Beyond Addiction: Healing the Personality, Reclaiming Your Life
Welcome to the blog of Mark L. Lockwood, BA(Hons)(Psy), Addiction Recovery Specialist, Depression and Mental Wellbeing Strategist.
For over 25 years, I’ve witnessed the devastating impact of addiction and mental health struggles on individuals and their families. I’ve also seen the limitations of traditional approaches, which often focus on the symptom (the addiction) rather than the root cause (the underlying personality). This realization sparked a revolution in my work, leading to the development of the 10 Path Paradigm Process of Addiction Recovery.
Addiction treatment centres in Cape Town
Cape Town offers a diverse range of addiction treatment specialists and facilities, catering to various needs and preferences. From medically supervised detox and inpatient rehabilitation at clinics like Claro Clinic, to more holistic and personalized programs offered by centers such as Rustenburg Addiction Care, individuals seeking recovery can find support tailored to their specific circumstances.

These services often include a multidisciplinary recovery approach, incorporating psychological counseling, therapy, and aftercare support, recognizing the complex nature of addiction and the importance of addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of recovery. Additionally, professionals like psychologists and counselors in private practice, as seen on sites like Psychology Today, provide specialized addiction therapy, contributing to a comprehensive network of support within the Cape Town region.
We support these wonderful centres and the great work they do and recommend anyone wnating substance abuse treatment specifically to go to one of these centres and begin a wonderful addiction recovery journey. But for those who will never, don’t want to or are not suited to such centres, alternative addiction treatment help is available – and its working! Some people are after healing child abuse and other childhood traumas, personality issues that create addiction, loss of purpose, grief and other issues. Some people are working on process addictions and have no issues with substance abuse at all. These people once had nowhere to go and heal their lives but the landscape today has changed completely.
“Why the Pain?” is More Important Than “Why the Addiction?” Gabor Mate
My journey began with a deep sense of dismay at the low success rates of conventional addiction treatment. It became clear that simply addressing the substance or behavior was insufficient. The real battleground lies within the individual – in the deeply ingrained patterns, fears, and unmet needs that drive addictive behaviors.

As I delved into the complexities of human psychology, neuroscience, and spirituality, a profound truth emerged: addiction is often a symptom of underlying pain. This pain can manifest as depression, anxiety, grief, meaninglessness, or a host of other emotional and psychological challenges.
Instead of focusing solely on the addiction, we must address the disordered and dysfunctional parts of the personality, the masks and traits that keep individuals captive. This is where true healing begins.
The 10 Path Paradigm Process: A Revolution in Addiction Recovery
The 10 Path Paradigm Process is a comprehensive, evidence-based program that goes beyond traditional addiction treatment. It’s a journey of self-discovery and transformation, designed to:
- Identify and address the root causes of addiction: By focusing on the personality, we uncover the underlying pain and patterns that fuel addictive behaviors.
- Dismantle destructive defense mechanisms: We expose and dismantle the masks and traits that keep individuals trapped in cycles of addiction.
- Cultivate positive traits and build resilience: We replace destructive patterns with healthy coping mechanisms, fostering peace, joy, and growth.
- Empower individuals to heal themselves: We provide the tools and knowledge necessary for lasting change, empowering individuals to take control of their lives.
Our Holistic Approach: A Team of Experts
I’m privileged to lead a team of 12 dedicated professionals, including consultant addiction psychiatrists, UK-trained psychologists, and holistic therapists. Together, we provide individualized, advanced, and tailor-made solutions for each client. Holistic therapy for addiction treatment can be done in person or online and in the way people wish to specifically treat their mental and emotional problems.
From Inpatient Treatment to Rewire Events: Reaching More People
My experience spans decades and includes thousands of hours in individual and group therapy, working with individuals facing a wide range of challenges. This extensive experience, combined with rigorous research, has led to the development of powerful programs offered at:
- The Center for Healing: Providing comprehensive and private process addiction recovery and mental wellbeing services.
- Rewire Events: Immersive workshops designed to empower individuals to transform their lives.
- Inpatient Solutions, Retreats, and One-on-One Interventions: Offering a range of options to meet individual needs. Online, from home or office, from East to West. It doesn’t matter how you start your journey, just start. Recovery in a box is a great product from the portfolio which offers clients a starter pack to healing their lives. Otehrs prefer a total retreat and life transformation experience away from home, from people and from all other distractions.
You Can Heal Your Life.
I believe that everyone has the capacity for healing and transformation. Change is possible, and it starts with a willingness to look inward and address the root causes of suffering.
Addiction Treatment Specialist Cape Town
Join me on this journey of healing and transformation. Together, we can create a life worth living, a life beyond your wildest dreams. Addiction and any emotional or psychological issues we have are not primarily a choice or a moral failing, but rather a response to deep-seated pain, often stemming from childhood trauma, neglect, or emotional deprivation. If you want to treat your root causes rather than the consequences and presenting problems that addiction brings you might benefit from a complete alternative to a rehab centre. Luxury alternative addiction treatment centres, holistic recovery centres for addictions and other psychological and emotional recovery issues are a new way of treating ourselves and transforming our lives. No longer is there a one size fits all approach and the dismal rates of recovery are rising as people meet their specific needs with specific tools and programs that suit their personality make-up.
Mark L. Lockwood, BA(Hons)(Psy) – Our specialized alternative addiction treatment programs offer comprehensive and compassionate care tailored to your individual needs. We provide a range of evidence-based therapies, including individual counselling, group support, and holistic approaches, within a supportive and confidential environment that are advanced alternatives to rehab that may suit individuals needs far ore than a clinical, substance abuse or medical environment.
Addiction Treatment Specialist Cape Town | Depression and Mental Wellbeing Strategist







