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In the case of drug dependency the duration of the programme is 35 days

The rehabilitation programme includes the following:

• A part-time psychiatrist, medical practitioner, occupational therapist, minister and dietitian.
• Full-time psycologists and social workers.
• Full-time nursing staff, available 24 hours a day.

Communication - takes place daily amongst the members of the professional team in order to monitor and adjust the progress and the recovery of the patient. This team is fully equipped to provide the patient and his/her family with medical, therapeutic, emotional and spiritual support.

Medical lectures - on the effect of the substances on the body and the recovery process are given on a daily basis. During the withdrawal phase the patient and the family recieve continual support as well as useful information.

Intensive individual and group therapy and video lectures are given on a daily basis

• Get to know yourself as a human being
• Identify and express your feelings
• Establish meaningful communication
• Regain your self respect
• Discover the meaningful communication
• Gain peace of mind
• Enjoy a sober life-style
• Start to live fully

The patient has the opportunity to quit using alcohol, medication or drugs.

• Problems with the relationships are identified and the patient learns how to cope with problems in a new way. The spouse of the patient and those concerned have the opportunity to sort out their feelings and to develop new insight into their relationship with the patient.
• Should a patient suffer from tension or depression, a psychiatrist is available for consultation, diagnosis and referal. The patient also learns relaxation skills during the weekly relaxation therapy.

Religious programmes - are based on Christian principles but also accommodate patient with other religious convictions. Visits from the patient's own spiritual leader are encouraged. Voluntary devotional meetings are held in the chapel each day and personal pastoral conversations emphasize the experience of the assurance of faith, forgiveness and the intergration of the patient's lifestyle.

During the last week of treatment the patient and spouse or concerned party take part in group therapy and lectures.

Aftercare Programmes - (recovery facilitation phase) continues for eleven months during which period the patient and those concerned are provided with telephonic and individual couselling as well as literature. We also encourage the attendance of self-help groups.

Accommodation - We can accommodate up to forty patients at a time and have one- and three-bedrooms. The patient's stay is made as comfortable as possible by creating a relaxing homely atmosphere. Patients are encouraged to bring their personal belongings and hobbies, and are surrounded by relaxing music.

Use of leisure time is encouraged and the following activities are available:

• Snooker, darts, volleball, table tennis, M-net
• Exercise/gym equipment, board games and the tuck shop
• Kitchen and braai facilities for the patient and family

A balanced diet is followed as prescribed by the dietitian. In addition a diabetic, low cholesterol, vegetarian and soft menu is also available to detox patients.

We are proud of the work we do at Stabilis Treatment center and we treat our patients with respect and dignity. We care about the joy of living of our patient.

• Unexplained swings in mood, depression, anxiety and continual resentful behaviour
• Inappropriate over-reaction to mild criticism or simple requests
• Pre-occupation with self, less concern for feelings of others
• Secretiveness and withdrawal from family
• Loss of interest in previously important things i.e. Hobbies
• Lack of motivation, boredom, "I don't care" attitude
• Lack of energy, noticeable drop in attention span, short-term memory loss
• Change in values, ideals and beliefs
• Change in friends, unwillingness to introduce friends
• Secretive phone calls, callers refuse to identify themselves or hangup when you answer
• Periods of unexplained behaviour observe at home
• Stealing money or articles which can be readily sold for cash
• Wearing sunglasses at inappropriate times

• Decline in academic performance, drop in grades
• Reduced short-term memory, concentration, attention span
• Loss of motivation, participation in school activities
• Frequent tardiness and absenteeism
• Less interest in participating in class
• Sleeping in class
• Untidy appearance, dress personal
• Apathetic
• Increased discipline, behavoural problems
• Change in peer group

• Get the facts about drugs rumours are not good enough
• Deal firstly with your own disappointment and anger, make sure that you are in control when you confront the child.
• Act firmly but supportive
• Show concern, love and understanding
• Listen to the child without interrupting and acknowledge his/her feelings
• Give choices
• Allow the child to accept responsibility for his/her irresponsible behaviour
• Focus on the present. If your child is using drugs, something must be done immediately
• Get Help!

• Act on hearsay
• Act in a rage and become hysterical, shout and start blaming left, right and center
• Threaten the child with the police
• Promise to reward the child if he/she will stop
• Pity yourself or burst into tears
• Accuse the child's friends or other people
• Try to determine at the beginning where the child got the drugs from
• Tell the world about it
• Believe the child's promises to stop

ADVENTURE THERAPY

Adventure based activities have been shown to be effective since it puts the individual into a postion of disequilibria, he or she experiences experiences percieved risk, uncertainty and pressure and is also faced with a challenge. These aspects contribute to the individual becoming aware of his or her feelings; psychological experiences; specific thoughts about self and own abilities; the role that support plays; own defense mechanisms and interpersonal styles.

These concepts are then thoroughly debriefed during the following day inorder to make personal growth possible. In these debriefing sessionsgreat care is taken to link the day's activities on a metaphorical level to every day life and depency of the individual.

At present a typical day on the adventure therapy programme, which takes place once every five weeks, looks as follows:

• Warming-up and icebreakers
• Activities focusing on the formation of certain concepts like individualand group trust
• Problem solving and conflict handling etc.
• Low rope activities
• High rope activities
• Continous debriefing sessions between activities

It has been our experience that this programme really contributes to behavioral and emotional changes with patients especially since they become more aware, on both a physical and a psychological level, of their own behavior, choices and interaction patterns and the effect these have on their lives and addictions. It thus seems as if this programme provides the patient with the opportunity to visualize and experience the therapeutic process that has already started back at the center.

In closing, we leave you with four quotes that vividly explain the effectiveness of adventure therapy:

"You can learn more about a person in an hour's worth of play than in a day of conversation"
(Plato in Groff & Datillo, 2000)

Quinn (in Miles & Priest, 1999,147) asks the question why adventure is used to bring about change. He dissects the adventure experience and finds subjectivity, discovery, desire, striving, uncertainty, excitement, fun exhilaration, and growth.
T he world can be a small and narrow place, he argues, unless one seeks to explore.
Adventure is exploration, which requires extension of the self.
This extension leads to further exploration, and thus do people move towards fulfillment.

"After you have 'clipped in', there is no place to run and no place to hide. You are suddenly face to face with who you are and how you handle risk,pressure and challenge" (Snow, 1992)

"Words fail to express the deepest levels of human experience. People first experience, then assign meaning to their experiences through language" (Snow, 1992).

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