Improving Addiction Care in South Africa: Development and Challenges to Implementing Training in Addictions Care at the University of Cape Town Sonja Pasche & Sharon Kleintjes & Don Wilson & Dan J. Stein & Bronwyn Myers # Springer Science+Business Media New York 2014 Abstract South Africa has a high lifetime prevalence of substance use disorders, estimated at 13.3% of the general population. Despite this high prevalence, treatment rates remain relatively low compared to need. A key reason for low treatment rates is the lack of expertise among professionals for the detection and treatment of substance use disorders and the limited size of the addiction care workforce. Workforce development is thus essential for the implementation of a comprehensive strategy to reduce substance-related harm within South Africa. In response to this need, the University of Cape Town has introduced a Postgraduate Diploma in Addictions Care and a Master of Philosophy in Addictions Mental Health. These postgraduate courses have been designed to equip health and social welfare professionals with the necessary skills to provide evidence-based early intervention, treatment and aftercare services for children, adolescents, adults and families affected by substance use disorders. This paper provides an overview of both programmes and reflects on lessons learnt from the inaugural group of students enrolled for the Postgraduate Diploma in Addictions Care and from the cohort of professionals who completed the Master of Philosophy in Addictions Mental Health since its inception. Keywords Education . Substance use disorders . Addiction . South Africa South Africa has high rates of substance-related problems, with a recent national epidemio- logical study reporting a lifetime prevalence of 13.3% for any substance use disorder (SUD) Int J Ment Health Addiction DOI 10.1007/s11469-014-9537-7 S. Pasche (*) : S. Kleintjes : D. Wilson : D. J. Stein : B. Myers Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa e-mail: sonja.pasche@uct.ac.za B. Myers Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa