It's never too late

As our success stories show, it is never too late to receive treatment. With the help of trained professionals, you can get back on track and feel stronger and more positive about your future.

The City of Cape Town offers Matrix-certified, free drug and alcohol treatment at some of our clinics. To find a Matrix-certified clinic, please select the 'Drug and alcohol outpatient treatment' filter on our clinics page or download the pamphlet below. 

Treatment is available to everyone over the age of 18. Our vision is to continue opening more clinics across Cape Town so that we can reach all Capetonians affected by drug and alcohol abuse.

Myths about addiction

Successful treatment for addiction begins with knowledge and support. Take some time to understand some of the most common misconceptions about recovery as you begin yours.

Long-term drug use can affect the part of your brain that is responsible for making decisions and exercising self-control. This, along with withdrawal symptoms such as shaking, sickness, anxiety and depression, makes it hard for addicts to quit by themselves.

Alcohol and drugs ‘train’ the brain to crave them. Some addicts will go to any length to get their ‘fix’, whether this means lying to their families, getting into a fight or even turning to crime. When people are under the influence, their judgement is also affected and they may take part in high-risk activities such as speeding or unprotected sex. However, punishing them for their immoral or illegal behaviour doesn’t solve their problem. Finding them help to treat their addiction is often the best solution.

Although you’re unlikely to become instantly addicted, the path from experimenting to addiction can be a short one. The best way to make sure you don’t become addicted is to say no to drugs right at the beginning.

Recovery from alcohol and drug dependency is often a long process and may involve setbacks. As a rule, an ex-addict can never use drugs or alcohol again. Relapse (using alcohol or drugs again) is quite common though. This does not mean that treatment has failed or that all hope is lost.

A relapse sometimes tells us that treatment needs to be repeated or that a different approach should be tried. Remember, like many chronic illnesses, addiction can’t be ‘cured’. Once addicted, a person is always an addict, but with the right treatment and support, substance dependency can be managed so that a person enjoys a positive future.

I need help: step-by-step guide

Quitting is never easy. Sometimes you need different types of help on your journey to recovery. This guide will help you find the right assistance and support as you begin your path to being addiction-free.

Step 1: Contact a professional for advice

The right time to quit drugs is now. We have highlighted three easy ways you can get in touch with a professional who can help you.

• Option 1: Call 0800 4357 4 8 (0800 HELP 4 U) – the City of Cape Town’s 24/7 toll-free alcohol and drug helpline.
• Option 2: Visit your nearest social development office; a social worker or psychologist in your area (expect to pay private rates); or the school psychologist if you are a teen.
• Option 3: If you are 18 years or older, you can go directly to one of the City of Cape Town’s Matrix-certified drug and alcohol programmes, held at some of our clinics, or your nearest community-based treatment service, such as SANCA. Call 0800 220 250 or go through the list of SANCA offices.

Step 2: Find the right treatment

• Option 1: If you called the City of Cape Town’s 24/7 toll-free alcohol and drug helpline, our trained staff will direct you to the most appropriate treatment centre, refer you to counselling services, or answer any other questions you might have.
• Option 2: A social development office or social worker may conduct a screening (for alcohol and drugs) and assessment, and offer support and counselling before recommending the right treatment for you.
• Option 3: If you go directly to one of the City of Cape Town’s Matrix-certified programmes, held at some of our clinics, you may be able to enter the outpatient programme immediately after a professional assessment and drug and alcohol screening.

Starting treatment

Your social worker or social services professional can help you get the treatment you need and can afford. The table below gives you an idea of the differences between the various types of treatment centres. You will need an assessment before you can be admitted to a treatment centre or programme.

City of Cape Town clinics

The City of Cape Town offers Matrix-certified drug and alcohol outpatient treatment programmes at a number of clinics. The programme is based on the Matrix® model and consists of three to four sessions a week, which involve:

• counselling sessions with or without family members;
• an early recovery group which focuses on skills that will help you stay clean and sober;
• a relapse prevention group which focuses on living without alcohol and drugs;
• a family education group which teaches you and your family about the process of recovery; and
• a social support group involving regular meetings with others struggling with substance abuse.

Clinics are open Mondays to Fridays, 08:00–16:30. To find a Matrix-certified clinic, please select the 'Drug and alcohol outpatient treatment' filter when you are on our clinics page.

Provincial treatment centres

For treatment centres registered with the Western Cape Government’s Department of Social Development, see their facilities list. They provide anything from counselling, to inpatient and outpatient services, as well as educational programmes and support groups.

Treatment FAQs

Q: What is the difference between inpatient and outpatient treatment?

A: Inpatient treatment means that the drug/alcohol user stays at the clinic during treatment, which can be short-term (two to eight weeks) or long-term (more than 12 weeks). With outpatient treatment, which can also be short-term or long-term, the user visits the centre for regular and intensive treatment sessions. A social worker, psychologist or psychiatrist will recommend the right treatment for you.

Q: How do I know what treatment is right for me?

A: After an initial assessment, your social services professional (social worker, psychologist or psychiatrist) will help you get the treatment you need and can afford.

Q: What is the Matrix® model?

A: The City of Cape Town runs a number of Matrix®-certified sites. These sites follow an effective treatment approach designed by the Matrix® Institute in California, USA. The programme involves intensive outpatient treatment for drugs and alcohol, using a combination of 12-step meetings, counselling, learning and support groups to help you stay clean and sober. A positive, collaborative and mutually respectful relationship between the patient and therapist is essential.

Q: How much does treatment for substance abuse cost?

A: This depends on the type of treatment centre you visit. Some government treatment centres are for free, while others are subsidised (meaning you will have to pay part of the bill). If you have access to medical aid and can afford private treatment, you can contact one of the registered private treatment centres in your area.

Q: What does treatment for substance abuse involve?

A: Recovery from substance abuse takes time and requires ongoing commitment. The general stages of treatment are
1) screening and assessment of the problem,
2) inpatient or outpatient treatment as well as counselling, and
3) ongoing support and care after you’ve finished your treatment (such as support groups).

Q: Can I go directly to a treatment centre, hospital or clinic in my area?

A: Government treatment centres require a referral from a social worker, psychologist or psychiatrist. You can, however, go directly to a City of Cape Town Matrix® sites or any community-based/outpatient treatment service (such as SANCA).

You can also go directly to most private treatment centres. If you do this, make sure the centre is registered with the Western Cape Department of Social Development. This way, you know that it meets the treatment standards required by government.

Support groups

It is important to continue receiving support, even when treatment is over, so that you stay alcohol or drug-free and rebuild your life. Support groups are a wonderful way to share your journey with people who understand what you have been through and the challenges you face.

Your social worker, psychologist or psychiatrist can recommend a support group near you. You can also get in touch with any of the following well-known organisations for information on support groups in your area:

Al-Anon/Alateen

Al-Anon provides a 12-step, self-help programme for families and friends of alcoholics.

Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous provides a 12-step, self-help programme that helps alcoholics achieve sobriety and stay sober.   

Nar-Anon

Nar-Anon offers a 12-step, self-help programme for family and friends of drug addicts who are, or have been, affected by drug abuse.

Narcotics Anonymous

Narcotics Anonymous offers a 12-step, self-help programme for recovering drug addicts, which includes members helping each other stay clean.

Document downloads

• 1. Free Drug and Alcohol Treatment Pamphlet

     07/11/2019, Pamphlet - 120.7 KB

  2. Government Registered Treatment Centres Contact List

     29/06/2023, Contact list - 619.6 KB

  3. Substance Abuse Treatment Matrix Sites Contact List

     07/07/2025, Contact list - 118.3 KB