Addict-turned-equine therapist Tash Curtis shares her remarkable story of recovery and self-discovery at the Healing Wings Centre. <\/p>\n
Recovering addict Natasha Curtis is almost four years sober and has now dedicated her life to helping others liberate themselves from addiction.<\/p>\n
Fondly known as Tash, she runs the equine programme at the Healing Wings Rehabilitation Treatment Centre located on the outskirts of Nelspruit in Mpumalanga.<\/p>\n
The programme uses equine therapy (also referred to as horse therapy) to help others overcome addiction.<\/p>\n
In 2016, Tash arrived at the centre in desperate need of help for herself. She battled with alcohol and drug abuse as well as an eating disorder.<\/p>\n
Tash remembers how her addiction tore her family apart as her parents tried unsuccessfully to \"fix her\".<\/p>\n
She retells her story, which includes a suicide attempt and relapsing after being admitting to a 21-day clinic.<\/p>\n
I started to see that I'm a whole lot confident when I'm intoxicated.<\/p>\n
It became easier to \"be myself\" but it was actually not me. It became an alter ego and didn't come naturally when I was sober.<\/p>\n
I destroyed the family for along time. I was so blinded by it. I was in denial. I didn't see it.<\/p>\n
She says she found herself and freedom at Healing Wings after years of struggling with her self-esteem and anxiety.<\/p>\n
I started to see the wood for the trees and realised that life is a rollercoaster. When you're in a dip, it's not the end of the world. It's how you climb out of it. Your people around you. Your community.<\/p>\n
Tash also met her fiance, David Lacey, at centre after she first became a volunteer.<\/p>\n
David is counsellor and coordinator at Healing Wings and works with the young boys at the facility.<\/p>\n
He escaped 13 years of addiction in Singapore and began his healing at the rehab centre, where he later moved up to become a staff member.<\/p>\n
The centre runs an adult treatment facility as well as a youth centre (for ages 12 to 19).<\/p>\n
It's made up of both external, professional experts and people who've walked the addiction and recovery path.<\/p>\n
Visit the Healing Wings website for more information about the help they offer.<\/p>\n
Listen to the moving discussion On The Yellow Couch with Pippa Hudson: <\/p>\n
Thumbnail image: Healing Wings website. <\/p>\n
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Excerpt from: <\/p>\n
'How I overcame my addiction and found my freedom at the Healing Wings Centre' - CapeTalk<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Addict-turned-equine therapist Tash Curtis shares her remarkable story of recovery and self-discovery at the Healing Wings Centre. Recovering addict Natasha Curtis is almost four years sober and has now dedicated her life to helping others liberate themselves from addiction. Continue reading