Former addict speaks out to help others
Former drug addict and now motivational speaker Sipho Vincent Nzimande speaks out to help those currently struggling with addiction.
In an exclusive interview with the Randfontein Herald, Sipho Vincent Nzimande (35), a former addict spoke out about substance abuse and how his recovery has turned him into a motivational speaker.
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At the age of 13, Sipho was exposed to marijuana. He explained he saw surrounding people using it whereafter he was also influenced to start using it. However, his addiction escalated to smoking Crystal Meth.
In a desperate attempt to get access to drugs, Sipho started stealing. He further mentioned he ended up in prison three times during his addiction.
One day, while Sipho and his friend were using drugs, Sipho overdosed.
“My whole body was broken. I stayed in my room for two weeks. My parents finally checked up on me and took me to the hospital.
The doctors told me that I would never be able to walk again due to the state in which my body was after the overdose,” he explained.
After making a full recovery, Sipho was finally able to walk again. Now he uses his past to help those currently struggling with addiction. He has since founded the Induna Community Empowerment organisation which helps those who are addicted to recover.
One of the organisation’s programmes is know as the Six Weeks, Seven Days and Six Months Programme. This includes six weeks of rehabilitation, seven days motivational camp and six months of skill development.
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“I started this programme to incorporate skill development which they can use after fully recovering. When I came out of rehab I did not know what to do with my life. That is why skill development is so important. It teaches recovering addicts what to do after recovering,” he said.
He further expressed the best way to help an addict recover is to completely limit access to drugs.
“That is why we need the authorities to be involved.
By making sure to limit drugs, addicts are more likely to recover,” he concluded.
