Drug and alcohol abuse take its toll on thousands of South Africans every day, but no matter how hopeless the situation seems, it is never too late to turn things around by seeking help. On this week’s episode of Sisters Without Shame, Samantha Lehoko shares insights into her journey of sobriety after battling addiction.
Through the 12-step program Lehoko was able to turn her life around. In her journey towards making amends, she also landed a directorship position at the NPO, Rise Against Domestic Violence which was founded by survivor Zen Williams. Lehoko shares her journey of giving back through the organisation.
A turning point
In the episode Lehoko, a well-known media personality shares details of how she ended up in the grip of addiction. She recently celebrated her second sober anniversary.
“If anything, this journey that I have embarked on has been life-changing,” she says.
“When you don’t know who you are, you are not able to articulate what serves you and what doesn’t serve you. For a long time, I was exposed to an industry that I didn’t know very well, I think just as a coping mechanism I turned to substances and alcohol. When I lost my dad in 2020, that for me was perhaps when I hit my rock bottom.”
‘Recovery, renewal, hope’
Grief is not linear, she says. It took 11 months for her to come to terms with her father’s passing. During her bereavement, she made those first steps towards recovery.
“It took 11 months for me to come out of the denial. Months after my father passed, I stopped and took a good look in the mirror and told myself I don’t like who I am. It is not so much about the alcohol and the substances; it is about the behaviour,” she says.
“The behaviour, the emotional instability, how we respond to things and how we respond to things [under the influence], that was probably my turning point.”
On this episode, Lehoko also unpacks:
- The 12-step treatment program.
- Re-emerging victorious against the odds.
- How Rise Against Domestic Violence helps victims/survivors of domestic violence.
Listen to the full interview on Sisters Without Shame
Spotify: Click here to listen on Spotify (all mobile and other devices).
Apple Podcasts: Click here to listen on any Apple device.
Google Podcasts: Click here to listen on Google Podcast.
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