The Foundation Clinic - Addiction Recovery Solutions

19/11/2025

Hope to see you tonight!

A Night with David Collins

Celebrating 25 Years of The Foundation Clinic
📅 19 November 2025 | 📍 The Foundation Clinic, Johannesburg

This year marks an incredible milestone — The Foundation Clinic turns 25!
To celebrate, we’re hosting a very special evening: A Night with David Collins.

David Collins — our founder, mentor, and the father of The Foundation Clinic, and heart behind CA (Co***ne Anonymous), and U-ACT Ubuntu Trust — is visiting South Africa from the UK to join us for this wonderful occasion. David is a deeply respected and much-loved figure in the recovery and recovery coaching community worldwide, and this evening is our way of showing heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for all he has given — to our clinic, to recovery, and to thousands of lives touched along the way.

Over the past 25 years, The Foundation Clinic has supported more than 3,600 inpatients and 4,500 outpatients on their recovery journeys. Through U-ACT, more than 4,000 people have been trained as recovery coaches — spreading the message of hope, healing, and purpose far and wide.

This night is for everyone who has been part of our story — past and present clients, graduates, coaches, friends, and family. It’s an informal get-together to reconnect, share stories, and celebrate how far we’ve all come — together.

David will also take a moment to reflect on the future of recovery and what’s next for The Foundation Clinic in the next 25 years.

Come celebrate, connect, and be inspired — because you are part of this incredible journey.

✨ Join us for A Night with David Collins
📍 The Foundation Clinic
📅 Wednesday, 19 November 2025
Contact: Mureeda 062 676 1807

Let’s celebrate 25 years of healing, community, and hope — and look forward to many more.

18/11/2025

The Two Most Important Words in Early Recovery: Denial and Surrender

If you’re reading this, you might be wrestling with two powerful, conflicting forces: denial and surrender. I want you to know that what you’re feeling is not only common, it’s a central part of the journey.

Denial is the mind’s protective shield. It whispers, “It’s not that bad,” or “I can stop anytime.” It builds walls to block out the consequences, the worried looks from loved ones, and the quiet fear in your own heart. For a while, these walls feel safe. But eventually, they become the very prison they were meant to protect you from. Living inside them is a lonely, exhausting fight against reality.

Then, there is surrender.

So often, we hear “surrender” as defeat. In recovery, it is the opposite. Surrender is not about giving up; it’s about giving in. It’s the courageous decision to stop fighting the truth and lay down your arms. It is the moment you exhale and say, “I need help.”

This is the profound turning point. Surrender is the key that unlocks the door denial built. It is not a moment of weakness but of profound strength—the first honest step toward reclaiming your life.

At The Foundation Clinic, we meet you in that vulnerable space of surrender. We see your courage. Our role is to help you build a new foundation, not of walls, but of support, understanding, and proven strategies for healing.

You do not have to do this alone. The very act of seeking help is an act of surrender, and it is the bravest step you will ever take. Let this be your moment to begin.

There's wholeness in wellness.

Contact The Foundation Clinic - Addiction Recovery Solutions on:
(062) 676-1807 Call/WhatsApp
(010) 900-3131
info@thefoundationclinic
www.thefoundationclinic.co.za

17/11/2025

Few phrases can derail a conversation as swiftly as the well-intentioned but often disastrous question: “Why don’t you?” It seems a simple request for reasoning, but it’s frequently interpreted as a veiled accusation. The person asking often genuinely wants to help problem-solve, but the person hearing it feels judged, as if their own logic or effort is being called into question.

The trigger lies in the implication. “Why don’t you just get a new job?” or “Why don’t you just break up with them?” suggests the solution is obvious and the listener is foolish for not seeing it. It dismisses the complex web of emotions, finances, fear, and history that makes real-life decisions difficult. It reduces a deeply personal struggle to a simple puzzle, making the person feel misunderstood and defensive.

So, how can you inquire without coming across as an ar****le? The key is shifting from a posture of interrogation to one of curiosity and support.

First, listen to understand, not to solve. Your primary role isn’t to provide the answer, but to be a sounding board.

Second, rephrase the question. Swap the accusatory “Why don’t you?” for an open-ended, “Have you considered…?” or “What’s been stopping you from…?” This frames the suggestion as an option, not an obligation, and acknowledges there are barriers.

Finally, ask permission before giving advice. A simple, “Would you like to brainstorm some options, or do you just need to vent?” is profoundly respectful. It hands control back to the person struggling and ensures your guidance is welcome.

By replacing judgement with empathy and unsolicited solutions with genuine curiosity, you transform a potentially triggering question into a supportive conversation. It’s the difference between telling someone they’re in the wrong place and walking alongside them to find a better path.

13/11/2025

“Recovery is a serious journey, but we don’t have to take ourselves too seriously along the way.”

Recovery is often described with a great sense of seriousness and understandably so. It requires honesty, courage, and a willingness to face the parts of ourselves that may have been hidden beneath years of hurt or avoidance. Yet, taking recovery seriously does not mean we must approach ourselves with heaviness or perfection. In fact, allowing a little lightness into the process can be deeply supportive.

Many people begin recovery carrying shame—shame for actions taken, relationships strained, or situations created during addiction. While it’s important to acknowledge these experiences with compassion, we do not need to let them define us. With time and healing, it often becomes possible to look back at some of the more absurd or ridiculous things we did in addiction and actually laugh. This isn’t about dismissing the impact but about softening shame’s grip. Sometimes, a moment of humor can offer more relief than hours of self-criticism.

When we allow ourselves to smile at our past, we recognise that addiction drove behaviors that were not true reflections of our character. Instead of punishing ourselves, we learn to approach those memories with empathy. This gentle shift lightens the emotional load and helps us build resilience for the road ahead.

Bringing lightness into recovery also challenges the belief that we must “do it perfectly.” Recovery is anything but linear. Some days, they feel steady and hopeful; others feel messy and uncertain. A kinder, more relaxed approach helps us navigate these ups and downs with balance and self-compassion.

Ultimately, recovery asks for commitment, but it also invites us to be human. By making space for humor, kindness, and acceptance of our imperfect selves, the journey becomes not only more manageable but far more meaningful.

There's wholeness in wellness.

Contact The Foundation Clinic - Addiction Recovery Solutions on:
(062) 676-1807 Call/WhatsApp
(010) 900-3131
info@thefoundationclinic
www.thefoundationclinic.co.za

12/11/2025

90 Days (3 Months): The Foundation Building Phase (Routine & Reality)

Reaching the 90-day mark in recovery is a powerful milestone. By this stage, you’ve moved beyond the initial crisis of withdrawal and begun to step into stability. The focus shifts from simply surviving without substances to actively building a new life grounded in structure, self-awareness, and support.

Physically, your body has largely completed its detox process. Sleep begins to stabilize, energy levels rise, and appetite and digestion normalize. Many people notice visible improvements—clearer skin, brighter eyes, and a healthier overall appearance. Your body is healing, and this renewed strength supports your emotional and mental work ahead.

Mentally and emotionally, the “brain fog” of early recovery lifts, bringing improved focus and emotional steadiness. However, this clarity can also bring challenges. Without substances to numb discomfort, underlying issues such as boredom, anxiety, loneliness, or unresolved trauma may surface. Cravings can still arise—often triggered by stress or emotional pain—but with growing awareness and practice, they become more manageable.

What to focus on during this phase:

Therapy: Deepen your therapeutic work to address the root causes of addiction and strengthen emotional resilience.

Building a toolkit: Develop practical coping strategies—exercise, meditation, journaling, or reaching out to a sponsor—to navigate stress and triggers.

Creating a sober network: Spend time with people who support your recovery. Connection and accountability are key to long-term success.

Exploring new interests: Rediscover old passions or experiment with new hobbies that bring joy and meaning without substances.

The 90-day point represents more than just time sober—it’s the beginning of true transformation. This is where recovery takes root in daily life, where you start to experience genuine stability, confidence, and hope. You are no longer merely avoiding your past—you’re actively shaping your future.

There's wholeness in wellness.

The Foundation Clinic - Addiction Recovery Solutions on:
(062) 676-1807 WhatsApp
(010) 900-3131
info@thefoundationclinic.co.za

11/11/2025

A Night with David Collins

Celebrating 25 Years of The Foundation Clinic
📅 19 November 2025 | 📍 The Foundation Clinic, Johannesburg

This year marks an incredible milestone — The Foundation Clinic turns 25!
To celebrate, we’re hosting a very special evening: A Night with David Collins.

David Collins — our founder, mentor, and the father of The Foundation Clinic, and heart behind CA (Co***ne Anonymous), and U-ACT Ubuntu Trust — is visiting South Africa from the UK to join us for this wonderful occasion. David is a deeply respected and much-loved figure in the recovery and recovery coaching community worldwide, and this evening is our way of showing heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for all he has given — to our clinic, to recovery, and to thousands of lives touched along the way.

Over the past 25 years, The Foundation Clinic has supported more than 3,600 inpatients and 4,500 outpatients on their recovery journeys. Through U-ACT, more than 4,000 people have been trained as recovery coaches — spreading the message of hope, healing, and purpose far and wide.

This night is for everyone who has been part of our story — past and present clients, graduates, coaches, friends, and family. It’s an informal get-together to reconnect, share stories, and celebrate how far we’ve all come — together.

David will also take a moment to reflect on the future of recovery and what’s next for The Foundation Clinic in the next 25 years.

Come celebrate, connect, and be inspired — because you are part of this incredible journey.

✨ Join us for A Night with David Collins
📍 The Foundation Clinic
📅 Wednesday, 19 November 2025
Contact: Mureeda 062 676 1807

Let’s celebrate 25 years of healing, community, and hope — and look forward to many more.

10/11/2025

The Foundation Clinic — Recovery with Purpose and Compassion

For over 25 years, The Foundation Clinic has been guiding individuals toward lasting recovery and wellness. Rated 4.9 out of 5 on Google, our approach is compassionate, personalised, and designed to heal the whole person — not just the addiction.

We understand that behind every dependency lies a story — of pain, trauma, loss, or disconnection. Our expert team of facilitators, counsellors, therapists, social workers, and coaches meets each client where they are, helping them envision and create a meaningful future.

At The Foundation Clinic, we don’t follow a one-size-fits-all 12-step programme. Instead, we use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) within a bio-psychosocial framework, offering a holistic path from a culture of addiction to a culture of learning, growth, and recovery.

But what truly sets us apart is our integration of Systemic Wellness Coaching and Systemic Wellness Practitioner Training — a pioneering approach that looks beyond individual symptoms to understand the systems, relationships, and environments that shape recovery. This approach bridges the gap between therapy and sustainable wellness, empowering clients to reconnect with themselves, their families, and their communities in meaningful ways.

This Systemic Recovery Coaching model, developed at The Foundation Clinic in South Africa, has been internationally recognised for improving treatment outcomes. It is now being successfully implemented in the UK, the Netherlands, and Ireland, where it continues to transform both individuals and recovery systems alike.

Our services include comprehensive detox, inpatient and outpatient programmes, and family involvement as part of the healing journey — all covered by medical aids.

If you’re ready to rediscover meaning, balance, and purpose, The Foundation Clinic is here to help you take that first step — with care, compassion, and lasting support.

09/11/2025

The First 30 Days of Recovery: A Journey of Renewal

At The Foundation Clinic, the first 30 days of recovery mark the beginning of a powerful process of healing and reconnection. This early stage is often described as a time of both challenge and awakening - where the body, mind, and spirit begin to restore balance after the impact of addiction.

Physically, the body starts to detox and heal. Clients may experience fatigue, disrupted sleep, changes in appetite, or emotional sensitivity as the body adjusts to functioning without substances. With medical and coaching support, these symptoms ease, energy levels return, and physical wellbeing improves. Proper nutrition, rest, and gentle activity become essential parts of this renewal.

Emotionally, the first month can be raw and revealing. Without substances to numb or escape feelings, emotions such as fear, sadness, anger, and guilt may surface. At The Foundation Clinic, we create a safe, supportive space for clients to explore these emotions through individual coaching, group facilitation, and peer connection. This emotional processing allows clients to begin developing emotional maturity, resilience, and self-compassion.

Mentally, clarity and focus gradually return. The brain begins to heal from the effects of substance use, improving concentration, memory, and decision-making. Clients learn practical tools and forward-focused techniques to rebuild recovery capital - the personal and social resources that support sustainable recovery.

Spiritually, clients often rediscover meaning and purpose. Connection to self, others, and community begins to deepen, creating hope and a sense of belonging.

The first 30 days of recovery at The Foundation Clinic are about more than abstinence - they’re about transformation. Through education, systemic coaching, and holistic care, we walk alongside each client as they rediscover balance, authenticity, and the possibility of a fulfilled life.

There's wholeness in wellness.

Contact The Foundation Clinic - Addiction Recovery Solutions on:
(062) 676-1807 Call/WhatsApp
(010) 900-3131
info@thefoundationclinic
www.thefoundationclinic.co.za

07/11/2025

“I Don’t Drink Because It’s Bad for My Behavior”

For many people in recovery, social gatherings can bring unexpected challenges, especially when it comes to questions about alcohol. “Why don’t you drink?” is a question that can feel simple to the person asking, but for someone in recovery, it can stir up discomfort, shame, or even fear of judgment.

One of our outpatients puts it beautifully: “I don’t drink because it’s bad for my behavior.” It’s an honest, grounded response that reminds us that recovery isn’t about denial, it’s about self-awareness and choice. For people in recovery, saying no to alcohol isn’t just a preference; it’s an act of self-preservation, healing, and integrity.

Yet, despite growing awareness about addiction and mental health, stigma still lingers. Society often celebrates drinking as a sign of connection and normalcy - the toast, the shared glass, the “just one” culture. So when someone opts out, it can feel like they’re stepping outside the social script. That can be awkward, both for the person in recovery and for those around them.

At The Foundation Clinic, we understand that recovery is not just about abstaining, it’s about living authentically, even when that means navigating uncomfortable social moments. Choosing not to drink is not a loss; it’s a conscious commitment to wellness.

If you know someone in recovery, your curiosity is natural, but so is their need for privacy. A simple gesture of acceptance can mean the world. And if you’re the one in recovery, know that your “no” is a powerful boundary, not an explanation owed.

Because, as our outpatient reminds us, sometimes the simplest truth is the most freeing one: “I don’t drink because it’s bad for my behavior.”

There's wholeness in wellness.

Contact The Foundation Clinic - Addiction Recovery Solutions on:
(062) 676-1807 Call/WhatsApp
(010) 900-3131
info@thefoundationclinic
www.thefoundationclinic.co.za

06/11/2025

Breaking Up Is Hard to Do

Ending an addiction can feel a lot like leaving a toxic ex. It’s messy, emotional, and full of confusing moments where your heart and mind don’t agree. You know it’s bad for you, yet something inside still craves the comfort of what’s familiar. That’s the tricky part of addiction: it becomes part of your identity, whispering that you can’t live without it, even when it’s destroying you.

Like any unhealthy relationship, addiction often starts with a rush. It feels exciting, like you’ve finally found something that fills the emptiness. But over time, it turns possessive and controlling. It demands your time, your energy, and your sense of self. You start to lose touch with who you really are without it. Walking away feels impossible because the addiction has convinced you that you’re nothing without it.

But recovery is about reclaiming your power. It’s learning to set boundaries, to say no, and to build a new life that isn’t centered around pain and dependency. Just like healing from a breakup, there are days when you’ll miss it, when the memories of the “good times” try to pull you back. That’s normal. Healing doesn’t mean forgetting; it means choosing yourself, again and again.

At The Foundation Clinic, we know that breaking up with addiction is one of the hardest things you’ll ever do, but also one of the most liberating. You don’t have to do it alone. With the right support, compassion, and guidance, you can learn to love yourself again and build a future that isn’t defined by your past.

Because sometimes, the healthiest love story is the one you write for yourself.

There's wholeness in wellness.

Contact The Foundation Clinic - Addiction Recovery Solutions on:
(062) 676-1807 Call/WhatsApp
(010) 900-3131
info@thefoundationclinic
www.thefoundationclinic.co.za

04/11/2025

Understanding H.A.L.T. and H.A.L.T.S.
At The Foundation Clinic, we use the H.A.L.T. framework as a gentle reminder to pause, reflect, and reconnect with our basic needs before reacting or making important decisions. It’s a practical tool for self-awareness, relapse prevention, and emotional balance.

What is H.A.L.T.?
H.A.L.T. stands for:
• H – Hungry: Low blood sugar or skipped meals can trigger irritability and poor concentration. Nourish your body to stabilise your emotions.
• A – Angry: Anger clouds perspective and may lead to impulsive actions. Acknowledge it, breathe, and choose a healthy way to release it.
• L – Lonely: Isolation can heighten vulnerability. Reach out, connect, and let others support you.
• T – Tired: Exhaustion weakens resilience and self-control. Prioritise rest and healthy sleep routines.
The key message: Never let yourself get too Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired.
When you notice one of these states, pause and care for that need — before it escalates.

The Extended Version: H.A.L.T.S.
H.A.L.T.S. adds two more triggers to be mindful of:
• S – Sick: Physical illness or pain can affect emotional wellbeing. Listen to your body and rest.
• S – Stressed: High stress overwhelms coping mechanisms. Ground yourself with calm, connection, and balance.

Why It Matters
H.A.L.T. and H.A.L.T.S. teach that self-care is recovery. Checking in regularly builds resilience, mindfulness, and long-term wellness.