Victory for an addict

JOHANNESBURG SOUTH – Roberto Ferreira grew up in a normal, happy home with a sister and two caring parents. There were no signs to predict that one day Roberto would slip into the world of addiction.

Roberto started dating a young lady at the age of 20 and she introduced him to drugs. He says that Cat became the drug of his choice due to the euphoria he experienced after taking it. The problem was the tremendous lows afterwards. The only thing that could “pick” him up afterwards was more Cat. And so a vicious cycle of addiction took over his life.

He did not complete his studies and became so desperate that he stole money and sold possessions to fuel his addiction.

At the age of 24 his parents took him to the doctor for a test and the results came back positive, Roberto was very relieved. His family supported him through two stints in different rehabilitation centres, and today Roberto works full-time as the marketing person for a rehabilitation centre. His life has meaning and the relationship with his family has never been this good.

His advice to young people: “There is help out there, if I can make it out, anybody can. If friends are putting pressure on you to use, don’t do it! Rather experience the benefits of staying clean and doing well in school or college. Make new friends and know that you don’t have to prove yourself to anyone. I don’t even know where the people are whom I was trying to be cool with. Life moves on and things change.”

His advice to parents or family members of abusers: “Educate yourself! I believe knowing the disease of addiction will better equip you to help those suffering from addictions. There are support groups in the South of Johannesburg specifically for family members, and I believe that love, care and education will help you to take better care of your loved one.”