Dec 21 - Ballito Umhl

Have fun … responsibly
While the festive season is all about happiness and celebration, there is a more serious
side to remember. This time of year is notorious for an increase in drug and alcohol
consumption, as well as suicide. We spoke to the founder of Ballito-based non-profit
organisation Against Drugs and Child Abuse (ADCA).
From holiday parties with friends to year-end functions and family gettogethers,
the increase in social gatherings towards the end of the year
inevitably leads to an increase in alcohol (and drug) consumption.
ADCA founder Rex Hunt says it is vitally important to know your limit and
stick to it. And also, to remember that you don’t have to drink or take drugs
to be social.
Rex, an accredited addiction coach, started ADCA in 2013 with a vision to
provide safety without judgement to those with drug and alcohol problems.
He also works with a number of people who were abused as children, which
often leads to them living a life of addiction.
ADCA is both a non-profit organisation (NPO) and a public benefit
organisation (PBO) and is driven by Rex’s absolute passion for giving hope
to the hopeless. “I worked in private security while my daughter was in high
school and I saw first-hand what a massive drug and alcohol problem we
have here on the North Coast - amongst both kids and adults.”
He decided to start a drop-in centre where people could come and get help
to get out of the ‘addiction cycle’. Rex eventually left the security industry to
run ADCA full time. Now he coaches people, helping them, as he says, move
away from a culture of addiction towards a culture of sustainable recovery.
“It’s not just about abstinence from these substances, but abstinence along
with radical life changes.”
Rex offers one-on-one coaching, out-patient programmes (group meetings),
a supporter’s group for family and friends of addicts and an open recovery
meeting, which anyone can attend. He also works with children and is
currently putting together two online programmes for kids, one to help
increase their awareness about substances and substance abuse and an
online recovery programme. His goal is to do talks at schools in the near
future as well.
The arrival of the festive season brings with it not only an increase in the
use of substances, but it also means more money and more ‘dealers’ coming
into our area, says Rex. “One problem is that a lot of these drugs that are
being sold on the street are not ‘clean’, meaning they are mixed with all sorts
of rubbish that can make you very ill.” And it’s not just the hard drugs that
put people’s lives in danger. “Alcohol poisoning and dehydration can both
be fatal. Not to mention alcohol-related accidents. Our emergency rooms
are filled up with these cases every year and it always starts with just ‘social
drinking’. But really, there is no such thing. You shouldn’t have to drink to be
socially-accepted.”
So, how can we prepare ourselves and avoid festive season binge drinking?
“Firstly, remember that knowledge is power. Do you know what alcohol,
weed, drugs and even vaping do to your body, especially in the long term?
Do your kids know? Sit down and watch some YouTube videos and educate
yourself. It’s important to know what you are putting into your body and
the effect it has. Your body is, after all, your most treasured possession.” Rex
says it’s important that we set healthy boundaries – for both our children
and ourselves. “Vaping is a huge problem amongst kids on the North Coast
and it can have very serious effects. Do some research and put boundaries
in place.” Lastly, Rex says, try find a healthy
alternative when you are having fun this
festive season. Drinking alcohol triggers
‘feel good’ chemicals in the brain, so he
suggests turning to exercise for a natural
release of endorphins!
When it comes to seeking help for
addiction, Rex says ADCA is a completely
judgement-free zone where people come
to find hope. “A person living in addiction
usually feels completely hopeless and I
want to be able to give them back hope.”
Rex, who is fluent in Zulu, is also studying
to be a mental health coach, as he says
that recovery and mental health often go
hand-in-hand. He runs his one-on-one
coaching by appointment and his group
meetings are as follows – outpatient
sessions: Wednesday and Thursday
evenings (R2500 a month for four hours
a week), supporter’s group Tuesdays
10.30am – 12.30am (R1000 month), open
meetings for all: Mondays from 6.30pm to
8.30pm.
Details: 082 555 4492, www.adca.co.za, Old
Main Road, Umhlali, 4390
Dec 2021 / Jan 2022 Get It • Ballito Umhlanga 25