Bethesda Retreat - Residential Sobriety

I walked out of the gates of Bethesda yesterday, after 8 weeks, a very different person to the angry woman full of resentments who arrived at your gates. I left humble and grateful carrying precious memories with me. I waited 24 years to feel my emotions & face my demons. Bethesda opened the door for me to experience an awakening while I was there. What the Counselling Team has given me is priceless. You have given my Son the Mother he deserves. One day I hope to be able to give an addict who still suffers, what you have given me.

As someone who is dedicated to the understanding and treatment of addictive disorders I have contact with a number of rehabilitation facilities. I have had the pleasure of visiting Bethesda and meeting the therapeutic team. I can recommend Bethesda with full confidence. Colin and his team not only have an excellent understanding of addiction as a disorder, but also demonstrate the compassion and care that is often needed in the recovery process.

Bethesda was my first rehab centre. I recovered from my addiction but also from fear and anger. Today I am a happy chappy and I work on my recovery every day. Bethesda became my second family cause there I learned the true meaning of family, commitment and unconditional love. Colin, Helen, John and the whole team you guys are true Spiritual Healers

As I am written this today, I am 2 years clean. Not only changed it my life but also the life of my daughter and our relationship together.I recommend Bethesda for every suffering addict of alcohol, drugs, substations or any other addiction or depression. Why Bethesda? Because you life in a small environment of people. I have learned to feel safe within a group of people, without using any substance. I have learned to listen and hear what others think of me. And use that as mirrors to become a better version of me. I no longer fear other people and can truly enjoy and experienced life. When I feel blue, I know that it will pas. I don't have to use any more. I know have a choice. The price is to high. I now face my problems and clean them up. Without Bethesda I would probably also have been recovered. But never in a million years would I have a change of hearts This is the power of Bethesda. They send me back home free and full of faith!

I will always have a special place in my heart for Bethesda. Although I was there several years ago, I still believe the integrity with which the facility is managed to be second to none. I have worked as an addictions counsellor at different treatment centres over the past 8 years. This gives the ability to compare experiences of addiction treatment in the Western Cape with a degree of confidence.Bethesda was the last treatment I entered as a client, after 3 years of being referred to as a 'recidivist' (chronic relapser). I owe them my 10 years of 'clean time' which I will be celebrating in July. It is difficult to articulate my memories without sounding sentimental, but I believe they treated me with kindness and compassion. It was not what I expected but exactly what I needed.

A big thank you to the team @ Bethesda for helping me get my life back and finding purpose in my life again. I've been struggling with addiction for years and tried to stop with different types of treatments from medication implants ,psychologist will power and almost anything you can think of. I was confident that nothing will be able to cure me. The team at Bethesda gave me a new perspective on my life and life in general they gave me hope and faith where I honestly thought death is the only way out for me. Special thanks to John who was my counselor, but the whole team from Megan and Deanna in the office to Teresa in the kitchen, Colin for putting together and coordinating such a special bunch of people. I will forever be grateful.

Did my step four there. As Bethesda's very first client. The most life changing thing I have ever done. Colins compassion, guidance and love made me feel really safe. It allowed me to go to a deeper level of self-honesty that I had never been to before. Thank you, Bethesda and Colin, for helping me win my life back and build a new normal where I continue to thrive.

I might have been in a few places but non of them showed me the right way after getting clean. They all focus on the wrong way's what not to do, they tell u how to get clean but never give you tools or skills to identify anything or stay clean. After everything and every place it was the teachings and tools that Bethesda gave me that got me through. The whole Bethesda team is special and wize beyond words. This place is different this place is blessed and magical . Thanx guys for giving me what I needed to climb out of my swamp and unlike the other places you gave me tips on how to stay out and how to improve living. Boundaries was the best thing u ever gave me.

I first arrived at Bethesda end of April 2016 as a scared and insecure 22 year old with the maturity level of a 13 year old with 11 years of suffering from an Eating Disorder and substance abuse that controlled my entire life. I tried numerous times to end my life because I saw no purpose of living, a life governed by anger, depression, anxiety, guilt and shame.I am so grateful for the team at Bethesda, my fellows and the program to help me start living like never before. I have learned that life can be beautiful. The support has helped me to change my distorted way of thinking about my self, freedom from my past, the pressures, perceptions of the world and so so much more. My heart is filled with joy and happiness, something I thought I would never feel in my life. I have found peace and acceptance in her and I would recommend Bethesda Addiction Treatment Center for any one who is lost in this dark hole of addiction. There is light at the end of the tunnel.

Bethesda is a life changing experience!Colin and his team are awesome! I have been clean for two months. This would not have been possible without Bethesda! I am grateful to them for everything they have done and still do for me.