Substance abuse treatment centres are an effective way of helping addicts overcome their addictions.  They offer programs and counselling, providing addicts with the tools to deal with their situation and help them recover.

There are a number of treatment centres out there, and it is important to remember that not every centre or treatment plan is going to be applicable to every addict and their situation.

You need to identify which centre is going to be the best one to seal with your situation.  These centres can be expensive and evaluating the quality of the centre is important.  There are some things you need to consider before making your decision.

Most importantly, the treatment centre and the people that work for that centre should have good reputation.  Speak to your doctor and other people about the centre, it provides you with good feedback on the quality of the service they offer.  It is also important that they have a reputation where they are prompt in returning messages and dealing with enquires.  It indicates a level of professionalism and when dealing with such delicate situations and troubled people, this becomes important in building trust.

Comprehensive List of treatment centres by location in South Africa.

• Western Cape
  • Cape Town
• Gauteng
  • Pretoria
  • Johannesburg
• KwaZulu Natal
• The Free State
• Limpopo
• Mpumalanga
• Northern Cape
• North West Province
• Eastern Cape

Aftercare is important. 

Addiction requires long-term rehabilitation, and a centre that offers comprehensive aftercare is an essential part of the treatment plan.  The centre should continue a close relationship with their patients long after they have left to monitor their progress and help them prevent a relapse.

The centre should a wide range of therapies because not every therapy suits every situation.  You do not want the centre to be limited in terms of what they can offer you.  Even better is the approach the centre takes for their treatment. Approaching a situation holistically is better because the addict as a whole is being considered, making treatment thorough and comprehensive.  It makes sure that all the needs of the addict are considered so that they can make changes in all aspects of their lives.

Substance abuse treatment centres form an important step in the rehabilitation process so it is vital to make sure that you are receiving the best possible care to help you beat your addiction, and start the life changing process.

More about substance abuse in South Africa.