You are probably reading this article because you are looking for a rehabilitation center in Kenya for your loved one. Given the little information available, identifying a good rehab centre is a challenge for most people. This post will discuss how rehabs in Kenya operate and the typical charges. We will break down the services offered in a 3-month inpatient program and highlight the metrics to use to measure success.
How to find cheap rehabs in Kenya
The question should be about affordable rehabs rather than cheap rehabs. Some rehabs may charge very low prices but compromise on quality. When the price is too good, think twice.
Always ask the rehab to itemize their services and costs for a quotation. Also, ensure you follow up on whether all the itemized services are offered.
Here is a sample quotation by Primrose Rehab and Wellness, a top-rated rehab in Nairobi.
I have come across rehabs that charge very low prices to only lock up patients without offering them any professional help.
Always check if the rehab has qualified staff and if the relevant bodies accredit them. Here is a summary of the questions to ask when determining whether a rehab is good quality.
Is your rehab center accredited?
What are the qualifications of key staff such as doctors, nurses, and counsellors?
Do you offer medical detox?
Do you offer any lab investigations?
Do you assess for mental health conditions and manage them alongside addiction?
How often do you provide therapy, and do you invite family members for therapy sessions?
What spiritual interventions do you offer?
How are the meal plans?
Can you provide a breakdown of the charges? (Insist on having a quotation since this will shield you from surprise costs)
Are there any surprise costs?
You have a right to information, so avoid any rehab unwilling to respond to these questions. If you are new to how rehabs operate, this article will help you understand the basic components of a rehab program.
How are rehabs accredited in Kenya?
In Kenya, rehabs are accredited by the National Authority for the Campaign against Drug Abuse (NACADA) and the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentist Council (KMPDC). The centres accredited by the KPMDC are registered as hospitals and nursing homes and, therefore, provide holistic services.
Moreover, most KMPDC-licensed rehabs are accredited by the Social Health Authority (SHA). The scheme covers about Ksh60,000 of the total three-month treatment cost.
While this amount is very little compared to the average rehab treatment cost, it’s better than nothing. Here is a comprehensive list of SHA-accredited rehabs in Kenya. Here is a comprehensive list of the 101 rehabs accredited by the scheme.
The basic components of a quality rehab program
A quality three-month rehab program includes psychiatric assessments, medical assessments, detox, management of underlying conditions, counselling, psychoeducation, and aftercare. We will discuss each of these components in detail below.
Psychiatric assessments
Addiction is mostly a symptom of underlying psychiatric or psychological issues. Therefore, all clients undergoing addiction treatment should be assessed for mental health conditions.
Psychiatric assessments are conducted by a qualified medical doctor specializing in psychiatry. Some of the mental conditions that mostly co-occur with addiction include;
Bipolar disorder
Anxiety disorders
Depression
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Schizoid personality disorder
Psychosis
Schizophrenia
Dissociative disorders
Autism Spectrum Disorder
People struggling with these and other mental disorders are at high risk of self-medicating with alcohol and drugs, therefore leading to addiction. On the other hand, prolonged substance abuse may lead to these conditions.
There is a high chance of relapse for programs that focus on addiction only and not the underlying conditions. The best rehabs in Kenya provide psychiatric assessments and management of underlying mental conditions.
Medical assessments
A holistic treatment program must also address the medical issues that result from addiction. Some of the medical conditions that directly or indirectly co-occur with addiction include;
Hepatic liver disease
Hypertension
Stroke
Diabetes
Chronic Kidney Disease
Convulsive disorders
Heart disease
Lung disease
Different types of cancers
Spermatorrhea
Spermatozoa malformations
Erectile dysfunction
Low libido
Impotency
Periodontal diseases
HIV
Top rehabs in Kenya perform baseline lab tests for the liver, kidney, pancreas, and other organs affected by substance abuse. Patients are also encouraged to take a voluntary HIV test.
Other tests may be recommended depending on the patient’s presentation. The best rehabilitation centres in Kenya have the facilities to manage underlying medical conditions such as Hypertension and Diabetes.
Additionally, they partner with well-equipped hospitals to refer medical emergencies that may arise in addiction treatment.
Psychological assessments and therapy
Substance use disorders may also be a result of or result from underlying psychological issues. Some of the psychological issues that may lead to substance abuse include;
Trauma and PTSD
Loss and grief
Chronic stress
Social isolation
Poor coping skills
Attachment issues
Relationship issues
Personality traits
Low self-esteem
Personality disorders
Marital conflicts
Family conflicts
A good rehab program should conduct thorough assessments to determine the underlying psychological issues. Moreover, they should provide evidence-based psychotherapy to address these issues.
Detox
Top rehabs in Kenya provide detox medical intervention to all patients. Detox involves the removal of toxins resulting from substance abuse from the body. The medical intervention reduces withdrawal symptoms and improves brain and physical health.
Also, as the body clears out toxins, many individuals experience improved mental clarity and emotional stability, making it easier to address underlying psychological issues related to addiction.
Furthermore, going through detox can significantly lower the chances of relapse during recovery, as it prepares individuals for further treatment and coping strategies.
Psychoeducation
The best rehabs in Kenya provide daily psychoeducation classes. Psychoeducation helps individuals understand their addiction, the recovery process, and the tools they can use to maintain sobriety. It’s only from a point of knowledge that counselling can be effective.
Consequently, the patient needs to understand the dynamics of the disease of addiction to gain insight. Psychoeducation classes and group sessions are facilitated by an addiction counsellor, psychologist, psychiatric nurse or peer counsellor. Some important topics covered during psychoeducation classes include;
Personality & Personality Disorders
Attachment styles
Childhood trauma
Emotional regulation
Loss and grief
The nature of addiction and its effect on the brain
Mental conditions and addiction
Coping skills
The triggers of addiction
Relapse prevention
Individual counselling and group therapy
Psychotherapy is very important in addiction treatment, so check if their therapists are qualified. Also, determine if they invite family members for therapy since addiction is a family disease.
Furthermore, check if their treatment program is trauma-informed since most people struggling with SUDs have childhood trauma as an underlying problem. Primrose Rehab & Wellness and other top rehabs in Kenya offer trauma-informed treatment programs.
Family therapy – Addiction as a family disease
Addiction not only affects the person abusing the substances but also the entire family. In most cases, the disease of addiction signifies underlying issues within the family. For instance, unresolved family conflicts can lead to emotional pain, which can push some family members to substance abuse. Using alcohol or drugs in an attempt to cope with pain is known as self-medicating.
Also, the quality of relationships between the individual members of the family can lead to addiction. For instance, children raised by a narcissistic parent(s) are likely to develop emotional regulation issues and end up abusing substances to regulate their emotions. The same case applies to children raised by parents with other personality disorders. We will discuss common personality disorders and their relationship with addiction in other blog posts.
Also, research shows that children raised by alcoholic/drug-addicted parents are likely to end up struggling with addiction in adulthood. This is because addiction ruins family relationships, often leading to emotional abuse, physical abuse, and neglect. Children born in such family dynamics may abuse substances in adulthood, in an attempt to cope with the unhealed emotional pain.
Parenting styles also play a huge role in the development of the disease of addiction. There are four main parenting styles: authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and uninvolved/neglectful parenting. Authoritative parenting is ideal since it involves a balance of warmth and support, with firm, consistent expectations, and clear communication.
In an authoritarian parenting style, the parent(s) enforce strict rules and demand obedience, without room for negotiation or discussion. The authoritarian parent rules by fear and is less nurturing and affectionate. Children raised by authoritarian parents struggle with esteem issues. Moreover, they are likely to be overly sensitive to stress, therefore leading to depression and anxiety. This may lead to self-medicating with alcohol and drugs. We will discuss more about parenting styles and addiction in another post.
Top rehabs in Kenya offer family therapy to address the family issues revolving around addiction. You don’t pay extra to attend the family therapy sessions since they are included in the rehab package.
AA talks and meetings
The Alcoholics Anonymous program is a very important recovery tool. Research shows a high success rate for patients who join an AA program after rehab. Accepting to join such a program shows that the patient has gained insight and is willing to seek support from others.
Top rehabs in Kenya provide regular talks from AA members and recommend AA meetings to clients on discharge. AA is a well-organized group of people in recovery, encouraging each other to maintain sobriety.
Members who’ve stayed sober for many years share valuable tips with members who are very new to the recovery journey. The AA program is anchored on spirituality and stresses the need for spiritual awakening in the recovery journey. We will discuss more about this program in another blog post.
Spiritual intervention
As mentioned, spiritual awakening is very important in the recovery journey. To receive spiritual awakening, one must have the humility to accept that they are vulnerable.
Accepting vulnerability means that the person is willing to accept help. They are also willing to do self-introspection and focus on improving themselves rather than blaming others.
In my practice as an addiction therapist, I have witnessed high success rates among patients who got saved while at the rehab. But for the spiritual awakening to work, the patient must be willing to take professional therapy.
They must also be willing to address any underlying medical issues. Primrose Rehab & Wellness provides a comprehensive treatment model combining medical science and spirituality.
Balanced diet and enough food portions
The quality and quantity of food offered at the rehab are very important. There is no mental health without physical health. Consequently, the rehab must focus on restoring physical health as it works on mental health. A balanced diet is the doorway to physical health.
It’s important to check whether the rehab provides a balanced diet and enough food portions. Some rehabs may charge low prices and compromise on the quality and food portion. Addiction treatment is not punishment, so the comfort of the patient should always be a top priority.
Structured exercise activities and entertainment
Exercise is very important in addiction recovery, so choose rehabs that provide enough space for exercise.
Most rehabs in Kenya operate on a quarter-acre plot, which is more than enough when properly arranged. Top rehabs provide structured exercise activities, including weight lifting, cardio, Zumba dancing, and more.
Also, check on the activities that patients can engage in during their free time. Patients should have a chance to play a variety of games and watch their favourite programs on TV.
The entertainment activities should be well-structured and shouldn’t interfere with the program. Phones are a great distraction during recovery, so most rehabs limit phone use.
At Primrose Rehab and Wellness, we allow phone use once a week. Only patients who have completed the first month of treatment can use their phones. Laptops are allowed, but only to clients who’ve demonstrated insight into treatment.
Basic Components of a Relapse Program
Addiction is a chronic and relapsing disease. Therefore, the possibility of a relapse is always high. The best rehab rehabs in Kenya offer a well-structured and in-depth relapse prevention program. A good relapse prevention program includes;
Education about the causes of relapse
The patients need to learn about what led them into addiction for them to discover what they need to do to prevent relapse. Addiction is mostly the tip of ice iceberg, with underlying issues such as childhood trauma, loss and grief, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, self-esteem issues, PTSD, and personality disorders among others.
A good rehab program should have qualified staff to assess for psychological and psychiatric conditions. Unfortunately, the majority of rehabs in Kenya only focus on addiction as a behavioural disorder. Failure to address the underlying issues can only lead to relapse. Primrose Rehab and Wellness is one of the best rehabs in Kenya, offering in-depth assessments for underlying mental conditions.
Identification of triggers
These include People, Places, and Things (PPTS). The patient may have some people in their lives who may trigger or enable substance abuse. This could include friends who drink or use substances, or family members who model unhealthy behaviours.
Patients need to surround themselves with supportive and positive individuals to achieve sobriety. Regarding places, certain environments may trigger cravings for substance abuse. The patient needs to identify these places and avoid them.
Coping strategies
Patients are likely to face significant stress when adjusting to life without alcohol or drugs. Change is always painful, so the patient must develop strategies to cope with the pain. Examples of coping strategies taught in a relapse prevention program include;
Mindfulness techniques
Stress management
Exercise and nutrition
Spirituality
Journaling
Developing a new skill
Art
Goal setting
The relapse prevention program should guide patients to set Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound (SMART) goals for their recovery. Goal setting helps the patient maintain motivation and have a roadmap for recovery. The goals should be personalized to match the patient’s unique circumstances, strengths, and weaknesses.
Focus on positive changes.
Instead of solely focusing on abstinence, goals can include positive lifestyle changes, such as improving relationships, finding a job, pursuing education, or engaging in healthy hobbies.
Accountability partner
Relapse prevention should guide the patient in identifying their accountability partner. An accountability partner could be a close family member or a friend who is committed to the patient’s recovery journey.
The accountability partner should be invited to therapy sessions and equipped with the knowledge to support the person in recovery.
How is the success of a rehab program measured?
Many family members ask about the success rate when looking for a rehab centre for their loved ones. While the quality of a rehab program impacts the treatment outcome, many other factors must be considered. Also, each patient has unique needs, so the definition of success varies.
This explains why it’s hard to quantify the success of a treatment program. Treatment may be considered successful when:
The patient completes the rehab program
They are able to abstain from alcohol and drugs immediately after completing the program
They have insight into their recovery
They are able to find and maintain a job
They are able to rebuild and maintain relationships with their loved ones
They gain a spiritual awakening
Addiction is a chronic and relapsing brain disease, so the patient is always prone to relapse. There are no quick fixes to addiction. Therefore, the patient and their loved ones must always remain vigilant. Relapsing doesn’t mean failure; the patient should be helped to build resilience to rise when they fall.
The best rehabs in Kenya offer their patients regular follow-up appointments and links to support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous.
Top Rehabilitation Centres in Kenya Review – Final Word!
Finding a good rehab in Kenya requires in-depth research. To identify the best rehabilitation centres, you need to understand what addiction treatment entails. In this post, we have discussed the crucial components of an addiction treatment program. You can find more information about the best rehabs in Kenya here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do rehabs in Kenya restrict patients from using their phones?
Phones are distracting, so most rehabs do not allow patients to keep them. Without distractions, patients can focus on themselves and the program. Also, rehabs limit phone use to prevent patients from keeping in touch with the people they used to abuse substances with. Communicating with these friends is likely to trigger cravings and therefore jeopardize the treatment program.
Is alcohol detox addictive?
Detox for alcohol is usually done through vitamin supplements, so it’s not addictive. On the other hand, treatment for opioids may involve addictive drugs such as Methadone and Buprenorphine. Moreover, patients with addiction may have underlying psychiatric issues, and some of the psychiatric meds used may be addictive. This explains why ensuring that a rehab works with qualified psychiatrists is important.
