Recovering addict tells you to swallow your pride

MWLC is registered with the Department of Social Development and is a registered non-profit and public benefit organisation.

“Our trained peer-based facilitators are experienced in assisting people to attain and sustain recovery,” said MWLC director, Chanene van Zyl.

According to van Zyl, the centre’s vision includes the following:

• Help people recover from bondage, brokenness and despair caused by substance abuse.

• To restore wholeness, fulfilment and abundant life by motivating and equipping them to reach and sustain a balanced life.

• Support, equip and empower families and individuals to recover from the effects of drug addiction and behavioural disorders.

Trevour Rodwell (42) is a recovering drug addict who turned to MWLC for help.

“Mighty Wings, Lion of Judah ministries, my supporters and sponsors all played a big role, especially in helping me to identify problem areas in my life, and getting me to understand my own addiction,” Rodwell said.

“The most important attribute from all the help I got was that they care and that they are in it for the correct reasons.

“The organisations above are focused on Christ and without a doubt, He has been the centre of my recovery.”

Rodwell started taking drugs in 1992 at the age of 18 and used cocaine, dagga, CAT and meth daily.

“But I also used mushrooms, glue, poppers, ecstasy, LSD, mandrax and drank alcohol,” Rodwell said.

Rodwell says he started taking drugs out of curiosity and because he wanted to “fit in”.

However, his self-loathing for being a drug addict drove him to stop using drugs.

“I was never proud of it and wanted to be free of it for a long time,” he said.

“No good comes from using drugs. The longer I used them and the deeper I fell into addiction, the worse the consequences were in all areas of my life.

“Wanting to stop and actually stopping are not the same thing.”

Rodwell explained that as much he tried not to affect the lives of his loved ones, affecting them was inevitable.

“I guess the hardest thing for my family was watching me be the mess I was. I think that is true in most cases,” he said.

“There were times when I stole and lied to feed or hide my addiction, but the real pain was watching me waste my life.

“No good comes from using drugs.”

According to Rodwell, his ‘walk away from drugs’ is one he prefers to consider as a ‘walk towards God’.

“Everything is a challenge – from making amends with the family, to dealing with the past and leaving it in the past.

“Basically I have become a new creation but, to be honest, the walk has been enjoyable.”

He also explained how different he is now after stopping drugs and explained the recovery process.

“The biggest difference is the smile on my face – I am happy again,” he said.

Lastly, he advised users to admit they have a problem.

“Pride is a stupid thing. Who cares if you get off drugs on your own or if you get help? The difference is that if you get help you may just recover. If you don’t, you may just end up dead,” he said.

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