Early Days: The Shock of Discovery

My world was shaken when I found out that my son, Garrick, was struggling with addiction. The truth came to light in a painful way—he and a friend broke into my father-in-law’s holiday flat, stealing the TV and kitchen items to fund their drug use.

I was overwhelmed. Hurt. Ashamed. Sad. And completely unprepared. I kept asking myself, How could this happen to me? I had dismissed Garrick’s argumentative behaviour, strange fashion choices, and growing collection of tattoos as a passing phase. I thought he would grow out of it. I was wrong.

The Isolation of Blame – I turned inward, blaming myself. What did I do wrong? What could I have done differently? I didn’t tell anyone. I tried to handle it on my own, thinking I could somehow fix it. My focus at work began to slip, and I found myself constantly distracted—mentally replaying everything, trying to find the moment it all went wrong.

I didn’t know about support groups. I didn’t think I needed them. After all, Garrick had the problem—not me.

But the signs kept growing: the hairstyles, piercings, tattoos, job-hopping, erratic sleeping habits, money disappearing, jewellery pawned. I was chasing my own belongings, buying back things from pawn shops, trying to hold together a life that was quickly unravelling.

What I Did

Eventually, I reached out:

• I spoke to family.
• I spoke to my boss.
• I contacted our medical aid.
• I spoke to a pastor.
• I convinced Garrick to go to rehab.
• I made promises, bought him a ticket to America to stay with my sister-in-law, and even paid his debts.

What I Didn’t Do

I didn’t go to meetings. My wife went alone. I wasn’t interested. When I eventually attended a meeting, I went in with arrogance and reluctance.

How I Was Affected

Addiction doesn’t only hurt the addict—it shakes the whole family. I became emotionally drained. Paid for multiple rehab stints. Hid my belongings. Couldn’t sleep. Started judging others. Argued constantly with my wife. Ignored Garrick. Became a bitter, angry person—someone I didn’t recognise anymore.

How I Changed

Everything started to shift when my wife began attending the HEAL group in Alberton. She encouraged me to come along. That was six years ago. I started listening. Sharing. Learning.

Through HEAL and SCRC, I began to educate myself—on addiction, enabling behaviour, and co-dependency. We had family meetings with counsellors and facilitators. Most importantly, I learned to say NO.

My wife and I got back on the same page. We handed Garrick over to God. We now attend church regularly, because I know this: you cannot fight addiction on your own without God.

A Grateful Heart

HEAL has been absolutely phenomenal. The support, wisdom, and weekly encouragement have changed my life. Their wise counsel helped guide me to truth, grace, and God.

Thank you, HEAL, for being there for me, and for showing me the way to God and His overwhelming love and power.

Hi, my name is Neal, and I’m a grateful recovering addict.
I often say that I come to HEAL because it saved my life—and while some might dispute that because I was already seven years clean when I joined my first meeting, the truth is this: the impact these groups and the amazing people in them have had on my life has been nothing short of life-changing—and in many ways, life-saving.
HEAL has touched every area of my life: my marriage, my relationship with my son, my role as a friend, and most importantly, my calling and purpose in the Kingdom of God. Even the way I found HEAL was divinely orchestrated. God used it to draw me into alignment with His plans, and through these recovery meetings, I’ve learned countless lessons. I still discover something new almost every time I walk into a group meeting.
The way the Holy Spirit leads and moves in these spaces continues to blow my mind.
As a facilitator in Benoni and later Edenvale, the people in these meetings have become more than a group—they’ve become my community, my accountability, and my role models in learning how to live life real.
These past 12 years have been an adventure I could never have imagined. Sometimes people ask me, “So, how long are you going to keep going to support group?” And I remember one of the many nuggets of wisdom I’ve picked up along the way: “The longer you’ve been in recovery, the more you need recovery.”
I’ve come to realize that there’s a huge difference between being clean and living a life of recovery and freedom.
Jesus, I’ll never forget my first HEAL meeting. I can’t thank You enough Lord, for allowing me to be part of the work You are doing in the lives of every recovering addict who walks through these doors.
What an honour.
What a privilege.
Lord, You continue to rock my world.

My story begins many years ago, when I was just 13 years old. I got caught up in a lifestyle of drugs, partying, and clubbing. What followed was an 18-year battle with addiction — a battle that eventually led me to the streets. By that point, I had my kids, and my life was in complete chaos. I overdosed on the streets, and by God’s grace alone, I am still here today.

Eventually, I entered long-term treatment — my fourth attempt. But the real work began when I re-entered the world. Recovery hasn’t been easy. It’s been a long, hard road, but the Lord has truly brought me out of darkness and into His light.Today, I’m living in my own place with my kids. I’ve started a successful business. I have amazing relationships with my children, my family, and the beautiful new friends God has placed in my life. I’ve made it my mission to commit fully to my recovery — for life. I’ve come to realise that recovery is not a destination; it’s a journey. To stay on that path, I stay connected to HEAL. For me, HEAL is more than a ministry — it’s a platform of accountability. It’s where I receive guidance, support, encouragement, and the wisdom I need to keep growing. And it feels so good to give back.

HEAL has been an essential part of my recovery, and I truly believe that God’s hand is on this ministry. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, by His grace.

My name is Morne Weideman, and for 30 long years I was held captive by drug addiction. It stole everything from me — my dignity, my relationships, and my hope. I tried various rehabs, but they bore no fruit. I remained trapped in the same destructive cycle. My late father often said, “Only our Lord will take you out of the grips of addiction,” and those words stayed with me.

My addiction eventually led me to homelessness. I felt utterly alone, lost, and abandoned. In that dark place, I cried out to God one last time in complete desperation. Just two days later, I found a place at MES Homeless Shelter. I began attending church every Sunday, and with renewed confidence, I found the HEAL recovery support group and I have committed myself fully to Heal Ministries.

Within Heal, I discovered what I had been searching for: genuine love, acceptance, and accountability. My spirit has been renewed, and my dignity has been restored. Heal has become my family. Through the loving sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ, the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit, and the endless love and patience of my Heavenly Father, I am completely free.

Thank you, Lord, for equipping Heal Ministries to walk this journey with me and help set someone like me free from the grips of addiction.
Today, I work in ministry, I’ve joined a revival group, and I’m actively involved in community outreaches. I share my story in recovery groups and am a committed member of my local church. What the enemy meant for evil, God has turned into a powerful testimony of redemption.
If you are still struggling, know this: there is hope. Surrender to Jesus — He is the only One who can truly set you free.

I joined HEAL with 6 years clean time, with the hope of being used to help others who were struggling with addiction. But it turned out to be so much more than that. My love for people has both increased, and found purpose, and indeed I feel truly loved by the HEAL community. But above all else HEAL is a place where miracles happen, and I get to be a witness of God coming into people’s lives, and seeing the change He does, and the smiles and joy return to people’s lives. It truly is a privilege to see. But there is more, I’ve grown. I humbly feel like I’ve been polished, and my abilities have increased. I am a more complete human than the day I walked through the HEAL doors, my story truly is a rags to riches testimony of real change, and it is such a joy to be alive.