Hangberg Dreams puts addicts on road to recovery

The road to recovery from substance abuse isn't easy, but making the journey can change your life for the better, say those who have been helped by a non-profit rehab centre in Hangberg.

The centre, Hangberg Dreams, held its annual graduation ceremony at the Anglican Church of St Peter the Fisherman Hout Bay, on Saturday.

Chad Bernardo, 25, from Strandfontein, was among the 16 graduates at the ceremony. He has been clean for a year and a few months. He joined the recovery home in January 2021.

Chad found himself in active addiction and made the decision to join the recovery home after losing his possessions due to his heroin usage.

"It's been difficult; there's a lot of things that happened in my life that I had to deal with. You have to accept certain things and you need to forgive...the most vital part in my recovery was to forgive,“ he said.

Another graduate, Sharon Davids, 37, from Bokmakierie in Athlone, is a mother of six. She had three of her children taken from her during her 18 years of active addiction with tik and mandrax.

Her life changed the moment social services stepped in, she said.

"I decided my life can't go on like this anymore. I decided I'm going to make a change. I've been at Hangberg Dreams for eight months; I'm still clean and back home with my kids, and next year, I'll be getting my daughter back. Everything is going awesome right now. Recovery is great, and I'm so proud of myself."

Kimle Cordier, 41, from Tulbagh is a mother of four, and during her 15 years of addictive addiction, she lost her parents and three sisters. She also endured various forms of abuse.

She entered the Hangberg Dreams recovery home in April last year.

"I was determined to make the change. I'm now clean for 15 months," she said, adding that she had left Hangberg Dreams in May.

“Here you get tools,” she said, referring to the centre. “I use them every day because it's what you make of life outside. Being with my kids and taking life daily is awesome.”

Zulfa October, the founder and CEO of Hangberg Dreams, said, "Every year is different. Family members can be proud of their children; its a laughing and crying day... The help is here, just come forward."

Mrs October said help was available for anyone needing assistance with either alcohol or drug abuse, "Just bring yourself, we'll do an assessment and welcome you to our family."

Mr Bernardo added that change started with the individual. "They need to make the choice to change their lives for themselves," he said.