About us

Elim Clinic – Professional Addiction Treatment Centre

Elim Clinic is more than half a century old. In 2008 we celebrated fifty years of existence, fifty years of grace, and fifty years of treating people with addiction problems.

Elim Clinic has come a long way. The roots of Elim Clinic can be traced back to 1927 when a group of Christians working for the SA Railways of that time, noticed that many of their co-workers experienced problems with alcohol abuse. They founded an association called the SA Railways Temperance Union on 17 October 1927. The initial goal was to start a coffee shop where staff members waiting for transport to their homes and changing their working shifts could relax with a cup of coffee in a comforting environment without having alcohol at a bar. They soon realised that people that were addicted needed professional help and Elim Clinic developed out of this need. Although the letters “SAR” was linked to the name, the association did not have any connection with the S A Railways and Harbours. In 1955 the society, due to the Law on Welfare organisations, was registered as a welfare organisation.

The original Clinic was a beautiful Cape-Dutch gabled house and was inaugurated on 1 September 1958. A modern clinic was built during 1968 which could accommodate 43 men. The name was changed to “Elim vereniging vir hulp aan probleemdrinkers.” In 1976 an additional female section was completed. The name Elim originates from Exodus 15: 27 (Christian Bible).

When this Clinic was founded fifty two years ago, only male patients with alcohol dependence were treated. Today we accommodate people from any gender and race. In terms of our treatment programme, there has also been a shift from only dealing with alcohol addiction to include other addictions drug, medication (prescribed or over-the-counter) and gambling addiction. Elim Clinic’s treatment programme has been developed with the aim of addressing the needs of our patients in the best possible way. We are committed to continuously enhance our treatment programme according to the latest development within the field of addiction treatment.

Elim Clinic is a dynamic, professional in-patient treatment centre which offers treatment to men and women, 18 years and older, who are addicted to alcohol, drugs, medication, and/or gambling. Elim Clinic offers a safe and caring environment conducive to personal healing, and recovery.

Addiction is a progressive, chronic and potentially fatal condition, the good news is that it can be treated and arrested by personal choice. As long as there is life, there is hope; a person can continue a quality life after rehabilitation. Recovery from any form of addiction is a process, by taking one step at a time many of our patients have proved that it is possible to recover from addiction, and to live a meaningful and fulfilled life.

Vision:

We are dynamic professionals who lead with accountability in the field of addiction to innovatively deliver an exceptional service that positively impacts lives.

Mission:

We restore quality to people’s lives through a holistic approach, valuing personal needs, creating a delightful experience.

Values:

Christianity is the core of Elim Clinic

Elim Clinic ensures service excellence at every point of contact

We take pride in delivering a service with integrity

We treat people with dignity and respect

Elim Clinic sustains transparency