Of great concern to nurses at SANCA Wedge Gardens substance use treatment centre in Johannesburg is the use of a combination of crystal methamphetamine (meth) and dagga. According to SANCA Wedge Gardens’ deputy complex manager Estelle Raath, meth is a powerful stimulant that acts on the central nervous system. “Most patients intentionally use meth and… Read more

SANCA Wedge Gardens’ nurses are up for the challenge and are kicking their habits in support of SANCA’s Kick Your Campaign this week. For many nurses, their chosen profession brings lots of rewards, including a sense of satisfaction from making a positive difference in patients’ lives. On the other hand, nursing can also be stressful.… Read more

By: Adele Nel, Trauma Psychologist at SANCA Wedge Gardens treatment centre There’s no doubt that our habits can make or break us. Kick Your Habit is a national SANCA campaign that takes place from 21 to 27 June, to create awareness of the complexities surrounding addiction and dependence.  The aim is to challenge everyone to… Read more

Boksburg-resident Sean Kelly (37) celebrates three years of being clean from heroin on 12 July. Born in Mbombela (Nelspruit), Sean moved around a lot. “I mostly grew up between Benoni, Roodepoort and Johannesburg,” he says. When he was 12, Sean started smoking, drinking and using marijuana. “I started using mostly because I felt that I… Read more

The #SANCAKickYourHabit for one week challenge takes place this year from 21 to 27 June to raise awareness through experience, by challenging individuals within our communities and country to stop using one ‘thing’ for a week and experience, albeit briefly, what a substance dependent might go through in treatment. Listen to the radio adverts below. Read more

In honour of National Nurse’s Week 2021, Estelle Raath from SANCA Wedge Gardens treatment centre had the following to say to all of Wedge Gardens’ nurses: “I acknowledge the work you perform every day. What a fortunate time to publicly share this recognition. I am so proud of all the nurses who work at SANCA… Read more

SANCA Wedge Gardens Treatment Centre’s part-time occupational therapist Caryn Berman says occupational therapy (OT) has a huge role to play in substance use disorder rehabilitation. She works with men at the rehab centre who are in the process of recovering from various addictions. Men at the centre work in groups, that can take the form… Read more