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(May 2010) Longer rehabilitation in the treatment of addiction and other mental health illnesses is the most effective approach for long-term, relapse-free recovery states leading clinic, Montrose.

And this is a message that they will be sharing as sponsor of the UK/Europe Symposium on Addictive Disorders (UKESAD) which runs between 13-15 May.

The World Health Organisation estimates that there are 450 million people worldwide living with a mental health problem. Of the many who will seek treatment for these conditions, a high percentage will eventually relapse, requiring additional stints in rehabilitation and extensive long-term care. Montrose, a leading extended care facility based in South Africa, is keen to right these rehab wrongs with the development of its Montrose Model which encourages one, extended treatment programme of around 90 days to encourage a lasting, self-sustainable recovery.

The Montrose Model has been designed to follow a concentrated detox programme (carried out by a partner provider under proper supervision) with clients then able to dedicate around three months in treatment at the clinic to ensure a lasting recovery. The Model is essentially tri-partite, addressing the psychological, social and physical dimensions of recovery to assist in the healing process and restore wellbeing.

Montrose has placed a huge emphasis on comfort, privacy and discretion with clients housed on two sites nestled amongst the foothills of Cape Town’s iconic Table Mountain. Montrose Place accommodates clients seeking treatment for a range of addictions, chemical dependence, depression and compulsive behaviours; whilst the nearby property Montrose Manor is dedicated to clients with eating disorders.

Montrose specialists believe that it is only when addiction and other disorders are examined in depth over an extended period of time that the true cause and triggers for the problem can be addressed, thus greatly aiding the likelihood of successful rehabilitation. To this end, each client receives their own tailored relapse-prevention plans developed in conjunction with the multi-disciplinary team on-site.

The clinic works with a team of internationally-renowned specialists who deploy pioneering psychotherapy-based treatment programmes to address any deep-seated psychological issues or concurrent psychiatric disorders, which can manifest themselves through addiction, depression, eating disorders and compulsive disorders. The unique programme is largely experiential, combining traditional and contemporary psychotherapy programmes with other group-based activities such as art and drama therapy, physical recreation (yoga, pilates, hiking), life-skills classes and Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.

Montrose was founded by Johnny Graaff who brought his own personal experiences of rehab to bear when he developed the clinic’s proposition: “The 28-day rehab rule is a myth that has been perpetrated by insurance companies, with no medical basis. True rehabilitation can only be achieved once detox is complete and intensive psychotherapy can be used to address underlying root causes and concurrent disorders. That is why we have worked to develop our Montrose Model which focuses on an extended care programme lasting around 90 days; preceded by a detox programme that we monitor closely and followed by first-class aftercare – including satellite outpatient clinics in London, Geneva and Paris, and Cape House our first transitional living facility in London – to promote a smooth transition out of treatment and the return to a healthy and productive life. ”