Testimonials

*All names have been deleted or changed to protect the identities of our clients and their families.

Letters Of Thanks

Sy is 'n 40-something ma van twee hier van Pretoria en was verslaaf aan voorskrifpille. Na haar tyd by SCRC het sy nooit weer daaraan geraak nie en sy is 'n nuwe mens. Ek ken haar al tien jaar en was verstom oor die gedaanteverwisseling van 'n brose, maer vroutjie wat 'n handvol pille drink elke dag en maandeliks in die hospitaal is tot 'n gesonde, lewenslustige vrou met kleur in haar wange. Hulle emmigreer nou Australië toe en dit gaan nog baie goed met haar.
Dra tog die boodskap oor aan die wonderlike mense by SCRC wat haar lewe en haar huwelik gered het, want sy was besig om alles te verloor.

I have done the rehab/clinic rounds in my life: 2 specialist rehabs, 5 times at private clinics, and 4 times at private hospitals. I am not proud of this as I have failed every time. SCRC, however, has done a lot for me and my recovery and with their help I don't want to drink again. I have learnt how to forgive myself. I want to compliment you on the professional way you run and manage the centre. The input I received from all your staff is of high and meaningful standard – the best I've experienced. You personally get involved with the recovery of your residents. My message to the young addicts is for them to get their recovery now, and do not wait ‘till you reach my age. It hurts more.

• I am so very very grateful to you and all the counsellors at the centre, it truly gave me another chance at life! THANKS.

I am surprised and very relieved by her positive attitude and commitment towards her recovery. I believe it is a direct result of your approach to the recovery process. For the first time I am confident that her recovery will be successful. My best wishes to all of you and keep up the good work.

Keep up the good work!!!! We love you South Coast Recovery Team! I appreciate, more than words can say, your tireless and unselfish work.

It has been a revelation to us that, through drugs and alcohol, we have met such lovely people, and we are ashamed to say that our previous perception of unintelligent, shambolic people who offered nothing to society was completely wrong.

I came to SCRC with my life being unmanageable, having no goals or anything to show in life except for heartache and pain which I thought I would never be able to fix or change. Since I have booked into treatment, however, all aspects of my life has taken a turn for the better. Thank you so much for the opportunity of a lifetime and for believing in me. This has been a big stepping stone in my life. I will make the best of my life, living in recovery and keeping God close.

Our society is in crisis. The divorce rate is 50%, one in 6 people are now believed to be alcoholics, and our children are in rebellion. I could go on but I think you know the situation here. As always I miss you and the centre.

They were quite overcome with the change they saw in me and were full of praise. I realised that this hope is a gift given entirely by God through SCRC. This place has truly saved my life. I think my family, more than myself, would be able to express their gratitude and actual relief that this sort of place exists and that I was fortunate enough to have found it, as they were fully witness to the state I was living in prior to SCRC. I will be forever grateful for the centre and the miracles you work here and have worked in me. I have the utmost respect and admiration for everybody there .Thank you for saving me.

Thank you so much Conrad, from the bottom of my heart…..I know that my successful recovery will surely be a testament for you and the centre.

Her growth is phenomenal. Again I would like to express my appreciation and gratitude to everyone at SCRC for starting *Robyn on her recovery. I have no doubt that without the hard work from all at SCRC; she would not be where she is today. Even our family life has changed so much, not to say that it is all smooth sailing but today we have a foundation of love and trust that is communicated, and through this we are able to work through anything. Thank you from a very proud and grateful mother.

All of you were great with me in your own different ways and I've come to very much respect what you do at SCRC. There is so much compassion and understanding there, patience and second chances; it's what addicts need when they are in the grip of this vindictive illness.

Thank goodness we found SCRC – it is thanks to you all that we still have our son today. As a family we will be eternally grateful to you all for his continuing recovery. Without your input, patience, and understanding and caring, the future would have been very bleak. Each day we look at him with amazement and great pride at what he has achieved, he is a wonderful young man. Everyone at SCRC has a special place in my heart.

I don't know what I would've done without any of you. Thank you for giving me the gift of life. I'll never forget SCRC and everyone there.

For the first time ever I feel I have the fire in my heart to stand up and keep fighting. For all the issues I have had, the only way I can have hope for the future is because of SCRC...

I wanted to thank you for everything!!! I have reclaimed my life… back at work, and I am so excited for my future, and the blessings still keep coming. The centre saved my life, through my change – my whole family has changed – which in itself is a miracle. Thank you for believing in me - when I was ready to give up.

What you have done with your life, and the centre is truly proof of an ongoing miracle, that I couldn't possibly describe with words.

Thank you for all your support, patience and caring guidance.

SCRC has changed my life around and I'll be leaving here with a gift; a blessing to serve. This experience was part of God's big plan for me.

I'm happy to know that I can still have you as support when I leave, thank you for that. I feel very privileged that I have been given a second chance and that you have helped to make it all possible. I am excited to start building a life for myself.

I know with your expert help, he will get better. He is going from strength to strength.

You both have made a huge impact on my life and recovery. I am extremely grateful for all that you have done for me.

Thank you beyond words, for SAVING my dear brother and much loved uncle.

I left the centre a different person from six months prior. The amount of insight you have managed to give me into my own life has been very helpful. You are making a very big impact on lives that would otherwise have been wasted! Thanks for everything.

SCRC provided me with the knowledge, framework and tools with which to do the job but it was me who ultimately had to do the work and make change possible.

Can I take this opportunity to thank you for all the excellent work you did with him. You believed in me, you knew that I was worth more than the pathetic life I was living and instead of making everything ok for me, you gave me the opportunity to change myself. I thank you a thousand times, I will carry you two in the heart for all time. God Bless you both for the wonderful things you've done to save lives and also re-build families. Thank you so so very much. You are truly amazing.

Thank you all for guiding me through this powerful and essential walk of mine in recovery. Without your help, commitment, support, empathy, consideration, understanding and love, I would not be at this point in my recovery. I am calm and more ordered. Thank you for believing in me, believing and not giving up on me when I wanted to give up. Thank you for being real.

We cannot praise you and your team highly enough for your dedication and commitment to your vocation. We feel very humble. You are our unsung heroes. What a special group of individuals and an experience we will both treasure forever. I know that he is in the best place to give him a chance of a life and I do thank you all most sincerely.

Thank you all for a new life you gave me, my little girl is now 6 weeks old. The work you do is amazing and the love you show all residents is such a comfort and just awesome to experience firsthand.

Thank you for helping him – he's not just a brother to me, he's like my best friend as well. To have him home the way he was when we came to visit would be the best thing ever. Thank you for helping my family.

Thank you all for making me realise that there is so much more good things to live for. It is impossible to convey my gratitude to you in words for what you have done for my son He has changed beyond recognition. Thank you for giving me my son back!! Seeing the change in him was heart-warming.

He really sounds as if he has been touched by the 'joys of spring' or maybe even better, with the 'touch of SCRC' and their recovery plan. He really sounds like the 'old' B… once again. A mere thank you to all would be an insult; you have performed nothing short of a miracle. I see a bright future ahead of me. There is specialness about this place and God is having His way here.

Thank you for everything you people did to nurse me back to good health. If it wasn't for you I don't know what would have happened to me. I have a purpose now and that excitement I have fills my core.

I just wanted to express my gratitude to you all for the effort and time you are putting into her recovery. We would be lost without your guidance. Please be assured of our continuing support of your decisions. We know that you have her recovery at heart.

Thank you for the loving way in which you have guided him through the last few months, we are very grateful and words are not adequate.

The words "thank you" is not enough to express the gratitude we feel. But "thank you" are the only words we have. Thank you for blessing him, for seeing a little spark of hope, for giving him this unbelievable gift of recovery. As he has recovered, so have we. The walk we walk is less confused and much happier. To hear him laugh and see him smile is heart-warming. Thank you both for all you have done for him and for all the others that have experienced peace and strength through SCRC.

You actually saved my life! And no amount of words can be enough to express my gratitude to both of you. There have been so many times that you had faith in me when I didn't have any faith in myself, and I will never forget that! That really meant so much to me that you have always had faith in me - you have helped me more than you will ever know! Thank you for never giving up hope!

You have made my life better and helped me to embrace all that I do and see. I'm extremely grateful to you all. SCRC and all the staff will be with me in my heart forever. I feel truly blessed to have come here and have the amazing help and support from you all. Thank you doesn't express how truly grateful I am. You help so many people and making a difference in the world. You have given me the ability to have faith in people, God and life. THANK YOU FOR A REMARKABLE LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE. MY GRATITUDE FOR THE CENTRE, STAFF AND RESIDENTS IS UNLIMITED.

I would like to thank you all so much for giving me life; what I learned from you while in the programme is the reason that I am alive today. I had a lot of personal problems that I needed to address, I was desperate and broken when I was driven up your driveway and know that I wasn't the easiest of cases to deal with. I sit here today one year clean and am so grateful to everyone involved that worked so hard with me. I give all the praise to the Lord, my God as I found Him while at SCRC and I know that it was His divine intervention that I came there. My previous longest clean time in 15 years was maybe 4 months at a push. You will always be dear to my heart.

My stay at SCRC changed my life. I had suffered with intermittent depression and addictive behaviour patterns long before my alcoholism became apparent, and realised that addressing my long standing problems was the only way I would be able to achieve life-long sobriety and mental health. I had been through various short term treatment programmes, both in private Residential Treatment Centres and with the NHS Outpatient services, and have had intensive periods of counselling and psychotherapy over the years. Being a psychologist myself, I also have much experience and knowledge about addiction, but none of this was enough to enable me to make any lasting changes to the negative thinking and behaviour patterns that kept me in addiction. SCRC miraculously achieves the combination of a very strict and disciplined structure within a loving, supportive, and empathetic atmosphere. The climate, outdoor life and beautiful setting are conducive to peace and healing.

I learnt so much about myself and I also learnt to have fun, and to laugh again. Rising from the depths of active alcoholism, with all its accompanying symptoms such as self-pity, self-destruction, guilt and remorse, I began to forgive. I regained my self-respect, my self-esteem, and I began to love myself – and there began a journey of recovery – and discovery! I found myself, and I found peace of mind at SCRC. Furthermore, I have kept it and am living it. I would recommend SCRC to anyone who requires a long term treatment programme and wants to improve their quality of life, above and beyond recovery from their addiction. Yesterday was my one year clean! I remember passionately trying to quit using and abusing drugs before I came to the Centre but I had no luck. I just didn't have the tools or knowledge or the relationship to God through Jesus that I needed to get clean and stay clean. That's all changed since coming to the recovery centre. I'm living a good life as result of this. I want to say thank you for giving me hope, inspiration, love and guidance.

I was made to feel very welcomed. Being in the centre was a life changing experience and I will be eternally grateful for the counsellors and residents aiding, arming and educating me with tools that I required to save my life!! I honestly don't think I would be here now without the power and love from everyone at SCRC.

I am so lucky that SCRC don't give up on the hopeless, and unlike so many other rehabs, you have the know-how and patience to deal with the worst cases like me. As I said you don't give up and I think this is unparalleled in the field of addiction and I am very grateful that you never gave up with me. Through your kindness you have saved my life.

I've been in so many rehabilitation centres but it was the first time I could feel such a big change in myself. I've never laughed so much in my life than I laughed here. I came to the centre a broken man, physically and mentally. I now feel that I am achieving some kind of peace within myself. For all these things I would like to thank you both and all the centre's staff, counselling, medical, administrative and domestic and all the other residents, and for you all to know that beneath my English reserve and often sullen and serious exterior, is the heart of someone who is very grateful for all the help I have received. Thanks for doing what you guys do so well. Thanks for listening, thanks for disciplining. Thanks for all the advice, and thanks most of all for giving me my life back. I'm thinking more clearly today than I ever have. You guys gave me my mind back to me. I also think that had it not been for the safety of the centre, and the dedication of the staff, I would not be standing today. In essence I have a deep gratitude to you both for starting the centre and making the commitment to change lives.

South Coast Recovery Centre has become far more than just rehabilitation down the South Coast but it has become our home and a landmark for many things: it's the place we met our Saviour Jesus. It's the place that transformed our lives, where we fell in love again. It's the place we forgave each other, so we were able to move forwards, which never judged us but gave us choices back. It's the people and presence of God that makes this place very special and unforgettable, which has taught me to dream again and the person to share this dream with. It's a place which has brought rest and peace in our hearts. Lastly, it's a place that showed me that I no longer have to run away from me.

You guys have been so loyal not only to us, but to each and every person that has entered the gates of SCRC. We are so grateful to you and your staff at the centre, their commitment to saving lives is selfless and absolute.

I sit in wonder and amazement at his remarkable recovery. This time last year we were in deep trouble and thanks to you and God's grace we are now enjoying life's blessing. Words are inadequate. I will be forever grateful to you for all you have done for our family.

I will never be able to thank you guys enough or repay you but will remain forever grateful. Thanks especially for being like my family while I've been here and your personal commitment to me. For helping me, correcting, disciplining, supporting and loving me. You've been a true example and inspiration and I will never forget you.

I want to thank you for being a blessing to my life. Your life is an inspiration to me and I will treasure my memories I have experienced in SCRC. Thank you both for being obedient to God's calling. If it wasn't for you I would not have made it this far.

You have given of yourself for my recovery and have fought for me when few would. You have shown me the way back to life, and you have led me down the paths where I was able to meet God.

It is safe to say that SCRC saved my life. You got yourself a team for God and a bunch of great spiritual demon fighters; they are amazing in my books. I have reached the stage in my recovery where I am finally able to say that I have earned my rightful place in society. I've got the tools needed for my life, I've done deep introspection on my heart and mind, and the results, I love… I am now able to manage my life, and the best thing of all, I am clear headed, off the drugs and able to make responsible decisions and choices. These results are all thanks to SCRC.

We were greatly impressed with the openness and transparency we encountered from everyone - residents, counsellors, support staff and yourself. The obvious dedication of you and your team was deeply affecting. We feel it is a great sadness that in the UK no SCRC style programme exists, with its emphasis not only on 'clean-up' but on equipping residents with the self-knowledge, skills and strength to take on the world. We have an overwhelming admiration, gratitude and support for what you and your team are achieving.

It really was a last attempt at rehabs when he went to SCRC. We knew this time was different as there were no 'ifs' or 'buts' and conditions from his side. Unfortunately, we had nothing more to give emotionally or knowledge-wise, and relied heavily on your experience and advice. For this we are very grateful, your whole programme impressed him and he spoke so often at how good it was. He still says it is the best place he has been and would always advise anyone on drugs to go there.

Looking at the changes that have taken place in my life and are in the process of taking place is too great for me to express my gratitude.

When I contacted you last year I really thought his life was over. The absolute devastation that I felt when I found out that he was using heroin, I cannot explain. I couldn't talk about his addiction without crying. I have seen my son's life turn around in 10 months that I never ever thought would happen. As he went through the programme with all the help from you and your team members, I saw him growing as I never thought he would. He really enjoys it down there, and apart from being in the safe environment, he really feels secure. Before he went to the centre he would phone me up to 15 times a day! It seems the co-dependence is coming to an end. I really wish there were better words than 'thank you'. They just don't seem enough after what he has achieved there.

You are probably unaware of half the good you have put into the world! You have our eternal thanks for the wonderful work you have done with him – he is once again the man we know and love and can be proud of. Thanks once again for giving him his life back and giving us our son back.

*Bernard se handskrif het verbeter, sy taalgebruik het verbeter, sy kleredrag het verbeter en HY IS NET SOMMER BAIE SAGTER as wat hy ooit voorheen was. Ek het altyd geweet as dinge by die pad kom waar Bernard geleer het om met geld te werk en ook dat hy minder arrogant is, DAN sou ek vir die eerste keer weet dat my kind WEL "verander" het. Dit is dan ook so. Daar is net een baie groot "VERANDERING" in Bernard! Ek wil u OPREG bedank ten opsigte van al die ure wat u ingesit het, die geduld wat u met Bernard gehad het, en ek wil baie dankie sê vir al die moeite wat u gedoen het om Bernard weer op die regte pad te kon kry. Wees egter verseker daarvan dat NIKS waartoe u bygedra het, net gesien sal word as vanselfsprekend nie. Ek vertrou dat dit toekomstiglik met u almal voorspoedig sal gaan, en mag God u seën vir die wonderlike werk wat u en u span doen.

I turned away from my old ways and succeeded in becoming the person I have wanted to be. My life has changed. Thank you for the discipline, love and support you showed me. Really without you and the Lord’s help I wouldn't be who I am today. Thank you and may God bless you, you children and the SCRC staff, residents and the centre. What we saw is very comforting to us. There are very few people like you, you have a great team. Keep up the good work. I pray for you guys every night. She is happy and contented and a pleasure to be around. Thank you, thank you, and thank you to all of you. Her sister is totally awestruck with the change in her older sister. In fact, we all are.

I'm writing this letter to say thank you for the time and effort you put into getting my life on track. Now that I am able to think clearly I really appreciate everything you have done for me. Thank you so much for never allowing me to give up on myself without you and the team at SCRC - none of this would have been possible. I can see God's hand in your ministry, and I commend you for the dedicated way in which you're fulfilling your calling. Keep up the good work.

We are very pleased with his progress and accomplishments since leaving SCRC. We know if he had not been placed in the centre for constructive treatment, we would not have this story of success to share with you today! We give all the glory to God for having undertaken in our son’s life, for allowing him to come under the sound, structured programme of the SCRC. Be encouraged to know that your work is indeed a blessing to many young people and their respective families.

Thank you for your unconditional love, support and sacrifice. You have taught us the true meaning of friendship. We will always honour and respect you both for the valuable difference you have made in our lives. You have given me back the woman that I have wanted to marry for the last 5 years. There is no material gift that we could possibly give that would match what you have done for us.

...thanks to SCRC I have my child back.

It has been the single thing that has amazed me above all that is your commitment to my recovery from the start. From the first time you prayed for me, when I broke down on the front porch to where we sit now, you have given of yourself for my recovery and have fought for me when few would...there is no amount of gratitude that I could ever express to show the feelings I have towards everything you have done for me. You have in essence shown me the way back to life, and you have led me down the paths where I was able to meet God. Love and appreciate you always.

My son has been to 5 rehabilitation centres, but this is the first REHABILITATION CENTRE he has attended.

There is not enough paper to write our thanks and gratitude.

Dear Conrad, Jean and Staff…Thank you for everything you people did to nurse me back to good health. If it were not for you, I do not know what would have happened to me.

Once again, thank you for the love and care and at times. I have purpose now and an excitement that fills my core!

Thank you for the many chances you gave this child of mine…. Above all thank you for running a place like SCRC where desperate parents like me, know that there is a programme to help our kids and with a Christian background.

Once again, thank you for being such a help to all families who have addicts. You are constantly fighting to help people break their addictions.

You are really appreciated.

I really wanted to write to you just to express my very sincere appreciation to you and your team for the incredible hard work and dedication you afforded us over the past five months. I really do not know what would have happened had our paths not crossed, and I believe that we are truly blessed to have your kindness and inspiration in our lives.

Thank you for your understanding, strength and support when I so desperately needed it. We wish you well and hope your positive outlook on life can be transferred to those in need, as you did so wonderfully for me.

Thanks for everything you've all done for me at South Coast Recovery Centre. It has been such a good experience and change for my life, and I could not have done it without any of you. I want to thank all of you for making me realise that there is so much more in life and so much more to live for. My journey begins now and with God on my side, I've got faith that I can live a good live.

I would like to thank you so much for the wonderful work you are doing at your centre. It is wonderful to see how the Lord works through you to repair the broken souls you are given to care for.

Ek wil u opreg bedank ten opsigte van al die lang ure wat u ingesit het, die geduld wat u met ons seun gehad het, en ek wil baie dankie sê vir al die moeite wat u gedoen het om *Bernard weer op die regte pad te kon kry. Wees egter verseker daarvan dat NIKS waartoe u bygedra het, net gesien sal word as vanselfsprekend nie.

"Ek wil u Opreg bedank ten opsigte van al die lang ure wat u ingesit het, die geduld wat u met ons seun gehad het, en ek wil baie dankie se vir al die moeite wat u gedoen het om Bernard weer op die regte pad te kon kry. Wees egter verseker daarvan dat NIKS waartoe u bygedra het, net gesien sal word as vanselfsprekend nie"

What I would really like to say is that my life has changed and that I thank the Lord for what He has done for me, for SCRC and their guidance, support, the love and the patience they showed towards me to get me on the right track. To the residents for the help and the advice they gave me. Most of all to Conrad and Jean for the discipline, love and support they showed me. I want to thank the Coopers for everything they have done for me. Without them and the Lord’s help, I wouldn't be who I am today and where I am today. Thank you and may God bless you, your family and the SCRC staff, residents and the centre.

I thank God for this place of miracles. If it weren't for the SCRC I know I would have headed for destruction and a life filled with misery. Once again thank you all for the love and care you have shown me.

A comprehensive assessment was done by the team and we came under the impression of a well-functioning treatment Centre that provides an OUTSTANDING service. The demand for your service serves as an indicator of the success of your interventions.

During an inspection held at South Coast Recovery Centre in August 2003, the Department was impressed by the OUTSTANDING quality of service and programmes offered.

There is such a big change that I don't know where to start. Firstly, the fact that she is gaining self-confidence – she walks up straight, head and chin up, look me in the eyes, before she would walk shoulders and head forward, not look us in the eyes and had no self-confidence. Secondly, she actually had conversations with me, which she could never do. She even shows emotions – in church she took my hand and told me she loves me (she never use to do things like this). Thirdly, it was a pleasure walking around in the shopping centres with her, because she didn't ask for anything; before she wouldn't go anywhere with me unless I spent money on her and she would close up completely if I did not buy her what she wants. Another very very important thing I realised was that she accepted the word NO! She asked me if I would give permission for her to phone / contact friends of hers and I said no. She did not ask again. Her whole attitude has changed from negative to positive! I told her how proud I am of her and love her very much and she just bloomed. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and your staff for what you are doing with these young children. I will also continue praying for all of you. God bless you all!

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