The Aurora Alcohol and Drug Centre in Bloemfontein, like most other services, had to close on 26 March 2020 due to the national lockdown.
With patients in mind and despite challenges that lockdown had brought about, the centre remained active on social media platforms and is still planning to start virtual support group meetings.
According Senior Social Worker, Marietjie Landsberg, they had an online “Kick your Habit” campaign during the month of June. This campaign was aimed at raising awareness of the challenges people face when they quit the use of a habit like drinking coffee, smoking, using sugar, etc. Landsberg explained that during lockdown enquiries and requests for admission have steadily increased.
“A large number of enquiries have been received from shelters for the homeless requesting admission. We have also received numerous requests for admission of youth under the age of 18.”
She added that the Covid-19 regulation of social distancing has enforced the bed capacity in the Aurora Youth Centre to a limit of six people. The management board had previously decided to open the centre when the country moves to level 4.
“The regulations with which the most recovering patients are struggling are social distancing and the prohibiting of social gatherings.” The social distancing regulation prohibits the centre to host any support groups at Aurora. The weekly support groups normally hosted by the centre create the opportunity for the recovering patients to stay connected to others in recovery, check in with the therapists of the Aurora Centre and receive some motivation to keep them focused on their sobriety.
According to Landsberg, many patients in recovery have reported feeling disconnected, isolated and lonely and research has shown that loneliness is one of the biggest triggers for a relapse. Many activities that recovering patients enjoyed before had to be cancelled.
“Our aim is to keep the daily operations as normal as possible. Our multi-professional team keeps on presenting the therapeutic programme in groups and individual sessions.”
Support staff members who assist the therapeutic team to present the programme are on duty. The Covid-19 regulations are strictly implemented and enforced to keep patients and staff as safe as possible.
Sazly Hartzenberg
