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South African guide: Rehabilitation, recovery and residential treatment for global clients

Rehab tourism

At Rehab Abroad, we are here to guide you every step of your recovery journey.

South Africa is a popular destination for British nationals seeking help with substance abuse. Private rehabilitation centres in South Africa are widely accessible to foreign visitors. If you are considering travelling to an inpatient rehabilitation programme in South Africa, this guide can be used to help you.

If you are planning on travelling to South Africa for treatment, you should use this guide in conjunction with South Africa’s travel advice and guidance on mental health and wellbeing abroad before you travel. These highlight significant issues, including around safety and security, that you should be aware of before travel.

1. Considerations for addiction treatment in South Africa (Mpumalanga)

It’s important to spend time researching the right facility and have a good understanding of the benefits and risks associated with seeking treatment in South Africa.

1.1 Benefits

Private rehabilitation centres in South Africa offer a range of programmes for people struggling with addiction. Many people find that attending a programme in a completely different environment has significant benefits, such as:

  • new surroundings with an opportunity to see and experience a new place and culture
  • anonymity
  • an opportunity to remove oneself from triggers
  • lower cost compared to the UK
  • high quality medical care
  • available and accessible treatment for private patients

1.2 Risks

Whilst many people who choose South Africa as a treatment destination have a trouble-free visit, there are some specific risks you should be aware of.

If you decide to leave a programme before it finishes and choose not to return to the UK, you could be at risk of relapse and engaging in high-risk behaviour. To be prepared, you should:

Understand local law

Whilst you are in South Africa, you will be subject to the laws of the country. This means you can be arrested if you commit a crime. So, it is advised that you familiarise yourself with the laws of the country where you will be receiving your treatment.

Ensure you have health cover

If you become ill and require medical attention, you could be admitted to a hospital. It is important you have the right insurance in place that will cover you for an addiction-related illness. South Africa has a high standard of private medical care, but without insurance can be expensive.

If you don’t take out appropriate insurance and cannot pay for private medical costs, you will need to seek medical treatment from the South African public health service. It is important to understand that the standard of care varies across South Africa. Some public hospitals in South Africa are overburdened and under resourced, which could negatively impact on the healthcare quality.

Understand the South African Mental Health Care Act

If it has been deemed that you are a risk to yourself or others, you may be involuntarily admitted under the Mental Health Care Act, 17 of 2002 into a public health facility. This usually means you will be kept for a minimum of 72 hours for observation. If you have been detained under the Mental Health Care Act, it is crucial that you have a ‘return to the UK’ plan in place to minimise any further risks.

Take safety and security seriously

It is important to keep in mind that the crime rate in South Africa is high. If you think you might be at risk of engaging in high-risk behaviour you should take extra precautions. You should know the safety and security risks as outlined in our Travel Advice for South Africa.

Know the dangers of acquiring prohibited substances

The purchase and use of illegal drugs in South Africa can lead to criminal charges, fines and imprisonment. Consuming a drug of an unknown quality and potency may lead to unwanted physical or mental effects or cause you to overdose. More information on the impact of travel and substance use is available on the website of the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers.

2. Deciding which facility you want to attend

The treatment options that are right for you depend largely on your own situation and priorities. Before you choose a private rehabilitation centre in South Africa, it is important to look at the following:

2.1 Is the facility licensed?

The most important thing you must do is check whether your chosen facility is registered. Registered facilities undergo regular inspections and demonstrate compliance with expected norms and standards. They will have teams of professionals who have the experience necessary to support your recovery journey.

There are many unlicensed rehabilitation facilities operating in South Africa. These facilities are less likely to offer the therapeutic and medical care required and their staff may be less likely to be professionally accredited. We strongly discourage you from choosing an unlicensed facility. Whilst the costs may be lower, you are less likely to get the treatment you are looking for, which may result in financial or emotional strain.

You should do extensive research in advance and choose a reputable facility that is registered with the South African Department of Social Development or the Western Cape’s Substance Use Disorder Service.

2.2 What sort of programme does the facility offer?

When choosing a facility, you should ask what measures they have in place to support your needs. A facility that is used to dealing with foreign patients will:

  • help advise on a programme suitable to your needs
  • consider your medical history and offer a suitable programme if you have a dual diagnosis
  • arrange your transport from the airport to the facility, and back : Contact us
  • help you to apply for the right type of visa
  • be honest with you about the additional risks you might face if you exit the programme and/or relapse in South Africa
  • You should ask prospective facilities the sort of programmes they have for residential patients. This will help you know what to expect during your treatment.

3. Prepare for your travel

It is vital that you prepare adequately for your travel to South Africa. We also advise that you inform a family member and/or friend about your travel plans, the programme, the treatment duration and when you will return to the UK.

3.1 Visa

It is important to get the right visa for your stay. We advise most people to apply for a medical visa requesting a minimum six month stay. This is because if you are attending a three-month rehabilitation programme, this option allows you to extend your treatment if you need to. British nationals can apply for a medical treatment visa at the South African High Commission in the UK. It is possible to apply to extend your stay in South Africa, if your visa is still valid.

You can find further information and the required documents for applying for a medical visa on the South African Department of Home Affairs website.

You do not need a visa to visit South Africa for tourism or business for up to 90 days. Check the expiry date of your visa or entry stamp and ensure you do not overstay. See more on the entry requirements section of Travel Advice.

3.2 Insurance

There is no reciprocal healthcare agreement between South Africa and the United Kingdom. It is important to take out the right type of travel insurance to ensure you are protected if things go wrong. Without insurance, private medical care can be very expensive in South Africa and public medical care can vary in quality. If you have serious health concerns, your chosen facility is likely to direct you towards a private hospital. Therefore, taking out the right type of travel insurance can help you and your family avoid unexpected costs.

There are other benefits to taking out travel insurance, including help with costs if your travel plans change, or being able to make a claim if you are a victim of theft.

Consider the following when looking into insurance options:

  • how comprehensive is the policy and will it cover your specific needs while abroad?
  • how long will you be abroad?
  • what activities will you do whilst abroad? Consider that some activities are not covered, but you may be able to purchase additional cover if needed
  • will you need cover for a current medical condition?
  • are you covered if you suffer a relapse or need medical treatment linked to an addiction?

Sometimes your travel insurance needs may mean you should consider more specialist cover. The British Insurance Brokers Association (BIBA) offer a ‘find a broker’ service’ to help you find appropriate cover. Mind, a charity organisation, also offers advice on insurance cover and mental health.

4. What to do if treatment doesn’t go according to plan

Private rehabilitation programmes are always voluntary in South Africa. You are entitled to refuse treatment. Your facility will likely do what they can to encourage you to stay in treatment.

If you no longer wish to attend recovery programmes in South Africa, you should plan your safe return to the UK.

If you are at risk of relapse, you should try to avoid leaving the facility until you are scheduled to return to the UK, as you may become more vulnerable in South Africa without a support system in place.

If you decide to leave your place of care and later regret the decision, recovery centres generally prefer you return to continue treatment. Recovery centres understand seeking treatment is difficult. A quality recovery facility will be non-judgemental in circumstances where you have made a mistake. You should contact your recovery centre if you decided to refuse treatment and later change your mind.

You should keep the following phone numbers in case of an emergency:

  • South African Police Service: 10111 or 112 from a local mobile
  • Ambulance: 10177
  • the phone number of your chosen facility, and if relevant, your therapist
  • responsible family members and friends you can rely on
  • British High Commission Pretoria

5. Decide what to do after your programme

Recovering from addiction does not end after completing a treatment programme. After attending a treatment programme, you may be eager to enjoy a substance-free life, but you may also be fearful of maintaining your recovery once you resume your daily routine.

Many people continue their recovery journey long after attending a treatment programme. It is important to remember that after treatment you will not have the same access and support from counsellors and peers. Reducing the amount of support around you can be difficult and may make a person want to use again. It is advisable that you:

  • create a post-treatment plan, ideally with your treatment provider, to help you maintain your recovery
  • join a post-treatment support group. This is also called continuing care, aftercare, disease management, or recovery support services
  • gather together a trusted support/recovery team which can be your friends or family members, that you can rely on for support
  • practice a healthy lifestyle
  • recognise and manage triggers
  • be ready if relapse occurs

6. Further support and information

6.1 Support Services in South Africa:

Alcoholics Anonymous 24-hour Helpline

Alcoholics Anonymous is a peer support group for adults who whose lives have been affected by alcohol.

Alateen is a peer support group for young people who live with or who have been affected by alcohol.

Childline

Childline South Africa works to protect children from violence and further the culture of children’s rights in South Africa. Childline runs a national, 24-hour, toll-free telephone counselling service for children and adults,

Narcotics Anonymous

Narcotics Anonymous is a peer support group for adults who whose lives have been affected by drugs.

SA Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG)

SADAG is a support network for people suffering with mental health illness

6.2 Support services in the UK:

6.3 Support for families and carers:

7. Legislation in South Africa:

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.