For as long as he could remember, Dudley Stops (58) had enjoyed a drink in social settings, whether it was camping, at a braai with friends, or on the golf course. However, everything changed after Covid-19 when he was forced to face the reality of his situation \u2013 he was an alcoholic.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen lockdown started, there was a lot of stress because of work, and I started drinking earlier in the day,\u201d recalled the New Germany resident. \u201cAfter lockdown, beers at the pub turned into shooters. I was battling to sleep and would wake up to have a glass of wine. Before I knew it, I was having a sip of vodka from the boot of my car before work.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Although Dudley was a \u2018functioning alcoholic\u2019, the cracks were starting to show. He was falling asleep at work, friends were concerned, and his wife confronted him about the problem. After agreeing to see a psychologist he was advised to enter a rehabilitation facility.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo ways!\u201d was his initial reaction. \u201cAs a 56-year-old man, I couldn\u2019t go to rehab \u2013 what would people think?\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite misplaced concerns around the stigma of getting help, Dudley\u2019s wife found Choose Life Beach Specialist Rehabilitation Centre which had\u00a0 opened in Umkomaas on the KZN South Coast in 2023. This is the third facility of the established ChooseLifeSA group which includes Choose Life Musgrave and their renowned Riverview Manor which is South Africa\u2019s premier specialist clinic in Underberg.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt all happened in stages, but by November I drank at a work function and couldn\u2019t remember anything – I knew I had a choice to make,\u201d explained Dudley. \u201cEither I went to rehab, or I was going to lose my family and my job, which at 58 years old, I couldn\u2019t do. The fact that Choose Life was closer to home also made it easier.\u201d<\/p>\n
He spent three weeks at the state-of-the-art rehab facility where world-class specialists treated him. “It’s a stunning facility and their holistic approach to the healing process also encourages you to change old habits. The informative group sessions helped us identify triggers and healthier ways to tackle issues. Individual sessions with therapists focused on my behaviour and we were encouraged to become more physically active and eat healthier.”<\/p>\n
The facility offers numerous recreational activities, including supervised walks to the nearby beach, two swimming pools, a pool table, a library and a television: “The team were always on hand to offer additional support and, since leaving, have remained in contact with me.”<\/p>\n
Dudley said he was overwhelmed by the support from his family, friends, bosses and colleagues throughout his journey: \u201cI have joined the AA programme which is a tremendous help on my journey. I can still socialise and be around alcohol, but I know liquor stores are a trigger. I have implemented many of the skills to deal more effectively with stress and anxiety. It\u2019s been 180 days sober and I\u2019m a happy and changed man.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Jared Elliott, COO of ChooseLife Beach said Dudley was one of the first to join the programme when the facility opened: \u201cHis journey exemplifies the transformative power of our holistic approach to recovery. From his first day, he embraced the therapeutic environment and took full advantage of the comprehensive support system. Our team worked closely with Dudley, guiding him through the challenges of recovery and celebrating his milestones. His dedication and resilience are inspiring, and we are honoured to have been a part of his journey.\u201d<\/p>\n
Choose Life Beach, a drug and alcohol rehab centre recognised by all medical aid insurance schemes, offers a five-star resort experience that integrates with the recovery programmes and expands the vision of owner, Vernon Goss. The specialist team includes a doctor, social workers, a life coach, an on-call psychologist, a psychiatrist, an occupational therapist, and an experienced full-time nursing team. The 45-bed facility located on the beachfront is dedicated to helping men and women overcome abuse.<\/p>\n
Sharing some words of advice to others in a similar position, Dudley said: \u201cThe first step is the hardest but it\u2019s true what they say, you just have to take it one day at a time.\u201d<\/p>\n
For more information visit www.chooselifesa.co.za<\/a> and\u00a0 www.riverviewmanor.co.za<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" For as long as he could remember, Dudley Stops (58) had enjoyed a drink in social settings, whether it was camping, at a braai with friends, or on the golf course. However, everything changed after Covid-19 when he was forced to face the reality of his situation \u2013 he was an alcoholic. \u201cWhen lockdown started, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":39463,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[51],"tags":[10933],"class_list":{"0":"post-39462","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-lifestyle","8":"tag-chooselifesa"},"yoast_head":"\n