Residential treatment is the generally preferred alternative to Outpatient treatment. It is usually a short-term program (a month or less) that offers a residential treatment based on a model derived from research. Medical aids coverage for substance abuse treatment normally limits the length of stay to 3 weeks or less. Residential treatment programs usually recommend participation at a mutual help group (such as Narcotics Anonymous) after completing the brief treatment episode. These treatment programs were pioneered in America but have gained popularity worldwide.
Residential treatment clinics are usually quite clinical in nature because they often need to handle the detoxification (detox) of clients when they first arrive. They will typically have 24 hour staff support. Many of these clinics are located in secluded settings away from town.
Residential treatment centers in South Africa use a variety of models. Most are based on the concept of a therapeutic community being the source of change, but some use a cognitive-behavioural approach to therapy.
We Do Recover is able to help you find a residential treatment program of the length you require. Most programs are 28 days or less but some can be much longer - up to 12 weeks in some cases.
As with all addiction clinics the focus of a residential treatment facility is on the rehabilitation of the individual. Most clinics are aware that all of the elements that make up the treatment context (staff, residents, program, buildings, etc) should be used in harmony to achieve the goal of helping the patient. This systemic outlook to treatment can be applied to addiction as well and the illness is viewed in the context of the persons life.
The program at a residential treatment center is normally highly structured. Clients are not allowed a great amount of freedom during the day and must attend an intense program of groups, psychotherapy, recreational activities, occupational therapy, and relaxation time. The therapeutic aspects of a rehabilitation (rehab) program help a client to examine beliefs that sabotage success by generating false self-concepts and risky behaviour.
The community in a residential treatment clinic is a microcosm of society in general. Through exposure to the community within the context of the program clients learn social skills that allow them to interact honestly and without fear.
Although there is often not a lot of time to spare in an intense short-term residential treatment program clinics aim to help the client make realistic exit strategies for when they leave. This helps the client prepare for the risks of the outside world and make logistical plans such as looking for work.
Patients with long histories of drug dependence or alcoholism can do well in the highly structured program of a residential treatment. Ongoing care at extended care facilities (in South Africa these are known as "Secondary Care" units) can help the patient to resocialize back into the new life.
Co-occurring mental health problems are more commonly found in patients in residential treatment programs than in other forms of treatment. The highly structured and professionally supervised environment of a residential treatment program means that patients with a dual diagnosis are able to be monitored and treated effectively.
We Do Recover can help you to find residential treatment clinics that specialize in helping clients with special needs, such as adolescents or those with severe mental disorders. These rehabs are very effective in helping patients practice living clean and sober in a supportive and therapeutic environment.
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Minnesota House is a small addictions treatment facility in George, a minor town on the scenic Garden Route on the West Coast of South Africa. It is situated on a small-holding about 15 minutes drive from town at the foot of a beautiful mountain next to a thick forest.