Umhlali addiction recovery centre offers hope for addicts

The face of addiction is sometimes unrecognisable. 

It doesn’t care how much you have or what your background looks like – it’s treacherous grip does not discriminate.

While addiction today remains as formidable a reality as it ever was, the non-profit organisation Against Drugs and Child Abuse (ADCA) has become a beacon in the region for those seeking help.

ADCA was founded in 2014 by former security specialist Rex Hunt, whose vision was to open a recovery centre serving addicts and abuse survivors.

While the venture was an exciting one, it was also financially perilous, Hunt recalled.

“It took four years to complete the centre and realise my dream of providing a safe space for addicts and victims of abuse, but it finally came together.”

From operating as a drop-in centre in Ballito for a number of years, ADCA moved to their new premises in Umhlali Village in April 2019.

Hunt took a further leap of faith at the beginning of this year when he resigned from Alpha Security to run the centre full time.

As an accredited addiction recovery coach, Hunt helps addicts of all ages go from a culture of addiction into a culture of recovery.

“Addiction is insidious and often exists in a cycle with feelings of loneliness, shame and self-hate. While many addicts start out as functioning sufferers their lives careen quickly toward total wreckage – impacting on their families and loved ones. Our programme offers hope, support and recovery,” said Hunt.

In South Africa about 8.7 million people struggle with addictive disorders, destructively impacting their lives and the lives of millions more around them.

And yet, inequalities in treatment access mean that 5 out of 6 do not receive the help that they need.

The average age of drug initiation is 12 years while 1 in 10 online viewers of pornography is under the age of 10 years.

ADCA offers an affordable, intensive 20-week life-recovery programme, divided into 32 modules where addicts meet twice a week for two hours.

The aim is to provide them with life-long solutions. The programme is also suitable for families of addicts.

The programme can also be tailored for non-addicts who want to learn more.

“Abstinence is not recovery. It is just one step in the beginning of your recovery path. Our programme material is from Project Exodus – a Christian-based initiative that equips you with the vital knowledge and skills, required for recovery.

Another programme Hunt runs is an open, engaging, recovery meeting held once a week for people in recovery.

While the average success rate of a drug recovery programme is around 20% Hunt is confident that his programme has an 80% recovery rate.

“Recovery is a complete transformation of mind, body and spirit. I do not believe that you have to stay an addict for the rest of your life. Every addict can heal and find their passion for living again.”

Hunt plans to take his programme into poor communities where many children are addicted to Whoonga.

“We have a biblical mandate to take care of the poor. Whoonga takes everything from these children and without help they face a life of hopelessness.”

His vision extends to growing the centre to offer an in-house recovery treatment programme and opening a safe house for abused women and children.

“My heart is for broken, hurting people. I have a passion to see our community healed from the sickness of drugs and abuse.”

Contact Rex Hunt at 082 555 4492, email rex@adca.co.za or visit www.adca.co.za.

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