An interview with Chesley Olivier – Careworker at Hesketh King Treatment Centre
Who am I?
My name is Chesley and I am a recovering addict. I have been working as a Youth Careworker at Hesketh King Treatment Centre since January 2021. I used to be a Club league soccer player and my dream was to further this dream, however I started to need money to support my son and girlfriend. I was given the opportunity to volunteer at HKTC (HKTC) and started doing this and eventually was offered a position as a Careworker in the Youth Programme
When did I start using substances and what was I addicted to?
At the age of 12 I started using Tik (Crystal Meth) in grade 6 while living at home. I got involved with the wrong friends and was in trouble all the time. I had a difficult time at school due to the fact that I suffered from epilepsy and using Tik helped me feel part of a group. I was included and did not feel left out or looked down on. I first started using drugs over the weekends and became addicted to Tik, which carried on for 13 years. My dad has his own business in the community and I would break into the safe at the office and steal his hard earned money that he used to support our family. We are a family of 3 children, I am the middle child.
How and when did I realise that I needed help?
At the age of 15, I was madly in love with a young lady and her mother told me that I needed help and if I wanted to carry on seeing her daughter, I needed to get my act together.
Through the help of Social Workers, I was admitted to the Youth Programme at HKTC and completed 7 weeks and managed to leave sober. While I was in the programme, my girlfriend cheated on me and I was devastated as I was getting help in order to be with her. A month after completing the youth programme, I stumbled and picked up the dirty habit and started using Tik again.
My dad did not tolerate this behaviour and eventually put me out his house. This continued for a couple of years. At the age of 21, I needed to get help or I was going to destruct completely from the Tik addiction. My parents gave me the best 21st party ever with lots of friends and I got lots of monetary gifts, which helped feed my addiction. I was abusive to my dad and stabbed him with a knife. My dad eventually got a court order stopping me from coming home and had me locked up. I got so tired of this kind of lifestyle. The boss where I was working was shot and killed and this was a huge turning point for me. I needed to get help.
How did I land up at HKTC?
Of my own accord, I went to the social workers and asked for help to get into a programme. I attended a few programmes and eventually got into the HKTC adult programme.
On the 11 July 2013, I came for an assessment at HKTC and was interviewed by Mrs Plaatjies (who is still at HKTC). I did not know that I would be admitted to HKTC with immediate effect. I had arranged for a party on the Saturday but this did not happen, however since I had been in the Youth Programme before, I had an idea of what was going to happen. Instead of 7 weeks, this was a 12 week programme. I only came with the clothes on my back and nothing else. My mother and father left me there and came back to bring me everything else that I needed. There was no way that they were going to take me home for one last party.
I was given 3 options of where to receive help but I chose HKTC as I knew this has a spiritual treatment and was not just another rehabilitation centre.
How did the programme help me?
The programme gave me insight into the 12 steps to sobriety. I felt like I belonged to The Salvation Army and I knew what I wanted. The therapy sessions were tough as I did not like to speak out and kept things to myself. Mrs Plaatjies had and still does have a huge impact on me getting the help I needed.
When did I sense the transformation in my life?
The day that my sister, my mother and father came to visit me, with my then girlfriend (now wife) they could see that there had been transformation in my life. Every class that I attended, every individual session, I grabbed with both hands.
When I went on ‘Home Task’ for 4 days leave from the programme, I knew exactly what and who I wanted in my life. My girlfriend still wanted to be with me and we were wanting to build our own family life. We celebrate our 4th wedding anniversary on 28 February 2023 and God has blessed us with 2 children (boy (9) and a girl (4)).
If I never made the choice to come to HKTC, I would probably not be a sober man today or have a beautiful family.
When did I give my life to God?
I gave my life to God as a teenager but fell by the wayside, but while I was in HKTC, I recommitted my life back to God.
How long have you been sober?
This year, on 11 July, marks 10 years of sobriety and I could not have done this without the help of God, Mrs Plaatjies, my wife, my parents and the willingness to change.
Words of encouragement to all….
Be yourself, put God first and the rest will follow, continue to take one day at a time.