The Optimal Recovery Programme
T.O.R.P.
Welcome To Freedom
Programme Testimonials
Recovery Testimonials:
Anonymous (TORP Client, 2026)
I had many reasons for opting for outpatient recovery, including negative experiences at inpatient
facilities and the need for a paced & flexible recovery.
In my professional context, the option of (effective) anonymity was VITAL.
I can finally acknowledge it: “functional addiction” does not exist.
I was not functional. The deeper spiral into substances had sustained the illusion of functionality.
I’m grateful to have tried TORP sooner rather than later.
My experiences of the treating team, programme approach and structure have been excellent -
I wouldn’t hesitate to return should I feel concerns of relapse or just a need for ongoing support
TORP has added functionality and spark back into my life.
Onwards & Upwards - Thanks, MJT & Team!
Anonymous (TORP Client, 2026)
I really thought I could do this alone, not asking for help.
I was used to doing hard things on my own, but I was so wrong.
Michael & his TORP team have been a godsend, especially my recovery coach (Jess).
She’s compassionate, flexible, no judgement; never rigid or overbearing;
just the sensitive, soft nudge that is needed.
I feel supported through my recovery journey, cheered on for better things ahead.
I feel like I’m on a new path ahead, somewhat scary, yet exciting,
but I know I’m in safe hands.
If change is what you want, TORP is the place.
Anonymous (Past TORP Client)
Before starting recovery with TORP, I was drowning in chaos,
and addiction effectively my ruled my life.
I chose outpatient recovery as I knew I needed to learn how to face life and not run from it;
entering an inpatient facility didn’t seem like a sustainable solution.Having a recovery coach walk the journey with me, providing practical support and solutions,
was priceless. For the first time in my adult life, I felt a sense of accountability & growth,
support from a team who understood me, and a framework to restart life in freedom and peace.I’ve sustained sobriety and I feel well equipped with the coping skills
I need to face every challenge head-on.
With TORP's help, I found the courage to leave my old life behind and grow wings to soar.
I am eternally grateful.
Anonymous (TORP Perspective)
Due to co-occuring neurological & medical conditions, my recovery from substance abuse
couldn’t be adequately supported by inpatient treatment facilities.
I felt an incredible lack of credibility & support, which led to countless personal (failed) attempts at recovery.
I finally got my plan together and went about recovery the brutally long, hard way -
supported by multiple outpatient professionals, none of whom were experienced in addiction,
but understood the context, Over 2.5 long years, we did it.
This took an a great toll (cost, health, time, personal & professional life)
What I’d NEEDED back then was a programme as practical & flexible as TORP.
Recovery REALLY need not have been such an uphill battle.
The problem was a lack of options, NOT a lack of personal compliance or integrity.
Thankfully … the world has since progressed.
The holistic, humanistic approach offered by TORP couldn’t arrive soon enough.
Addiction Specialists:
Gert Janse Van Rensburg (Addiction Specialist)
I’ve known Michael for over a decade, first working alongside, later referring clients to him.
What he has created through TORP is exactly the kind of resource the field has been missing.
Michael doesn’t approach recovery from a purely academic or scientific standpoint -
he brings lived experience, empathy, insight & his exceptional ability to connect with people.
He works collaboratively with clients, to help them discover their own solutions,
thus building confidence & personal ownership of the recovery journey.
TORP reflects that philosophy perfectly - as a person-first programme,
it is well structured in terms of recovery stages, integrated approaches, flexibility.
Above all, Michael & his team genuinely care. That is evident in every aspect of the programme.
For anyone seeking a pathway to meaningful recovery,
TORP is an invaluable resource.
Dr. Laurel King (Specialist Psychiatrist)
Michael is hands down one of the most humanistic clinicians I’ve ever worked with;
knowing his lived experience, his professional expertise, as well as the passion he brings to
progressing the field of addiction treatment, it was just a matter of time until TORP’s vision finally came to life.
It presents a powerful and necessary alternative to traditional models of recovery.To me, it is the most ‘optimal’ in successfully integrating the subjective experience
(frame of reference) of the client as a core element of the bio-psycho-social model.
A brilliantly executed vision. Well done.
External Professionals:
Dr. Karl Swain (Neuropsychologist)
Programmes such as The Optimal Recovery Programme (TORP)
represent a vital development in addiction treatment, by expanding access to
structured, supportive outpatient care.
While inpatient rehabilitation can provide valuable initial stabilisation,
truly sustainable recovery
ultimately takes place in everyday life.
A well-designed outpatient programme allows individuals to rebuild routines, practise recovery skills, and strengthen resilience within the environments in which they live and work,
while receiving consistent professional support.
Initiatives like TORP help bridge an important gap in the recovery landscape by providing a practical and person-centred pathway toward long-term recovery.
Dr. Anthony Townsend (Clinical Psychologist)
In the current South African healthcare landscape, there is a often profound disconnect
between the prevalence of substance use disorders and the availability of
compassionate, effective and accessible recovery routes.
Traditional inpatient models, while necessary for acute stabilization, often lack the longitudinal support required for sustainable reintegration into daily life.
An outpatient program offers the critical bridge needed to treat addiction as a lived experience, ideally managed alongside the complexities of daily life.
Additionally, by maintaining the client’s connection to their support systems,
we allow for reduced stigma and institutionalisation, greater sustainability.Central to the success of such a program is the humanistic approach,
which focuses on autonomy and the natural drive towards self actualisation.
This approach retains a focus on a resilient recovery rooted in personal meaning, the only truly sustainable foundation for mental health in our complex environment.
Internal Professionals:
Deborah Wroe-Street (Social Worker in Private Practice, Addiction Specialist)
I’ve known Mr. Theron for the past 8 years, and have had the privilege of witnessing his exceptional commitment
to the field of recovery, as well as the level of care & precision he brings to each individual client.
His approach his deeply personalised, ensuring the recovery plan is tailored to meet the needs of the individual.
Having been involved in the field of addiction since the early 1990s, I’ve observed significant developments over time. While traditional models such as the 12-Step Programme continue to hold value, it is evident that not all patients are well served by a singular approach. As society evolves, so too must our methods of treatment, in order to remain relevant and effective.T.O.R.P. reflects this very necessary progression.
Mr. Theron has developed a programme that moves beyond conventional frameworks, offering an internationally aligned, holistic model of care.
This approach addresses not only substance abuse, but the broader psychological, behavioural, and social dimensions of recovery,
an area lacking in many programmes.TORP provides a structured, flexible and clinically robust alternative for individuals who require comprehensive support, but may not be suited to inpatient care. It is a forward-thinking model that meets patients where they are, adapting to their needs while maintaining strong clinical integrity.
It gives me great honour to be part of this journey alongside Mr Theron. I’ve seen firsthand the positive impact of this programme, and the growth it has achieved. It stands as a testament to Mr. Theron’s dedication to progressing the field of addiction recovery.
Prof. Frederick Snyder (Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Supervisor)
As an Emeritus Professor of Psychology I have consulted at and supervised post-graduate students at various rehabilitation clinics and facilities in Gauteng.
I’m honoured to be associated with T.O.R.P. as the first ecologically sound & clinically comprehensive
treatment programme which is active in the world of the recovering individual.
Most recovery programmes do not offer real world support, continuity of care and a wide range
of interventions and support systems, over and above traditional principles.The realistic frame of reference of the recovering
individual is of the utmost importance.
The individual, AS system and IN system, remains the focus,
surrounded by action, connection and intervention.
Multidisciplinarity is encouraged with a focus on systems that form part of the clients’ daily life.
I am excited to be involved in this dynamic, richly connected process of redefinition of recovery.
James Copland (Senior Recovery Coach)
Having worked in inpatient treatment for several years, I was able to observe many cases of
|individuals desperately seeking an alternate path of recovery.The traditional treatment models seemed limited in many respects.
There was a significant gap, through which many individuals unfortunately fell.
T.O.R.P. was established to bridge this gap, and provides individuals
with the tools to achieve & sustain recovery.
What sets T.O.R.P. apart is our flexibility & focus on the individual,
finally moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach, providing clients with ongoing points of support into future.
Row Naidoo (Strategy, Technology Consultant)
Having personally experienced the depths of addiction,
as well as the not-so-pleasant aspects of the healthcare system,
I love the practical & progressive nature of T.O.R.P. … esp.
the focus on autonomy, flexibility & individual needs within the recovery model.
These are the CORE aspects of recovery, to me.
It really isn’t about simply “getting clean”;
instead seeing the human behind the pain, and addiction as the coping mechanism
until sustainable recovery & related factors are well supported.
I strongly align with the principles of the outcomes-based recovery framework.
“Recovery As A Lifestyle” has, in fact, been my personal journey.
I feel profoundly privileged to be a part of bringing such a brilliant project to life!