Kelly Naidoo and her passion for helping addicts
Substance abuse is a big problem facing the people of the South.
Kelly Naidoo, a resident from Glenvista, recently opened a recovery centre for those struggling with various addictions.
Naidoo took all the knowledge she gained from a loved one who was addicted to drugs and decided to help others.
With the help of Lize Lourens, Naidoo converted her house into a rehab and recovery centre called On Course Recovery and Wellness Centre.
“I have been dealing with a loved one going in and out of rehabs for years and wanted to make a difference. I wanted to move away from the money-making rehabs.
“I asked myself why not help others to recover. In the beginning, I thought I didn’t have the strength to get through it but over time I managed to get stronger,” said Naidoo.
“Sometimes people like to use the term that tough love will help a person fix themselves but that’s sometimes the place where people hurt themselves or others.”
The centre lives by three core values – integrity to work on themselves, compassion to get to the root problem and dedication to get better.
Lourens said that so many people in rehab will say the right stuff just to get out. “I used to be a drug addict and went in and out of rehab centres. If I can turn it around and sort out my life then anyone can.”
Naidoo and Lourens believe in employing ex-addicts as counsellors as it’s easier for them to relate to the patients and also to empower them to help others to get better and be able to function in the world.
The centre also offers Narcotic Anonymous meetings every Thursday evening.
It’s also important to know that there’s no age limit when it comes to addiction and it’s also not just limited to drugs but can extend to alcohol abuse as well.
For more information about the centre, contact Kelly Naidoo on 082 787 9560 or Lize Lourens on 079 746 4548 or visit their website.
What drives people to abuse substances?
Some people are at a bigger risk for substance abuse and for developing addiction disorders than others.
Many different factors may make a person vulnerable including genetics, family background, mental health problems, work stress, financial woes and relationship problems.
Long-term effects of substance abuse
The longer a person is an addict the more stress and strain it will put on the individual. While different substance has different effects the most common long-term results are depression, anxiety and paranoia.
What to look out for
• Weight loss, skin colour change and skin outbreaks
• Intense urges of cravings as the addiction grows
• Withdrawal symptoms leading to abusing the substance
• Isolation from loved ones leading to depression, anxiety and paranoia
• Unhealthy friendships with the wrong people
• Financial difficulties due to money being spent on the substance.
• Neglecting responsibilities
• Poor judgement can lead to risky behaviours that include stealing, lying and selling drugs.
More facts about drug abuse
• It is estimated that a total of 60% of crimes committed in South Africa involve the use of substances
• Fetal alcohol syndrome is five times higher in South Africa than it is in the USA
• 80 per cent of young males deaths are related to the use of alcohol
• The South African drug consumption is twice the global norm
• According to the South African Community Epidemiology Network on Drugs use, alcohol and cannabis is most likely to be abused
• Men over the age of 20 are the biggest abusers of alcohol
• Young males are the biggest abuser of cannabisSource: Netcare
