The Journey of Drug Addiction Assistance
Estimated 9 minute read
Article Index:
●
Introduction
●
Partnership and Approach
●
The Stages of the Journey
●
Additional Information
This is an overview of the Clean Heart Ministries
insights into a drug addict's journey to recovery,
that we hope to assist in.
Note:
The Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted this process
significantly while the below still offers helpful
information
Disclaimer:
The information presented here is subject to change
based on the volumes that we assist and the
resources we have available to meet the needs. Some of what we provide (cost wise) may not be
readily available if we consider the reality we
exist in. We obviously do appreciate donations to help our
efforts, to offer the assistance needed, but not
from any who come to us in need. Simply stated: This
is
free assistance
to any addict requiring help. Our part is small, yet we will "stay with an
addict", throughout the journey explained below and
be his/her only link to the past, especially in the
first few months away. We check in and update loved ones on the journey to
recovery, as needed. We also will relay significant
information from loved ones via our partner
organization's defined protocols. (Especially during
the addict's first few months away, as partners may
restrict the addict's communication initially, as
part of their program). This document is to outline the possible stages of
recovery and we will detail our part in operational
functions, along the recovery journey, elsewhere on
our website. The stages of the journey, explained below, serve as
a general informational guide to those seeking help,
from "this leg" of our ministry, for self, friends
or loved ones.
Our primary drug addiction assistance, area of
focus, is the Western Cape province of South Africa
and more specifically the Cape Peninsula. We are open to partner with any other ministry,
organization or facility that may want to explore,
possible mutually beneficial areas of similarity, in
our respective desire to assist those trapped in the
horror of drug addiction. We will assist and advise, outside of the Cape
Peninsula area, on a situational basis, from time to
time. Clean Heart Ministries have taken steps to, at this
point, create informal partnerships or agreements
with other ministries, shelters and facilities,
outside of the Cape Peninsula area, who can assist
in receiving an addict according to their own
calling and abilities. We facilitate the transport booking and costs, some
basic needs (care package as and if required) and
facilitate the "meet up" at the destination with the
receiving partner. We use mainline bus services, as our preferred
transportation option, to the destination. (A primary reason is that the confined bus
environment reduces temptations that may be found on
a train journey. Cost is also a factor, but as
opposed to flight of two hours, the overnight bus
journey does emphasize that it is indeed a journey
to recovery, which we highlight before sending the
addict to a partner ministry.) We track the trip with SMS messages (back and forth)
and some phone call exchanges with the traveling
party too, if needed. We provide a basic, cheap
pay-as-you-go cellphone, with some airtime and a SMS
bundle to the traveller. The receiving partner is
provided with the cellphone number, to facilitate
the destination initial contact and pick-up
arrangements on their side. The cell phone will more than likely be taken away
and stored by the receiving partner. A final call
may sometimes be allowed before the phone is handed
in. Once the addict has reached the partner we "step
back" from our part in the journey and the partner
takes the lead according to their calling, approach
and protocols. Our involvement is thereafter
maintained from a supportive posture, with regular
"check-in" communication with the partner, to follow
the progress or provide any information or other
support the partner may require. We and our partner ministries often prefer that we
remain the single point of contact during the
recovery period. This simplifies the logistics for
the partner. If all goes well then we continue passively, as per
the above, yet in the event of any unforeseen
problems, we stay ready to take an active role to
facilitate any reasonable need of the addict, who
still remains active on our records, until the end
of his/her journey to recovery and often beyond. The severity of addiction can vary and as such the
necessary skills required by the receiving facility
will too. Our interview with the addict is essential, in
establishing the matching partner facility, to send
them to. Their time at the receiving facility may vary, based
on numerous factors too, that we will explain
elsewhere on our website. The overriding belief we have and promote, is that
no person on Earth can "fix", change or liberate the
bondage of an addicted soul. Neither we, nor our
partners can offer any lasting solution from human
devices. We believe God alone "owns" the business of "fixing"
souls in addicted bondage and we and any of our
partners, may merely be part of the agency that
facilities the process of that journey. We set no expected outcome, from our own thoughts or
devices, for anyone coming for assistance, yet
proceed in faith, that there is surely hope in God,
for the very best outcome, for any addicted soul. Our part starts in prayerful obedience to God's
guidance and we maintain that focus, as the only
rule, while doing all we are practically able to, in
assisting those who have been led to us. We strictly adhere to the following guidelines with
anyone, in the bondage of drug addiction, that may
approach us: - no judgment - no discrimination of any sort
- no prerequisites, other than an honest desire to
end their addiction and be interviewed in relation
to their condition - no expectation of the addict to accept our method
of assistance (mismatches do happen) - no expectation that the path ahead will go
smoothly, as our relationship with the addict
begins, as "false starts" may occur often, before
the actual journey begins (we apply the utmost
patience that is reasonably possible) - we don't tolerate "games" and will be "brutally
honest" and direct with the addict - no promise to assist (usually only if we perceive
anything is "out of order" during our encounter with
a person) - no guarantee that our partners will be able to
accommodate the addict, at the time of our initial
engagement - we adhere to a clinical, non-emotional and "hands
on" approach (though founded on love, hope and
faithful prayer for every soul who approaches us).
Distance:
The various partners, mentioned above, are in other
provinces to put distance between the addict and
his/her current environment. This proves to be a
valuable first step.
Separation: The distance creates separation from:
-
current environment (comfort zone & lifestyle)
-
family and friends (often unwitting enablers)
-
bad influences (peer pressure / gangs)
-
familiar drug merchants (substance source)
-
familiar territories (known escape and hiding
places)
This separation can be an initial source of anxiety
for the addict, yet is the starting point of change
within, as it creates a powerful challenge to adapt
to the reality of a "new life", now without any
known foundation to lean on.
The trauma of this alone, can confront the addict's
usual avoidance, deflection, escapism, manipulation
and many other well honed "skills", keeping him/her
in the bondage of addiction.
Unfamiliar Environment:
The partner facilities will mostly be a very
unfamiliar environment to the addict. We have
selected partners outside of city and suburban
environments. Most are well functioning rural
facilities that are a "safe" distance away from the
general environment of the typical addict.
This, together with the distance, strengthens the
break from the "past life" of addiction, to face an
unknown future, which impresses a sudden and extreme
realisation, of the possibility of imminent change,
on the addict's mind.
Routine Behaviour:
The partner facilities will each have their unique
routine for the type of assistance they offer
addicts, which may vary based on their knowledge,
experience and well-tried best practice methods of
assistance.
Some are strictly regimented on discipline, that
fosters a strong approach to create a solid routine
for those who before had little, if any, concept of
daily routine, other than their desperate need to
find ways to satisfy their urgent craving to
maintain their warped "normal".
Others may be more focused on "rewards" recovery
methods, while others may use an individual-focused
(customised) approach to assist their charges.
A mix of varied methods may also be employed by
some.
All of the above and other methods of assistance
have merit through their established routines,
creating much needed structure, to the addict in
recovery.
Working Value:
Human dignity is best restored in every soul, by a
sense of contributing, to the society you find
yourself part of.
The partner facilities all apply this concept,
either by design or natural progression, within
their given sphere of assistance.
The newly arriving addict will be given a task,
evaluated as best suited based on age, skill and
experience of the individual. He/she will be given
work within the facility which will perhaps start on
a "wobbly" footing, yet build a sense of belonging
and restore dignity, that may have been lost for so
long, by the bondage of addiction.
This is an essential part of liberating the mind and
soul of the addict, from the "worthless life" of the
past, in focused labour for a common benefit, to all
in the facility.
Belonging Safely:
Over a period of time all of the above steps (and
others in-between) give the previously addicted
person a tangible sense of, belonging safely, within
the community of the facility.
The natural and normal interaction within the safe
space, that they find themselves in now (not without
arguments, struggles and the usual tensions in
life), is therapeutic and they find themselves
firmly "pegged" in a place they now have an affinity
with. The old unstable addicted life looses power,
as the belonging to their now freshly familiar
environment, builds and grows a new perceptible life
of value.
The journey to this stage can take weeks, months or
longer, depending on too many factors to mention. If
they've stayed the course, this stage will come
along without any coaxing or pushing of any sort, as
a natural progression.
The steady healing continues here, but not without
risk, as it is also natural that the "new life",
will ultimately seek greater expression.
The dulling hopelessness, of the addicted life of
the past, fades and during this stage the new
liberated life, can see so many new options and
dream again of the possibilities they had, before
their addiction dragged them down to the blindness
of addicted bondage.
At any given point here, as variable as the
uniqueness of each personality, the hunger for more
for their new life, will lead to a decision point
within, taking them to the next stage in recovery.
Decision and Self:
As mentioned above, it is inevitable that a decision
point will be reached, in the life of the previously
addicted person during their recovery journey.
Some may, sadly, "want out" before breaking from
their addictive past and finding the renewal they
need.
At an early point, the counsel will always be to
stay the course, yet often such counsel will be
rejected during the early part of the journey.
At any point along the above stages, the sense of
self coming alive, can also trigger an "I'll take it
from here" thinking, that may be premature and again
the counsel is to stay the course, as partial
recovery is future relapse, in most cases.
Those who get to the "belonging stage", will also
eventually get to a decision point. Some will want
to "pay forward", the release they have found and
join the facility they are with as part of that
team. Some with the same idea, may want to go back
home, to also "pay forward", in their original
hometown, by joining ministries or facilities there.
When the decision point arrives and the renewed self
seeks to "move forward", although a significantly
positive step of recovery, counsel and guidance will
be essential.
The decision point, once made, will require support,
especially for those returning to their previous
("old life") environment.
Chosen Return:
The chosen "return to the world", needs a plan and
strategy to ensure sufficient available assistance,
when leaving the "safe space", of the hosting
facility's community and returning to "normal life".
The path ahead will be challenging, often lonely and
the return may not be as warmly welcomed, as the
recovered addict may envision.
The past life of addiction, would have left scars on
many "back home", who had endured the usually
destructive "fallout" of their past life of
addiction.
The mixed emotions, thoughts, words and responses,
of loved ones and friends, on their return, can vary
vastly from what the recovered soul may expect.
The returning addict may be met with responses that
can range from acceptance, love and joy to
scepticism, open hostility, cold shunning and a vast
spectrum in-between.
There is so much that cannot be anticipated on
returning.
Comprehensive preparation, to set expectations and
mitigate risk factors,
must be done
before returning.
The counsel and return strategy, before actually
returning, needs to be thorough, with solid
resources readily available to assist the
reintegration process, which is essentially a
journey in itself.
We are planning to start a "returning facility", in
the Cape Peninsula, to receive the recovered addict
and assist in the transition back into normal life,
which we have found to be essential to the hope of
complete recovery.
Any further questions can be directed to us via the
various communication channels on our contact page.
Any desire to join our ministry efforts or offer
financial support can also be directed to us via the
various communication channels on our
contact page.
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