Dignity first
Compassion and respect belong at the centre of every treatment decision. A person’s rights do not stop at admission.
Ethical addiction treatment · Western Cape
Recovery begins
with dignity.
When someone needs help, the quality of their care matters. We stand for safe, respectful and accountable addiction treatment — and clearer choices for people and families.
Start with registration. Ask questions. Make an informed choice.
A clearer way forwardWith dignity
One clear standard
Do not accept anything less than a fully registered and compliant rehab.
The care every person deserves
Ethical treatment.
Not an optional extra.
Seeking treatment can be a vulnerable moment. No one should have to trade their dignity, safety or rights for the promise of recovery.
Registration is an essential starting point for accountability. It helps you check whether a facility is recognised for the service it provides. A reassuring website or a persuasive sales pitch is not a substitute for that check.
Registration alone does not tell you everything about a person’s experience or whether a programme is right for them. Ask about clinical care, safeguarding, costs and support after treatment, too.
- Respect, without judgement
People deserve to be heard, involved in decisions and treated as people — not as a diagnosis.
- Care that can be explained
Expect clear information about the programme, the people providing it and how your needs will be assessed.
- Accountability you can check
Ask for registration details, a transparent complaints process and written information about fees and rights.
- Support beyond admission
Ask how treatment planning includes family involvement where appropriate, discharge and continuing care.
Our purpose
Higher standards.
A more human approach.
ARATC stands for ethical treatment for all: informed choices, accountable services and respect at every stage.
Our mission
To champion ethical addiction treatment by helping people recognise accountable care, understand why registration matters and ask the questions that protect their dignity.
Our vision
A future in which everyone seeking help can access safe, respectful and properly regulated treatment — without fear, exploitation or judgement.
Openness, always
Honest information about registration, treatment and costs helps people make decisions without pressure.
Accountability in practice
Standards matter when they can be checked. We encourage questions, clear responsibilities and routes to raise concerns.
Before you choose
How to check a rehab.
A little clarity now can help you make a more confident decision.
Get the exact details
Ask for the facility’s registered name, location, registration number and the type of service it is authorised to provide.
Check the register
Look up the facility on the substance use treatment services register hosted by UCT. Match the name, location and service details.
Resolve any uncertainty
Ask for current registration documentation. If a listing is missing, unclear or conditional, seek clarification from the relevant registering authority before committing.
Ask about the care
Discuss assessment, staff qualifications, clinical support, your rights, total costs, complaints and aftercare. Request clear answers in writing.
Make the register your starting point.
Check the substance use treatment services register hosted by UCT before choosing a facility.
Still unsure? Do not treat a directory entry as proof of current compliance. Registration status and service details can change. Verify the specific facility and programme you are considering.
Pause. Ask. Verify.
Know the warning signs.
A concern is a reason to ask more questions — not a diagnosis of a particular facility.
Unclear registration
Registration details are withheld, cannot be matched to the facility, or are described only as “in progress”.
Pressure to commit
You are pushed to pay or admit immediately, discouraged from asking questions, or promised a guaranteed cure.
Hidden costs or rules
Fees, refund terms, visiting arrangements or treatment conditions are not explained clearly before admission.
Vague clinical support
Staff qualifications, medical assessment, medication oversight or the response to emergencies cannot be explained.
Dignity dismissed
Humiliation, threats or punishment are presented as treatment, or concerns about consent and personal rights are brushed aside.
No clear way to raise concerns
There is no accessible complaints process, or reasonable questions about care and communication are met with hostility.
A little more clarity
Questions worth asking.
You do not need to know all the answers before asking for help.
Have a question for ARATC? →Does a listing here guarantee that a facility is compliant?
No. This directory is a starting point, not an endorsement or a live certification service. Always check current registration status and the specific service offered using the substance use treatment services register hosted by UCT.
What if I cannot find a facility on the register?
Check its exact registered name and location with the facility. Ask for current documentation and seek clarification from the relevant registering authority. Do not assume that an advertising name or a pending application confirms registration.
How do I know whether a programme is suitable?
Ask how your needs will be assessed, who provides the treatment, and what clinical support is available. Discuss mental and physical health needs, costs, consent and aftercare with a qualified healthcare professional. This website cannot provide individual medical advice.
What should I ask before paying a deposit?
Request written fees, refund and cancellation terms, an explanation of what is included, current registration details and the admissions process. Ask for time to read and understand the information before committing.
Can I report a concern or suggest a correction?
Yes. Email info@aratcsa.org with the facility name and a brief, non-sensitive explanation. Do not send patient records, identity documents or medical information. ARATC is not an emergency service or a registering authority.
What if someone needs urgent help?
If someone is in immediate danger or needs urgent medical attention, contact local emergency services or attend the nearest emergency department. Do not wait for an email reply. Withdrawal can require medical supervision; seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Your next step
Choose care with confidence.
Explore the Western Cape directory, then verify the details and ask the questions that matter to you.
Help keep the directory accurate
Raise a concern. Share an update.
Report an unlicensed or non-compliant rehab, or request a status update when a facility becomes registered.