Oliver VG

I came to Crossroads Recovery Centre at the age of 37. I had used a variety of drugs, but crystal meth had brought me to my knees and I was at a stage in my life where I was ready to give up all hope. I had lost friends, a loving wife, an inheritance from my father…… I had really made a mess of things and was wishing my life away. I needed help. Unwillingly I booked into Crossroads. The strict routine made things tough for the first few weeks and I found myself plotting a way out. The daily sessions of step work and early morning wake up calls were excruciating at first. However, it soon became clear to me that the “regime” was necessary and I started feeling normal again. What at first seemed like a tyrannical plot to bring me down, soon proved to have had my interests at the heart. I could feel the care of those that were looking after me. I developed an understanding of my affliction and the many sessions of therapy helped me work through emotional and psychological issues, many of which I had held on to from childhood. In the end, it was difficult to finally leave the centre as I had made so many deep connections and wasn’t ready to let go of them. But the past 3 months had readied me to go back into the world and face the joys of life once again.
The encouragement, love and support from the team at Crossroads allowed me to eventually see that I was worth something – that my life could be turned around and that I could accomplish the things that had long been a forgotten dream. I was also introduced to the NA 12-step programme which has allowed me to maintain my sobriety and manage my new life.  5 years later I am now a qualified teacher, waiting to take up my first post early next year.  I have accomplished what seemed to be an impossibility and I must say that I have Crossroads to thank. I have amazing friends and live a fun-filled active life with a great sense of community and love for the world around me. The team at Crossroads nurtured me back to life and provided me with new tools in order to live “life on life’s terms”. For this, I will be eternally grateful. Whenever returning to Pretoria, I will always pop in to say hi to the loving and caring people that I now consider family at Crossroads Recovery Centre.