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Our Beliefs

South Coast Recovery Centre was opened on 13th of February, 2001, by Conrad and Jean Cooper.

The centre was founded on the principle that we will do whatever it takes and whatever is possible to achieve the recovery of individuals within our care.

The direct implication of this is that, contrary to the majority of rehabilitation centres who offer a specified time frame or contract period for treatment, we believe this is limiting and contributes to the dismal levels of success as researched by the United Nations and World Health Organisation. The fundamental problem is that with addiction, the treatment of the disease and damage associated thereto, it is expected to be “healed” within a specified period.

The reality is that the disease of addiction has the same characteristics of other primary diseases, in that if all the associated problems and symptoms are not addressed and dealt with, the patient will be unable to achieve a sustainable recovery. The obvious case and point with HIV, for instance, is that it is not normally the HIV that kills, but complications as a result of the virus. The same is true of addiction.

It is imperative that any potential Dual Diagnosis, Psychosocial issues, PTSD, STD, abuse, education, skill level, eating disorders, family roles, levels of emotional- and psychological intelligence, outstanding legal- and financial consequences are addressed, in conjunction to the primary diagnosis of the 'Behaviour Disorder' of addiction.

SCRC is a Christian Centre. We are proud of this as we have witnessed many lives, including our own, being transformed through our Lord Jesus Christ. This does not mean that we 'Bible Bash', enforce our opinion on others, judge other beliefs or dictate that recovery is only possible through acceptance of Christianity. We strongly encourage our clients to explore their Spirituality and the Higher Power of their understanding.

All are welcomed at the SCRC.

We believe in and support the 12 Step Programme format. SCRC are the local hosts for the NA meetings as well as hosting one of the local AA meetings. We believe that the development of self-discipline and personal responsibility is imperative to recovery, and use our best efforts to instil this principle in clients that are in our care.

The programme format requires a minimum duration of five months. Our residents, whose primary drug of choice is crack, heroin, pharmaceuticals or Crystal Meth, are required to commit to a minimum programme length of six months. This period can be impacted as a result of medical conditions, health of the client on induction, complications during detoxification, secondary diagnosis, commitment, legal issues, education and skill level. These, amongst other factors, are taken into consideration in the development and continued evaluation of each client's 'Individual Treatment Plan'.

A vital component is the completion of Step 7 (''We humbly ask Him to remove our shortcomings''). For an individual to depart treatment prior to having the character defects removed, the recovery process will be severely compromised.

The SCRC Multidisciplinary team are totally committed and dedicated to the individuals in our care. Our team do not view their vocation as a job, but rather as a calling and ministry, and the individuals in our care are not just a number, but individuals who need support, guidance, love and discipline from all of our dedicated team members. The relationships that are established during the time spent as part of the SCRC family, lasts years. All of us at the SCRC are client-centred, whilst applying numerous counselling methodologies, and all counsellors are involved in the development of the Individual Treatment Plans.

We love people and we love what we do.

Family therapy is strongly supported and we encourage families to spend time with us in the sanctity of the SCRC environment. The recovery of individuals within our care is taken very personally, and our staff are determined in their approach to uncovering and resolving all the issues hindering the rehabilitation of the individual to a full and contributing, responsible member of society.

In line with our commitment and dedication to the recovery and the restoration of our clients, SCRC have several copyrighted 'in-house' programmes. These programmes have been developed to address specific drugs of choice, their idiosyncrasies and craving cycles. Moreover, specialised programmes are utilised in the treatment of sexual addiction, sexual abuse and eating disorders.

These interventions are brought into play subsequent to Step 3, after the primary diagnosis of addiction is under management and after the client has developed an understanding and commitment to their own Spiritual principles.

In our opinion it is imperative that the client comes to a level of understanding and acceptance, that a life of recovery requires a lifestyle of amends, gratitude and humbleness.

To entrench this and in accordance with Step 12, SCRC is committed to the community. Every year, SCRC residents conduct a five day 4x4 outreach to the remote and underprivileged communities in Southern Africa. We are also invested in the local communities, providing support to 'aids homes' amongst others. SCRC, its staff and residents offer educational support to schools in KwaZulu-Natal, assisting with drug and recovery programmes and drug policies.

Our commitment is to achieve the paradigm shift from a “culture of addiction” to a “culture of recovery”.

SCRC is committed to continually developing our site and facilities to create a home away from home, and. over the last 12 months the facility has been renovated and enhanced. A new dining hall, kitchen and group room has been completed and equipped, counselling and admin offices added, eating disorder unit established, and a new workshop and storage facilities built.

We at the SCRC seek constant improvement for both the centre and those entrusted to our care. We strive to continually develop new programmes through research. Staff training and development is ongoing to ensure best practises. In line with our belief of building a healthy, alternate lifestyle and culture, SCRC are fortunate to have extensive and improved sport- and recreational facilities on our 22 acre property.

This includes a climbing wall, obstacle course, 'farm style' informal soccer pitch, new gym facility, pools, paintball, surf club, equine intervention (grooming and feeding), action cricket (male and female teams), reading material and games, Praise and Worship band, pool table at the Halfway House, beach outings etc.

Some of these, such as paintball and action cricket and other excursions are at the client’s own cost and are arranged periodically, dependant on the client's progress, development and position in the programme. These would include skydiving, deep sea fishing, horse riding, and so forth.

We believe that recovery is possible and achievable. We do not believe that we need to conform to the recovery rates dictated by society and that recovery is the God-given right of every person suffering from addiction. South Coast Recovery Centre is a family of committed individuals, honouring the memory of those lost to addiction and still suffering from addiction.

We will do whatever it takes ...

SCRC's approach is aimed at facilitating change from the culture of addiction to the culture of recovery.

This process will yield limited success when approached outside of a residential treatment facility particularly when detoxification is required. It is imperative that individuals entering treatment are given as much training and education as possible.

All content copyright South Coast Recovery Centre 2010