SAPTA OUTPATIENT TREATMENT CENTRE

Who We Are:

Support for Addictions Prevention and Treatment in Africa- (SAPTA) is an International NGO registered in Kenya.  The objectives of SAPTA are provision of educational programs for addiction counselors; running of community based prevention programs; advocacy for greater access to treatment; promotion of professionalism in the addiction field through strengthening of capacity for treatment centre’s; and outpatient counselling and treatment for substance use disorders.

SAPTA Counselling and Treatment Approach:

SAPTA promotes a holistic approach to chemical abuse and addiction.   Some clients may have a substance use disorders and other behavioral addictions (such as pathological gambling, pornography, etc.).  This means that due to various circumstances in their life (e.g., issues of marital discord, stress, grief or home or work problems) they may be turning to alcohol or drugs to deal with the issue. Counselling can help the client resolve the issue without resulting top alcohol or drug misuse.

However, other clients may be diagnosed with substance use disorder which means that they suffer from alcoholism and/or drug addiction.  This is a primary, progressive and incurable disease.  SAPTA views alcoholism and drug addiction as a disease where the alcoholic or addict is not held responsible for this disease, but he or she is responsible for their recovery.  Using evidence based approaches, we provide the necessary counselling, educational classes and life skills for the client so that they can live a life free from chemical addiction. To promote abstinence, our recovery program includes participation in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA)

Issues SAPTA addresses:

  1.             Adolescent and young adult alcohol and drug issues
  2.             Adults with alcohol or other substances use disorders
  3.             Allied mental disorders

Availability of Implanted Naltrexone:

Naltrexone is an approved Federal Drug Agency (USA) proven medical assisted treatment for those with alcohol use disorders.  Dr. Lincoln Khasakhala, the COO (Clinical      ) director for SAPTA, has been implanting Naltrexone for two years and finding some success.

Naltrexone can be prescribed to people with alcohol dependence. Its use in that context works in several ways:

  • It can reduce the craving for alcohol
  • It can reduce the ‘reward’ effects of alcohol use
  • It can help people remain abstinent from alcohol
  • It can reduce the tendency to want to drink more if a person consumes alcohol

If a person consumes alcohol while using naltrexone, they will still experience the effects of alcohol, so their judgement, coordination and ability to perform tasks such as driving and operating machinery will still be affected.

Precautions for its use:

  • Be free of heroin and other opioids for 7–10 days (or 10 days for methadone) before starting naltrexone maintenance treatment; otherwise they may experience acute, instant withdrawal. People who intend to start naltrexone maintenance treatment can expect to be tested in order to confirm that they are clear of opioid drugs.
  • Have no existing liver conditions, such as acute hepatitis.
  • Seek advice if they are pregnant or breastfeeding as naltrexone may not be safe for use during pregnancy

Regular blood tests to monitor liver function both before and during naltrexone treatment are recommended.6

What is the process for Outpatient Treatment? [SAPTA does not have an inpatient treatment program; we do recommend inpatient treatment programs that are approved by SAPTA has providing excellent evidence based treatment.]

Seeking screening and assessment with one of SAPTA’s outpatient counselors:

SAPTA uses the gold-star evidence based assessment tools of the ASAM (Addiction ) placement criteria and ASI (Addiction Severity Index) to determine the level of addiction severity and what would be appropriate placement: outpatient or inpatient.

Agreement between counselor and client what would be the best way to address the issues:

  •             Outpatient
  •             Inpatient

If the client continues with SAPTA’s outpatient program then they would together put together a treatment program and determine the number of hours per week the client would meet the counselor.

Regular updates on the treatment plan as the client meets the objectives of the treatment plan.

As agreed with client, the counselor would meet also with parents if the client is under 18 years and for adult clients meet with any supportive family or other designated members.

Treatment Discharge Plan and Aftercare Plan

When the treatment has reached an agreed upon conclusion the counselor and the client will formulate an aftercare program which possibly will include attending on a regular bases AA (Alcoholic Anonymous) or NA (Narcotics Anonymous) meetings.

Fees for Services:

SAPTA has a fee schedule based: children and adolescent; student and adults levels of counseling