Wedge Gardens celebrates those sober and clean

Adél Grobbelaar , who heads up the Rand Aid Association-run treatment centre in Lyndhurst said, “There were a number of ex-patients celebrating their second and consecutive anniversaries during the evening. It was a breath of fresh air considering the doom and gloom usually accompanying addiction.

“It was clear that professionals working at Wedge Gardens and leading members of fellowships such as Alcoholic Anonymous enjoy a great working relationship which adds to the success of the programme.”

Wedge Gardens believes that care after addiction is critical for people who have completed a rehabilitation programme in order to positively impact their success rate. “The rewards of working in the field of addiction were made clear during this function.”

Loved ones came along to celebrate on the night and Grobbelaar said the positive change in family relationships and the support given to one another was truly amazing to witness.

“For some, the journey to a clean and sober lifestyle may not happen at all; for others it could be a tedious and long journey. One should acknowledge that the fight against addiction for an individual is a hard battle with a lot of dynamics influencing the process. The opinion of a number of people in the community that addiction is a self-inflicted condition and that an individual should be able to stop using whenever they want to is just not true,” said Grobbelaar.

Wedge Gardens saluted all those who successfully fight the addiction battle, and acknowledged all those who have been part of the programme. The treatment centre cannot name those who were part of the celebration due to confidentiality.

“It was, indeed, an emotional and proud evening for most. One could see the triumph on their faces,” said Ayanda Matthews of Rand Aid’s management team.

Details: 011 430 0320; www.facebook.com/WedgeGardensTreatmentCentre