We are currently a Substance Abuse prevention, intervention, addict rescue, education, rehabilitation and addiction counselling and support group consising of recovered addicts with a passion and a purpose.

We are made up of recovered and recovering addicts with more than 20 years of experience who came from a common background of destruction and pain that we called "lives". Our common ground being the drug dens, crack houses, night clubs, rehabilitation centres, prisons and support groups of Southern Africa. We come from your corporate office blocks, schools, neighbourhoods and communities; we are the guys or girls next door. We were your unwanted and until now... un-needed.

As recovered addicts we and other recovered addicts are the undisputed experts of addiction and how to beat it, because we did so ourselves. We can offer you more insight and expertise in any field related to drug abuse and addiction, whether prevention, rehabilitation, criminality or detection than anyone else: professionals, lawyers, doctors and psychotherapists included, for one simple reason: Personal Experience

Most people take drugs because they want to change something about themselves. Most of these people aren't content with just being themselves. They think drugs are a solution but eventually they become the problem. All drugs are essentially poisons, they affect the body and mind and block off sensations – both the desirable and undesirable ones. Contrary to popular belief they destroy your creativity and ability to think. They completely wreck your self confidence and self worth and will bring you to your knees. Drug and Alcohol abuse only ever has three outcomes – Jail, Institutions or Death.

We consist of recovered and recovering addicts with more than 20 years of experience who come from the common background of destruction and pain. Our common ground being the drug dens, crack houses, night clubs, rehabilitation centre's, prisons and support groups of Southern Africa. This cumulative experience is put to its most valuable use through the rehabilitation centre, which has been in its currently location in Walkerville – just South of Johannesburg – since November 2009.

We do things a little differently to secular rehabilitation facilities: we believe that labeling a person an addict for the rest of their lives is detrimental to the recovery process because we strongly believe that when Jesus died on the cross at Calvary, he died for our sins. John 8:36 says "Therefore, if the son sets you free, you are free indeed". What previously addicted persons need to learn to do is to walk in that freedom. Recovery through, and a personal relationship with the Lord, Jesus Christ, is developed and taught daily, not only through the Bible but also through the recovery program "Celebrate Recovery" which has an estimated international success rate of 50% which is quite remarkable since other recovery programs only claim a success rate of between 1% and 3%. We feel that a minimum 6 month period is required for new behaviors to be learned but we advise a 12 month program for best results.

Recovery is taught, not only through consequential thinking but also through affirmation and upliftment. Residents are encouraged to get involved in projects at the centre that will enhance their natural ability. This also provides an opportunity for residents to not only learn basic skill sets like growing vegetables but also more advanced skill sets such as woodwork, plumbing, electricity, car mechanics and body work etc. You can see more about these projects on the Gallery page of this site.

Mens Rehabilitation Centre

What you will notice when first arriving at the centre is the lack of high walls and/or security guards. This is a conscious decision as we firmly believe that by confining people, you remove choice and that tends to make people feel trapped. Whereas, at Walking With Winners, we believe recovery is a choice and when a person is motivated to make correct choices, as opposed to being forced, the correct decision is often the first decision and correct decisions and choices are what recovery from drug addiction and alcoholism is all about.

The Walking With Winners Primary treatment facility is a restricted environment where addicted persons are removed from society while being treated for drug or alcohol abuse. The centre’s daily program looks something like this: Wake up at 06:00 and because routine is vital, ablutions must be completed by 06:30. At which time residents will do a couple of routine chores around the house such as sweeping, mopping and wiping down of surfaces. Breakfast is at 07:30 followed by a Bible Devotion at 08:00. Devotion is normally completed by 09:00 at which time residents have a break and continue the morning with the Christian based recovery program Celebrate Recovery.

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays begin as above and are then followed by lunch after which the residents are required to work, either on projects such as the vegetable garden, gardening, woodwork, mechanics or painting. Work is complete by 16:00 during summer and residents have free time until supper at 18:30. After supper residents can choose how to use their free time – either with their recovery work or a cell group or even praise and worship band practice. Outdoor sports activities are also a part of the program on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Full program details are available on request.

Walking With Winners life recovery centre is conveniently located just south of Johannesburg in Golf View, Walkerville, which allows the centre to operate free of the hustle and bustle of a city lifestyle yet close enough to be within families reach. Should they be required, we are less than 4km from doctors and dentists rooms and have a nurse as well as a psychologist within close proximity on 24hr standby. Unlike most other faith based and secular rehabilitation centre's we pride ourselves on an open door policy and are also one of the only rehabilitation facilities in the country that, should we be requested to do so, will fetch your loved one from a drug den or "crack house".