The abuse of drugs and alcohol is certainly a hot topic in society and is also a source of conflict between friends, family and other sections of society. We will not seek to tell you how you should behave or to label you as a drug or alcohol abuser.
It is unfortunately all too easy to become overindulgent with these substances and this can quickly lead to dependence. There are many risks associated with the abuse of these substances. These include the damage one does to your own body, and to the relationships of your family, friends and acquaintances. Your work life will also suffer which will lead you down a spiralling dwindle.
There are various ways in which alcohol and drug abuse can be classified, including:
- Abstinent – this means that you don’t use drugs and alcohol at all
- Controlled – people will make a conscious decision not to abuse these substances are able to stop when they want to
- Impulsive – the use of the substances is unpredictable and can easily lead to unexpected harm and accidents. However, there is still not continual alcohol and drug abuse at this stage
- Habitual – the use of drugs and alcohol have now become a very important and significant part of the person’s life and stopping becomes harder and harder as the problem progresses.
- Dependent – there is a definite sign of high alcohol and drug abuse in the person’s life with psychological and physical dependence on the drug. The use of these substances disrupts the person’s life and they won’t be able to stop without professional support.
If you are in need of alcohol and drug rehab then you can reach out to any of the treatment facilities available in South Africa.
There are many different kinds of treatment centres that are available. There are some institutions that work with a 12 step Programme and introduce addicts to Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics to Alcoholics Anonymous. Then there are also residential and non-residential institutions that use medical, spiritual, and psychological guidance practises to counsel the recovering addicts.
Find the institution that works best for you and go on the path to recovery.
Being professionals in the alcohol and drug addiction recovery industry enables patients come to us with alcohol and drug abuse problems and we work with them to help them achieve sobriety.
Drug addiction and alcohol abuse is never an easy topic.
No one is able to take on the journey to sobriety on their own and it is for these and other reasons why we encourage our patents families and friends to actively be involved in rehabilitation and therapy.
Our experienced staff will help you to start your journey to rehabilitation.
We will work with you to help you make amends to the people in your life that has been wronged, and to help you restore the most important relationships in your life. Many people fall back into their addictions after leaving alcohol and drug rehab. The reason for this is because they were completely unprepared for all the challenges they would face in their daily lives and the many curveballs that life would throw at them.
In response to this we teach you the necessary and required tools and coping mechanisms to face all of these challenges head on and to not fall back into the same destructive patterns.
Every person is an individual.
No one person will react the same to addiction and this is why we don’t believe in a one size fits all solution. Instead, we approach your addiction and therapy in a holistic manner and will work with you to help you make a success at the rehabilitation.
Addictions are certainly tough for everyone involved. You should remember that it is not about the destination with alcohol and drug rehabilitation, but instead about the journey. You will need to wake up each day and make a conscious decision to avoid taking the substances to which you are addicted. We will work with you to help you achieve the life that you are after and to keep your sobriety in check. Even though you won’t always be able to stay at the alcohol and drug rehab we will help and support you all the ways and times we can, and teach you the skills you will need to keep up with your sobriety when you leave the centre. Recovery is possible and you can lead the life of sobriety that you want to.
You can also find helpful tips when struggling with addiction, whether you or a family member need help, we will guide you every step of the way.
Contact us today!
Alcohol and drug abuse is considered a mental health disorder, and is explained by a maladaptive pattern of drinking alcohol or using drugs that effects your life negatively, be it at work, medically, legally, socially, or from an education point of view. A person that abuses a substance continues to do so despite these concerns.
Typical warning signs or factors that could lead to alcohol and drug abuse are:
- Repeated behaviour of excessive consumption and then complete abstinence over a period of time.
- A dependence on alcohol or drugs usually establishes itself between the age of 18 and 25 years of age.
Some of these behaviours can indicate alcohol and drug abuse. If you feel it’s a concern in your life, then maybe you need to consider the following. One of the first stages of alcohol and drug abuse is having access to the substances, rather than using it. The second stage involves experimentation or occasional use. When this progresses to regular weekly consumption there is cause for concern because this can lead to higher levels of consumption. The third stage involves using the substances on a regular basis and consistently increasing the frequency of consumption.
This can also include buying or stealing. In the fourth stage, consumption is regular and there is a sense of preoccupation with getting drunk, intoxicated or high. Problems have developed in their social lives, education, and family lives as a result of this consumption. The final stage is when the person is feeling like normality can along come with the use of alcohol or drugs. Other risk-taking behaviours can be included such as stealing, physical fighting and recklessness like driving under the influence. It is the most vulnerable stage and dangerous for everybody involved.
It is important to monitor your own behaviour to make sure you are not creating a problem for yourself and abusing alcohol or drugs to the point of recklessness. It is dangerous, not only for your well-being but for those around you, friends and family. Knowing what the warning signs and stages are may help you in preventing a situation of alcohol and drug abuse.