‘Our wish is for people to go home…and live out their potential’

When you walk through the doors of Toevlug Treatment Centre, you’ll find a wall with these words written in bold letters: “set free to live”. This represents the sole mission of Theresa Rossouw, programme manager at Toevlug Treatment Centre, and her team – to help people become drug-free so that they can become active and contributing members of society.

Theresa’s journey at Toevlug Treatment Centre began in 1993 as a psychometrist. “It’s a dynamic field that continuously develops,” she says. “There are so many facets to this industry which include medical, social, psychological and pastoral. You either like it or you don’t. And I like it.”

Caring employers make all the difference

“Sometimes people come in and you wonder if they’ll ever make it,” Theresa says. One woman, in particular, stands out. She arrived angry and defensive, having been kicked out of another rehabilitation centre. “She didn’t want to stay here either,” Theresa recalls. “But she did incredibly well over the five weeks. The first two days were hard, but she’s a new person now.”

Her recovery didn’t happen in isolation. “She had a wonderful employer who really cared for her,” Theresa explains. “She works as a carer for an elderly man. That employer brought her here, fetched her, even joined the Zoom support group with her. She helped her get into diamond dotting too – I still have one of her diamond dot pieces in my office.”

The father who saved his biscuits

People’s home environments influence their healing to a large extent. There is currently a patient who has successfully completed our 5-week inpatient programme, but has asked to stay on longer because of dangerous gang activity at home. “While doing treatment, our patients receive cookies and treats from time to time,” Theresa says. “And this particular patient kept it all for his three children at home.” When his mother arrived to visit, he asked her to take the food home to them. “She cried,” Theresa recalls. “She said, ‘My child has really changed. Before, he ate everything and left nothing for them.’”

READ MORE: Johan’s story of hope after drug addiction

Understanding the roots of substance use disorders

Addiction often starts early, sometimes as young as 13 or 14. “You miss out on crucial life development stages when this happens,” Theresa says. “Sadly, a lot of our patients between 25 and 30 have never worked.”

Without a working role model, stepping into the job market is overwhelming. “You need a mentor to guide you, with simple things like how to manage money,” comments Theresa. Toevlug Treatment Centre offers budgeting sessions as part of life skills training. “Oftentimes, our patients’ mindset is: ‘I get something today, I spend it today. I don’t think about tomorrow.’ We help them see a better way.”

Acceptance and dignity

It’s important for the staff to make people feel loved. “Sometimes the seemingly small things mean so much to our patients. We care whether they’re warm and whether they’ve eaten enough,” Theresa says. “People come to us feeling ashamed. Here, they feel accepted.”

There are no shortcuts to addiction recovery. “Even those who relapse take something from their time here,” Theresa adds. “They’ve learned things that help them get up again.”

Patients are encouraged to take pride in their appearance by doing things like eating well and exercising. “Many come in underweight and leave having gained 5 to 10 kilograms. They feel better. They look like themselves again,” says Theresa.

“If we can just give them five weeks of love, and show them there’s a world where people treat each other differently, that’s already a win.”

Theresa Rossouw, Toevlug Treatment Centre programme manager

Stigma and barriers to aftercare

For many, the barriers to seeking help are stigma and financial restraints. “Society views addiction as a moral failing,” says Theresa

Aftercare services are limited, especially in rural areas. “Social workers are stretched thin, and emergencies such as abused children and neglected elderly, take priority.” This gap leaves many recovering addicts unsupported. To bridge this gap, Toevlug Treatment Centre hosts a weekly Zoom support group for former patients.

Volunteers play a critical role for the staff and patients at Toevlug Treatment Centre. Says Theresa, “Among others, we need people who can act as mentors or help in the garden. We also need help with repairs to our building. Avid volunteer gardeners are also very welcome. “Our garden is a therapeutic space where patients play cricket and soccer and reconnect with themselves and others,” says Theresa.

Toevlug’s professional board includes representatives from the local church in Worcester, psychology, HR, law, and education.

Photo caption: Christo, a volunteer gardener at Toevlug Treatment Centre

On a mission to help people

“It’s rewarding to make a difference and see people grow,” she says. “We’re privileged not to see patients as they were at home but as people wanting to change. Many do realise their mistakes and want to change.”

Even those who relapse, she says, still carry something from their time at Toevlug Treatment Centre. What keeps her going, especially on the hard days, is what she sees in the people others often overlook.

“People ask how we cope, but we see so much talent. There’s an abundance of poetry, rap, music and art among our patients. The world has a bad image of addicts, but we see the potential and creativity.”

Theresa Rossouw, Toevlug Treatment Centre programme manager

Visit Toevlug Treatment Centre’s Facebook page, or contact Theresa at trossouw@toevlug.org.za to learn more or to make a donation.

Donate the following items to Toevlug Treatment Centre:

• Gym equipment
• Musical instruments
• Donations for the secondhand shop, including old clothes and household items
• Sport items
• Stationary 
• Plants, seeds