NEWSLETTER - July 2025

elimclinic12345
Aug 19
7 min read

Women and addiction

Addiction recognises no class, age, race, or gender. The disorder can, and does, affect all populations. However, the barriers, obstacles, and stigma that women face when struggling with addiction and accessing treatment are vastly different from those encountered by men.

The social stigma and expectations placed on women are some of the most common obstacles for women in recovery. The expectation that women are caregivers, emotional support providers, and the ‘glue’ holding the family together can often create internal struggles when seeking treatment, as well as external judgment and shame imposed by family or loved ones.

Childcare is another concern frequently faced by women entering treatment and is often the most difficult obstacle to overcome. The thought of leaving children for an extended period creates significant internal conflict for these women. The truth is that having an addiction does not make someone any less of a mother or lessen their concern for the welfare of their children.

Women in households with multiple addictions among both male and female members are often more susceptible to relapse if their partners continue with their addictive behaviours. Returning to the same environment that contributed to the initiation of the addiction frequently acts as a trigger for relapse.

Evidence indicates that women are more likely to relapse than men; however, this is relative, considering that nearly 80% of all individuals in recovery will relapse at least once. It is known that women tend to justify their addictive episodes as reactions to modern lifestyle stressors or stressful events. This attitude allows the addiction to deepen, often leading to serious medical and physical issues. These physical problems can also negatively impact mental health, with long-lasting effects. Pregnant women who consume drugs or alcohol risk harming not only themselves but also the developing foetus.

Treatment for addiction or substance use disorder should account for these challenges and provide services that support women rather than worsen the obstacles they face. Outpatient treatment programmes can be beneficial for those who cannot, or prefer not to, leave their children in the care of others. Access to visitors and communication channels is crucial, offering women a vital support system during early recovery to help manage internal conflicts. Rebuilding family relationships and establishing a proper support network are essential components that should always be included in treatment programmes. Without adequate support, relapse remains highly likely.

At Elim Clinic, we celebrate those women entering treatment as the strong, decisive and vital women they are! We acknowledge the obstacles they have experienced but praise their strength for finding a way past these and accessing the treatment needed.

Elim Clinic Out-Patient services

The structured out-patient programme is designed to give these service users the tools to enter recovery whilst working or studying. The programme is offered over 9 sessions (including an assessment session) which can be accessed via face-to-face therapy, or virtually via Microsoft Teams.

Contact Sasha (reception@elimclin.co.za) /Karabo (socialworker@elimclin.co.za) at Elim Clinic to learn more about this programme.

Testimonial

I had an awesome time at Elim emotionally, spiritual and social. All the activities were uplifting and informative for all age groups and ethnicities. When I started here and saw so many races in one place the first thing I thought was that people would start forming friendships racially, which was not the case, everyone was friendly, and the staff were always happy to help/serve. Leaving Elim I know how to live a sober life, and I know many strategies of dealing with stress without having to consult with my ex-therapist (ALCOHOL) for that I would love to thank Elim staff for making a better sober man.

I would like to thank Mbali, Mr. Norman, Codi, Sasha, Natasha, Jacob and most important Ma Judith, you are a superstar.

-Khayalethu

Upcoming events and trainings

Thrive: BREATHWORK WORKSHOP – 29 August 2025

Please contact Lebo @ Lebogang@elimclin.co.za if you would like more information.

Keep an eye open for our upcoming workshop on

The Power of Purpose Basic: 11-12 August 2025

The Power of Purpose Advanced: 13-15 August 2025

This training is an introduction to substance use disorder that empowers practitioners to handle basic interventions for Substance use disorder.

April 2025 saw the launch of the Elim Clinic Extended-Stay programme.

Some service users want or need to stay in a protected space for a longer period to stabilize their treatment programme.

Elim Clinic is pleased to offer alternatives to those service users wanting longer-stay treatment as opposed to the usual 24 days.

The programme allows for 12 or 24 week stays at the clinic, thus affording the service user the opportunity to strengthen their recovery pr ogress whilst at the Centre. Furthermore, the programme is a structured bio-psycho-social intervention programme, and includes all costs related to treatment.

Contact Sonja (admission@elimclin.co.za) or Lebo (Lebogang@elimclin.co.za) at Elim Clinic to learn more about this offering..

The third session in the Thrive series will take place on the 29^th August 2025. Breathe to Thrive is a workshop that is designed to support individuals on their journey to wholeness, whether navigating recovery, burnout, stress, or everyday challenges. Breathwork is introduced not as a tool for fixing, but as a practice of reconnection and self-awareness.

We are thrilled to be working with Carol-Lee Alberts to offer this workshop as part of our ‘Thrive’ Series. The workshop will give you information, tools, and techniques that you can use to harness the power of your breathing, and allow you to thrive.

Find Carol-Lee on her website: https://beonpurpose.co.za/ to find out more about who she is on what she can offer.

Elim Clinic began the pilot of the extended stay programme in March 2025. This programme structured over 16 or 32 weeks (depending on the service user requirements). Feedback from those service users that have accessed the programme has been good. Research suggests that those people who access longer-treatment programme have more chance of achieving long-term recovery than those who access the minimum sort programmes. This is not to say that either short or long term is more effective, as both have their merits. However, the long-stay programme does provide a more stable recovery start for those accessing it.

The first 3 months of recovery are the most crucial and also the most dangerous as the majority of relapse will occur within this time frame. Extending the treatment for 16 weeks allows you to build a more stable and effective recovery plan.

One of our service users had this to say:

My experience at Elim Clinic was truly life-changing, the 3 months program allowed me to dive deep into my struggles with addiction, and I was amazed by how much I learned every day. Despite the repetition of the program each therapist brought their unique perspective, and I gained something new from every session. My individual therapy sessions with Judith & Natasha were particularly impactful. They helped me confront and heal from childhood traumas and painful experiences from early adulthood. Their guidance and support were invaluable. What stuck me the most was the passion and dedication of the entire team from nurses to security personnel. Everyone treated me with respect and dignity, making me feel like a person, not just someone struggling with addiction. The food was incredible. Elim clinic has had a profound impact in my life, and I am not the only one it’s helped, 3 generations of my family overcame addiction. I am forever grateful for this wonderful facility and the amazing team that made my recovery possible

The thing that sets Elim apart is it has HEART!”

Anonymous

My reflections on my first year as MD

Reflecting on my time at Elim so far, I began to think about the impact that the clinic is making in the lives of so many. It is this that I hold to be the most important accomplishment of my time at Elim so far.

With almost 70 years of service, Elim Clinic stands apart from others because of the service we provide, the care we take in providing that service, and the attention to delivery that we hold important.

During the past year we have updated our treatment programme ‘’Anchors’’ in order to offer a more relevant service offering. We have launched not one, but two new treatment programmes – the out-patient programme ‘’Beacons’’, and our extended-stay programme ‘’Lighthouse’’. With consistently good reviews and evaluations that put our service offering in the upper 90 percentage, we are proud to be providing a service that is relevant and impactful.

On top of this we have seen a shift in our social media strategy that aligns our posts with the core ethos of the business, that of educating the public about addictions, and working towards the lowering of the stigma that surrounds substance use disorder.

With all that has been achieved in the past year, this does not mean that we will slow down. we have exciting new projects lined up that we will be launching over the next few months and years. All these designed to increase our impact, and extend our service offering.

As with any new job, there will always be a time of doubt, challenges, and insecurities. However, because of the support received by the staff at Elim, these were few and far between for me. There is a move internally within the organisation to operate more efficiently and effectively together. Open lines of communication allow for the streamlining of processes within the business.

-R.Weimann

Looking Back on Roger’s First Year at Elim Clinic

15 July 2025 marks one year since Roger Weinmann stepped into his role as Elim Clinic’s Managing Director—and what a transformative year it’s been!

From day one, Roger brought a wealth of experience in addiction treatment, training, and intervention, along with a clear sense of purpose. Focused, highly organized, and driven by urgency, he hit the ground running, determined to raise the bar in both service delivery and clinical excellence.

His impact has been felt across the board. Roger has seamlessly taken on the roles of strategic leader, mentor, and motivator—cultivating a culture of trust, collaboration, and open communication. Under his leadership, staff feel seen, heard, and inspired. His inclusive, forward-thinking approach has not only boosted morale but also sparked innovation and professional growth throughout the team.

In just 12 months, Roger has introduced new treatment programs, refreshed and repackaged existing ones, transformed an outdated office space into a vibrant outpatient unit, and given the Clinic’s interior and exterior a modern facelift. He has also led the development of a new social media strategy, built partnerships with local business leaders, and facilitated training programs for both staff and healthcare professionals, among others.

His vision is clear: to lead a high-performing, future-ready team that delivers exceptional care, embraces innovation and technology, and continuously evolves to meet the diverse needs of the community we serve.

Thank you, Roger, for your passion, energy, and leadership. Here’s to the next exciting chapter at Elim Clinic!