Anxiety is stealing today—and fuelling the next drink or pill. If you wake with dread, spiral into “what-ifs”, and use alcohol or meds to take the edge off, you’re not weak—you’re stuck in a loop that won’t fix itself. Anxiety and substance use feed each other: brief relief, long payback. Integrated treatment breaks that cycle.
“I’ll just have one to calm down” turns into binges. Panic spikes after drinking, and sleep gets worse, not better. Prescribed pills run out early, and rebound anxiety hits harder. Promises to “cut back” last days at best. Waiting adds risk—tolerance, withdrawals, and mood crashes sharpen over time, especially with sedatives.
Confidential Same-Day Assessment
A clinician listens, screens for anxiety type (GAD, panic, social, trauma-related) and substance patterns, then maps a plan you can follow. Clear, private, and judgement-free.
Medical Detox When Needed
We stabilise you safely, manage anxiety and sleep, and get your body reset so therapy can actually work.
Medication Choices That Make Sense in SUD
We avoid creating new dependence. Short-term symptom relief may be used cautiously; longer-term we prioritise non-addictive options where appropriate. Every decision is made with you, not to you.
Dual-Diagnosis Therapy
Practical, skills-based work that tackles both issues together—CBT for anxiety patterns, craving management, exposure work when you’re ready, and a relapse-prevention plan you can use in real life.
Sleep, Stress and Body Reset
Daily structure, nutrition, movement, and brief practices that lower baseline anxiety—so you’re not white-knuckling recovery.
Family Support (With Boundaries)
We help your people support you without policing you.
Bottom line: we treat both problems at the same time—because that’s how you get your life back.
Exactly What Happens Next
1) Call or WhatsApp Us (Confidential)
We do a quick triage and book your assessment—often the same day.
2) Assessment & Plan
You leave knowing your options: detox timing, programme length, costs/medical aid, and what the first 72 hours will look like.
3) Admission
We coordinate logistics, medication, and arrival. You focus on showing up.
Costs & Medical Aid
We verify benefits and expected co-payments upfront and give you a written estimate before admission. No surprises.
Why Benzos and “Self-Medicating” Make Anxiety Worse
Benzodiazepines can drop anxiety fast—but in people with substance problems they carry real risks: tolerance, dependence, impaired thinking, and dangerous interactions (especially with alcohol or opioids). If used at all, it’s short-term, closely supervised, and with a taper plan. We’ll discuss safer long-term options and build skills to handle spikes without needing a chemical exit.
What Progress Looks Like Here
You stop needing “emergency” drinks or pills to cope. Panic and dread come down; sleep and energy come up. You’ve got a relapse-prevention plan that fits your life, and family communication shifts from crisis to support.
Frequently Asked (Straight Answers)
Can I treat anxiety while I stop using?
Yes. That’s the point. We stabilise both—safely—and use therapies proven to reduce anxiety while protecting your recovery.
Will you stop my anxiety meds?
We review everything with you. Some continue, some change, some taper—always case-by-case and medically supervised.
What if I have panic attacks in detox?
We plan for it. Medical cover, comfort measures, brief-acting supports when indicated, and same-day skills you can use immediately.
How long is treatment?
Detox (if needed) takes days; structured inpatient typically runs weeks. The right length depends on severity, co-occurring conditions, and your home support. You’ll get a clear recommendation after assessment.
Do you offer outpatient?
Yes—if it’s clinically safe. We’ll be honest if inpatient is the safer start.
Ready to Talk (Confidential)
Talk to a counsellor now (confidential). Call +27 ___ ___ ____, WhatsApp us, or request a call-back. We’re available 08:00–20:00 (SAST). Messages after hours are returned first thing the next day.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 10111 or go to the nearest emergency department. You can also use SADAG’s 24-hour lines: 0800 567 567 (Suicide Crisis) or 0800 12 13 14 / SMS 32312 (Substance Abuse).
Clinical note: This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Your assessment guides the plan. We tailor therapies and medications to your risks, history, and goals.