My mate Bennie died this week, he was from Holland and I met him when I was in South Africa in 07 and 08... Bennie was an alcoholic... he could not stop drinking and when he went to Rehab the counsellors explained to Bennie that if he drank anymore he would eventually end up in an institution, or prison, or death... Bennie picked the last option. Rumour has it he had been asked to leave his secondry care unit Harmony House He had been in and out of Rehab for over a year, and then as far as I have heard he was latter found beaten to an inch of his life after attempting to buy some crack cocaine within one of the darker areas of Cape Town, after an argment with a dealer. Bennie was then flown back to Holland by the Dutch Embassy only for his liver to give up on him during the flight.
Bennie was a great guy, and he was dearly loved and will be sorely missed. I just wanted to write about Bennie as he helped me through some tough times of my life and I will always remember him, "WHY?". He saw me play some music in Woodstock, Cape Town, yet are friendship went a lot deeper than that, in fact when I was having a relationship with Emily Whitefield, Bennie exclaimed to Emily, "Why you going out with Dave, he's Borderline!?".
Anyway Bennie, you were loved and you still are loved my friend... the disease of addiction is incredibly cruel. Bennie was not a crack cocaine addict, he was a garden variety drunk, who went to rehab and never understood that he was powerless over his addictions. Gonna miss you mate.
If you suffer from problems with drink, drugs, sex, food, TV, gambling and codependancy amonst other issues that are dominating are culture on this planet then I would suggest you take some time out and sort yourself out, read below:
We are dedicated to providing the most effective addiction treatment available, restoring life, dignity and hope to all those affected.
Welcome to Stepping Stones Addiction Centre, a place of understanding, compassion and discretion. Since 1998 we have been offering hope and dignity to the many people who suffer from or are affected by the devastating disease of addiction.
Situated in the beautiful seaside village of Kommetjie, Cape Town, Stepping Stones is a licensed psychiatric hospital dedicated to the treatment of addictions and other compulsive behaviours. It is accredited by the Counsel of Health Service Accreditation of Southern Africa as meeting international treatment standards.
Our core focus is the delivery of intensive, effective residential treatment of alcohol and other drug addiction, eating disorders, compulsive gambling, co-dependency and related disorders. We are also recognized experts in the treatment of dual-diagnosed patients, effectively treating both the addiction and the co-existing psychiatric disorder.
Our skilled multi-disciplinary clinical team has vast experience in addictions treatment. The team includes specialist addiction counsellors, an occupational therapist, psychologists, consulting psychiatrists and general practitioners. In support, is a 24-hour nursing team, highly experienced and trained in addiction treatment.
The intensive treatment programme incorporates the most recent evidence-based practice, including 12-step facilitation (TSF), cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and motivational enhancement. Given too, that addiction profoundly affects families and all significant others, Stepping Stones runs a specifically designed Family Programme in conjunction with the individual patient's treatment.
The beauty of Stepping Stones' location next to the sea and below the mountains allows patients to reconnect with nature in all its splendour. Daily beach walks and weekly mountain hikes facilitate healing on a physical, psychological and spiritual level.
If you or someone close to you needs help, please email or call Carry Bekker on +27 (0)21 783 4230 at any time.
A winner of the annual Hospital Association of South Africa Award for Excellence in Healthcare
Stepping Stones, this place has saved 1000's of lives, and watched many more slip through to the other side.
David.
1 comment:
Allthough I've never been an alcoholic, I have some friends who are (and luckily also who WERE).
I think it's one of the best things to see that someone is willing to quit . . .
but one of the worst to see that if they give up.
TRY TO NEVER GIVE UP!! A brandnew day . . . is around the corner.
ANYTIME IS A GOOD TIME TO START TO STOP!! it's never too late
FIND AND/OR ACCEPT FRIENDS AS THEY COME ALONG!! everyone needs them
Below I'll post a song I translated from an ununderstable part of Holland to english (David, we will get this tune sung, without me having "smoke" in my eyes). HANS
The night is gone by, the sun is set free, to rise again
Soon dawn begins, morning to new, to stop right now
Life has been sour, the waiting a chore, but will turn around
Don't be afraid, never afraid, there's no need to
No day will hav' to set in, that I'm not here with you
No timepiece to start for us, without cause
Give me your hand, give me your heart
If you dare come with me.
Here is my hand, here is my heart,
I'll give my life to you.
Long it was cold and gloomy, soon break of day
Light will find it's way, . . . in a brandnew day
I couldn't see through, the road that I knew, was without an end
The time that had been, the heart that I had, it was engaged
Given to you, found me in you, beginning again
Love has survived, two people are joined, but free as a bird
No day will hav' to set in, that I'm not here with you
No timepiece to start for us, without cause
Give me your hand, give me your heart
If you dare come with me.
Here is my hand, here is my heart,
I'll give my life to you.
Long it was cold and gloomy, soon break of day
Light will find it's way, . . . in a brandnew day
...
Long it was cold and gloomy, soon break of day
Light will find it's way, . . . in a brandnew day
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