Therapy at White River Recovery
A full recovery programme that meets
you where you are.
6-week programme starting at
£4,950
or
€6,600
Who do we treat?
Addiction treatment in South Africa
At White River Recovery, we provide help and support to individuals and families struggling with a range of addictions, offering compassionate, evidence-based care with a team that genuinely understands what it means to recover.
We believe that addiction doesn’t define who you are. Instead, these behaviours are often symptoms of a much deeper, emotional struggle, and with proper care and support, recovery is absolutely possible.
Our team takes a comprehensive, whole-person approach to recovery, offering personalised addiction treatment programmes tailored to each individual.
This approach ensures that every aspect of your addiction is addressed, providing you with the best chance of recovery.
At White River Recovery, we understand that addiction is not just a mental or emotional issue; it can have a detrimental impact on the body and spirit as well.
Therefore, we provide experiential treatment as part of our substance abuse recovery programmes.
This approach includes yoga, breathwork, and mindfulness, which help you reconnect with your body, values, beliefs, and unique vision for recovery.
These experiential treatments are designed to complement our evidence-based therapies and provide a holistic approach to healing.
Types of addictions we treat
Addiction treatments we provide
We also provide treatments for a wide range of addictions. Contact us today for a confidential and no-obligation conversation with one of our professionals. We treat all of our clients with the utmost care, dignity and respect.
Alcohol
Alcohol use disorder often develops gradually, becoming intertwined with stress management, emotional regulation, and daily routine. What may begin as social or situational drinking can evolve into a pattern of reliance that affects physical health, mental wellbeing, and personal relationships.
Prolonged alcohol use can disrupt sleep, mood stability, and cognitive function, while increasing feelings of anxiety, irritability, or emotional numbness. These effects often reinforce continued use, making it difficult to stop without structured therapeutic support.
Treatment focuses on addressing alcohol use as a symptom of deeper emotional, psychological, and behavioural challenges. Rather than concentrating solely on abstinence, recovery work supports insight, emotional awareness, and sustainable lifestyle change.
A structured residential environment allows individuals to step away from external triggers, engage in consistent therapeutic work, and begin rebuilding healthy routines and coping mechanisms.
Treatment may include:
- Individual psychotherapy and group work
- Emotional regulation and stress management
- Relapse prevention planning
- Family involvement and support where appropriate
- Lifestyle structure and routine
Central nervous depressants
Central nervous depressants, including certain prescription medications, slow brain activity and are commonly used to manage anxiety, sleep difficulties, or emotional distress. Over time, tolerance can develop, leading to increased dosage and psychological dependence.
Dependence may occur even when medication was initially prescribed appropriately. Attempts to reduce or stop use can result in rebound anxiety, insomnia, or emotional instability, reinforcing continued reliance.
Treatment addresses both the physiological impact of depressants and the emotional needs that led to their use. Careful therapeutic support helps individuals regain confidence in managing anxiety, sleep, and mood without dependency.
Recovery work emphasises stabilisation, emotional safety, and long-term coping strategies that support sustained wellbeing.
Key focus areas include:
- Psychological dependence and behavioural patterns
- Anxiety, sleep, and mood regulation
- Emotional resilience and coping skills
- Relapse prevention and long-term planning
Cocaine
Cocaine is a fast-acting stimulant that can create intense feelings of energy, confidence, and euphoria. These effects are often followed by emotional lows, fatigue, and cravings, driving repeated use.
Over time, cocaine use may contribute to anxiety, irritability, restlessness, and emotional volatility. Work performance, relationships, and mental health are frequently affected as use becomes more compulsive.
Treatment focuses on breaking the cycle of stimulation and crash while addressing the emotional and psychological drivers behind stimulant use. Many individuals use cocaine to cope with pressure, stress, or self-esteem challenges.
A structured therapeutic setting supports emotional regulation, behavioural change, and the development of healthier ways to manage stress and stimulation.
Treatment support includes:
- Emotional regulation and impulse control
- Therapy addressing stress, trauma, or self-worth
- Structured daily routines
- Relapse prevention strategies
Dimethyltryptamine
DMT is a powerful psychoactive substance known for producing intense perceptual and emotional experiences. Repeated use can lead to psychological distress, emotional instability, or difficulty integrating experiences into daily life.
Some individuals are drawn to DMT as a means of escape, insight-seeking, or emotional relief. Over time, reliance on altered states may replace healthy emotional processing and grounding.
Treatment supports emotional integration, stability, and understanding the motivations behind continued use. Focus is placed on helping individuals reconnect with their emotions in a grounded and sustainable way.
Therapeutic work aims to build emotional resilience and reduce reliance on substances for meaning or relief.
Areas of support include:
- Emotional processing and grounding techniques
- Individual psychotherapy
- Anxiety and stress management
- Long-term emotional stability
GHB / Gammahydroxybutyrate / sodium oxybate
GHB and related substances are associated with a high risk of dependence due to their short duration of action and rapid onset. Users may dose frequently to maintain effects, increasing the likelihood of compulsive use.
Dependence can disrupt sleep patterns, emotional regulation, and cognitive functioning. Anxiety, irritability, and mood instability often accompany prolonged use.
Treatment focuses on safety, stabilisation, and addressing the behavioural patterns that sustain use. Emotional support is essential, as many individuals experience significant psychological distress alongside dependence.
Recovery work emphasises rebuilding emotional balance and restoring healthy routines.
Key treatment components include:
- Stabilisation and structured support
- Emotional and behavioural therapy
- Sleep and mood regulation
- Relapse prevention planning
Inhalants
Inhalant misuse often begins due to ease of access but carries significant physical and neurological risks. Repeated exposure can impair brain function, emotional regulation, and overall health.
Use is frequently linked to impulsivity, emotional distress, or difficulty coping with overwhelming feelings. Over time, inhalants may become a primary coping mechanism.
Treatment focuses on education, emotional support, and the development of healthier coping strategies. A structured environment helps reduce access while addressing the underlying emotional drivers.
Support focuses on:
- Emotional and behavioural therapy
- Psychoeducation on health risks
- Emotional regulation skills
- Structured routines and support
Ketamine a surgical anaesthetic
Ketamine misuse may develop as individuals seek relief from emotional pain, stress, or dissociation. Psychological dependence can form when ketamine becomes a primary means of emotional escape.
Repeated use may interfere with mood stability, cognition, and emotional processing. This can make daily functioning and emotional engagement increasingly difficult.
Treatment supports emotional reconnection, psychological stability, and healthier ways of managing distress. Focus is placed on addressing the emotional reasons behind continued use.
Treatment may include:
- Individual and group therapy
- Emotional processing and grounding
- Stress management techniques
- Recovery planning
Khat
Khat is a stimulant plant that can affect mood, appetite, and sleep when used regularly. Prolonged use may contribute to anxiety, irritability, and emotional imbalance.
Dependence is often influenced by social, cultural, and habitual factors. Over time, use may interfere with wellbeing and daily responsibilities.
Treatment addresses both behavioural patterns and emotional needs, supporting individuals in restoring balance and healthier routines.
Focus areas include:
- Emotional regulation
- Habitual and social use patterns
- Sleep and energy balance
- Behavioural change support
LSD
LSD use can lead to psychological distress, anxiety, or emotional disconnection, particularly when used repeatedly or without integration support.
Some individuals experience lingering emotional effects, increased anxiety, or difficulty grounding after use, which may contribute to continued substance reliance.
Treatment prioritises emotional stability, integration, and understanding the motivations behind use. Emphasis is placed on grounding and emotional resilience.
Support includes:
- Emotional processing and grounding
- Anxiety and stress management
- Individual psychotherapy
- Long-term emotional stability
Marijuana (Cannabis)
Cannabis dependence can affect motivation, memory, emotional regulation, and mental clarity, particularly with sustained or heavy use.
Many individuals rely on cannabis to manage stress, anxiety, or sleep difficulties. Over time, this can lead to psychological dependence and reduced emotional coping capacity.
Treatment focuses on addressing behavioural patterns and emotional drivers while supporting clearer thinking and motivation.
Key treatment areas include:
- Emotional awareness and coping skills
- Behavioural change
- Motivation and focus
- Relapse prevention
MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly)
MDMA use can impact emotional processing, mood regulation, and mental wellbeing, especially with repeated use.
Individuals may experience low mood, emotional flatness, or anxiety between periods of use, reinforcing continued reliance.
Treatment supports emotional healing, resilience, and the development of healthy interpersonal connections without substance use.
Treatment focuses on:
- Emotional processing and regulation
- Therapy addressing connection and self-worth
- Stress management
- Recovery planning
Methamphetamine (Tik, Crystal Meth)
Methamphetamine is highly addictive and can have severe effects on mental health, emotional regulation, and behaviour.
Use often escalates rapidly, leading to paranoia, emotional instability, and significant disruption to daily life and relationships.
Treatment focuses on stabilisation, structured support, and addressing the emotional and psychological roots of use.
Support includes:
- Structured daily routines
- Emotional and behavioural therapy
- Psychological stabilisation
- Relapse prevention
Over-the-Counter Medicines
Misuse of over-the-counter medicines often develops gradually and may be linked to pain management, sleep difficulties, or emotional distress.
Because these substances are widely available, dependence may go unnoticed until patterns become entrenched.
Treatment focuses on understanding the underlying needs driving misuse and supporting healthier alternatives.
Focus areas include:
- Emotional drivers of use
- Behavioural patterns
- Coping strategies
- Long-term wellbeing
Over-the-Counter stimulants
Over-the-counter stimulants may appear low risk but can contribute to anxiety, disrupted sleep, and emotional dependence.
Use is often linked to fatigue, performance pressure, or difficulty managing daily demands.
Treatment supports restoring balance, addressing emotional drivers, and establishing sustainable routines.
Key areas include:
- Stress and energy management
- Emotional regulation
- Behavioural change
- Healthy daily structure
Steroids
Anabolic steroid misuse is often associated with body image concerns, performance pressure, and self-esteem challenges.
Long-term use can affect mood, emotional regulation, and overall mental wellbeing, increasing the need for psychological support.
Treatment addresses both emotional health and behavioural patterns around steroid use.
Support may include:
- Therapy addressing self-image and identity
- Emotional regulation
- Behavioural change strategies
- Holistic wellbeing support
Synthetic Cannabinoids
Synthetic cannabinoids are unpredictable and can cause severe psychological and physical effects, even after limited use.
Individuals may experience anxiety, paranoia, or emotional instability, increasing the risk of repeated use.
Treatment prioritises safety, emotional stabilisation, and long-term recovery planning.
Treatment focuses on:
- Emotional and psychological support
- Stabilisation and structure
- Behavioural therapy
- Relapse prevention
Recovery Centre Reviews
What our clients have to say…
Ready to get started?
If you’re thinking about reaching out, we’re here. You don’t have to know exactly what you need — we can figure it out together. You can call us on +27 76 350 9868 or email us at booking@whiteriverrecovery.com to find out more.
Our PROCESS
Behavioral (Process) addictions
Another type of addiction, albeit often highly misunderstood, is process or behavioural addictions, which are referred to as behaviours that become compulsive or out of control.
Even those behaviours that start as enjoyable or normal can spiral into addiction if left unchecked, such as exercise, eating, gaming, and even sex.
At White River Recovery, we deeply understand the complex nuances of behavioural addictions. Our team offers comprehensive addiction treatment to help individuals address and overcome these issues.
We also provide support and psychoeducation around the lack of understanding of these types of dependencies, so you never have to feel alone in your struggle.
Here are just some of the behavioural addictions we treat at our inpatient centre in South Africa:
Sex and love addiction
A profound dependency on romantic relationships for identity and self-worth characterises love addiction. Sex addiction is marked by out-of-control behaviour regarding intimacy and sex, where the individual is consumed by sexual thoughts, urges, and desires that can control all aspects of their life. Both are classified as behavioural addictions and require professional treatment and care to help the individual recognise unhealthy patterns and recover.
Pornography addiction
While porn addiction is yet to be recognised as a diagnosable disorder, it has similar characteristics to a behavioural addiction, such as constantly craving erotic content or compulsively thinking about watching porn. Individuals can be so consumed by porn addiction that it can drive them to watch it in public places or while travelling.
Gambling addiction
This type of addiction is marked by an all-consuming urge to gamble despite social, financial, or emotional harm or consequences. Some common symptoms of gambling addiction include preoccupation with gambling or placing bets, lying about gambling behaviours, and spending excessive amounts of time gambling. What we often see is the detrimental impact gambling can have on an individual’s life, such as their mental an
Gaming addiction
Our multidisciplinary team provides comprehensive treatment and care for gaming addiction, also known as gaming disorder, which is characterised by compulsive video game use that can disrupt daily functioning. Effective treatment options for gaming disorder include individual therapy, support groups, and healthy lifestyle changes such as regular exercise and spending more time outdoors.
Internet addiction
Internet addiction is characterized by excessive or poorly controlled preoccupations, urges or behaviours regarding computer use and internet access that lead to impairment or distress.
Food addiction
We also provide personalised treatment and care for food addiction, which involves compulsive eating or emotional dependence on food for comfort. Similar to substance addiction, food addiction activates the brain’s reward system, resulting in intense cravings and a pattern of overeating.
Exercise addiction
Exercise addiction is characterised by an unhealthy obsession with body image or fitness, often linked to eating disorders or anxiety. The individual may feel compelled to exercise excessively, usually to the point of injury, illness, or harm. Exercise addiction can involve a range of unhealthy behaviours such as prioritising exercise over work or social commitments, pushing through injuries, and experiencing intense emotional distress or guilt when workouts are missed.
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