Frequently asked questions

To ensure that treatment is successful, most rehab facilities don’t allow patients to leave unless accompanied by staff. In most cases facilities are unlocked; however, locked facilities do exist for patients who need to be secured (those who try to escape, become hostile, or threaten the safety of staff or other patients).

When you undergo rehab, it’s important to stay for the full duration of the treatment. Detox may be included if you are addicted to substances or display compulsive behaviours. A typical rehab program lasts anywhere from 28 to 35 days, depending on the patient’s progress. At SCTI, the 90-day treatment program is the minimum required program for drug and alcohol addiction.

The SCTI inpatient treatment program provides care 24 hours a day. Sometimes it is better to be taken out of your home environment in order to focus on recovery. After an extensive evaluation, a group of therapists, counsellors and psychologists comes up with a unique, personalised treatment plan. The plan is based on the patient’s diagnoses, interests and personality, and usually consists of group meetings and 12-step programs along with specific therapies such as expressive arts or equine therapy.

Safe Care Trust International is responsible for food, lodging and other facilities during the patient’s stay.

No one can use any drug or cigarette during treatment. Even a cigarette is not allowed on the premises of Safe Care Trust International.

Doctors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at Safe Care Trust International, so in a medical emergency we can shift the patient to PIMS, Shifa International, Poly Clinic or another private hospital.

Family involvement is crucial for the recovery process. Most treatment facilities have a set period of time for the family to visit and take part in workshops or lectures. Many times, addiction stems from issues within the family, so it’s essential to understand family dynamics and provide a space for the family to communicate and heal. Not only does this heal the patient, it brings freedom and peace to the rest of the family.

After admission, a family meeting is allowed after 28 days. After that, family members can meet the patient every 15 days, as scheduled.

No, friends and family members cannot stay with a patient.

Rehab, or “rehabilitation,” is any form of treatment or therapy for people who abuse substances; rehab can refer to a broad range of approaches used to treat a variety of emotional and physical problems. At Safe Care Trust International, our rehabilitation programs help people cope with their problems and address the issues behind their addictions. We work to resolve root problems and end the resulting behaviours, whether sex addiction, eating disorders, drug and alcohol addiction or other compulsive behaviours. In addition to treating addictions, we also have programs to treat depression, anxiety, mood disorders and other behavioural problems.

If you cannot manage or control your life because of an addiction or compulsive behaviour, you need rehab or treatment. Problem behaviours persist even when people with addictions are aware of the negative effects on their jobs, relationships and health. When a person starts to show signs of addiction, it is best to contact a professional counsellor, psychologist, psychiatrist or addiction specialist who can better assess the situation.

Detox, or detoxification, is the clearing of toxins or harmful substances from the body. A detox may be done by taking supplements or drinking liquids made specifically for detoxification, fasting and eating prescribed foods. This flushing of toxins is vital for an individual’s health and stability. While detox may be uncomfortable and difficult, there are ways to lessen the physical pain. Detox can be dangerous if it is not managed by a qualified medical practitioner.

Detox addresses the physical issues that come with addiction. Once a patient completes detox from alcohol or drugs, they are ready to begin the psychological journey to recovery. Different addictions call for different treatments, so discuss your situation with a qualified healthcare professional such as a therapist, addiction counsellor, psychiatrist or doctor, and ask for a referral to a reliable treatment facility.

These common observable symptoms of addiction show the underlying changes in the brain and body:

• Needing to continue or increase use of the substance to get the desired effect
• Experiencing withdrawal when you don’t get the substance often enough
• Focusing your social or work life around using the substance
• Extreme mood changes: extreme happiness, sadness or anxiety
• Sleeping noticeably more or less than usual, often at abnormal times of the day or night
• Changes in your energy level
• Extreme weight loss or gain
• Lying to cover up your substance use
• Stealing the substance, or money to buy it
• General secretiveness, being careful about what you say to friends or family

Most addictions, no matter what kind, have no definite “cure”, only ongoing recovery. At SCTI we base our success rate on three factors: the number of alumni who recommend our program to friends and relatives, the number of referrals we get from other treatment facilities, and the number of patients referred to us by therapists and other medical practitioners (especially those who have been working with us).