Hope and Future Rehabilitation Center
Drug and Alcohol Rehab Treatment Center in Kenya
Located in the serene environment of Embu County, overlooking Mt Kenya, Hope and Future Rehabilitation Center is dedicated to helping people break free from alcohol, drugs and other substance addiction. We believe that every person deserves a second chance and no person should condemned to the harmful effects of drugs and substance abuse.
Addiction Treatment Services
Residential Treatment
Our three month residential rehabilitation program offers a safe and supportive environment for drug abuse rehabilitation.
Addiction Counseling
We have a team of counselors who help one to get to the cause of the addiction problem, as well as offering guidance to enable a drug free life.
Medical Care
Our medical team helps with medical intervention, as well as offering medical care services to the community around us.
Addiction is a disease just like any other...
“The mentality and behavior of drug addicts and alcoholics is wholly irrational until you understand that they are completely powerless over their addiction."
- Russell Brand
"Recovery is something that you have to work on every single day, and it's something that doesn't get a day off."
– Demi Lovato
Recovery Stories
Latest from our Blog
Addiction is a complex disease. Yes, a disease. I want to emphasize that bit because one of the challenges to successful rehabilitation is the view that addiction is not a form of disease (although treatment is mainly a moral solution). We need to see it as a disease, the same way we see malaria, so that we can agree that someone who is addicted needs treatment in the same way someone with malaria needs medical intervention.
But it is also a complex disease, first in the sense that it affects the body and the mind to the point that one will not seek treatment. It is like malaria, but a malaria that makes the patient never want to visit a hospital or see a doctor. The patient may not seek help on their own. Second, it has lasting effects that need to be treated. Think of it as someone who has fractured both legs. Treatment is not just a pill to swallow, but a long period of physiotherapy, bone implants, pain relief medication, etc. Third, it has diverse causes, and effective treatment must address the underlying causes to prevent relapse.
This is the reason why our approach to treating addiction is a long-term program, not short-term. It involves a 3-month inpatient program at our facility, then a one-year follow-up program that seeks to ensure that a person gets all the support they need to remain sober.
So, what does a 3-month rehab program look like? What does it entail? Here is an overview.
Phase 1: Cleansing and Assessment
The initial days of treatment involve a comprehensive assessment and detoxification.
Medical Detox: For many substances, the first step is medically supervised detox. This critical phase ensures a safe and as comfortable as possible withdrawal from drugs or alcohol. Medical staff monitor vital signs, manage withdrawal symptoms with appropriate medication, and address any immediate health concerns. Attempting to detox alone can be dangerous, making this a crucial first step in a professional setting.
Comprehensive Assessment: Once medically stable, a thorough assessment takes place. This involves a detailed evaluation of your physical health, mental health history (including any co-occurring disorders like depression or anxiety, known as dual diagnosis), the history and severity of your substance use, and your personal circumstances. This information forms the basis of your individualized treatment plan, which is constantly reviewed and adjusted throughout your stay.
Phase 2: Intensive Therapy and Skill Building
This is where the actual rehabilitation takes root. The extended timeframe allows for deeper exploration of underlying issues and the development of robust coping mechanisms. A typical day is structured to provide a balance of intensive therapy, educational sessions, and personal reflection.
Individual Therapy: One-on-one sessions with a dedicated therapist are a cornerstone of recovery. Here, you’ll explore the root causes of your addiction, whether it’s trauma, stress, grief, or other emotional challenges. Therapists utilize evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help you identify unhealthy thought patterns, develop new coping skills, and address emotional wounds.
Group Therapy: Sharing experiences and insights with peers who understand your struggles is incredibly powerful. Group therapy fosters a sense of community, reduces feelings of isolation, and provides a safe space for mutual support and accountability. Various types of group therapy might be offered, focusing on topics like relapse prevention, emotional regulation, communication skills, and processing difficult emotions.
Family Therapy: Addiction often impacts the entire family unit. Our program incorporates family therapy sessions, aiming to repair damaged relationships, educate loved ones about the disease of addiction, and establish healthy boundaries and communication patterns to create a supportive environment for long-term recovery.
Educational Workshops: Understanding the science of addiction, the brain’s response to substances, and the stages of recovery is vital. Workshops provide psychoeducation on these topics, equipping you with knowledge to empower your journey.
Life Skills Training: Rebuilding a life free from substance use often requires learning practical skills. This might include time management, financial planning, resume building, healthy relationship skills, and stress management techniques. The goal is to prepare you for independent, sober living.
Holistic and Wellness Therapies: Our program integrates holistic approaches to promote overall well-being. This can include meditation, mindfulness, art therapy, music therapy, work therapy, and exercise programs. These activities help in reconnecting with oneself, managing stress, and developing healthy leisure pursuits.
Spiritual Formation: We believe that the body cannot be completely well if the spirit is not. As a Christian organization, we help people reconnect with God, giving them hope for this life and in eternity.
Phase 3: Relapse Prevention and Aftercare Planning
As the program nears its conclusion, the focus shifts to preparing for life outside the structured environment of rehab.
Relapse Prevention Strategies: This is a crucial component. You’ll learn to identify personal triggers (people, places, emotions, or situations that might lead to cravings) and develop specific, actionable strategies to manage them. This includes creating a personalized relapse prevention plan.
Aftercare Planning: Recovery is a lifelong journey. Before leaving the facility, a comprehensive aftercare plan is developed collaboratively with your treatment team. This plan might include:
Outpatient Therapy: Continued individual and/or group therapy sessions.
Support Groups: Connection to local 12-step programs (like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous) or other peer support groups.
Vocational or Educational Support: Assistance with returning to work or school.
Medication Management
Reintegration Support: The final weeks also focus on gradually reintegrating into daily life, often through supervised outings or activities that simulate real-world situations, allowing you to practice new coping skills in a controlled environment.
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Drug addiction not only affects the person using the drugs but also affects the family members. Most of the focus on addiction is centered around the person using the drugs, but the effects run deeper into impacting spouses, parents, children, siblings, and the extended family. The effects are generally psychological, financial, emotional, and social.
The Psychological Toll on Families
Emotionally, living with a person who is a drug addict can be challenging. Most of the time, if not often, the family members may be overwhelmed by shame, guilt, anger, confusion, and even helplessness. Extended periods of addiction may lead to emotional instability among the family members. Spouses may feel betrayed, abandoned, neglected, or unwanted as their partner prioritizes drugs over family. Parents may blame themselves or each other, wondering where they failed in rearing their kid or why their kid fell for the drug trap. Perennial stress can lead to mental challenges like anxiety and depression among family members.
Financial Strain and Instability
Drug addiction leads to bankruptcy. Drugs are expensive, and the person struggling with addiction will prioritize obtaining drugs over work responsibility. Further, it can lead to job loss, missed opportunities, mounting debt, unpaid bills, and even the risk of homelessness. Causing a ripple effect, with other family members picking up their financial burden.
Strained Relationships and broken families
One of the most catastrophic effects of drug addiction is broken families. Addiction erodes trust within a family due to a lot of lies, secrecy, manipulation, and violence. Spouses may end up feeling betrayed and unvalued.
Children may experience negligence or emotional abandonment, leading to depression, anxiety, and behavioral problems in school, or pick up those addiction behaviors in their lives, carrying on the addiction to future generations. Siblings may feel caught up in the middle. These patterns can cause rifts and damages that may take years to heal, if ever.
Social Isolation and Stigma
There is a stigma around drug addiction. Forcing the affected family to go into isolation. When the community and extended family members know about the situation, the family may feel judged or embarrassed, leading them to withdraw from social gatherings. This isolation may cause feelings of loneliness and despair, contributing to the emotional strain that the family experiences.
Finding Ways to Cope and Get Help:
The impact of addiction can feel crushing, but there are ways to manage it:
Consider drug addiction a disease, not a moral failing. This can shift the blame to one of empathy by acknowledging that the victim is suffering.
Seek support through counseling and support groups that offer a safe space to share their experiences and learn some coping strategies.
Consider Professional Therapy that helps the victim and the family since it addresses the emotional relationship issues.
Establishing healthy boundaries. Family members should limit the enabling behavior and learn how to detach with love.
The Road to Recovery
Drug addiction recovery is often a long and draining journey for the entire family. Its treatment demands a commitment to help with patience and understanding and the willingness to face the truth about the impact addiction has on every member.
In conclusion, drug addiction is a family crisis that leaves deep financial, emotional, and psychological scars. While the effects on the family are profound and painful, with support, education, and a willingness to seek help, families can navigate the challenges of addiction and begin to rebuild their lives together. [...]
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The city: a beacon of opportunity, a melting pot of cultures, a place where dreams are supposed to come true. We’re drawn to its vibrant energy, its endless possibilities, and the promise of a life less ordinary. But beneath the glittering facade, a silent struggle unfolds. The city, for all its wonders, has become a breeding ground for a formidable foe: depression.
It’s not hard to see why. The relentless pace, the constant pressure, the feeling of being a tiny cog in a massive machine – it all takes a toll. We’re talking about a life squeezed by tight deadlines, echoing with the din of traffic, and often lived in the quiet isolation of crowded spaces.
Why Does the City Breed Depression?
Let’s break down the culprits:
The Concrete Jungle: We crave nature, but in the city, green spaces are often a luxury. Those precious pockets of parks and gardens? They’re often overcrowded, leaving us yearning for a true escape. Studies show that regular exposure to nature is vital for mental well-being, and the city simply doesn’t always deliver.
Sensory Overload: The city is a constant barrage of stimuli. Long work hours, relentless noise, polluted air, and throngs of people—it’s a recipe for sensory overload. Our brains are constantly working overtime, leading to anxiety and, eventually, depression.
The Paradox of Isolation: Ironically, in a city teeming with people, loneliness can be profound. The feeling of being surrounded yet utterly alone is a common experience, fueling stress and depression.
The Financial Tightrope: The city offers career opportunities, but they come at a price. Sky-high rent, exorbitant transportation costs, and the ever-rising cost of living create a constant state of financial anxiety, a major contributor to depression.
The Pressure Cooker of Work: City life is a relentless competition. The pressure to succeed, to climb the ladder, to keep up with the Joneses, can be crushing. Long hours and unrealistic expectations lead to burnout, and burnout often leads to depression.
Recognizing the Signs: When the City Gets Too Heavy
Depression isn’t one-size-fits-all, but in the city, certain signs are alarmingly common:
Exhaustion Beyond Tired: That bone-deep fatigue that no amount of sleep can fix? Even simple tasks feel like climbing a mountain.
Sleep’s Cruel Games: Tossing and turning, waking up in the middle of the night, or sleeping for days and still feeling unrested.
The Short Fuse: Irritability becomes your default setting, and everything sets you off.
The Joy Drain: Those hobbies and activities you once loved? They hold no appeal anymore.
The Weight of Sadness: A persistent, heavy sadness that clouds your days.
The Mental Fog: Your thoughts feel sluggish, your memory falters, and decision-making becomes a struggle.
The Social Retreat: You pull away from friends and family, seeking solitude even when you crave connection.
The Unworthy Whisper: A nagging feeling of worthlessness, a belief that you don’t deserve happiness.
The Body’s Silent Scream: Aches and pains that seem to have no physical cause—backaches, headaches, stomachaches—your body’s way of signaling distress.
The Darkest Thoughts: In severe cases, suicidal thoughts creep in, a desperate cry for relief from unbearable pain.
Finding Light in the Urban Jungle: A Call to Action
We can’t ignore the problem. Here’s how we can fight back:
Prioritize Your Mental Well-being: Treat mental health like physical health. Set boundaries, find work-life balance, and make self-care a non-negotiable.
Build Your Tribe: Combat loneliness by finding your community. Join clubs, volunteer, connect with like-minded people, and cultivate a sense of belonging.
Seek Out Green Spaces: Even a short walk in a park can make a world of difference. Make time for nature, even if it’s just a rooftop garden.
Don’t Suffer in Silence: If you’re struggling, reach out for help. Therapy, support groups, and mental health professionals are there to guide you.
The city can be a challenging place, but it doesn’t have to be a lonely one. By recognizing the signs of depression and taking proactive steps to prioritize our mental health, we can reclaim our well-being and thrive in the urban jungle. [...]
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The best thing that ever happened to me was going to rehab, but I never chose to go to rehab. I was tricked by people who are very close to me.
One day, when I asked my brother for money, he refused and instead said that I need to get a job and work like other people. I protested that there were no available jobs, and that is why I was broke. He offered to get me a job, and sure enough, two weeks later, he told me to pack my bags and certificates so that he could take me to a potential employer in Embu. I agreed only because he would refuse to help me again if I refused to take the job.
Off we left, and headed towards Embu, just next to Mt. Kenya Forest. Before I knew it, we were in a rehabilitation center, and my brother broke the news – I would be admitted to the rehab for 3 months to help me deal with my alcoholism. I felt betrayed and powerless since I knew there was nothing I could do. I did not consider myself an addict, although I drank a lot. I resolved to cut ties with him once I left the place.
Being in a rehab meant that I was to be alcohol free for 3 months. It was tough, but a lot of things happened. First, I was eating three full meals a day. I was in the company of people who were fighting addictions. I had access to counsellors who were helping me reflect on my life. After being sober for a few days, I could see the problem with my life – a 27-year-old man who could never keep a job or buy himself anything without begging.
I began to think that maybe rehab was the right place for me, but I was still bitter that my brother tricked me into it. One counsellor helped me a lot by asking one question: “If your family hates you, why are they spending money to bring you here? Why are they concerned about you getting a job and becoming financially stable?”
That was the wake-up call. I decided enough was enough, and I would not be controlled by alcohol again. I decided to quit alcohol. I apologized to my family during a family therapy session when they visited me at the rehab. We agreed that I should go back to teaching at a polytechnic where I had been teaching mechanics before. The polytechnic was kind enough to allow me back.
It is now seven years since that ‘awful’ day, and I am still sober. I am thankful to my brother and everyone who was part of my journey. The lesson I learnt was that when we are not sober, it is hard to know what love is. Love is not giving me money to go and drink; it is helping me to get help for my addiction problem. I was loved, and I did not know it. [...]
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Parents are very influential in the lives of children, and form the primary source of guidance for children in the early years. It is therefore important for parents to identify signs of drugs use among their children for early intervention.
Usually, children are not looking to be addicted to drugs. They are probably experimenting on drugs, but the addictive nature of most drugs can be ruthless on their young, developing minds. If not checked, that little desire to experiment can easily lead to addiction.
It is thus important for parents to identify the signs of alcohol and drug use early enough, for the purpose of early intervention. This offers a better chance for total recovery.
Education
School going children will exhibit a behavior change when they start to abuse drugs. This can include:
Poor performance in school.Disinterest in school activities such as sports.Dropping out of school.IndisciplinePoor conduct in class
Social Signs
The social life of a child also changes when they start to abuse alcohol or drugs. Some of the changes can include:
Change in friends, especially where a child joins the company of unknown friends.Having secretive conversations on phone.Stealing in order to get money for drugs.Always trying to get more money, often through lies.Being excessively hostile and irritable.
Physical Signs
The physical sings of drug use include:
Poor physical coordinationDifficulty in speechChanging physical appearanceLoss of memoryNeedle marksPresence of drug use equipment such as syringes.
Psychological Signs
DepressionLoss or increase in appetite.Mood swingsAnxietyHallucinationsLack of ambition or drive. [...]
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What do you do when you suspect that your child is using drugs?
This can be a very challenging time for a parent when they realize that their child could be using drugs. Some can blame themselves, others panic, while others react in a way that makes the whole situation worse.
How then should a parent react? Here a few tips.
First, gather the available evidence that shows that your child could be using drugs. This can also help you know what drug that your child is using. Check the behavior of the child to confirm for sure that they are actually using drugs.
Create some time to talk to your child about it, ensuring that they are sober. Let the child know that you are just concerned about their welfare, and ensure privacy during the conversation. In the conversation, share your concerns and point out some of the evidence that you have seen. Avoid being judgmental and or confrontational, as this could create a barrier between you and the child.
You should expect the child to get angry or deny. This is normal, as they are in denial. Assure them that you are available to talk to them.
If it turns out that they are suing drugs, find a way to help them. Most likely they are just experimenting on drugs and may not need any rehabilitation. They just need some guidance. [...]
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The relationship between alcohol and central Kenya is a bit complicated. Drunkenness is a widely accepted social vice, but harsh economic conditions and heavy taxation on bottled alcohol has left bottled alcohol out of reach of the populace. The alternative to this would be traditional brews, which unfortunately, are not commercially competitive compared to the cheap, readily available second generation drinks. Entrepreneurs have discovered that instead of the time consuming process of fermentation or distillation, they can make quick money by producing alcohol through mixing neutral spirit, water and flavours. Users have followed suit by adopting these drinks, because it costs much less time and money for one to get tipsy, compared to using the traditional drinks.
The implications of this trend are worrying. Alcohol related deaths are common in Central Kenya, Nakuru and Nairobi regions. Rarely do we get cases of people dying after consuming alcohol in western Kenya. The effects are also seen demographically, where the population is declining and nursery school enrollment keeps dropping. The fact that many people drink even before noon means that their productivity is low; a factor that makes them slip into more poverty.
What is the remedy? In June 2015, president Uhuru Kenyatta ordered a crackdown on all forms of second generation drinks. This ended up as a momentary crackdown that lacked structures to sustain it for long. Again president Kenyatta has called for the same in February 2016, and we only wait to see if there will be a sustained effort. However, there is a need for an informed approach towards the fight against alcoholism in Central Kenya, and an understanding that the problem has a cultural factor. A culture cannot be changed through an act of parliament. [...]
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