Harmony Addictions Clinic is one of the first rehabilitation facilities in the country to introduce complementary holistic addiction therapy – particularly for repeated relapses and when other counselling modalities have failed.

Because of the complexity of addiction and its pervasive consequences, the quest for a successful recovery rate remains a battle not only in South Africa, but all over the world.

Addiction treatment typically involves numerous components, but most facilities overlook the holistic side of treatment.

By introducing holistic healing at Harmony, addicts are treated according to one of the Twelve Step Programme’s vital philosophies, namely that the physical, mental and spiritual components of each addict’s individual life are mutually connected.

This threefold disease concept of addiction is now manifested in all aspects of Harmony’s treatment model, most recently with the introduction of experts who practice Full Body Massage, Indian Head Massage, Hot Stone Therapy, Reiki, Acupuncture, Drumming, as well as NIA Dance Technique.

Research indicates that these treatments augment recovery through inducing relaxation and enhancing theta-wave production and brain-wave synchronization.

This treatment produces pleasurable experiences, added awareness of preconscious dynamics, release of emotional trauma, and reintegration of self. It also alleviates self-centeredness, isolation, and alienation, creating a sense of connectedness with self and others.

In addition, it provides a secular approach to accessing a higher power and applying spiritual perspectives.

In combination with our group therapy, individual counselling, lectures, spiritual classes, Twelve Step meetings, written work, drumming, hiking, dance classes and now various holistic treatments, Harmony highlights the importance of finding wholeness through acknowledging, honouring and healing all your parts: mind, body and spirit.

Finally, as part of Harmony’s ethos to plough goodwill back into society, three of their in-house masseuses who received training from professionals on the premises, hail from the Mandela Park informal settlement.

Over the last year, Harmony sponsored nearly 150 addicts, continuing its work at the coalface of addiction, specifically with the still-suffering addict.