Medical aid coverage for drug or alcohol rehab in South Africa can significantly reduce the financial burden of treatment. Most medical aids will cover rehab if the facility is licensed by the Department of Social Development. However, the extent of coverage depends on your specific medical aid plan. It’s crucial to check with your provider or directly with the rehab center to ensure they have experience with your medical aid and can handle insurance claims effectively.

Medical Aid Cover and Approvals

Many plans contribute to treatment; pre-authorisation speeds access to care.

Medical aids understand the complexities of addiction and often prefer certain rehab centers based on successful outcomes. Typically, medical aid covers the initial phase of treatment, including inpatient rehab and psychiatric care. For ongoing recovery, some medical aids may also cover aftercare services. Ensuring that the rehab center is accredited and that your treatment is documented properly can help secure the necessary coverage for a successful recovery.

If you’re helping someone take the first step, our Johannesburg locations offer the right level of care at the right time: primary care for detox and stabilisation, secondary care for deeper work, and sober living for safe reintegration—each supervised by experienced clinicians.

Not sure where to start? Our FAQ answers urgent questions for families: admission timing, detox safety, what to bring, visiting, confidentiality, and medical aid. Each quick answer links to an in-depth guide so you can make calm, informed decisions today. See common next steps and what happens on day one.

Recovery is personal—so is our team. Meet the counsellors, nurses, psychiatrists, and recovery coaches who support patients and families from the first call through aftercare. Learn how we coordinate care, communicate progress, and build a plan that actually works at home, not only in treatment.

We combine individual, group, and family sessions to address denial, cravings, and relapse risks. Therapy is practical and trauma-informed, focused on skills that hold outside the clinic: boundaries, communication, routines, and support. See how counselling fits into each level of care and what a typical week looks like.

Recovery isn’t one-size-fits-all. Explore how detox, primary care (21–42 days), secondary care, outpatient, and aftercare link together. We match intensity to need, then taper support as stability grows— with checkpoints for families and clear goals at every stage.

Families need tools too. We coach loved ones on boundaries, communication, and relapse warning signs, so support doesn’t become enabling. Learn how to take care of yourself while staying connected—and how our family sessions fit into the weekly programme.

When residential care isn’t possible—or as a step-down—outpatient provides structured therapy, accountability, and community while living at home. Evening groups, individual sessions, and recovery tasks keep progress on track around work or study.

Most South African medical aids fund addiction treatment. We help you confirm benefits, complete pre-authorisation, and gather clinical documentation fast—so admission isn’t delayed. See what schemes cover, typical limits, and how we coordinate approvals.

We’re transparent about fees and what’s included at each level of care. Learn how costs align with medical aid benefits, what to expect at admission, and practical options for planning the first 30–90 days.

Simple, structured stepwork helps patients turn insight into habits—daily routines, accountability, and community. See how assignments, sponsorship, and group feedback build momentum that lasts beyond discharge.

People choose Changes for experienced staff, trauma-informed care, and a clear path from crisis to stability. We focus on practical change—skills that hold at home—and stay involved with aftercare so recovery has support where it matters most.