Stepping Stones

Centre Description

Stepping Stones

Since 1998, we have been helping people from all over the world build new lives free from the all-consuming illness of addiction.

Located in the beautiful seaside village of Kommetjie near Cape Town, South Africa, Stepping Stones is a licensed hospital specialising in the treatment of alcohol and other drug addictions, co-occurring eating disorders, compulsive sexual behaviour, co-dependency, compulsive gambling and other behavioural addictions.

We are also recognised experts in the treatment of dual-diagnosed clients, where effective treatment of both the addiction and any co-existing psychiatric disorder is essential to recovery.

Our reputation for providing affordable world-class addiction treatment has seen growing numbers of international clients turn to us for help. Many are referred to Stepping Stones by their doctors or therapists, whilst others choose to self-refer.

Location

Stepping Stones is a short stroll from Long Beach, a magnificent 8km stretch of unspoilt,white sandy beach with unsurpassed views.

Walks along the beach are accompanied by the sights and sounds of the surf and an amazing variety of seabirds. Kommetjie’s resident Cape Clawless Otter is often to be seen lazing in the sun.

The mountain behind Kommetjie is popular amongst locals and visitors for its scenic hiking trails and stunning views.

Our beautiful natural surroundings are actively used in our treatment programmes. Daily beach walks and weekly mountain hikes allow our clients to reconnect with nature, facilitating healing on a physical, psychological and spiritual level.

Our Team

Stepping Stones’s skilled multi-disciplinary team has vast experience in addiction treatment and is passionately committed to providing every client with the best possible individualised care.

The team includes specialist addictions counsellors, an occupational therapist, psychologists, two consultant psychiatrists, two consultant general practitioners and a highly experienced 24-hour nursing team.

We pride ourselves on blending the diverse skills of our team into 12 Step-based, holistic programmes that offer a rich, life-changing treatment experience for clients and their families, within a structured, supportive environment.

Primary Treatment Programme

The 28-day intensive 12 Step-based treatment programme incorporates the most recent evidence-based practice. Client-specific combinations of effective therapeutic approaches are used to effectively address individual needs.

Key elements of the programme include:
• Therapeutic groups.
• Individual counselling.
• Focus groups - grief, trauma, anger management.
• Family programme and support counselling.
• Life skills and relapse prevention.
• Spirituality, including meditation.
• Beach and mountain walks.
• African drum therapy.
• Attendance of 12 Step Fellowship meetings.
• Discharge planning and aftercare.

Referring health professionals are kept informed of their clients’ progress throughout treatment and each client’s discharge plan includes a follow-up appointment with their referrer.

Secondary Treatment Programme

Our residential secondary care facility, The Beach House, is situated on the seashore, five minutes walk from Stepping Stones.

Facilitated by a team of dedicated professionals, our secondary care programme provides a seamless, extended continuum of care, supporting residents through the early stages of recovery in a safe, nurturing environment.

The therapeutic programme of group therapy, individual counselling, life skills training and practical 12 Step work, and The Beach House community itself, enable each resident to:
• Take responsibility, develop social skills and learn to connect with others.
• Address unresolved issues such as loss, trauma and current family issues.
• Continue building life skills and relapse prevention tools in preparation for their return to their home, work and social environments.

Residents are required to regularly attend 12 Step Fellowship meetings, with the The Beach House programme and community helping them put the 12 Step principles into practice. Regular, voluntary community service helps build self-esteem and assists residents to develop a healthy perspective on their own life challenges.

Family Programme

Addiction is often referred to as a ‘family illness’ because of its devastating effects on those close to the addicted person.

At Stepping Stones, families are integrally involved in the client’s treatment. Our Family Programme assists family members to understand the dynamics of addiction and
begin their own healing process. Facilitated family sessions with the client ensure a shared understanding of individual family member’s roles and needs going forward.

Families unable to attend our programme are referred to appropriate family support groups and 12 Step Fellowship meetings.

Aftercare

Our Aftercare Programmes are free of charge and enable us to monitor clients’ progress and address and assist with any issues they are facing in early recovery.

Our commitment to our clients continues once they arrive back home. International clients are linked with counsellors, support groups and other resources in their home country before they leave Stepping Stones.

In the UK, Stepping Stones offers free Aftercare in London as well as a newly established Family Programme and we have an international network of experienced therapists and a rapidly growing client alumnus to ensure ongoing support.

Admission

Clients must be aged 18 or over, and willing to have their family members and/or significant others involved in their treatment programme.

For admission to The Beach House secondary care, clients must have completed a full primary care programme in a licensed facility.

People traveling to Cape Town by air are met by our driver on arrival at Cape Town International Airport and transported to Stepping Stones.

To book an admission or just make an enquiry, please contact Carry Bekker on +27 (0) 21 783 4230 or email carryb@steppingstones.co.za

Please follow the website button above for further information. You can also use the above email button to ask Stepping Stones any questions directly.