HOW LONG IS THE PROGRAMME? Grateful Hills focuses on long-term residential recovery, with stays starting from three months and options for longer periods where appropriate. We believe meaningful recovery often requires time: time away from familiar pressures, time to establish healthier routines and time to work on the underlying patterns associated with addiction. Learn more on our Treatment Programme and Long-Term Residential Rehab pages.
WHY IS THE MINIMUM STAY 3 MONTHS? Recovery involves considerably more than simply stopping the use of alcohol or drugs. A longer residential stay provides an opportunity to move beyond the immediate crisis and begin establishing new habits, responsibilities, coping strategies and ways of living. Our approach is therefore deliberately different from a short 21- or 28-day programme.
WHAT DOES TREATMENT COST? The cost depends on the length and circumstances of the stay. We will explain the applicable fees, what they include and any additional expenses before admission so that families can make an informed decision. See our Fees page for current information, or contact Admissions for a confidential discussion.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE FEES? The cost depends on the length and circumstances of the stay. We will explain the applicable fees, what they include and any additional expenses before admission so that families can make an informed decision. Please fill out the Pre-Admission Form or contact us for a confidential discussion.
HOW QUICKLY CAN SOMEONE BE ADMITTED? This depends on availability and whether Grateful Hills is an appropriate programme for the prospective resident. The first step is to contact us so that we can understand the situation and explain the assessment and admission process. Please contact us to discuss the quickest routes.
WHO IS THE PROGRAMME FOR? Grateful Hills provides residential addiction recovery for men who require a structured environment away from the circumstances and patterns associated with their substance use. Not every person or situation will necessarily be suitable for our programme. We assess prospective residents before admission and will discuss suitability openly with the individual or family concerned.
DO YOU TREAT ALCOHOL ADDICTION? Yes. Our residential programme is suitable for men seeking recovery from problematic or dependent alcohol use, subject to assessment before admission.
DO YOU TREAT DRUG ADDICTION? Yes. We work with men seeking recovery from drug dependence and related patterns of substance use, subject to our assessment and admission criteria.
DO YOU PROVIDE DETOX? No, Grateful Hills is not a medical detoxification facility. Where medically supervised detoxification is required, this must be completed at an appropriate facility before admission. This is particularly important because suddenly stopping certain substances, including alcohol and some medications, can require medical supervision. We will discuss this during the Pre-Admission Assessment.
CAN I CONTINUE TAKING PRESCRIBED MEDICATION? Please tell us about all medication currently being taken during the pre-admission process. Medication requirements are considered individually, and residents should not stop or alter prescribed medication without appropriate medical advice.
CAN RESIDENTS HAVE MOBILE PHONES? We are proudly an unplugged facility and residents will have access to communications with loved ones on a routine basis but personal devices are not in use during the first part of a stay and access thereafter is determined on what's best for each person's process. Don't worry - even staff are discouraged from being on their phones and live their lives instead!
CAN FAMILY AND FRIENDS VISIT? Because residents need time to settle into the programme, visiting arrangements may differ according to the stage of their stay but we strongly encourage family time and visits, in general, yes.
WHAT HAPPENS IF SOMEONE WANTS TO LEAVE TREATMENT EARLY? Recovery works best when a resident commits to completing the agreed programme. There may nevertheless be occasions when someone wishes to leave before completing their stay. In such instances, families will be notified and the safest suggested process for voluntary departure arranged with the resident and all concerned. We will not retain anyone against their will and while we will always seek to resolve a person's difficulties with seeing out this commitment to themselves first, we are not willing to obstruct the departure of anyone who has disengaged wholly from the treatment process for any reason.
WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAY LIKE? Slow... we believe in slow and steady to win the race. We enjoy the benefits of a structured daily routine designed to imitate the demands of life met through taking responsibility, participation and healthy habits. But we are big on a balanced life and loads of fallow time for the mind and heart.
WHAT IS THE ACCOMMODATION LIKE? There are multiple rooms which are shared by two people in the dormitory block. Bathrooms are en-suite and each have a shower, bath, basin and loo. Bedding is provided and what you need to pack is contained in the list you will be sent at that stage of the admissions process. Laundry is done at the dedicated laundry room which features brand new machines.
WHAT IS THE FOOD LIKE? Our menu is seasonal, fresh, home cooked farm style food and makes lots of opportunity for cooking over fire. Breakfasts will always include eggs, fresh fruit and dairy, and breads. Lunches are usually light and easily carried on outings. Dinner is the main meal of the day and generously portioned with lots of animal protein, carbs, fibre and nutrients. Please tell us about medically necessary dietary requirements or serious allergies during the admission process so that we can establish whether they can be accommodated.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING WITH ME? Residents should bring enough practical, comfortable clothing and personal necessities for residential life. Our complete What to Bring checklist explains recommended clothing, toiletries, identification, medication and other permitted items, as well as anything that should be left at home.
CAN RESIDENTS SMOKE? For residents over the age of 18, vaping is permitted. Naturally, we abide by national regulations for doing so in designated areas only. We encourage all our clients to take the opportunity of getting sober to also get free of nicotine and offer vast support to make it as easy as possible.
SHOULD RESIDENTS BRING SPENDING MONEY? We have an in-house system for residents to access funds they may need, under the House Accounts facility. This is effectively a wallet that can be topped up by families at any time, to cover needs and expenses while being with us. Details around this are found in the Admissions Pack, also.
CAN RESIDENTS RECEIVE PARCELS OR PERSONAL ITEMS FROM HOME? Absolutely! Parcels will be searched before they are given to a client, for the sake of keeping everyone protected. In most cases there is no limit or concerns around parcels to loved ones, but families should contact us before sending anything that makes them feel uncertain or pressured to supply.
IS TRANSPORT TO GRATEFUL HILLS AVAILABLE? For residents travelling from elsewhere in South Africa or internationally via KMIA or Johannesburg airports, we can discuss the most practical arrangements for reaching Grateful Hills as part of the admission process, yes absolutely.
WHICH AIRPORT SHOULD I FLY TO? KMIA (Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport) is our local airport and about 120km round trip from Grateful Hills. Please speak to us before booking flights, particularly for an international admission, so that arrival times and onward transport can be coordinated.
DO YOU ACCEPT RESIDENTS FROM ALL OVER SOUTH AFRICA? Yes. Residents come to Grateful Hills from anywhere in South Africa, and distance from home can sometimes provide valuable separation from familiar environments, relationships and distractions associated with substance use. Chat with us to see how we can help families plan the practical aspects of travelling to Grateful Hills.
DO YOU ACCEPT INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTS? Yes! We have a long-standing inter-professional relationship with people in the field in many parts of the world. Prospective residents living outside South Africa should contact us before making travel arrangements. We can explain the admission process, required documentation, payment arrangements, travel planning and how communication with family overseas works during the programme.
CAN MY FAMILY ARRANGE TREATMENT FROM OVERSEAS? Yes, the initial enquiry and pre-admission discussions can be conducted remotely with ease. Contact us via WhatsApp, WA call, or email anytime. We can work through the practical arrangements with the prospective resident and family before travel is booked.
CAN FAMILY MEMBERS SPEAK TO GRATEFUL HILLS WHILE A LOVED ONE IS IN TREATMENT? Yes, in fact, family contact and visits are woven into the process over the duration of any stay. We know that addiction affects families as well as the individual and working together to beat the issue of substance abuse gives the strongest winning chance. At the same time, residents have privacy and confidentiality rights, so it is important that families understand from the outset what information can and cannot be shared. Chat with us to know more.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE PROGRAMME ENDS? Recovery does not end when someone leaves residential treatment. Preparation for life after Grateful Hills should form part of the resident's programme, particularly as discharge approaches. We pride ourselves on how our programme is structured, and believe it to be unique in the recovery field because it encompasses the elements of phased growth in a way to includes external parties right from the outset. While each person's exact composite care programme will be different, all meet our most important goals which are to restore, rebuild and return a person home stronger than ever.