A Rehab Centre in Cape Town Built Around the Person
Small residences, senior clinicians and a treatment plan written for one person at a time — not a ward, not a programme you are slotted into.
Hillhouse Clinics is a residential treatment centre in the Cape Winelands, a short drive from Cape Town. We keep our residences small deliberately: clients live in home-like houses with high staff ratios, which allows daily individual therapy rather than a schedule built almost entirely around group work.
Our team includes psychiatrists, addiction physicians, registered psychotherapists, social workers and trauma specialists. Treatment is evidence-based — CBT, DBT, EMDR for trauma — integrated with the 12-step framework and a strong family component.
- On-site medically supervised detox
- Daily one-on-one therapy sessions
- Psychiatric assessment for co-occurring conditions
- Equine, adventure and mindfulness therapies
- Structured re-integration phase before discharge
- Alumni and aftercare support for a full year
Who we treat
We treat alcohol, cocaine, methamphetamine (tik), heroin, prescription medication and benzodiazepine dependence, as well as gambling, gaming and sex addiction. Many clients also arrive with untreated depression, anxiety, PTSD or ADHD — these are assessed and treated by our psychiatric team as part of the same plan.
Clients range from students and young adults in their first admission to professionals and parents who have tried outpatient care several times before. What they share is that willpower alone stopped working a long time ago.
What a week looks like
Mornings begin with a check-in and process group, followed by individual therapy or specialised sessions such as trauma work. Afternoons combine psycho-education, physical activity and holistic therapies, and evenings are reserved for 12-step meetings and reflection.
Structure matters most in early recovery. The rhythm of the week is what allows the nervous system to settle enough for real therapeutic work to begin.
Admission and assessment
Admission starts with a confidential call. Our clinical team completes a telephonic assessment, advises whether detox is required, and confirms a date — usually within 24 to 48 hours. We assist with medical aid authorisation where applicable and coordinate transport from the airport or from home.
Editorial standards & clinical review
Author
Jeroen Decker
Founder, Hillhouse Clinics
Founder of Hillhouse Clinics with 15+ years building licensed residential addiction treatment in Cape Town. Personal lived experience of recovery.
Reviewed by
David McNamara
Clinical Director
Clinical Director with 20+ years in addiction medicine. Oversees ASAM-aligned treatment protocols, medical detox and the multi-disciplinary clinical team supporting both treatment paths at The Hillhouse and a move to The Re-entry House.
Medically reviewed by
Bryan Hellmann
Clinical Psychologist
Registered Clinical Psychologist specialising in trauma, dual diagnosis and evidence-based therapies (CBT, DBT, EMDR) for substance use disorders.
Last clinically reviewed: May 7, 2026 · Next review scheduled: November 2026 · Hillhouse Clinics is licensed by the South African Department of Social Development. Content is informational and does not replace medical advice.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the programme?+
Most clients complete a residential programme followed by a structured re-integration phase. Length is set clinically at assessment, based on substance, medical risk and history.
Is detox done on site?+
Yes. Medically supervised detox for alcohol, opioids and benzodiazepines is done on site under a doctor, so there is no separate transfer between facilities.
Can I keep working while in treatment?+
Residential treatment is intensive and generally full-time. Where a professional has unavoidable obligations, we discuss limited, supervised access as part of the clinical plan.
Is treatment confidential?+
Entirely. We do not confirm the presence of any client to third parties, and clinical records are handled under South African health privacy law and POPIA.
A confidential conversation — on your terms
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Last reviewed: September 2026. Admissions: +27 63 335 1185. Hillhouse Clinics is licensed by the South African Department of Social Development. Outcomes vary; no treatment guarantees recovery. For emergencies in South Africa call 10177 (ambulance) or SADAG on 0800 12 13 14.