Mental Health: Addictions Treatment Services Model
By M Nyamande (2025)
Addictions or problematic use of a substance or a behaviour can be managed by first
understanding the pain point for the individual and providing information to help them remedy
their problem on their own. Secondly, support may be required to help the person move to
actioning the help they require. A minor criminal activity can help trigger containment that may
be required for someone to access help. The police and courts may assist in this process. While
this can also be done in a prison setting, a clinic or hospital setting is more ideal and provides a
more humane and compassionate service. Addictions are not only limited to intoxicating
substances, they extend to behavioural addictions like gambling, binging on TV series, Social
Media, Power, Porn, sex, etc. The underlying cause for addictions is linked to poor attachment
(Adshead 2014), and therefore services need to have an indepth understanding of how to
remedy attachment issues.
Some people may drink to excess only once in a while. They can go for months without
drinking, but when they do, they drink too much. This group is called Binge drinkers. These are
not addicted, but they have an unhealthy relationship with Alcohol/Drugs (Marambadoro).
Then, there are those that need a drink(s), a pill(s) or a smoke(s) daily in order to function.
These actually believe that they work better after drinking, but in fact, what they are doing is self
medicating an underlying anxiety or depression problem. Without the drink, they surely would
not be able to perform due to the overwhelming emotional or physical pain/distress. Due to the
nature of our bodies’ metabolism, tolerance quickly increases to the point that one uses
unhealthy amounts to function. Over time, these cause biological, psychological and social
problems, hence the prescribed limits and or regulated use of certain medications.
Services Required for Addictions (Drugs, Alcohol, Gambling, etc…)
(Each Community would need to have at least 1 of each, depending on its size).
Step 1
Community Support (Information, Awareness and support)
Each community requires a community Centre where Individuals, friends and families can
attend and be provided with information on what drugs are, how they affect people and what
help and support is available, locally and nationally, These are where community awareness
campaigns may be co-ordinated from. Home Detoxification can be supported from these
centres. Community Psychologists/Therapists, Social Workers and drug support workers are
required to man these spaces. This support is usually informal and may not require any
prescribed structure. People can access this space as and when they feel the need to, although
more indepth (daily) support can be provided.
Step 2
Containment - Detox and Stabilization Services.
These are facilities where those people who are already affected and in acute stages can be
admitted for supported Detoxification and stabilisation, especially in cases where someone has
become a danger to self and or others. These usually provide intense short term care, but can
provide long term care for those with Dual Diagnosis (Addiction alongside a Mental Illness). The
police may be required to assist with safe transportation of the client to these safe spaces
(utilising Section 13 of the Mental Health Act. Psychiatrists, Doctors, Nurses and Addiction
Counsellors are required in these spaces.
Step 3
Rehabilitation Services
These are optional facilities where those that have been detoxed require further help and skills
training to learn to manage life better again. This is especially for those that have been addicted
for a long time and have lost daily living skills like basic planning, budgeting, social skills and
can also learn trade and survival skills for those that may not have acquired good basic
education. Clinical Psychologists and Therapists, Psychiatrists, Occupational Therapists,
Nurses, Addiction Support Workers and Physicians are required in these places.
Step 4
Step Down / Supported Tenancy Arrangements
This is a space where one may access if they need to, in cases where families are not able to
immediately support them or are ready to wean them off. This provides clients with a new start
and an opportunity to learn to manage their own lives, with very little support from the Facility.
One may start going to work and get a stable foot before they move on to rent or own their own
spaces. Social Workers and Addiction Counsellors are required in these spaces.
Addiction Treatment requires attending to both the physical Dependency and the Psychological
Dependency. Addressing one and not the other will lead to a relapse as the pain point would
have been incompletely resolved. Random Drug Testing would be required at all stages.
While all the 4 steps can be provided at the same location, care must be taken to ensure that
the structured services are not disrupted by the unstructured access.
