Erika
My name is Erika and I am a 46 year old woman and an addict. I have been addicted to mind altering chemicals for as long as I can remember. I was introduced to tranquilizers at a very early age. Many other chemical substances including alcohol and street drugs followed gradually as I tried to substitute my drug of choice. I managed to hide my addiction for many years until my life became chaotic in every aspect. It was quite obvious for anyone to see that I had a serious problem, but I was too much in denial and justified my using like only an addict can.
I’ve been admitted to two very expensive rehabs twice in the past where I was treated like a VIP on vacation. I started using very soon after being discharged. I tried to stop using or control my drug use on my own, numerous times. Little did I know that my drug was controlling me and that it was impossible to stop on my own. I also did not know I had to get rid of my addictive behaviour, change my thoughts and lifestyle, in order to stop using.
When I was admitted to FBTCC, I was close to death. I’d lost my family and daughter’s respect, my self-respect, I was homeless and had no connection with my higher power. I was trapped in a destructive co-dependent relationship, and I almost lost my life.
I learned there are three roads an addict can take: rehab (recovery), prison or the grave. I now realise addiction is a progressive disease which I have to live with for the rest of my life but I consider myself very lucky for not having ended up in prison or the grave.
At FBTCC, I had the life saving opportunity to work on my addictive behaviour and shortcomings, which I never knew existed until they were pointed out to me. The treatment at FBTCC was totally different to the other rehabs I was in. With intensive training administered, it wasn’t easy to discover what type of person I have become, and how drastically I had to change, but at FBTCC, I was equipped with coping skills, relapse prevention, accepting my emotions and anger management. I also have a group of people, my FBTCC family, who are there for me all the time, especially when I need some extra support.

Mark
  I started smoking dagga at the age of 15 due to peer pressure. From 15-16 it escalated from dagga to ecstasy to crack and at 17 I started smoking heroin. At 18 I had a court case for possession and got a 5 years suspended sentence. After that slowly but surely my circle of friends changed. I dropped out of school (grade 11) and spent my days smoking and finding ways to use. I got kicked out of the house and I stayed with numerous family members until  none of them wanted me anymore. From the age of 17 to 20, I went to rehab a few times but I always ran away from them. At this stage I didn’t have anything to live for. My mother kicked me out for good and I was staying at a friend’s place and roaming the streets.  I got involved in criminal behaviour and supported my addiction with money I made from breaking into houses. I was caught and was about to face five years for my suspended sentence and an added five years for the new case.
  As I pleaded guilty there was no way of escaping the 10 year sentence. I spent some time awaiting trial until FBTCC spoke to the magistrate and prosecutors and did an intervention on my behalf. I got bail on the condition that I stay at the rehabilitation centre.  I seriously started thinking about my life; it was not easy, but definitely worth working on gaining relationships with family, real friends, a social life and most importantly, a future.  Each day is a battle but I know that I have the love support and guidance of my friends and family at FBTCC.  For suffering addicts out there with heroin as a drug of choice, it seems impossible to break the chains of that imprison us, however taking that first step opens doors to change. FBTCC the place where real healing begins.