NEWSLETTER - May 2025

elimclinic12345
Jun 23
6 min read

IDADA 2025: ‘’Breaking the Chains’’

Every year, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) sets a theme to guide global awareness campaigns and policy recommendations. The slogan for 2025 International Day against Drug Abuse 2025: “Breaking the Chains: Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery for All!” This slogan emphasizes community support, healthcare access, and the need for global solidarity in addressing drug abuse and illicit trafficking. Given the rising trends in synthetic drug production and mental health crises related to substance abuse, the 2025 theme is expected to highlight:

· Mental Health and Addiction Treatment

· Tackling the Synthetic Drug Epidemic

· Strengthening Law Enforcement Against Drug Trafficking

· Expanding Access to Harm Reduction Services

One of the areas that affects all of these ‘highlights’ is the stigma that still surrounds Substance Use Disorder (SUD). In 2015, Substance Use was listed for the first time in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual on Mental Disorders as a disorder on its own. This meant that the field of substance use intervention fell into mental health. However, this classification did little to quell the stigma that surrounds the disorder.

Access to treatment is limited in South Africa, but it is possible. However, one of the biggest obstacles those needing treatment experience is the stigma. This obstacle is often the reason why many who need the treatment never seek it out… for fear of being ostracised or judged because of the disorder. But let’s be honest, we all have an addiction of sorts, whether it be coffee, or shopping, or gaming! Addiction is something that affects us all, to different degrees. Stigma is borne out of ignorance, and this often due to a lack of understanding. It is often not rooted in fact but rather is a product of our socialisation and our deep seated fears of something. This is especially true of addiction. Even though you have heard the term, how much do you actually know about the disorder?

Understanding ourselves is the first step in breaking the stigma. Educating yourself about the disorder is essential. With this in mind, Elim Clinic issues the following challenge:

‘KICK your HABIT’

Give up one thing, for one week.

Whether this ‘thing’ is caffeine, tobacco, chocolate, or even shopping, is entirely up to the individual’s discretion; however, it is important to consider your choice and select the habit that you can identify using on regular basis.

With experience comes education and this is the ultimate aim of the campaign.

Keeping a daily log, or even an on-line blog of your progress is encouraged, as this will create awareness for the difficulties faced by dependents on a daily basis. Whether this daily log is posted online, or is private is your decision, as long as you engage with the challenge.

SANCA is asking all South Africans to join the challenge and to challenge each other during the week.

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

The staff was incredibly knowledgeable and compassionate, creating a safe and supportive environment for recovery. The facility provided a comprehensive approach to the treatment addressing both the physical and psychological aspects of addiction, the group therapy sessions were invaluable, offering a sense of community and understanding. I appreciate the opportunity to connect with others who were also struggling with addiction, creating a strong support network. I am so grateful for the opportunity to find recovery. Elim Clinic has given me a new lease on life. I am also grateful to the kitchen staff for their excellent ways of preparing meals and to the cleaning staff who made sure that our rooms are always clean. I will recommend Elim Clinic to all my friends who are struggling with addiction

B. 28.04.2025

Upcoming events and trainings

1st June 2025 – Elim Clinic Recovery Service: celebrating those landmark recovery years.

31st August 2025 – Elim Clinic Recovery Service

Thrive: Mindfulness and Optimum Well-being – 27 June 2025

See the adverts below to find out more

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

Keep an eye open for our upcoming workshop on Breathing (date to be announced)

Celebrating 20 years of Service at Elim Clinic

Natascha Gipps celebrated her 20-year anniversary at Elim Clinic on the 9th May 2025. Natascha has been involved in the Elim Clinic pastoral programme since 2005 and is making a massive impact on the service users at Elim. I sat down with Natascha to ask a few questions.

What drew you to apply for work at Elim Clinic?

I've always had a deep passion for helping people, especially those struggling with addiction and the pain that comes with it. It's been my dream to support others in changing their behaviour and learning new skills to live a healthier, more fulfilling life. I also truly believe that God plays a powerful role in the recovery journey and that's why Elim's foundation and faith-based approach really mattered to me.

What is your professional background?

I started my career at Trust Bank, which later became Absa, and that's where I really got my first taste of the corporate world. After eight years there I took a break to teach life skills and English to street children in Egypt, a life-changing 6-month experience. When I returned to South Africa, I studied part-time while working at Motor Finance Corporation where I build strong relationships with repeat clients over six years. One of the biggest highlights of my career was completing my degree in business management, something I'm really proud of.

What is your earliest memory of working at Elim Clinic?

One of my earliest and most unforgettable memories was on my first day during an introduction meeting. It started with a quiet, reflective prayer, and just as the room fell silent, my phone started ringing. (And no, it wasn't God calling me.)

You are responsible for the pastoral programme at Elim Clinic. How important would you say spirituality is in the recovery process?

Spirituality plays a powerful role in addiction recovery. It offers a sense of purpose, meaning and connection to something greater, often becoming a key coping tool and source of strength. It can also create a supportive community where things like forgiveness and self-compassion are nurtured. Practises like prayer, mindfulness, reflection and connection with others on a spiritual journey help build a more holistic and sustainable path to healing.

Personally, I believe spirituality gives you a solid foundation to grow from. As a Christian, I see the Bible as a reminder of how deeply valued each person is, no matter their past.

The 1st of June is our next recovery service. What, in your opinion, is a recovery service?

First and foremost, it shows everyone, no matter their background, that starting over and becoming successful is absolutely possible. The recovery service is one of the most powerful moments in the clinic. It's a clear sign that what we’re doing is working and it gives us a chance to celebrate real change in people's lives. This special service is a time where individuals can light a candle for the year’s they've been sober. It's a moment of reflection, connection and celebration. It gives people the space to share their experiences and be inspired by others on a similar journey. We encourage everyone to take part, not just to mark how far they have come, but to see the hope and possibility that lies ahead after leaving the clinic. It's also a beautiful way to include loved ones and share this new chapter of life with the people that matter most.

What is the best part of your work here at Elim Clinic?

The best part of my work at Elim is seeing people walk in feeling broken and hopeless, and then watching them leave just three weeks later, with hope in their eyes and a new outlook on life. Being part of a team that works together to support those who feel like they can't go on anymore is incredibly special. We don’t just to help change lives - we bring hope. That bond we share as a team is one of the most meaningful parts of working at Elim.

What would you say is the reason for your long service at Elim Clinic?

The reason I’ve stayed for so many years is simple - I truly believe in what we do and the impact we have, not just on our service users, but on the families and friends too. Over the past 20 years I've witnessed it all - miracles, heartbreak and moments of pure joy. It's been a privilege to work alongside people in those moments and help them through it. Even now, 2 decades later, seeing real change in people's lives still inspires me.

It's what gets me out of bed in the morning and makes me excited to come to the clinic each day to keep making a difference, one life at a time.

Farewell John Wilkinson

After almost 50 years of involvement with Elim Clinic, Mr John Wilkinson stepped down as treasurer of the board in May 2025. I sat down with John and asked him for his recollections of his time with Elim.