Assessments

The purpose of the assessment is to determine whether a substance use disorder is present, the extent of the substance abuse, whether there are co-occurring conditions, and to assist in the development of a treatment plan. An assessment is an interview, which consist of questionnaires and self-assessment.

The substance abuse assessment process is easy to understand. The social worker will have you fill out a standardised questionnaire asking about your current drug or alcohol use, treatment history, health history, patterns of behaviour, symptoms, and the effects the substance abuse has had on your life. Afterwards, the social worker will conduct a face-to-face interview with you, asking standard, open-ended questions that elicit information regarding your substance abuse problem and related challenges.

The social worker will compile an assessment report if consent is given.

Detoxification

Detoxification and medically managed withdrawal are the first stage of treatment. Detoxification, the process by which the body clears itself of drugs, is designed to manage the acute and potentially dangerous physiological effects of stopping drug use. Detoxification is often accompanied by unpleasant and potentially fatal side effects stemming from withdrawal. This is managed with medications administered by a physician in an inpatient setting.  Therefore, it is referred to as “medically managed withdrawal.”

Detoxification alone does not address the psychological, social, and behavioural problems associated with addiction and therefore does not typically produce lasting behavioural changes necessary for recovery. A formal substance abuse therapeutic treatment programme should thus follow detoxification.

Detoxification programmes are formulated according to the individual needs. Please contact us for more information.

Inpatient Treatment

We offer a short term, 24-day, residential in-patient treatment programme. Our staff ensures that residential patients are actively involved in treatment. This includes consistent attendance of groups, individual sessions, recreational and spiritual programmes.

The inpatient treatment programme gives the individual the two most important components needed for treatment – time and education. It gives them a chance to be able to see what a sober life feels like and what changes need to be made to sustain this healthy lifestyle.

When someone admits themselves to an in-patient rehabilitation facility, they are giving themselves what they need to get better – time and focus. This allows individuals to start their recovery process properly.

Out-patient Treatment

The out-patient treatment programme is less compounded than inpatient programmes.

The Aurora Centre offers a 30 day out-patient treatment programme. Participation in this programme is subjected to a thorough assessment by the social worker and medical doctor.  The assessment determines if an individual is suitable for intensive outpatient treatment. As a part of the assessment, an individual is provided with important and helpful counselling about treatment options that would best fit their needs.

The out-patient treatment programme consists of daily visits to the Aurora Centre for a 30-day period. Two weekly individual sessions with the co-ordinating therapist is scheduled and attendance of the aftercare programme presented at the centre is encouraged.

Consultations

Consultation services are a pre-admission option.

Phone or visit us for enquiries, assessments, motivational interviews and constructive interventions. Should a person require information on substance use, abuse and dependency regarding themselves, a family member, a friend, a learner or employee, you are welcome to make use of this service.

Aftercare Programme

Recovery is more than just saying, “I hereby vow to never use again.” It means coming up with an entirely new way of dealing with common stressors and developing an entirely new lifestyle. This is not a process that can be completed in weeks, even months. It might be a process that takes years to accomplish.

Following substance abuse treatment programmes, it is important for individuals to remain engaged in aftercare programmes. These programmes help to reduce the risk of relapse.

Professional after care programmes include individual sessions, group work sessions and support group meetings

At the Aurora Centre our support groups and aftercare groups form the basis of our aftercare programme. These groups meet weekly according to a schedule.

Family Sessions and Support

Every single person in the life of a person abusing substances, like the immediate family (and at times the extended family), is affected in one or other way by the individual’s substance abuse. Substance abuse affects a family’s finances, physical health and psychological wellbeing. Among all of the family members who are affected, perhaps nobody suffers as much as children. The effects of living with an addicted parent can be felt well into adulthood.

At the Aurora Centre we offer family therapy and counselling sessions during each individual’s third week of treatment. During these sessions family members or significant others receive information and counselling to learn how to support and assist their loved one in recovery. Research shows that individuals whose families are involved in treatment have a better chance of success.

Family members and significant others of substance abusers often develop co-dependency.  Co- dependency is an emotional and behavioural condition that affects an individual’s ability to have healthy, mutually satisfying relationships.

The Aurora Centre invites all interested parties to attend our scheduled co-dependency support group to address this professionally.