Cerith House in Standerton gives hope to those in the clutches of addiction

Pastor Quincy Jacobs envisions a vibrant wall filled with Bible verses, each telling the story of a recovered addict who walked the halls of the Cherith House of Restoration Rehabilitation Centre and Discipleship Hub (Cherith House).

Broken homes and rising crime have trapped Standerton residents for years. Rehabilitation options for addicts were scarce, and many could not afford the care they needed.

“When a person becomes addicted to substances, they forget how to dream,” said Jacobs.

He explained that all addictions begin as habits. When addicts indulge, they focus only on their next fix, which can lead to a life of crime and block their ability to envision a future without substances.

He said restoration and rehabilitation act like a light switch, restoring an individual’s ability to envision the future. Addicts often relapse after rehabilitation due to the abusive culture and saturated drug market in the community.

Cherith House was established with one goal: to restore brothers, fathers and breadwinners to their families in a state where they can provide without relying on drugs.

Last November, Cherith House was just a dream. That dream became reality in February when Jacobs and his team began renovating the property that would become a beacon of hope for the community.

“When an addict comes from prison, they treat any environment like a prison. When they come off the streets, they treat their environment like the streets. We aim to teach them kingdom culture, which includes patience and love,” said Jacobs.

According to Jacobs, addicts often live in a world where manipulation, lying, crime and hurting loved ones are the norm. Rehabilitation means breaking these destructive patterns and helping individuals reintegrate into society.

The centre currently houses 10 residents recovering from various addictions. According to Jacobs, crystal meth is the most common addiction.
A typical day at Cherith House starts at 6:00 am with devotion.

“Addiction is a battle like any other. We fight it with faith and worship,” explained Jacobs.

During the day, residents attend sharing sessions where they discuss leadership and their struggles. The rest of the day is spent doing chores and taking productive steps toward reintegration.

“We often take walks, and residents have access to gym equipment and plenty of reading material,” explained Jacobs.

According to him, exposing recovering addicts to the outside world is essential to encourage their progress. Though residents have plenty of free time, they are encouraged to work and build skills during their six- to 12-month stay.

“The most important thing is to find people who want to recover; addicts won’t respond if they’re forced into rehabilitation,” said Jacobs.

Jacobs is a recovered addict who has been clean for nine years. He struggled with substance addiction for more than 20 years and spent seven years living on the streets.

“My mother was a woman of faith. I believe her prayers are why I’m clean today,” said Jacobs.

Since his recovery, he has dedicated his life to helping other addicts rehabilitate and raising awareness among young people vulnerable to drug abuse.

His wife, Lucious, works at the Randeor Special Needs School, teaching vulnerable youth about the dangers of drug abuse.

“Teenagers often start using drugs because of peer pressure. I’ve learnt that the key is to avoid glorifying drug abuse and to educate them on the harsh realities of addiction,” said Jacobs.

He said several signs reveal teenage drug abuse, including drastic appetite changes, erratic behaviour, intense mood swings, withdrawal, loss of interest and irregular sleeping patterns.

Parents should also watch for physical changes, such as shifts in weight and declines in self-care. Jacobs said that if he could do it all over, he would never start using drugs. He believes prevention is better than a cure.

“I’m still healing from my time as an addict,” Jacobs admitted.

However, he trusts that God placed him here to equip him to help others on the same path. Chaslin Fischer plays another crucial role at the centre.

Fischer serves as the house manager, overseeing daily operations, conflict resolution and counselling for residents. As the centre continues to develop, it urgently needs double bunk beds, mattresses and food to provide the best care possible.

Those willing to donate can call Jacobs on 082 687 7199.