Johannesburg is becoming pretty well known for quality, affordable addiction treatment both locally and abroad. Gareth Carter plays a significant role as an interventionist and addiction counsellor, impacting the field both locally in South Africa and in the United Kingdom and has been doing so for the last 29 years.
In the sphere of addiction treatment and when talking about rehab centres, the distinction between profit-driven motives and genuine patient care is often murky. This creates a dilemma for families seeking help, as they confront a landscape where high costs and questionable practices in some rehab centres and referral services can jeopardise the recovery journey of their loved ones.
The ethical implications are significant, with the quality of care sometimes taking a backseat to financial gain, raising serious concerns about the priorities in the rehab industry.
Against this backdrop, WeDoRecover focuses on effective counselling and support, emphasising the needs of the individual over profitability. Their method simply involves a deeper understanding of each person’s unique situation, then offering tailored guidance and connecting them to the most reputable treatment services for the individual. This should be a very standard approach that not only upholds the dignity and well-being of those seeking help but also reassures families that their loved ones are in compassionate hands and are being guided to services of actual benefit and where money is being well spent.
Ethical care should be setting a new standard in the addiction treatment industry; unfortunately, it’s still very hard for the average person seeking treatment to separate the chaff from the wheat. This difficulty arises due to the prominence of unscrupulous operators in the field of addiction treatment and recovery. This issue is particularly prevalent in many countries, including South Africa, the UK, and the USA, where “rehab referral services” are often little more than money-making schemes. These services tend to refer patients to any rehab that offers them sufficient financial incentive, regardless of the patient outcomes.
“The line between care and commerce can be thin”,
WeDoRecover’s approach is entirely about placing the person’s needs and the family needs at the forefront of their addiction treatment process. Prioritising effective treatment and empathetic support and meaningful advice should be the standard to provide those battling addiction with an actual support system.
We caught up with Gareth Carter over a cup of coffee in Joburg.
For prominent figures in the addiction treatment, counselling, and intervention space, Gareth is one of those characters who is quite willing to share his insights and experiences in the field of addiction treatment, recovery, and working with patients from South Africa, the UK, and the USA. His perspectives offer a unique view into the challenges associated with addiction recovery as well as offer solutions that he is actively working towards in South Africa through a rehab centre in Johannesburg called Changes Rehab.
Could you share with us what inspired the inception of WeDoRecover?
“The idea for WeDoRecover came from a very personal place. I saw a gap in how addiction was being treated and understood and misunderstood. It wasn’t just about providing treatment; or about the substance, it was about offering a supportive environment where individuals could feel understood and cared for. We wanted to create a space where the focus was on the individual’s needs, addressing not just the addiction but also the underlying issues that often accompany it.”
How does ChangesRehab differentiate itself in its approach to addiction treatment?
“Changes Rehab stands for holistic approach which is a term that is frequently misused in rehabs across the world. We don’t just look at the physical aspect of addiction; Changes works on the person’s emotional and psychological and often spiritual dilemmas. Our treatment is designed around what will work for each person, recognizing that each individual’s experience with addiction is something that is unique to them. We focus on providing care that deals with all aspects of an individual’s well-being which we learn along the way.”
What are some challenges faced by those seeking addiction treatment overseas, and how does WeDoRecover assist in this regard?
“One major challenge is finding the right treatment centre that understands the cultural and personal background of the individual. We assist by bridging this gap by offering guidance and support, so that the treatment our clients receive is aligned with their personal and cultural needs.”
What trends have you observed in the addiction treatment industry in recent years?
“There’s been a noticeable shift towards more personalised and holistic treatment models. There’s also a growing awareness of the importance of mental health in relation to addiction treatment and the people that we have running around our rehab centre are well versed in getting to the core issues which are very often hinged around past and present trauma. These trends are important because they signal a move towards more comprehensive and effective treatment strategies but mostly because they include care and not a beating stick when it comes to treating patients.”
How do you see the future of addiction treatment evolving, especially in South Africa?
“I see a future where addiction treatment is more accessible and tailored to individual needs and amplified by the use of tools and educational programmes like Recovery Direct in which patients can freely access resources any time into their future after rehab. South Africa is uniquely positioned to lead in this respect, given our diverse population and the strides we’ve already made in treatment methodologies around mental health, trauma recovery, spiritual growth programmes. I believe we’ll continue to innovate and improve, offering to be even more effective for patients and their families as we are just as open to growth as they are.”
Future of Recovery in South Africa
WeDoRecover has changed the way effective rehab referrals work by focusing on personalised, empathetic care. Unlike traditional methods, they recognize that each person’s experience with addiction is unique. Instead of just connecting people to treatment centres, they take the time to understand individual needs, backgrounds, and the various factors that contribute to addiction before making any recommendations.
This approach makes the daunting process of finding the right treatment more manageable and supportive. For those dealing with addiction, it means finding a treatment that truly fits their situation. South Africa’s advancements in rehab referral services are setting global standards, emphasising comprehensive care that includes mental health. With its cost-effective, high-quality care, South Africa is becoming a leader in addiction treatment, attracting international attention. The future looks bright, with a growing focus on holistic, patient-centred care and the use of technology like telehealth to make treatment more accessible worldwide.
Rehab in Johannesburg costs about a quarter of what it does in the UK, yet the quality of treatment is often considered superior. In some cases, it’s more economical for individuals to travel to Johannesburg for a comprehensive 90-day program than to stay for a week in a UK rehab. This combination of affordability and high-quality care is making Johannesburg a favoured destination for effective addiction treatment, proving that quality care can be more accessible and affordable.
By simply focusing on personalised care through the line, they’ve helped over 3000 people find lasting recovery since the inception of the concept. The collaboration with Changes Rehab shows that adjusting treatment to fit each person’s unique circumstances is quite a challenge but well worth the effort.
The impact goes beyond just numbers; it’s about changing lives. Every success story underlines the effectiveness of their approach. In an often uncertain field, their partnership provides a trustworthy path to recovery, highlighting the power of personalised treatment in creating positive change.
Contact We Do Recover
081 444 7000 (SA)
0800 955 4357 (UK)
WeDoRecover.com
Contact Rhanges Rehab
081 444 7000 (SA)
216 Weltevreden Rd, Northcliff, Johannesburg
ChangesRehab.co.za
Written by Steph Burger of YLO Cape Town