Therapeutic Philosophy
A Holistic Approach
We adopt a holistic approach to addiction treatment by addressing the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects of an individual. Our addiction treatment centre considers the whole person and their environment, rather than only treating the symptoms of addiction. The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Continuum of care, is used to create personalised, evidence-based treatment plans that target the underlying causes of addiction. Clients learn skills and tools they need to maintain long-term sobriety. Our multidisciplinary team has extensive experience in holistic addiction and alcohol dependence treatment, recognising that addiction affects all areas of life. Effective recovery requires care that goes beyond traditional therapy or medication alone.
Minnesota Model
The 12-Step Minnesota Model forms the backbone of the alcohol dependence treatment and other addiction treatments, offering a structured approach that addresses both the physical and emotional facets of addiction. It combines practical tools, peer support, and a focus on accountability, self-reflection, and ongoing commitment to recovery.
Therapeutic Interventions for Lasting Recovery
The ASAM Continuum of Care
This model provides a comprehensive framework for assessment and treatment planning essential for addressing the complex nature of addiction and promoting successful recovery outcomes. Ocean Bay Recovery is the only treatment centre in South Africa to integrate the ASAM model into our programme, aligning with our commitment to an evidence-based approach to various addiction treatments such as alcohol dependence treatment.
Individual Counselling
Our clients participate in one-on-one sessions with our addiction counselors, a social worker, and psychologist at our addiction treatment centre to explore underlying issues and emotions that may have contributed to their addiction. This safe and non-judgmental environment enables clients to discuss their concerns and experiences related to their addiction, helping them process their emotions, increase self-awareness, and develop healthy communication and relationship skills. Individual counselling also assists in identifying and addressing any co-occurring mental health issues that may influence their addiction.
These sessions allow our multidisciplinary clinical team to continually update tailored treatment plans that target both the addiction and any underlying mental health concerns. This therapy is a vital component of treatments from alcohol dependence treatment to drug rehabilitation treatment and more, aligning to our core philosophy of a personalised and holistic approach to recovery.
Group Therapy
Group therapy provides a unique sense of community where clients can feel supported and understood by peers facing similar challenges. Attending regular group sessions promotes accountability, motivating individuals to stay dedicated to their recovery. It creates a safe space for sharing experiences and gaining valuable insights from others. Clients also learn coping strategies for managing triggers and cravings as well as how to rebuild social networks.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT at our addiction treatment centre helps clients understand and overcome the root causes of addiction. It is an evidence-based, goal-oriented approach that focuses on identifying and changing the negative thought patterns and behaviours that contribute to substance use.
Through CBT, clients learn to recognise triggers, manage cravings, and develop healthier coping strategies. It empowers them to break the cycle of addiction by reshaping the way they think, feel, and respond to challenges. This therapy also enhances emotional regulation, builds resilience, and supports long-term recovery by equipping individuals with practical tools to handle stress, anxiety, and high-risk situations without turning to substances.
As part of our personalised and holistic treatment programme, CBT offers lasting benefits, promoting self-awareness, emotional strength, and sustainable behavioural change.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
DBT supports our clients by helping them build emotional resilience, manage distress, and develop healthier ways to relate to themselves and others. Originally designed to treat complex emotional and behavioural challenges, DBT is especially effective for clients with co-occurring disorders, trauma histories, or difficulties with emotional regulation.
In the context of addiction, DBT teaches key skill sets: Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation, and Interpersonal Effectiveness. These skills empower our clients to tolerate cravings, navigate high-risk situations, manage intense emotions without using substances, and build healthier relationships.
What sets DBT apart is its balance of acceptance and change by meeting clients where they are, while guiding them toward more constructive and intentional behaviour. Integrated into our holistic model, clients learn to break free from self-destructive cycles and lay the foundation for long-term recovery, emotional stability, and improved quality of life.
Family Integration
Addiction is a complex disease that impacts the whole family. In many cases we find that family members may have enabled the addiction or been affected by the individual’s behaviour while under the influence. As such, involving family in the treatment process is crucial.
By providing family communication and reintegration services, we help repair damaged relationships and improve family dynamics which helps our patients develop a support system that is critical to long-term recovery. In turn, families learn about the disease of addiction and ways they can best support their loved one’s recovery. Our addiction treatment centre offers tailored family support to help with this process.
Families and loved ones also benefit from our support services as they learn ways to cope with their own emotional and mental health challenges related to their loved one’s addiction.
Ocean, Nature and Adventure Therapy
An essential part of our treatment is connecting clients with the great outdoors and nature, aiming to help them reconnect with that part of themselves that knew how to be present and enjoy life before addiction. During their stay, clients re-learn how to enjoy sober fun by engaging with nature and participating in freeing and exciting activities.
At the core of our natural immersion is our Ocean Therapy programme. Simply put, we give clients a daily experience of nature’s most powerful element. This includes daily morning trips to the beach for swimming, sitting with the sand between their toes, hiking along the shoreline, surfing, paddling, walking on the beach, and more. We ensure daily contact with the ocean to foster mindfulness and appreciation for the natural beauty of this world.
We are located just 100 meters from the main swimming beach, a short walk down our Ocean Way path to the sea. Greater St Francis is known for its diverse outdoor activities, including beaches, waterway canals, Kromme River, Port St Francis Harbour, nature reserves, hiking trails, surf spots, and more, all conveniently right on our doorstep.
For exploring nature and tourist attractions, St Francis is centrally positioned with access to the Addo Elephant Park Game Reserve, Bloukrans Bungee, the Garden Route, Baviaanskloof, Tsitsikamma Nature Reserves, JBay’s famous Supertubes, and much more – all within an hour’s drive from us.
We organise a peak travel excursion at least once a month and offer locally-based adventures twice a week.
Movement, Meditation and Mindfulness Therapy
Integral to our therapeutic programme is our weekly Meditation and Movement Therapy, which complements treatments like our alcohol dependence treatment by nurturing the body and mind.
Daily 20-minute meditations and weekly 1-hour mindfulness sessions led by our Meditation and Mindfulness Practitioner empower our clients by helping them gain control over their emotions and fostering self-awareness.
Movement therapy, led by our Biokineticist as well as Pilates and Yoga sessions, facilitated by highly qualified instructors, complement each other by reinforcing the connection between mind and body. Designed to restore strength, increase flexibility, and improve overall well-being, these activities encourage our clients to reconnect with their physical selves while nurturing their mental and emotional health.
Aftercare Program
We offer a comprehensive post-residential treatment as an additional layer of support to residential treatment at our addiction treatment centre. This includes regular check-ins, access to counselling, and online resources designed to help clients stay aligned with their recovery goals. The combination of these services ensures that clients are supported as they reintegrate into their communities and build healthy, fulfilling lives free from addiction.
Aftercare is essential for long-term recovery following inpatient treatment.
- Addiction is a chronic condition that requires ongoing management and support.
- Individuals need support as they transition back into daily life and navigate the challenges of maintaining sobriety. The education, individual counselling, and support we provide helps our clients avoid relapse triggers and maintain their sobriety.
- We focus on helping our clients build a sense of community and support. Our after-care programme offers group therapy, peer support, and recreational activities that foster positive relationships and connections with others who understand their challenges and experiences.
Programme - Levels of Care
Residential Primary Care
Ocean Bay Recovery offers a treatment journey that includes both Primary and Secondary care programmes. Each stage is designed to support our clients through different phases of recovery, from initial stabilisation to full reintegration into daily life.
Our Primary Programme is the starting point for most of our clients. This is a highly structured, residential phase where the focus is on stabilising the individual, addressing the immediate impacts of addiction, and beginning the deeper therapeutic work required for lasting recovery. The minimum stay at our addiction treatment centre is one full calendar month, during which clients participate in a carefully designed schedule that includes individual therapy, group work, psychoeducation, 12-Step facilitation, and holistic activities such as ocean, nature and adventure therapy, yoga, pilates, exercise, mindfulness, and creative expression. For clients requiring medical detox, we provide appropriate supervision and care.
The goal during this phase is to help each person gain insight into their substance use, begin healing emotional wounds, and build the foundation for sustainable sobriety through effective treatment.
Primary Programme Overview
Objective: To stabilise the client, break the cycle of addiction, and begin intensive therapeutic work.
Features:
- Duration: Usually 30 to 42 days, but sometimes longer depending on the client’s response to treatment.
- Setting: Residential, structured, and closely supervised at our addiction treatment centre.
- Focus:
- Detox (if needed)
- Daily group and individual therapy
- Education about addiction and recovery
- 12-Step introduction and step work
- Behavioural therapy (eg CBT, DBT)
- Goal: To lay the foundation for sobriety and begin identifying underlying emotional, psychological, and behavioural issues driving addiction.
Best for individuals in active addiction or early recovery who need a safe, structured environment with 24/7 support.
Residential – Secondary Care
Once clients have achieved initial stability and are ready to take the next step, they may be invited to transition into our Secondary Programme. This phase continues to offer residential care but with greater emphasis on independence, personal responsibility, and real-life application of recovery tools. Clients in secondary care participate in ongoing therapy, continue step work if not already completed in the Primary programme, and begin developing essential life skills such as routine management, communication, and goal setting. The focus here is on preparing for reintegration, whether that means returning to work, studies, or family life. Many clients find that this extended care boosts their confidence and readiness to maintain recovery outside of a treatment setting, especially after receiving specialised treatment such as drug and/or alcohol dependence treatment.
Secondary Programme Overview
Designed to support clients who have completed primary care and are ready to deepen their recovery while practicing more independence.
- Duration: Typically 1 – 3 months (or longer), depending on the client’s progress.
- Setting: residential, with more freedom and responsibility at our addiction treatment centre.
- Focus:
- Continued therapy (individual and group)
- Life skills development (e.g., budgeting, time management)
- Relapse prevention planning
- Existing career reintegration, new job/work readiness and/or academic support
- Completion of step work and/or maintenance step work following completion of 12 steps
- Stronger focus on reintegration and autonomy
- Goal: To bridge the gap between intensive treatment and real life, helping clients maintain sobriety while learning to navigate everyday challenges. This phase builds on foundational treatments to support lasting recovery.
Secondary treatment is ideal for those who are sober and medically stable, but not yet ready to return to full independence. Secondary care enhances recovery tools and facilitates a gradual re-entry into work, school, or family life.
Both our primary and secondary programmes are rooted in compassion, clinical integrity, and personalised care. We believe that recovery is about more than just stopping the substance, it’s about transforming one’s relationship with self, others, and life. By providing a safe, supportive, and nature-rich environment, Ocean Bay Recovery helps clients move from surviving to truly thriving.
Secondary treatment is ideal for those who are sober and medically stable, but not yet ready to return to full independence. Secondary care enhances recovery tools and facilitates a gradual re-entry into work, school, or family life.
Both our primary and secondary programmes are rooted in compassion, clinical integrity, and personalised care. We believe that recovery is about more than just stopping the substance, it’s about transforming one’s relationship with self, others, and life. By providing a safe, supportive, and nature-rich environment, Ocean Bay Recovery helps clients move from surviving to truly thriving
Care Phase Summary
| Feature | Primary Programme | Secondary Programme |
|---|---|---|
|
Focus |
Stabilisation and intensive treatment |
Reintegration and life skills |
|
Supervision Level |
High (24/7 support) |
Moderate (increased independence) |
|
Length |
4–6 weeks (varies) |
Additional 4–12 weeks (or more) |
|
Best For |
Early recovery, active addiction |
Post-detox, committed to continued recovery |
|
Goal |
Break addiction, begin healing |
Strengthen tools, prepare for independent living |
Outpatient Care
Our outpatient programme allows individuals to receive help for their addiction without residing full-time at our addiction treatment centre. It includes scheduled therapy sessions, counselling, and support meetings that can be customised to fit the client’s daily routine.
We recommend this programme for mild to moderate addictions, as it provides a supportive environment while enabling the individual to continue their daily responsibilities and routines. It can also be a good option for those who have completed an inpatient treatment programme and want support beyond our after-care programme.
Detoxification
We offer off-site acute detoxification for severe medical needs and on-site sub-acute detoxification, overseen by a physician and full-time nurses, to facilitate initial stabilisation before commencing our Primary Care programme.
