THE Phoenix House Addiction Rehabilitation Centre is tucked away in the historic suburb of Sophiatown and is now managed by Glenvista’s own Roberto Ferreira, together with a dedicated team that runs the facility.
Phoenix House offers intensive in- and out-patient treatment for drug and alcohol dependence with a heritage dating back to the early 1970s. Phoenix House has a longstanding reputation for effective work with addicts and alcoholics, and has had a significant impact on the lives of their many patients and their families.
Roberto, a recovering addict himself, is known to go above and beyond to help those in need so they can find a new way of life away from the horrors of addiction. He also does extensive work with the families of addicts – as they require just as much help and attention as the addicts themselves.
Previously part of SANCA (a non-profit organisation), Phoenix House was sold in December 2015. Its authentic 1933 building was upgraded and refurbished and, as of January 2016, Phoenix House began operating as a private rehabilitation centre. Roberto took over running the operations as of June 2016.
Phoenix House has treatment programmes of varying lengths based on the Minnesota Model of Care which integrates the profound wisdom of the 12 Step Programme of Recovery.
“The in-patient programme consists of intensive therapy, including participation in groups and one-on-one sessions with our addiction counsellors and social workers, as well as educational groups and aftercare sessions. The trained and accredited addiction counsellors, themselves long-term recovering addicts and alcoholics, are able to connect with patients because of their shared experience,” said Roberto.
“Our out-patient treatment is a good fit for substance abusers who are still functional and who work during the day. The programme runs over a period of six weeks, and patients attend three sessions per week.
“Treatment consists of both group therapy and individual counselling, whereafter patients are required to attend mandatory NA and AA meetings which are held at Phoenix House. Outpatient treatment is for people of 16 years and older (those below 18 years require signed permission from their parents/guardians),” Roberto told the CHRONICLE.
Roberto grew up in Glenvista and attended Glenanda Primary and Glenvista High. He was introduced to alcohol at the tender age of 15 and became involved with drugs at the age of 20. His addiction caused him to drop out of Varsity College, where he was studying sports management. When he was 24 years old Roberto went to a rehab centre in Boksburg for two months and was clean thereafter for 21 months. At age 26 he relapsed, but at 27 he gave up his addictions when he went to a treatment centre in Sandton.
“I would describe my experiences as a dark time – the addiction caused chaos in my life. I found it difficult to keep a job and I soon found myself stealing from my family, from work-places and from my home,” he said.
Now 32, Roberto was an IT engineer for a while before becoming a counsellor and finally finding himself at Phoenix House. “I consider this to be a calling and I intend on helping others in their recovery,” he said.
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The centre is contracted into most medical aid schemes and, although private, Phoenix House is committed to offering affordable treatment.
This year, Roberto has opted to dedicate his Cape Town Cycle Tour to Phoenix House. Any funds that are raised will go towards those that do not have the required funding for treatment.
“We are now building a strong team at the centre and our goal is to be the leading treatment centre in South Africa,” said Roberto.
Treatment at Phoenix House is on a voluntary basis and each client undergoes an assessment prior to admission. All assessments are booked with the admissions officer and are conducted in a confidential and safe environment to determine the severity of the patient’s addiction, motivation for change and treatment-matching to ensure person-in-environment fit.
Depending on the severity of addiction, the initial phase of treatment may include a three- to four- day medical detox and the management of withdrawal symptoms. Following this phase, these in-patient programmes are available: 21 days, 28 days, 42 days, 56 days and 84 days.
Patients at the centre are overseen by house management and registered nurses. Well-balanced meals which are dietician-approved are prepared by catering staff. There are plans in place to develop a fully-fledged wellness programme with a well-equipped gym and training curriculum tailored specifically for patients.
READ: Roberto’s Cycle Tour 2017
For more information on the programme, transport to the centre and routines etc. contact the facility on 011 673 0400 or 08611 REHAB (73422) or email info@phoenixhouse.co.za
You can also visit their website on www.phoenixhouse.co.za or find the centre on Facebook.
Roberto and his team also go out to schools, churches and companies to deliver motivational talks and offer drug testing.
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