Tunisia faces an alarming increase in addictions, especially among young people. According to recent observations, the most affected age group is between 12 and 35 years old, and the most consumed substances are cannabis, ecstasy and cocaine. The average age of early smoking fell at 10 years, while alcohol and certain psychotropic substances also experience notable progression.
The Amal Center of Djebel Oust: a reference point
THE Amal Center for Education, Prevention and Treatment of Addictionslocated in Djebel Oust (Zaghouan), is the main public center for detoxification in Tunisia. Reopened in June 2019 after eight years of closure, it welcomes approximately 1,300 patients per year And offers an approach combining medical care, psychological follow -up and social reintegration programs.
It is important to distinguish these detoxification centers Hospital services in psychiatry: the former offer specialized residential programs, while the latter provide medical and psychological monitoring integrated into the hospital system.
New openings: Sfax and Monastir
During his intervention on Mosaique FM on August 15, 2025Dr. Nabil Ben Salahresponsible for the addiction file to the Ministry of Health, announced the opening of Two new detoxification centers ::
- Sfax : a center in the city center, already operational.
- Monastir : a center that will open soon.
These structures combine medical treatment, psychological support And vocational trainingin collaboration with vocational training centers, in order to prepare patients for sustainable social reintegration.
Dr Ben Salah has also revealed that projects are underway to open new centers in the SahelTHE Southwest and the Northwestinspired by the Amal Center model. The objective is to multiply the number of specialized structures to meet growing demand and reduce the effects of addiction to society.
Analysis: a global and urgent approach
The strengthening of the detoxification network is accompanied by a preventive strategy. Prevention goes through the crucial role of families and schoolsespecially to detect the signs of addiction in adolescents early: drop in academic results, changes in behavior, and exposure to substances.
In parallel, the emphasis is placed on theglobal approach : Combine medical care, psychological support and reintegration programs to reduce relapses and support patients to a normal life.
In addition to detoxification centers, several Clinics and hospital services in Tunisia offer first aid and initial support people with addictions. Among them, the Razi Hospital Psychiatry Service in Manoubaas well as University hospital services of Psychiatry of Tunis, Sousse, Mahdia, Sidi Bouzid, Kasserine and Gafsaensure a immediate medical and psychological care. These structures make it possible to assess the patient’s condition, stabilize the symptoms linked to addiction and prepare his orientation towards a adapted detoxification centerlike the Amal Center in Djebel Oust or the new centers of Sfax and Monastir.
Private centers: a specialized alternative for the treatment of addictions
In addition to public structures, several private centers in Tunisia offer specialized programs in the treatment of addictions, combining confidentiality,, comfort And personalized therapeutic approaches.
Among the most recognized are Villa Paradiso Tunisiaoffering residential programs including detoxification, behavioral therapies and post-rate monitoring; Paneloffering complete medical and psychological management; and the Les Oliviers clinic in Sousse, with a functional rehabilitation center for withdrawal patients. These centers complete the public system by offering tailor -made programsadapted to the patients of patients, and by facilitating theQuick access to care For those who need it. They thus constitute a essential link in the national network Fighting addiction, alongside public and hospital centers.
Read also: Djebel oust: The detoxing center will get a facelift
