience in nature and how we’re all a part of this world we live in. It’s also about, you know, the importance of preserving what we have and the heritage of South Africa, which is completely unique.

Giles FourieWhite River Manor

Rehabs in South Africa, like White River Manor, immerse their clients in the beauty of their country through guided safari tours and other excursions.

A number of South African rehabs invite clients to go on safari, including White River Manor and Harmony Clinic Rehab Hospital. And in programs, these excursions are the primary focus of treatment. At Rebirth Wellness Safari, for example, clients experience “daily safaris, boat excursions and even tracking with the San people.” This is a place for you to “truly break free and rediscover the roots of your human experience.”

As exciting and inspiring as safari can be, they’re not the right fit for everyone. Fortunately, South African rehabs offer many different types of excursions and adventure outings.

Seaside Activities

Data suggests that proximity to the coast can improve health and well-being.³ Because of this, spending time at the beach during recovery can be deeply healing. The team at Compass Treatment Centre understands this and offers seaside therapy as part of their inpatient program.

In various programs, you may be able to go surfing, kite surfing, kayaking, or bungee jumping along the South African coast. These outings are not appropriate for all clients, and your eligibility for certain activities will depend on your physical health. Some programs, like Oasis Recovery Centre, also offer less physically strenuous seaside experiences, like whale watching.

Hiking

There are countless ways to observe the beauty of the landscape. Many programs take their clients on nature hikes, and offer varying levels of physical difficulty. In South Africa, it’s easy to access lush natural areas and observe creatures you might not encounter anywhere else in the world. You might be able to interact with elephants, monkeys, wildcats, and more.

Zip-lining is one of the experiential therapies offered at Oasis Recovery Centre in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa.

These outings can certainly be fun, but they also serve a greater purpose. You’ll be guided through these excursions by a team of experts, likely including at least one therapist. And if you encounter triggers, or have a strong emotional reaction, a provider will be on hand to help you process that response. Experiential therapy can help you understand not only the world around you, but also the important role you play within it. This is an extremely personal process, and it looks different for every individual client.

Individualized Therapy in South Africa Rehabs

Bespoke rehab programs can be highly effective for some clients. This type of individualized care ensures that you’ll get exactly the type of treatment that works best for you. You may be able to choose between therapeutic modalities, recreational activities, and other options. In some facilities, clients even decide whether they’d like to stay in touch with friends and family during rehab.

This high level of personalization isn’t right for everyone. Some clients benefit from more structure, or from participating in the same programming as others in their cohort. But for those who want an extremely specific and unique experience of recovery, South Africa might be the right place to attend rehab.

Jeanine Fourie, Therapeutic Director and Co-Owner of White River Manor, prides herself on offering a bespoke treatment program for each client:

It’s important for us to individualize each person’s treatment, from who the assigned therapist is to what treatments they would like. We have quite a few clients not wanting to attend groups, or wanting to see this as more of a wellness program. We’re happy to individualize their treatment program. I make sure that each client is paired with a fitting team.

Jeanine FourieWhite River Manor

How Long Are South African Rehab Programs?

This personalization can impact every aspect of treatment, including length of stay. For example, at The Foundation Clinic, inpatient treatment lasts at least 21 days, but clients may stay on-site for up to 12 months. Your length of stay will be determined by your unique needs at various stages of treatment.

At other facilities, like Compass Treatment Centre, clients typically stay from 3 to 6 months or more. During this time, clients not only engage in clinical therapy and adventure outings; they also learn valuable life skills. You’ll be encouraged to practice healthy habits, and “take an active part in their recovery process.” Over time, residents develop a sense of responsibility for their own health, making it easier to transition out of rehab at the appropriate time.

The therapeutic surroundings at Rustenburg Addiction Care in Western Cape, South Africa

According to the team at Rustenburg Addiction Care, a life skill is “any skill which enables an individual to interact meaningfully and successfully within their environment.” Under this broad definition, you may learn to eat healthily, maintain a daily schedule, regulate your emotions, and more. Your team of providers will help you decide which exact skills to focus on. By developing these important tools, you can approach the future in a practical, sustainable way.

Planning Your Trip

South Africa has 6 international airports. No matter where you’re coming from, you should be able to make travel arrangements that get you close to your desired destination. Most rehabs will also help you arrange transport from the airport to the residential facility. It’s very important to communicate with your admissions team while you plan your trip, so the local staff can provide you with any necessary updates about travel restrictions and regulations.

If planning around these logistics feels like too great a barrier, South Africa may not be the right place for you to start your healing journey. In that case, you can work with a local team of providers to make a care plan for the interim, or find more accessible options.

Journey Toward Recovery in South Africa

For some clients, the act of choosing a rehab center is the first step in recovery. During this process, you can start considering what your own, most deeply held values are. These values will inform what you need from a residential program.

And whatever your values are, remember that you have the right to live a life that honors them. You have the right to heal and grow. If you’d like to start that process while connecting with the natural world, and receiving highly personalized care, a South African rehab might be a good place to start.

Start Your Recovery Journey

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