International Nurses Day highlights nurses’ vital role in substance abuse recovery

Marked globally on May 12, International Nurses Day celebrates the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth.

The 2026 theme, ‘Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives’, highlights the critical role nurses play in tackling complex health challenges, including substance use recovery.

At SANCA Wedge Gardens Treatment Centre, professional nurse Veronica Nyembe explained that effective care begins with empathy and presence.

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“Apply the principle of tolerance, give undivided attention and listen to their struggles, then intervene accordingly,” she highlighted.

“Using a non-judgemental approach promotes freedom of speech and helps service users feel safe enough to open up.”

Nyembe’s path into nursing was shaped by her upbringing.

“I come from a family of nurses, especially in mental health, and I developed a passion for it. Mental health and substance use are closely interrelated,” she said.

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Wedge Gardens provides treatment for men battling substance use disorder (SUD), a condition that requires both medical and psychological care.

Nurses in this field assess and monitor patients, manage medication and play a key role in patient education, addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of recovery.

Understanding each individual’s background is central to treatment, Nyembe added.

“You first need to understand their family circumstances, which can be a contributing factor to substance use.” Careful listening, she said, is equally important.

“When you pay attention to detail, you’re able to respond positively to each situation.”

Creating a safe, supportive environment is critical.

“Service users must feel they can disclose their struggles instead of hiding them,” she emphasised.

“We avoid shaming and rather empower them by offering alternatives on how to face their recovery journey.”

Part of that process involves helping patients identify triggers behind emotional, psychological and social setbacks.

“We guide them to analyse what affects them and intervene accordingly,” Nyembe explained.

She also emphasised that recovery does not occur in a straightforward or simple manner.

“Setbacks are not a total failure; they are stepping stones.”

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Setting small, achievable goals, such as attending treatment sessions on time or participating in educational programs, helps build a sense of competence.

“We celebrate those wins to reinforce positive behaviour,” she said.

Adjusting to a structured environment can be challenging for many service users, particularly after periods of instability.

“Some struggle at first, and a few may even leave treatment prematurely, but over time, many settle as they engage with fellow residents and group interactions,” Nyembe said.

As the world marks International Nurses Day, stories like Nyembe’s highlight the quiet, consistent impact nurses have in changing lives.

In the journey of recovery, their role extends far beyond clinical care, offering understanding, dignity and hope when it is needed most.