Addiction Treatment-Future Unstable!

As the coronavirus moves its way around the world, we can start to see that this is not going to pass quickly and that, unfortunately many more people are going to die of this disease. All this talk of countries implementing hard lockdowns too soon, too late, not hard enough and so on is all well and good, creating much debate and speculation. I do not envy any politician or medical personnel who must make challenging decisions knowing that these may well not be appreciated by all concerned.

Twin Rivers Temporary Closure

As a rehab owner I chose to close down pre-lockdown which was motivated by the clients as the clinical team could see the clients growing preoccupation with the virus outbreak, distress over loved ones back home, especially children and some staff were also on edge. A staff meeting clearly highlighted the risk at trying to maintain a recovery focus with limited resources, no AA or NA meeting, no gym, no beach walks, no outings, no external consultants allowed to visit and a life threatening illness knocking at our door. How was I going to deal with staff living in the informal locations? Sounds melodramatic but that is actually how it felt, who were we to think that we were bigger or better than a disease with no known vaccine!

In hindsight I am relieved at this decision and now focused on restructuring, marketing and assisting staff until such time as we open again. One of my advisors said that I should try and keep Twin Rivers open as starting again will be extremely difficult. This scared me for sure, but I really did not want to be in a position whereby I had to explain to a client’s family or a staff members partner that their loved one was showing signs of the virus!

Recovery Programme attempts!

I totally agree that addiction and mental health treatment remains essential, but I wonder if rehabs that have stayed open during lockdown have considered the emotional impact on clients and staff? If you think about it, counsellors and clients should have extremely different lifestyle experiences! Now everyone is ‘lockdown’ and staff can no longer wind down at night the way they used to, instead possibly preoccupied with the stressors that this pandemic brings to everyone.

Some rehabs are desperately trying to stay afloat by offering on-line counselling and group therapy. Personally I am not a fan of on-line counselling at all as its too impersonal, not a safe and confidential service (look what’s happened with zoom!) and you really need a stable and focused mindset in order to truly benefit from on-line counselling. Primary rehab on-line is being rolled out apparently and as your average addict has a short attention span and easily distracted, I cannot see how that will work and also creates endless privacy issues. The nature of addiction therapy is confrontational in order to address certain attitudes and behaviour must surely be difficult to execute on-line.  The psychology of knowing that the client can switch you off at any time is challenging plus no opportunity to observe body language and behaviour post the counselling session!

 Face to face therapy in a holistic, holding and safe environment is the most impactful tool for addiction challenging and healing and ‘nothing’ else can replace that. Hopefully, the on-line period will fall away and clients will embrace more so the reality of attending a recognised rehab. It is a bit like the electric car fad! Drivers will always want the roar of a petrol engine and that is unlikely to ever die away.

Twin Rivers Rehab Makes Plans

I definitely do not have all the answers, but I am very aware that to sit back and not respond to this global ‘message’ would be arrogant and foolish. Twin Rivers will survive, and we are presently restructuring from the ground up in an attempt to cover as many outcomes as is realistically possible knowing full well that none of us know what the final outcomes will be!

Twin Rivers has six people working on research, social media and web site marketing and exploring new ideas that will generate a client stream for Twin Rivers. An International consultant and referral base has been successfully developed and are preparing for the market to open in Europe. Its satisfying facing this challenge head on.

David Briskham-Twin Rivers Director

www.twinriversrehab.co.za - www.twinriversrehab.co.uk