Two years without alcohol
Fieland Koenraad (46) from Geluksdal has survived for two years and six months without alcohol and says that he will never take alcohol for the rest of his life.
Koenraad is a husband and a father to his seven-year-old boy and a teenage girl (17). He says, before admitting that he had a problem and getting help, his life was not normal just like others in the township.
He says alcohol abuse made him lose more valuable things in life such as his family’s trust, his dignity and eventually cost him his job.
Koenraad was admitted into a rehabilitation centre in September 2011 and spent six weeks trying to get his life back on track. “Being a recovering alcoholic is not easy but it is possible,” confidently says Koenraad.
Giving a word of advice to the youth who are on drugs and abusing alcohol, he says the first step to getting help starts with admitting to having a problem.
Koenraad says since he was discharged from the rehab, his life has changed for the best. “I earned my respect and dignity back and also found another job that makes me able to play my role of looking after my family,” says an excited Koenraad.
To keep himself busy when not at work, Koenraad participates in athletics.
Recently he won a bronze medal after taking part in a 42km Township Marathon that was held at Eldorado Park.
“I might have not been taking alcohol for 30 months but I am still battling to completely defeat alcohol abuse,” says dedicated Koenraad.
He says getting the support from the family and friends is one of the things that help give one the courage to fight and win a fight against drugs and alcohol abuse.
