Drug Rehab Centre in Kenya for Lasting Recovery

Drug addiction is a treatable health condition, not a moral failure. Holding Hands is a drug rehab centre in Kenya, located in Naivasha, that helps people stop using drugs safely and rebuild their lives through medical care, counselling and family support.

Last updated: 3 November 2026

Drugs We Help With

Bhang (cannabis)

Bhang is often seen as harmless, but regular use can lead to dependence, low motivation, anxiety and problems at school or work. Treatment focuses on understanding why it is used and building new routines and coping skills.

Miraa / khat and muguka

Chewing miraa or muguka for long hours can disrupt sleep, appetite, finances and family life. We help clients break the daily pattern, manage cravings and restore healthy sleep and eating.

Heroin and other opioids

Opioid dependence carries serious health risks, and withdrawal should be managed with medical supervision. Clients begin with supervised detox, then continue into counselling and relapse prevention.

Cocaine and stimulants

Stimulants can cause intense cravings, mood swings and exhaustion after use. Therapy helps clients recognise triggers and rebuild stability in mood, sleep and relationships.

Prescription medicines (sleeping pills, painkillers)

Dependence on sleeping pills or painkillers can begin with a genuine prescription. Stopping some medicines suddenly is risky, so withdrawal is planned and supervised by our medical team.

Inhalants and glue

Inhalants such as glue can damage health quickly, and are often used by young people. Care combines medical monitoring, counselling and family support.

Poly-drug use (more than one substance, often with alcohol)

Many people use more than one substance, often alongside alcohol. Our assessment looks at every substance used so that detox and therapy address the whole picture.

Warning Signs of Drug Addiction

  • Sudden changes in behaviour, friends or sleep
  • Missing money or valuables
  • Declining performance at school or work
  • Secrecy, irritability or withdrawal from family
  • Physical signs: red eyes, weight loss, poor hygiene

Our Drug Addiction Treatment Programme

Help for Young People and Students

If you are worried about a child or young adult, start by talking calmly at a quiet time. Describe what you have noticed rather than accusing, listen more than you speak, and make it clear that you want to help, not punish. Our admissions team can talk with parents in confidence about the next steps.

Kwa Kiswahili

"Tunawasaidia watu walioathirika na dawa za kulevya kama bangi, miraa, muguka na heroini. Piga simu 0706 466 150."

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is drug rehab?

Most residential programmes run 30 to 90 days, depending on the substance, how long it has been used and the outcome of the assessment. Aftercare continues after the residential stay.

Is drug detox safe?

Detox is safest under professional supervision. At our centre it takes place on site with 24-hour monitoring, and symptoms are managed as prescribed by the medical team.

Can parents admit an adult child?

Parents often make the first call, and we welcome that. Because treatment works best when the person agrees, our team can guide you on how to talk with your adult child and encourage them to accept help.

How do I pay for rehab?

Fees depend on the programme and length of stay. See our Fees & Payment page for the options, or call or WhatsApp us for a free, personalised quote.

Drugs Common in Kenya

Is bhang (marijuana) addictive?

Yes, bhang can be addictive. US health authorities estimate that roughly 3 in 10 people who use cannabis develop some degree of cannabis use disorder, and the risk is higher for those who start as teenagers or use daily. Signs include cravings, needing more, irritability and poor sleep when stopping, and losing interest in school, work or family.

What are the effects of bhang on the brain?

Short-term effects include impaired memory, attention and coordination, anxiety or paranoia. Regular use, especially in teenagers, is linked to poorer learning and motivation, and to a higher risk of psychosis in vulnerable people, particularly with strong, frequent use. Driving after using bhang increases the risk of crashes.

Is miraa (khat) addictive?

Miraa contains cathinone, a stimulant similar to amphetamine. Regular heavy chewing can lead to dependence, with cravings, low mood and fatigue when stopping. NACADA's 2022 survey found about 1 in 28 Kenyans aged 15-65 using miraa, making it the third most used substance.

What are the effects of miraa and muguka?

Users feel alert and talkative at first, followed by insomnia, loss of appetite, anxiety, irritability and constipation. Long-term heavy use is linked to high blood pressure, dental and gum disease, weight loss, sexual problems and, in some people, psychosis. Muguka is a stronger variety and is often chewed in larger amounts.

What are the signs of heroin use?

Signs include drowsiness or "nodding off", very small (pinpoint) pupils, slurred speech, needle marks or wearing long sleeves in hot weather, constipation, weight loss, missing money or possessions, and withdrawal symptoms between doses (sweating, yawning, runny nose, stomach cramps, body aches).

What is methadone and where can I get it in Kenya?

Methadone is a prescribed medicine used in Medically Assisted Therapy (MAT) for opioid (heroin) dependence. Taken daily under supervision, it reduces cravings and withdrawal and lowers the risk of overdose and HIV. Kenya runs public MAT clinics, including at Mathari and Ngara in Nairobi and in several coastal and other counties. Call the NACADA helpline 1192 for the nearest clinic.

What are the signs of an opioid overdose?

Watch for unresponsiveness, very slow or stopped breathing, gurgling or snoring sounds, blue or grey lips and fingertips, and pinpoint pupils. Call 999 or 112 immediately. If naloxone is available, give it as instructed. Place the person on their side and stay with them. An overdose is a medical emergency.

Can you get addicted to prescription medicines?

Yes. Some painkillers (opioids such as codeine or tramadol), sleeping pills and anti-anxiety medicines (benzodiazepines) can cause dependence, especially when taken in higher doses or for longer than prescribed. Never stop these abruptly after long use without medical advice, because withdrawal from some of them can be dangerous.

Is shisha safe?

No. Shisha smoke contains nicotine, carbon monoxide, tar and heavy metals, and a long session can expose users to more smoke than many cigarettes. Shisha is banned in Kenya, and some products have been found to contain other drugs. NACADA's helpline 1192 offers support for people unable to quit.

Are vapes and e-cigarettes addictive?

Most vapes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive, and young people can become dependent quickly. Vaping also exposes the lungs to chemicals whose long-term effects are still being studied. Some devices are used to take cannabis products. Parents should watch for devices that look like USB sticks or pens.

What are the dangers of cocaine?

Cocaine is a powerful stimulant. It can cause heart attack, stroke, seizures, paranoia and sudden death, even in young people and first-time users. Repeated use leads quickly to cravings and dependence, debt and risky behaviour. Mixing cocaine with alcohol increases the strain on the heart.

What are the signs someone is sniffing glue or inhalants?

Look for chemical smells on breath or clothes, paint or stains on the face or hands, rags or bottles hidden away, a dazed or drunk appearance, nosebleeds and sores around the mouth. Inhalants can cause sudden death even on first use and can damage the brain, liver and kidneys.

What is polydrug use and why is it risky?

Polydrug use means using more than one substance, for example alcohol with bhang, or alcohol with sleeping pills. Combinations can be unpredictable: mixing depressants such as alcohol, opioids and sleeping pills greatly increases the risk of overdose and stopped breathing. Treatment needs to address every substance a person uses.

What are the most addictive drugs?

Heroin and other opioids, crack and powder cocaine, methamphetamine, nicotine and alcohol are among the most addictive substances, but anyone can become dependent on almost any drug that affects the brain's reward system. How quickly addiction develops depends on the person, the dose, how it is taken and how often.

Worried about someone? Talk to our team in confidence: 0706 466 150 or WhatsApp.

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Sources
  • NACADA – National Survey on the Status of Drugs and Substance Use in Kenya 2022 (abridged): nacada.go.ke
  • NACADA – How to get assistance / Helpline 1192: nacada.go.ke/how-get-assistance
  • NACADA – Directory of accredited rehabilitation centres: nacada.go.ke/rehabilitation-centers
  • Kenyans.co.ke (15 Jan 2026) – NACADA orders closure of 15 rehab centres; 1.3 million Kenyans need treatment
  • The Star (14 Jan 2025) – NACADA warning to unaccredited rehab centres
  • The Standard – Survey: most Kenyans have used alcohol or abused drugs (NACADA 2022 figures)
  • Capital FM – Minimum age for initiation into drugs falls to 6 (NACADA 2022 report)
  • Capital FM Business (Jan 2026) – SHA to offer enhanced treatment cover for drug addicts
  • The Standard – SHA to offer rehabilitation services for teachers suffering from addiction
  • Harm Reduction International – Kenya country profile (methadone / MAT clinics)
  • Kenya Law – Mental Health Act (as amended 2022); Alcoholic Drinks Control Act 2010; Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act 1994; Data Protection Act 2019
  • World Health Organization – alcohol and substance use fact sheets; US National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) – treatment and relapse; US CDC – cannabis use disorder

This information is for general education and does not replace advice from a qualified health professional. If you or someone you know is in danger, call 999 or 112.

Related pages

Alcohol Rehab

Residential alcohol rehab in Naivasha.

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Medical Detox

Safe, supervised withdrawal management.

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Admissions

How to get admitted to rehab, step by step.

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Understanding addiction

Questions about addiction, its causes and treatment.

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Addiction and the law in Kenya

Questions about rights and the law.

Read more

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