Drug addiction knows no boundaries and doesn’t pick or choose who it will affect. Celebrity drug addiction is commonplace today in the business, and it is just spotlighted more because of the high profiles of today’s celebrities. It’s not uncommon to hear about another celebrity entering rehab for drug addiction. The list can read like a Who’s Who of Hollywood. Big names like Whitney Houston, Keith Urban, Charlie Sheen, Robert Downey, Jr., Ricky Ric, Zahara and Drew Barrymore, to name just a few, have all been through drug rehabilitation for their addictions, and the list is much longer than that! Why do so many celebrities fall prey to the perils of drug addiction? Just like people who are not in the limelight, celebrities deal with different stresses in their lives. The difference is that their stresses are much larger in general than everyday people. They have to deal with paparazzi, managers, critics, the media, and every word they say is noted and commented on. There is a lot of insecurity in the world of fame and fortune. When celebrities feel that insecurity so strongly, they look for a way out, an escape from their problem – that escape is often drugs. That’s not even taking into consideration the price that comes with sudden fame. When celebrities go from being everyday people to being thrust into the spotlight, they often have trouble adjusting. Leading a private life doesn’t become an option as their every move is followed and their rises and falls are noted sometimes with scorn from fans. There’s something that goes along with celebrity in that many stars feel as if they’re almost immune to the possibility of becoming addicted to drugs. It’s a matter of having so much money, they figure, “Why not, I won’t get addicted”. Being a celebrity is a hugely stressful profession and actually, they are more prone to drug addiction because of that stress. Celebrity drug addiction is really no different from non-celebrity drug addiction. It is just as serious and just as difficult to quit. That is why so many celebrities are seeking out rehab facilities in an attempt to kick their habit for good. Places like Promises and The Betty Ford Clinic are brimming with celebrity patients seeking to overcome their drug addiction. The good news is that with celebrity drug addiction becoming so well-known, more people are less afraid to seek out treatment for their own addictions. They realize that if the people they look up to – celebrities – can fall victim to drug addiction, so can they. And if those same people are strong enough to be treated for that drug addiction, they can be strong as well. At Clearview Clinic we have a team of qualified expects who are available to answer any questions that you may have. 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!
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Why do some people choose to use drugs when they’re so bad for you? The causes of drug addiction are as varied as the amount of drugs that are available for use – both legally and illegally. There is no one cause for drug addiction just like there is no consistent profile of a drug user. People who have a history of drug use or abuse in their families are at risk for drug addiction problems. It has been proven that children of alcoholics will exhibit addictive tendencies. Children of alcoholics or drug users generally have low self-esteem and see their parents escaping from problems using drugs. When they see this, their minds say that this is the way to act and they themselves become users. There is also a biological basis for causing drug addiction. Drugs alter the brain’s chemicals and the way the brain functions. Drug addiction creates dependence in the brain by changing the brain’s reward functions – the part that reinforces certain behaviors. Prescription drug addiction is caused by the person’s inability to function without the drug in their system. People become addicted to prescription drugs because they usually are taking them to overcome some type of pain. They begin to feel that if they are not taking their pills, the pain will return. Some people are more prone to addiction than others. People who have low self-esteem, are often depressed, and who feel they have no control over their lives will often turn to drugs as a way to cope. They often feel they can’t please the people around them so they have to change themselves in order to fit in. The change is made easier by using drugs because the drugs transform them into someone and something that they are not. Stress is often attributed as a cause of drug addiction. Life can be very stressful no matter who you are. Some of us are better able to cope with stress than others. Others still just look for an easy way to forget their stress – and that easy way is through drugs. Once the drug use starts, it’s often difficult to get away from it because the stresses will still be there once the high is gone, so the user feels he or she needs more drugs to cope. That type of cycle leads to addiction. Finally, drugs are easily accessible. They are available in many places if you just ask around for them. Because of that easy access, it’s more likely that a person will begin using eventually becoming addicted. The causes of drug addiction are wide and varied. The key to stopping drug addiction is to get rid of those causes before they become a problem. It is also important to get help when you notice that the drug use is now in control of you or your loved one. At Clearview Clinic we have a team of qualified expects who are available to answer any questions that you may have. 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!
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Drug addiction is the subject of many books that are out on the market today. When you have an epidemic that so many people suffer from like drug addiction, writers often make that epidemic the subject of their books in the hopes that they will be able to help people recover from their problems and leave their unhealthy life behind. Walk into any bookstore, go to the self-help section, and see how many books there are on drug addiction. For those who are struggling with addiction, it can be a soothing sight. If you have a loved one with addiction, it’s a comfort as well to know that there are so many tools available for you to help your loved one beat their habits. A quick search on www.amazon.com or www.takealot.com for “drug addiction recovery” shows over 200 books available for sale. That’s a huge selection to choose from! There are also a number of e-books available online that can be purchased and downloaded often for just a little bit of money. These e-books are often written by very qualified people who have researched the subject in-depth and brought together information from various sources. The advantage to buying an e-book is that you don’t have to pore through several different websites to get information plus, you can usually download them any time of the day or night. How convenient is that? You don’t necessarily have to buy a book on drug addiction. There is a wealth of information available at your public library as well. Most libraries will let you keep your book for an extended period of time as long as you continue to renew the check-out. What should you look for in a book on drug addiction? Actually, a lot! First, look at the author. Are they a medical professional or a therapist? Do they have the qualifications and credibility to write a book on drug addiction? Is the book organized well and easy to read? Does it have chapters that apply to your particular situation? When you look over the index, see if anything interests you or looks like it’s something you have never thought about when it comes to drug addiction. Of course, price has got to be a big factor when you are choosing a book on drug addiction. Will you be getting the information you need for the money you will be spending? Most books will be priced in the R50 to R500 range at the bookstore. E-books are generally much cheaper, so keep that in mind when making your selection. If you are dealing with a drug addiction or have a loved one with a drug addiction, books can be great resources for getting help with the problem. Being pro-active when it comes to the situation you are in makes recovery from drug addiction a slightly easier road to travel. When you are armed with information, you’ll have the tools you need! At Clearview Clinic we have a team of qualified expects who are available to answer any questions that you may have. 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!
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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!
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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.
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