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Wedge Gardens Treatment Centre for Substance Abuse
Sometimes one’s storyline is thrown a curved ball. According to experts, alcohol dependency is not a crime or a moral weakness, but a health and social disorder. By definition, any individual who drinks heavily to the point where it affects his health or social and occupational functioning is an alcoholic. . Often, alcohol addiction is accompanied by the use and abuse of other forms of drugs. Problems arise when drinking and drug use interferes with family life, job performance, maintaining a budget and personal health. Therefore, addiction not only harms the individual, but his family and society
It is important to realise that alcohol dependency and other forms of addiction can be treated. We aim to improve the individual’s physical, mental, social, occupational and economic health with the right care and professional intervention, involving significant others in the recovery process. We focus on the development of healthy and balanced lifestyles, social skills and the building of capacities that will enhance the person’s reintegration into society after discharge. We believe that change is possible and that every person has inner strengths that can be developed towards a positive and constructive lifestyle. We aim to help the person take responsibility for his life, develop a sense of purpose and set long term goals that are achievable. The ultimate goal is enabling each person to effectively fit into society once services are terminated. No discrimination exists in any of our services based on race, culture, language, religion, values and beliefs
After 2 years of research, Wedge Gardens Treatment Centre recently implemented a new treatment programme, the Full Circle Recovery Programme. This programme runs over 12 weeks and is based on the following anchors:
- Strengths perspective: concentrating on the positive building blocks and survival skills of each patient, not the problems.
- Systems perspective: No man is an island and we all function within a family, work, community system etc.
- Reality therapy: Life is all about choices and taking responsibility for the choices we make.
During the first three weeks a holistic assessment of a patient’s functioning is made regarding symptoms of the addiction, relationships, family involvement, work, spirituality and physical and mental abilities. The dynamics and interactions of all subsystems are observed and information is gathered by means of questionnaires, interviews, group discussions, lectures, family sessions and motivational talks. All the information is seen within the context of the background of the patient and an individualized treatment plan is then compiled to address the specific issues identified in a patient’s life.
The next 6 weeks consists of the intervention phase. Commonly they attend lectures on a daily basis and all aspects of addiction difficulties are discussed in depth. The identified dysfunctional areas and the patient’s strengths are the key issues for intervention.
During the last 3 weeks a patient enters the recovery phase during which the involvement of the family or significant others is critical for success. Family sessions individually, as well as family group sessions take place. We work closely with the AA to ensure that the patient develops a support system and becomes part of a support group before discharge. This greatly assists the transition from in-patient to out-patient and reintegration into the community. Where a patient has no significant others in his life, a sponsor will be arranged through the AA to provide the necessary support.
The in-patient service focuses on males from the age of 21 to 65, although older persons may be accepted if suitable for the programme. A one to two week detoxification programme is also available for private patients. Tariffs are affordable and include full board and lodging, nursing services, social work and psychological services, spiritual therapy and doctor on call. Whilst resident at Wedge Gardens, patients are encouraged to participate in a work experience within the Rand Aid complexes to prepare for job placements. Recreational activities include a well-equipped gymnasium, braai facilities and a library . The quaint non-denominational chapel is a favourite place for quiet reflection whilst representatives from different religions provide services on a regular basis. Visits from friends and families are encouraged. As indicated, they form an important part of the rehabilitation process by providing support as well as hope for the future.
The Wedge Gardens Treatment Centre is currently situated in Lyndhurst and can accommodate 130 residents which is broken into 20 detoxification, 90 treatment and 20 halfway house's
Whilst in-patient treatment forms a material component of services, prevention and early intervention are just as important as part of the holistic effort to improve the well-being of individuals, groups and communities. With this perspective, we have developed an early intervention option for teenagers, called Zero to Hero.
The Zero to Hero programme aims to reach youth at risk, referred to the programme by schools in the area, courts and/or welfare organisations. It seeks to empower youth/parents through a general life skill programme that will assist them in becoming happy, law abiding and productive citizens of society. It is also a preventative approach in dealing with social problems in the community.
In our society, a number of children are vulnerable and thus susceptible to becoming “youth at risk”. Single parenting, poverty, poor family circumstances, HIV/Aids, crime, dysfunctional families, peer group pressure, gangs and substance abuse are all examples of situations that may place children under pressure and at risk. Children do not always understand their circumstances and cannot always explain why they become involved in defiant behavior. Our programme asserts that knowledge is empowering. If participants understand themselves and their circumstances, then their coping skills will improve. The programme also caters for the poorest of the poor in the community who are not in a position to afford such services.
As part of our preventative programmes, our staff serve on the Sandringham Police Drug Free Forum where we work closely with other role players in this field. A major focus of our involvement here is the implementation of information programmes in schools. As the difficulties that can lead to addiction often start at primary school level, our intervention with children from a young age is critical in combating the level of addiction in society.
Contact details
Complex Manager or Deputy Complex Manager on 011- 430 0320
As previously mentioned, the change in patients and the presenting problem over the years demanded a change in treatment. After two years of research, a new therapeutic programme was compiled namely: Full Circle Recovery Programme for in-patient treatment. This programme is scientifically and academically based, with a strong sense of accountability to both patient and staff member. National as well as international models, assessment strategies and intervention plans of treatment were taken into consideration.
The Full Circle Recovery programme runs over a period of 12 weeks. We accommodate males between the ages of 21 to 62 years. The programme is based on the
Strengths perspective: concentrating on the positive building blocks and survival skills of each patient, not the problems.
Systems perspective: No man is an island and we all function within a family, work, community system etc.
Reality therapy: Life is all about choices and taking responsibility for the choices we make.
During the first three weeks a holistic assessment on a patient functioning is made regarding symptoms of the addiction, relationships, family involvement, work, spirituality, physical and mental abilities etc. The dynamics of how each subsystem communicates and reacts to one another is observed. Information gathering take place by completion of questionnaires, interviews, group discussions, lectures, family sessions and motivational talks.
All the information is seen within the context of the background of the patient to give meaning to it. An individualized treatment plan is compiled to address issues identified in a patient’s life.
During the next 6 weeks the intervention phase takes place. This differs from patient to patient. In some instances a patient’s family will already be involved during this phase whilst others may be more involved in individual sessions. Patients attend lectures on a daily basis for these six weeks. All aspects of addiction difficulties are discussed in depth. The identified dysfunctional areas in a patient’s life will be the key issues for intervention during this phase.
During the last 3 weeks a patient enters the recovery phase during which the family or significant others become actively involved in the programme. Family sessions individually, as well as family group sessions take place.
On our new property we would be able to offer accommodation to the significant others for the last week of the programme. The involvement of significant others significantly impacts on the success of rehabilitation. This service can only materialise on the new property where facilities will be separated from the core group in rehabilitation.
As a matter of interest, the Betty Ford Clinic in America only accepts patients where significant others are prepared to participate. This phase prepares a patient for reintegration into the community. During this transitional period from in-patient to out-patient support, the therapeutic team and Alcoholic’s Anonymous takes hands.
We try to place each patient within an AA support group before discharge. Unfortunately there are some patients with no significant others in their life. Through the AA we organise a sponsor to become involved.
It is envisaged that the rehabilitation centre will re-locate as soon as the upgrading of buildings on these premises are completed.
Programme's:
Drugs Control You
In light of the above-mentioned, namely that the onset age for addiction difficulties start nowadays at primary school level, therapeutic staff of the rehabilitation center serve on the Sandringham Police drug free forum. Through this body, we address requests from the different schools in the area to render preventative talks on addictive behaviour.
We are also involved in a campaign “DRUGS CONTROL YOU” resulting in posters being distributed to schools, businesses, clinics etc. Information for a pamphlet was given to SAPS, which will be printed and distributed by SAPS at roadblocks to children regarding addiction with contact details should they require help.
WEDGE GARDENS LAUNCHES LIFE SKILLS PROGRAMME FOR TROUBLED TEENS
The well-being of our society is dependent on our ability to prepare our children to be well adjusted, responsible adults. Rand Aid's Wedge Gardens is well aware of this fact and as such has established Zero to Hero, a youth diversion programme to assist troubled teens.
According to Adele Grobbelaar, Rand Aid's (Manager: Wedge Gardens Treatment Centre), many of South Africa's youth are vulnerable and at risk of falling by the wayside. "The scope of such vulnerability is enormous and it is therefore essential that schools, families and communities become involved to tackle the problem," she says.
Shocking statistics of research conducted among Grade Eight and Eleven adolescents revealed that almost 70% of Grade Eleven boys have consumed alcohol in their lifetime, fifty percent within the past year and about 48% in the past month. Grade Eight boys are not that far behind with 40% already having consumed alcohol at some point; around 22% in the past year and 20% in the past month. The study showed that 50% of Grade Eleven girls have consumed alcohol, while 38% have done so over the past year and just over 30% in the past month. Over 30% of the Grade Eight girls questioned have experimented with alcohol. Of this figure, just over 20% have done so in the past year and just under 20% in the past month.
Adele says that there are various factors that contribute to children being at risk. These include poverty and homelessness, single parent families, substance abuse, family and society violence and child-headed households. "There are various skills that distinguish high risk from low risk youth including critical school competencies, concept of self and self-esteem, connectedness, coping ability and the control they have over their own life," she explains.
Rand Aid aims to provide hope. Adele elaborates that research suggests that the risk of criminal conviction could be significantly reduced by devoting more resources to helping teachers tackle problem behaviour. Wedge Garden's Zero to Hero life-skills programme aims to empower youth at risk. These children are generally referred to it by the courts, schools and welfare organisations. "We aim to address the core issues that distinguish high risk youth from low risk youth, thus enabling them to become more productive, adjusted and law-abiding citizens," says Adele. She adds, "Empowering the parents of these adolescents with more effective parenting skills is also one of our main goals."
Zero to Hero is comprised of twelve, two-hour sessions, running over a six-week period. There are three sessions that are compulsory for a parent or legal guardian to attend. "Parental attendance for the other sessions is voluntary," Adele adds. Besides being referred to the programme by courts, schools and welfare organisations, any parent that feels their child could be at risk is welcome to contact Wedge Gardens for an assessment. "This will ensure that Wedge Gardens can also help children before they derail," Adele explains.
The full programme costs a mere R350 per child and the fee will be used to cover the non-profit organisation's costs. "With parental consent we can also conduct drug testing at an additional fee of R100 per child," says Adele. All of Wedge Garden's staff members are fully trained and have been awarded competency certificates for drug testing.
The contents of the Zero to Hero programme include the different factors contributing towards the risk profile of a child, choices and consequences, substance abuse, the impact of sound education, understanding and acceptance of oneself, understanding HIV and Aids and precautions in preventing the disease, coping with loss and the management of anger and difficult emotions, coping with peer pressure and bullying, discipline and communication skills.
Wedge Gardens is in need of urgent support for this programme. Companies and individuals able to assist with monetary donations, the purchase of a laptop computer, overhead projector, digital copier, stationery or printing costs are urged to contact Wedge Gardens.
For more information, please contact Adele Grobelaar, Laetitia Goosen at (011) 430-0320 or email agrobbelaar@randaid.co.za.