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Chemical Dependency Unit (CDU) CAPE TOWN
The use and abuse of mood altering drugs and substances, has increased the awareness of the need for more adequate treatment facilities and programs.
Crescent Clinic, situated in Main Road, Claremont, is Cape Town's premier Psychiatric and Chemical Dependency Unit.
The Clinic deals with a whole range of psychopathology and dependency, and has dedicated multidisciplinary team comprising of psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, occupational therapists and psychiatric nursing staff.
The chemical Dependency Unit for the Clinic is run by Dr. Rudolph Otto, Medical Director and Anita Badenhorst, Chief Clinical Psychologist, who are ably assisted by lay councilors and experienced, dedicated nursing staff.
Through our Chemical Dependency Unit Program, our goals are simply:
- To enable the individual to live a substance-free life
- To establish a therapeutic environment, in which the individual feels safe to trust and take risks, to expose the original hurt(s) that started the destructive dependency process and to focus on alternative and more constructive ways of being.
- To improve the physical, psychological and social functioning of the individual
- To create a support network for the individual, family members and other members of the community involved.
- To assist the individuals establish a healthier lifestyle, including aspects of nutrition, stress management and exercise
- To provide aftercare on an outpatient basis that makes provision for regular follow up and support
- To further education of existing support networks within the community
The CDU Program
A pre-admission assessment with family and patient is done: this determines the individuals specific needs, requirements and appropriateness for the program.
The Program is based on a client centered and holistic approach which is focused on brief intensive in-patient treatment, with regular aftercare follow up.
The intensive therapy program is started during the medicated detoxification period
Various aspects which are covered in the program include the following:
- Resolving denial
- Differentiating between substance abuse and dependence
- Components of the addictive personality
- Faulty belief systems
- Relapse prevention
- Family and the process of enabling
- Co-dependency
- Adult children
- Addiction in the workplace
- Biochemistry of addiction
- These aspects are covered through methods of
- Family therapy
- Education and family
- Friends and the individual in treatment
- Interactive psychodynamic group therapy
- Individual psychotherapy
- Marital counseling
Patients are encouraged to participate in the many group activities available in the Clinic, including the creative therapy of art and pottery. Special focus is given to life skills, such as stress management and assertiveness training.
After recovery, patients are encouraged to explore homeopathic alternatives, opposed to using medication which could feedback into the addictive pattern. Time and space have been allocated in the program to afford patients the opportunity to benefit from alternative relaxation methods, such as aromatheraphy, reflexology and acupuncture. They not form part of the program but are available as an optional extra, to be requested by patient.
We aim to destigmatize the illness of addiction and integrate the chemical dependent individual back into society as early as possible. Encouraging the individuals to participate in established programs such as the 12 step fellowships (Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous) enhances this process.
Crescent Clinic have regular NA /AA speakers at the Clinic on Monday, Tuesday and Friday evenings, to address addiction issues with the patients on a more personal level.
NARANON provides their services to the family members every second Saturday, to guide and assist the family in dealing with their issues and concerns.
Cape Town Team Members
Dr Otto - The Medical Director of the Unit has been leading Chemical Dependency unit for many years.
Dr Raats - General Practitioner specialising in addiction
Hoosne Parker - Programme Manager/Addictions Counsellor with a background in social work and extensive experience in working in both out-patient and in-patient facilities.
Abeda Salie - Co-Ordinator
Chemical Dependency Unit (CDU) JOHANNESBURG
Crescent Clinic also offers a Chemical Dependency Unit (CDU) unit in Johannesburg.
For further information please view the following website www.thegaponline.co.za or email lindsey@thegaponline.co.za.
We offer a three week Primary Care Program at Crescent Clinic Johannesburg. At this facility, we are able to admit patients in all states of intoxication, 24 hours a day 365 days a year. Contact Lindsey, Fanie or Gill on + 27 (0) 11 792 9400 or
after hours 082 781 9805
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