Addiction and Recovery

Chris is an addict in remission of the incurable chronic mental health disease known as "addiction". On the 08th November 1982, he took his last drug, and day by day, one day at a time, 14956 days later he was invited to share his experience, strength and hope at the Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in Paarl. He has accepted his condition of addiction and by doing so has learnt to love himself as well. The journey continues.

Chris West-Russell was interviewed on eNCA - Addiction Awareness Week -“The fight against drug abuse”

Chris West-Russell was interviewed on eNCA regarding Mental Health Week in regard to chronic mental health disease Addiction.

East Coast Radio presenter Jane Linley-Thomas. In an exclusive interview with Jane, a mother from the Upper Highway area has candidly spoken up about how her son got addicted to heroin unknowingly, and how he went from being someone she loved to someone completely different. He was a 15-year-old boy from an ordinary home in the Upper Highway area. He was home-schooled, obsessed with animals, and mountain bike riding. Now he's sitting in a rehab facility after being addicted to heroin - an addiction he was unaware of.

This is the first episode of six "Understanding Addiction". Chris is a recovering addict who is in remission of the disease of addiction and is now an addiction counsellor. He has been in remission for multiple years and through his own experience during active addiction and recovery,  he has recorded his perception and understanding of the disease of addiction that was never explained to him. Chris hopes that giving his own story, will give this important information to those caught in addiction, the families of addicts, and those who are yet to active their addiction disease.