Testimonial

I had spent years researching cocaine addiction because of my husband. I had read countless blogs, been to countless support groups, spent thousands on books and research that may just give me some insight into my husband’s cocaine addiction. 
Jason had done the rehab thing. 4 times in two years, and just over R200 000 later. Each time he came out full of hope and promises. Each time within weeks of coming home he was using again.
I had given up on our marriage, given up on him. It was as if no-one could help him. I had called an attorney to start divorce proceedings, and being a family friend, he told me to give it one more try. “Have you tried everything, I mean everything, to save your marriage?” he asked me. I said yes, for sure, of course. He slid a card over the desk. “You are not alone. Go check out these guys. They helped me. Maybe they can help you. If they can’t, I’ll set up the papers immediately…”  

I left his office a bit confused. I got home and called the number on the card anyway - I had nothing to lose. A friendly voice answered and I once again poured my heart out to this stranger about Jason’s addiction.

Later that afternoon I sat in a coffee shop with Quintin from ADA. He explained addiction to me in a way that I had never thought of. He explained the Clear Option treatment program to me, and also why rehab would not work for Jason. The program worked completely differently to anything I had ever heard, but it actually made sense! Their holistic approach was what made me sit up and listen. I realized that I had much to learn and change about myself , before I could deal with my husband’s addiction. 

I called Jason and told him about my meeting, and begged him just to talk to Quintin, which, after three days, he finally did. 

He came home after the meeting, and looked at me with the eyes of the Jason I had met 18 years ago. “I’m trying this,” he said, “but I’m not promising anything.” 

That was just over a year ago. Today, I have my “old” Jason back. It was not easy. The program lasts 4 months, and they were the hardest 4 months of our lives.

I had to deal with the trauma of what Jason’s addiction had done to our family, to see the addiction as a condition, and also how to really support him through his recovery.

Jason learnt to live life on life’s terms. No more excuses. He had a therapist and a recovery coach. Between Jason, the team and me, his addiction had nowhere to hide. Yes, we still have arguments (which couple doesn’t?), but now they are about real issues, not made up ones just so he can leave the house to use. It’s been a struggle, but we are getting there, and I know we will make it, because now there is just me and Jason, and not his other wife - his addiction!

Without the Clear Option, I would have no other option, thank you guys so much!

*Jane asked that in order to protect their privacy, that her and her husband’s identity be changed.

For more information about the Clear Option, call 011 402 2678

Is rehab in South Africa working?

The simple answer is no.
More and more parents and loved ones are contacting ADA-SA to complain about the fact that they have sent someone to rehab, and within days after leaving rehab, the person was using again.
Right there I usually ask the question, “So why did you send them to rehab in the first place?” which is usually followed by a blank stare or snotty remark like, “Well, that’s where addicts MUST go!”
No. No. And for a little bit of emphasis – NOOOOOOOO!
Most, I’m not saying all, but most addicts do not need to go to a rehabilitation centre. Agreeably there are certain cases in which a rehab is more suited to the situation, however, that is perhaps10% of the time, and is usually in extreme cases.
Why don’t rehabs work?

1. Rehab is the perfect place for the addict to once again escape the responsibility of the damage they have caused. “If I go away for a few weeks or months, they will forget how bad I was” or “The drugs aren’t working anymore, let me clean up a bit in rehab, and they’ll work better once I am out” are excellent excuses for addicts.
2. Rehabs force a “one size fits all” program onto the patient. We are all different. We have different backgrounds and lifestyles. A 17 year old teen with from a wealthy background, and that has a marijuana problem is shoved into the same program as a hardcore heroin addict of 30 and a 43 year old alcoholic who has just lost his business and is getting a divorce if he does not go to rehab. What do they have in common? NOTHING! Surely a program that is tailored for each specific person would be more successful?
3. Parents love the idea. It’s a great way of getting rid of the problem for a while. Why actually deal with the problem when we can send the problem away to be fixed?
4. Rehabs become part of the addictive cycle. It’s an easy “out” for the addict. If things are getting to harsh in life – let’s go to rehab.
5. Not much “treatment” happens in rehab. Group therapy – which boils down to a bunch of addicts moaning and bitching how much they miss drugs – twice a week, hot stone massage in high price rehabs, psychiatrists who are more than willing to substitute the addict’s drug of choice with prescription meds, or extreme religious indoctrination are so called “forms of therapy”. Actually dealing with the root causes of the addiction is never really dealt with. It’s easier to give the addict a 12 step workbook and let them read about how terrible they are than to actually deal with the problem.
6. Three square meals a day, a nice warm bed, and a safe environment away from the addict’s life. Addicts in rehab struggle to reintegrate because of this. Nothing in their home environment has changed. Wouldn’t a program that teaches them to cope with their own problems in their own environment work better? Teach them to cope with the dealers, the friends and the circumstance, as it happens, AND THEY WON’T NEED THE DRUGS!

Further reasons why rehab does not work for everyone includes:

• If the addict is a breadwinner, or a student, they simply cannot afford to be away from work or studies for even a short while.
• Most rehabs offer the same approach.
• Affordability. Rehabs can cost anything between R20 000 for 3 weeks to R120 000 for a few months.
• Many rehabs simply substitute the addict’s addiction to illegal drugs for legal prescription medication!
• Research into addiction has shown it to be something completely different to what rehabs tell you.
• Rehab treats the symptoms – not the root cause!
• Addiction is a family problem, not only an addict problem. The entire family needs to be treated!

What is the answer?
The Clear Option out patient treatment program has been designed specifically to fill in all the blanks that rehab has not dealt with.
Treating the addict for the root cause of their addiction, as well as the family for the trauma they have experienced.
Certain brain chemicals are depleted with addiction, so supplementing the addict with completely natural, non-habit forming supplements that kick start the natural production of these chemicals is vitally important.
The Clear Option offers sessions via Skype for those who are not close enough to travel, and is very reasonably priced. We can deal with patients worldwide, from the comfort of their own home, thanks to the wonders of technology!
Should you wish to find out more about The Clear Option, call our offices at 011 402 2678 or alternatively call Quintin van Kerken at +27769687978.
. ADA-SA fully endorses The Clear Option.

Drug Awareness Talks and Training

There are many speakers in South Africa who currently do talks to schools, businesses, churches and corporates regarding drugs, but one in particular is making waves.

Quintin van Kerken is the name on everyone's lips at the moment. But who is he?

Quintin currently runs a highly successful media and communications company, and is well-known throughout the media industry for his graphic design, editing and journalistic prowess. What many do not know or realise is that up until a few short years ago, Quintin was fighting a horrible addiction to drugs.

Heroin, cocaine, cat, tik, ecstasy, marijuana, LSD, mushrooms are all drugs that Quintin was well acquainted with.

“I was once asked what I was addicted to – heroin, cat, E, LSD, cocaine – and I asked if I had to choose only one...” he says.

Quintin tailors his talks to each audience, ensuring that the message is heard and understood by every listener.

“You have to know how to reach your audience. If it's a high school, I'll put on jeans, a cap and make sure I've got some serious bling earrings in. If it's a lady's tea, I tend to put on a suit and tie. Language is also very important; teens speak a very different language to a woman's auxiliary group,” Quintin tells us.

There's not much you can teach Quintin about drugs. “Drugs were a big part of my life for over 10 years. I made it my business to know everything about them. I manufactured drugs, I distributed and sold drugs, and I abused them as well. I made it my business to know all the effects and side effects as well.”

Quintin's story will amaze and shock you. “My heart has stopped twice, I have had rival dealers put hits out on me, I have done things for drugs that would make the average person nauseous, and I know exactly how it feels to have a gun put against my head and the trigger being pulled...”

For more information, contact Quintin at quintinvankerken@gmail.com, or alternatively call him at (+27) 81 577 7715

Quintin also offers families help with interventions, counseling and advice.

Quintin is the founder of the Anti Drug Alliance South Africa.

Old News Articles

Attached are recent news articles about Quintin van Kerken

Drug Talks in South Africa

There are many speakers in South Africa who currently do talks to schools, businesses, churches and corporates regarding drugs, but one in particular is making waves.

Quintin van Kerken is the name on everyone's lips at the moment. But who is he?

Quintin currently runs a highly successful media and communications company, and is well-known throughout the media industry for his graphic design, editing and journalistic prowess. What many do not know or realise is that up until a few short years ago, Quintin was fighting a horrible addiction to drugs.

Heroin, cocaine, cat, tik, ecstasy, marijuana, LSD, mushrooms are all drugs that Quintin was well acquainted with.

“I was once asked what I was addicted to – heroin, cat, E, LSD, cocaine – and I asked if I had to choose only one...” he says.

Quintin tailors his talks to each audience, ensuring that the message is heard and understood by every listener.

“You have to know how to reach your audience. If it's a high school, I'll put on jeans, a cap and make sure I've got some serious bling earrings in. If it's a lady's tea, I tend to put on a suit and tie. Language is also very important; teens speak a very different language to a woman's auxiliary group,” Quintin tells us.

There's not much you can teach Quintin about drugs. “Drugs were a big part of my life for over 10 years. I made it my business to know everything about them. I manufactured drugs, I distributed and sold drugs, and I abused them as well. I made it my business to know all the effects and side effects as well.”

Quintin's story will amaze and shock you. “My heart has stopped twice, I have had rival dealers put hits out on me, I have done things for drugs that would make the average person nauseous, and I know exactly how it feels to have a gun put against my head and the trigger being pulled...”

For more information, contact Quintin at quintinvankerken@gmail.com, or alternatively call him at (+27) 76 968 7978.

Quintin also offers families help with interventions, counseling and advice.