By Zuko Komisa
Unpacking the journey of overcoming addiction and finding your peace.
Point of View with Phemelo Motene spoke to Thabang Moleya, a multi-award-winning filmmaker, who unpacked his journey of overcoming addiction and finding peace.
LISTEN TO THE FULL CONVERSATION HERE:
Addiction is not a sign of weakness or a deficiency in one’s character, and overcoming it requires more than just resolve.
Thabang Moleya opened up about his battle with alcohol and substance abuse and being clean.
He touched on the challenges he encounters every day to ensure that he doesn’t go back to a life of alcohol and substance abuse.
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Consequences of alcohol addiction
“What I learned in treatment was that there are people who can do this and function, and there are people like myself who can do this and there are consequences. The thing is they start small like I miss a meeting, or there is a family thing I don’t attend because I am too tired and recovering.”
It’s a long journey
“I have experienced people who have everything, who have kids and there’s a close friend of mine who is really struggling… once this thing gets a hold of you, all of those things you have become secondary. Your priority is asking yourself, ‘how do I escape my reality’, whatever substance you use to escape, it is still a form of escape… You don’t consider anything but your needs.”
“Not having a platform to talk about how feel”
“I think the common thread with addiction is not having a platform to talk about how you are feeling, an outlet. Even with my close friends and people in my life, I try to make it an intention to ask, how are you and how are you feeling, because I know how important it is tot be asked that inn return.
The National Department of Social Development 24-hour Substance Abuse Helpline – 0800 12 13 14
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