Drugs and alcohol abuse are a virus that has been spreading in South Africa for a long time. It’s a growing problem in our society, and alcohol and drug addiction has become a tough nut to crack, so to speak. Drugs and alcohol make people feel good. When they are able to feel those feelings, they are apt to use more just to maintain that feeling. Eventually, the drugs and/or alcohol take hold of a person’s life until they are completely controlled by the effects they are used to. They may realize they have a problem, but when the painful withdrawal symptoms start, using seems like a much better option than suffering. South Africa has declared a “war on drugs”. This is a great effort, but it might just be too big of an epidemic to control. The real truth is that if we take a personal interest in healing those around us, we can gain control of the problem one person at a time – if we’re lucky. Recognizing the signs of alcohol and drug addiction are actually quite easy – when you know what you’re looking for. While the following signs are just suggestions to look for, don’t take them lightly: Chronic bloodshot eyes Behavior other than normal Always disappearing for long periods of time Problems with work or school Excessive shaking or tremors Financial problems Avoidance of social situations Spacey or unintelligible conversation If you recognize any of these signs in a loved one, you should take steps to confront your loved one and try to steer them towards recovery efforts. The process is not simple, but when you take the time to help them realize that what they are doing is damaging not only themselves but those around them, they will possibly be more open to help. Alcohol and drug addiction can be debilitating to families all over the world. It takes hold of lives and can ruin them in an instant. Drug and alcohol addiction are very serious diseases that should not be ignored. If you think you or a loved one might be struggling with this powerful problem, seek help now! There are more resources available now than ever before when it comes to drug and alcohol addiction. Whether you seek out help from an in-patient rehab facility or through a counseling service, it’s imperative that help be gotten in any way. Drug and alcohol addiction can be conquered, but first, there needs to be an admission that a problem exists. That doesn’t mean weakness, that actually means strength! At Clearview Clinic, we follow a holistic in-patient rehabilitation program for individuals struggling with drug addiction. Call today on +27 12 819 1422 or +27 61 424 1939 (24/7) or email us, for an assessment. Its better now than later!
There is a reason people become addicted to drugs. The psychiatric aspect of addiction to drugs can be very powerful. Our minds are very complex and the thoughts we have can become rulers in our lives. Because we are these complex beings with the capabilities of thinking and reasoning, we often discount the mind as just a small part of who we are. Nothing could be further from the truth. The psychiatric implications of drug use are ever prevalent and can wreak havoc in the lives of someone with an addiction to drugs. What exactly are we talking about? The psychiatric aspects of the mind and how our mind can control our lives is something mental professionals have known about for a while now. It’s time you learned yourself. For example, if you are the child of an addict – whether it be a pot-head parent or an alcoholic parent, your mind begins to justify your own marijuana use or alcohol use as being alright. After all, if your parents are doing it, it can’t be all bad for you – right? Well, that’s what your mindset becomes. Drugs also have an effect on the brain. It’s a proven, scientific fact that addiction is a brain problem. When you start using drugs, your brain gets used to having that drug around. When it’s not present, your mind starts “talking” to you and you believe what it says – that you must have that drug to function. What can you do to try and beat the psychiatric implications of drug addiction? The best answer to that question is to get some help. That means talking to a counselor or health professional about your addiction and asking ways that you can overcome your addiction. There are many programs available to people who are dealing with drug addiction. They treat both the mind and the body, because you will be going through some withdrawal symptoms when you decide to stop doing drugs. With professional help, you will be able to successfully conquer the hold that drug addiction has on you, your life, and your mind. At Clearview Clinic, we follow a holistic in-patient rehabilitation program for individuals struggling with drug addiction. Call us today on +27 12 819 1422 or +27 61 424 1939 (24/7) for an assessment. Its better now than later!
Group therapy is a very significant part of treatment centres and it offers people that have alcohol and/or drug problems support that they need to understand the roots of their addiction and pay attention to healing themselves by looking into problems that hold them back and learning a number of ways to deal with them. (Montgomery C (2002) 34–41) The set up or rather setting of a group therapy session usually involves a therapist and participants with problems that are related. Sessions take up to 60-90 minutes usually depending on the number of participants. This time frames are pretty much most suitable to cover extremely important topics and allow moments of discussions, feedback and support. You can find that some of the times when patients begin attending a group session, some of them are still in denial that they have a drug/alcohol problem. Whilst others may feel shy or nervous in sharing their story/experiences within a group setting. But just like any challenge or obstacle, one will need to overcome obstacles that prevents forward movement in recovery. Recovery is not only possible but it’s a reality. Group therapy sessions cover a whole number of different topics. A lot is learned and discussed. In a group therapy session, you learn a number of things including but not limited to the following: – Recovery skills – Effective interpersonal and life skills – Stress management skills – Forgiveness and communication – Letting go of emotional wounds Unlike one on one therapy session, group therapy sessions offer a great opportunity to speak and get to know other people that have similar issues in a safe and supportive environment. You will also get to hear their stories shared and possibly learn or get inspired by them. What’s great and beneficial about substance abuse/addiction group therapy is that participants can learn new behaviours like role playing and engaging with others in not only receiving valuable feedback and insight from other members of the group but by also getting support and motivation from recovering peers.
I’m 31 years old, born and raised in Pretoria. I’m the third child to my parents. I’ve always had a good sense of humour. I like sharing my humour with my family, friends and pretty much anyone I meet. I just love making people laugh, smile and feel good about themselves. Eight (8) years ago I used to regularly drink beer with friends and at times I would smoke marijuana. When it came to my work as a graphic designer, jokes aside, I always did my work and made sure I was good at it. I once heard about heroin and how addictive it is. I knew a couple of my cousins that were addicted and said they couldn’t stop using even if they tried. I was amazed by how people that I knew, grew up with and used to play with are addicted to this drug. Even their uncle and parents were afraid of them. I found myself asking the question “how easy is it really to get addicted to heroin?” I had experimented with drugs but I was just curious to try heroin. I found out that it has morphine and morphine is a pain killer. I told myself that I would be careful and smart about it and only take it once and perhaps over the weekend now and then to experience that feeling one gets from taking it. This one time I was out with my friends to celebrate my friend’s birthday. I managed to get my hands on heroin and brought it to the party. I showed it to my friends but they showed no interest in taking a hit with me. Me being myself, I wasn’t going to let it go to waste. I took a fix. After a while I felt intense euphoria, deep contentment and relaxation. I loved it. That feeling I experienced was so relaxing but I told myself I would be careful not to overuse and only try it once in a while. I wanted more but I had to be careful not to get hooked. So I told myself that I will stop whenever things looked like they were getting out of hand. One day of using turned to two days. After the first two days in succession I stopped taking heroin because I told myself I can. The following day I found myself on the floor in my bathroom next to the bath tub shivering, sweating and experiencing unbearable stomach cramps. I thought I came down with a bug. I remembered Heroin, the feeling I get from taking that fix. I figured it will work and take this pain away. I managed to get a fix and another one and another one just to try to feel better to stop these feeling of pain. This became a habit and I continued using for four (4) years. What for me started as a naïve curiosity turned into addiction that continued for years. How easy is it to get addicted to heroin was my question then. It’s easy to get addicted to heroin, that’s my answer now. I didn’t like this route that I was taking, I tried stopping by myself but I would always go back to using. Four (4) years of worrying my family, 4 years of hurting people close to me, 4 years of not being able to manage my life. I felt lost and it’s only after these years I realised that I’m not only hurting my body but I’m also hurting my loved ones. I started finding out about recovery programs that were available to help individuals that were struggling with heroin addiction. I was afraid to begin or enter into any program because I couldn’t imagine being at a recovery centre and not having access to my drug of choice. But With the support I got from my friends, parents and the professional health care providers I met with and who had not lost hope in me recovering from heroin addiction. I went into a recovery program. I attended the inpatient program and ever since I got out I have been clean for 4 years and counting. When I was still addicted to heroin I kept telling myself that it’s impossible to stop using this drug but I found support and help to stay clean. This just showed me that no matter how hopeless a situation may seem, recovery from any drug problem is possible.
Addiction is a condition which involves doing things that can be pleasurable persistently or repetitively despite their consequences. Continued use or an act of compulsive behaviour can interfere with ordinary responsibilities such as work responsibilities, family, health and relationships. Sometimes people get addicted just after a few times of exposure or act. Something to think about is how your drug use makes you feel. Do you only do drugs when you are with your friends or has your use of drugs become a habit? Ask yourselves the following questions: Are you fearful of what might happen after you stop using? Have you ever felt you needed to cut down on your drinking or drug use? Do you spend most of your times thinking about how or when you going to use drugs or drink alcohol? Have you ever felt you needed a drink first thing in the morning (Eye-opener) to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover? Do you use drugs to escape negative feelings? Have you ever been in trouble with the law as a result of your use of drugs or alcohol? Are you uncomfortable about your drug or alcohol use? Have you ever experienced withdrawal symptoms (felt sick) when you stopped taking drugs or stopped drinking? Do you have blackouts or can’t remember what happened after consuming alcohol or drugs? Do you steal from loved ones to buy drugs or alcohol? Have you had medical problems as a result of your drug use (e.g., memory loss, hepatitis, convulsions, bleeding etc…)? Do you spend large amounts of money on drugs or alcohol? If you answered yes to most of the questions, then you are likely to have drug/alcohol addiction problems. Drugs and alcohol change how the body works. For other people drugs serve as a way to escape reality, life problems, and relief from stress, depression or other uncomfortable feelings. Cravings may also indicate Addiction. When you get addicted, the addiction develops strong and powerful mental cravings when the drug/ alcohol is not in your system. According to Leshner A (Addiction is a brain disease, and it matters.) Science (1997) “Addiction generates changes in the reward pathway of the brain, which creates compulsive need to find and use drugs.” This makes it difficult to quit using or taking drugs once your habit has developed to addiction. Addiction is scary and it may lead to thinking that there is no hope of recovering. The truth is that recovery from addiction is possible. It can be managed with treatment in an inpatient rehabilitation, counselling and outpatient treatment centre depending on the level of addiction. Support and positive attitudes also play a significant role in the recovery process. If you are actually an addict or headed the direction of addiction, seek professional help.
The fact is that life has its ups and downs. This can be as a result of a chain of personal or professional sufferings. As individuals we have different ways of coping. Some of us tend to cope with our hardships by resorting to the abuse of substances including alcohol or other forms drugs that will not only affect our health negatively but can add more suffering to our personal or professional hardships as well as affect others that are around us negatively. Imagine going out one night to meet up with a friend at a bar where you went to drown your sorrows. Having one too many glasses of wine and the next thing finding that you crashed into a car at a stop light on your way home. Finding that two of the passengers in the car you crashed into are seriously injured and there is no one else to blame but you, the drunk driver. There is absolutely nothing worse than knowing your actions have hurt innocent people. The feeling that you get from this is shame and guilt. You feel like you don’t deserve to live, that it should have been you instead because you are experiencing hardships and you feel like your life is miserable, worthless and lonely. Lamia, M. (Emotions: the engine of attention, (2010) p.81) points out, that “the feeling of guilt, blame and shame is the most dangerous especially when you are experiencing your own personal or professional hardships”. The feeling of guilt causes you to experience mental discomfort and pain. No person likes the feeling of pain. So when you start feeling that pain you end up telling yourself that you need to numb or do something to help you forget about this pain. Overcoming Guilt Overcoming guilt doesn’t need to be lifelong journey. Taking the right steps and action plan can make the feeling of grief and shame temporary. Here are a few things you can do to combat the power that guilt has over you. Share your feelings with a loved one or talk to someone or people that are in the 12 steps program. Consult a professional mental health practitioner like a psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker. Share goodwill. Nothing beats the spirits of giving back. Doing good or helping others will assist you to focus off yourself and your problems. Give a helping hand to those that can use your help. May it be animals or people.