Rehabilitation centres are not places with high walls and burglar bars that keep addicts medicated and away from reality. Most admissions are voluntary; addicts should want to fight their addiction with the help of experts. These days, rehabilitation centres deal with the causes of substance abuse, and coach the addict to change their lifestyle in a physical, social, and psychological manner in order to stay sober. Along with physical rehabilitation, exercise, and counselling, these homes provide a temporary family for anybody who wants to break the hold of alcohol and drug addiction.
Rehabilitation centres are homes with cosy bedrooms and social areas to mimic residential living environments, without the temptation of drugs or booze. Healthy living is a priority in these homes, where the inhabitants are not kept against their will and the root of their addiction is treated. They are equipped with skills and tips to cope once they enter the “real world” again.
Every person who enters rehab has a different story to tell. Staff could write a book about the diverse backgrounds and problems of residents who come to clean up their lives. Fortunately, the people who work at these centres are professional and do not share classified information, which encourages residents to feel confident to share their stories in a safe environment.
Anyone can become an addict
Some addicts are poor, while others are successful business people; basically, addicts represent all social groups and income levels. Society has realised that addicts are not only poor, uneducated people, as most ‘normal’ people have had a friend or family member struggle with drug or alcohol problems.
Due to the chemical addiction properties of these substances, people cannot just use willpower to break the hold of drugs and alcohol. The experts at rehab centres use therapy to deal with the addiction and cure it over a period of time, but, for many addicts, staying clean is a lifelong struggle.
How to choose a rehabilitation centre
Families, friends, and addicts are entitled to find out as much as they can about rehabilitation centres before they choose one. Some of the questions that should be considered include:
- What is the success rate of rehabilitation of a certain substance? Are any past residents willing to share their stories?
- What is the admission procedure? Many centres require certain documents and have agreements for the addicts to sign. Is there a waiting list or a limit to the number of people in the rehabilitation centre?
- Is the centre sponsored by medical aids or recognised as an official rehabilitation centre by the major medical aids in the country?
- What type of medication, if any, do they prescribe for addicts? What is the centre’s opinion on medication to cope with addiction?
- What are the qualifications of the counsellors, doctors and therapists in the rehabilitation centre? Are they available 24 hours a day?
- What facilities are available for the inhabitants?
- What are the house rules? Are there rules about addicts visiting each other and socialising in an unsupervised environment? Is there a duty roster where the inhabitants take responsibility for the living space, or is it a hotel scenario where everything gets done for the ‘guests’?
- Is there assistance for friends and family of addicts? When are they allowed to visit and can they bring gifts?
- What is the check-out procedure? Can addicts release themselves or are there stricter policies?
- Can residents be re-admitted in the event of a relapse?
Proper research is required by friends and family who want the best results for their loved ones who are struggling with addiction. These people have the best interests of the addicts at heart and they want to know that their friends receive the best care possible so that they can cure their addiction without unnecessary pain.
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Lee-Ann Barnes writes for a holistic Cape Town-based rehabilitation centre whose comprehensive range of services includes alcohol detox, spiritual counselling, and group therapy sessions.
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