Our mission is to deliver global best practice standards of treatment, the highest quality and integrity of practitioners & holistic care that caters for the physical, mental and emotional needs of our clients.

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Our Story

Keith Wilkes, founder of The Cedars, spent the better part of his 36 years in sobriety within the addiction services industry. This vital experience helped sculpt Keith’s vision: a 12-Step based multi-disciplinary approach to addiction treatment that would impact the lives of inpatients and their families.

Beckoned by the sights and sounds of Africa, Keith and his partner, Julia, left the UK for a trip to South Africa in 2002 and it was there that they discovered the setting in which his vision would become reality. Keith and Julia came to view The Cedars Estate in Scottburgh, Kwazulu-Natal. They were instantly struck by its grand beauty and its tranquil atmosphere, offering the spaciousness, peace and sense of safety that they knew would encourage personal recovery and transformation.

Today, The Cedars has played an integral role in the recovery of hundreds of people and has grown to include three beautiful facilities around the country.

The cedars group

The Cedars is a boutique group of addiction and mental health treatment facilities where every client gets the individual help he or she needs.

Our tranquil, private locations around South Africa are staffed by a leading team of multi-disciplinary specialists, each with a personal journey in recovery and a genuine desire to heal.

The Cedars’ internationally lauded programme focuses strongly on the 12-Step recovery process and relapse prevention, providing unparalleled individual, group and family support.

Wholly equipped with the tools required to sustain their recovery, Cedars’ clients leave our facilities with life-long connections, hope and self-worth reignited, empowered to rebuild a life of meaning.

Our philosophy

At The Cedars, we believe that taking ownership opens doors.

When we have the courage to be vulnerable,
To face our innermost demons and let ourselves be seen
When we gift true forgiveness of self and others
Transforming lapses into lessons And owning our worth

It is then that we can embrace the power of recovery.

our approach

Every facet of The Cedars’ treatment programme is recovery orientated. We don’t believe in a generic fix for addiction and pride ourselves on offering personalised solutions for each of our client’s unique challenges. We focus deeply on a client’s personal ecosystem, helping to provide understanding and healing with self and with loved ones.

We pride ourselves on delivering a multi-disciplinary approach that ensures a range of best-practice skill sets are on offer to our clients. Many of our staff members have been through our programme, modelling the power of its impact and offering our clients unprecedented empathy and “proof of concept.”

We believe in rigorous adherence to the 12-Step program and a commitment to holistic wellbeing. We ensure our clients’ mental, emotional and physical needs are prioritised while in our care, and equipping them with the tools to sustain this lifestyle independently of their Cedars’ experience.

12-Steps to Recovery

The Cedars’ rehabilitation and recovery ethos is based on the globally endorsed 12-Step programme, a set of guiding principles that outline a course of action for recovery from all mind-and-mood altering substances and other compulsive behaviours. Once stabilized, each client is is encouraged to complete each Step thoroughly and given the opportunity to action what they have learned in a safe and controlled environment. The Steps help our clients learn coping mechanisms for life out of treatment – allowing them to become responsible and tackle life with renewed courage, hope, and purpose.

multi-disciplinary expertise

In line with best-practice addiction treatment, The Cedars delivers a unique multi-disciplinary approach, making sure that a range of essential skill sets are on offer to our clients. A medical examination is conducted by our medical doctor and if necessary, stabilisation medication administered by our nursing team. Our 12-Step programme is augmented through a combination of therapeutic clinical models including:

One-on-One
Counselling

Group
Therapy

Medication-Assisted
Treatment

Cognitive &
Behavioural Therapy

a holistic lifestyle approach

We believe that recovery requires conscious focus on holistic wellbeing – ensuring that our clients’ mental, emotional and physical needs are prioritised daily. With that in mind, we offer the following as part of The Cedars’ programme:

what we stand for

Take Ownership

We believe that taking ownership opens doors. By teaching the tenets of accountability, we help our clients heal their relationships with self and other.

We Get You

Many of our staff are in recovery after completing the Cedars programme. They are our living proof of concept, modelling the power of our unique approach.

Medication Plays a Role

We believe that medication can play an important role in stabilising acute withdrawal symptoms, but requires careful management to prevent ongoing dependency.

Passion & Care

We are passionate about creating the most effective treatment centre locally and abroad. This reflects in the premium calibre of care received at The Cedars.

Create Connection

A supportive ecosystem is essential to sustainable recovery. We focus on helping our clients build and rebuild relationships underpinned by understanding and trust.

Start from Scratch

We don’t believe in a blanket approach to recovery. Here each client’s story has a place, with a tailormade programme curated for his or her needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about out programs, admissions process, and what to expect during your stay at the Cedars

Can you tell me some more about The Cedars Addiction Treatment Program?

Our life-changing treatment program utilises a multidisciplinary team that consists of our medical doctor, clinical psychologist and internationally qualified addiction counsellors. Our program is based on the 12-Steps, group therapy, one on one counselling, sessions with the psychologist and social worker. Upon arrival, our medical doctor will assess your physical condition and previous diagnoses. If necessary, stabilisation medication will be prescribed. Once ready, you’ll be encouraged to join the daily groups and activities. Provided you are physically able, moderate exercise is encouraged, and on a weekly basis, our onsite gym equipment, yoga and aerobics instructors will help you get the colour back in your cheeks. Our dietician-approved menu will restore your energy balance and help you feel whole again! Each of our facilities is in a beautiful part of South Africa – lush gardens, exquisite sunsets and the sounds of nature abound.

What makes you different to other treatment facilities?

The Cedars has 19 years of experience in helping people find a solution to substance abuse. Many of our patients who have found recovery using The Cedars program describe positive changes to their lives – an improvement in living conditions, better family relationships and the ability to work and stay free from substances. The Cedars approach aims to restore you to a life that is cherished and appreciated.

Will this Programme Work?

The 12 Step Programme is 100% guaranteed if the individual follows all suggestions and is fully engaged in the process. A client usually gets to a place of desperation and wanting to follow suggestions through pain and consequences – this is a gift to any alcoholic who wants to get better – most times this comes as a result of loved ones stepping aside and allowing them to experience their consequences.

What’s the difference between a 28-day and 90-day treatment plan?

A 28-day treatment plan is enough time for a comprehensive introduction to the life-changing Cedars programme. A client will see the doctor for a physical examination, have stabilisation medication administered if required, and when physically able, start their journey at The Cedars, experiencing our group therapy, educational groups, one-on-one counselling, sessions with the psychologist and social worker. They will also start the 12-Step program and learn more about 12-Step fellowships. Work begins on the behavioural issues that accompany substance abuse and process addictions.
The 90-day program allows the client to complete the 12-Step program in full, and also the time to work at addressing persisting behavioural defects. During the 90-day program they will also be afforded the opportunity to work towards a position of responsibility within the therapeutic community. It is most often the case that ex-clients with the longest clean time after treatment did three months or more in primary treatment.

Are rehab centres confidential?

Yes. Confidentiality is essential for trust and healing. The Cedars maintains strict ethical and legal standards to protect client privacy throughout the treatment process.