Finally drug free

THE destruction following any addiction is clear cut and a lot has been said about it – but what happens when you decide to turn your life as an addict around?

Is there really life after drugs? Two recovering addicts shared their story with the RECORD.

At the age of 12, Rhodian Davis took his first sniff of glue. Today, at the age of 24, after six years of addiction and using just about everything, he is celebrating his first clean year.

From that very first sniff things just got worse and dagga followed, and this opened the avenues for harder drugs such as mandrax and heroin. He smoked it, sniffed it, mainlined – you name it, he did it.

He will tell you that to live as an addict was actually a living hell – one of deceit and lies, theft and being beaten to a pulp by a community (more than once) which could not stand him. He was called “the troublemaker, the thief”.

Being in and out of different rehab centres, his recovery did not come easy – not until he took that conscious decision to seek help.

Winston Silani (28) used cat for seven years and, like others, tried his hand at rock, ecstasy and other drugs. Detailing his life as an addict, he is clearly not proud of his nickname while using. “They called me the madman. I was always in some kind of trouble, if it did find me. I made trouble – always looking for a fight, with anyone,” he said.

Compared with Rhodian’s road to recovery, Winston’s was much easier. He has been clean for four months but took to being clean much easier.

A new life

Both of them made the decision that they need help, and that led them to New Life Recovery in Eden Park. This is also the place where they found God in their lives, and both contribute their recovery to the healing of His grace and assistance through New Life.

In their testimony it is clear that at the odd occasion where they felt that something triggered their need for a fix, it was prayer and the Bible that kept them sane.

For Winston, living a normal life, where he can play with his children, go camping with his family and share in relationships where people can trust him again, is his biggest reward.

Rhodian smiles and tells you that he is free from suspicion. “Nothing is locked around me anymore. There is no fear in my aunt’s house that I will steal their things to sell it for drugs. We found trust again and the fact that I can sleep properly is just wonderful.”

Winston and Rhodian have one message to others out there: “Make the decision. If you want to be helped, join us at New Life Recovery and you will find the way. Come and find the way through God, with the support of the counsellors and others in the group.”

New Life Recovery meets every Tuesday and Friday evening at 18:00 at Eden Park Secondary School. For more information, contact Gary Eland on 074 652 6458 or Natalie Abrahams on 082 774 9616.

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