What is Denial ACTUALLY and How To Navigate Through It? Denial is the refusal to accept a past or present reality and is employed to protect us from a number of things: our own negative traits, repeated memories of the negative actions of other people and guilt for our past actions, thoughts or feelings. It...
Asking For Help
How Do I Break the News that I Need Help…. Reaching out for help can be a daunting process which leaves you lost for words and riddled with anxiety. But the chances are by the time you muster the courage to admit you have a problem, those who care about you would have already sensed...
How To Select The Best Rehab
Finding the right treatment programme can be the difference between healing and recovery. It is a life-changing decision and its impact is lasting because addiction makes you a prisoner in your own mind and the correct treatment can set you free. So what are the key factors to look out for when choosing a treatment...
Misconception of Rehabs and Addiction
Because of the myths surrounding addiction, it is important to unpack the term and arrive at an understanding of its true nature. Essentially, addiction (now referred to as substance-use disorder) is a psychological disorder. One misconception is that we are born with an addictive personality or a set of traits which predisposes us to develop...
Misdiagnosed Addiction and Trauma
The complex phenomenon of trauma can have a number of psychological effects on the human mind and our emotional repertoire. Trauma dated back to our early childhood can manifest in a host of psychiatric conditions in our adult life. Compounding this is the fact that trauma is linked to substance abuse as a means of...
Addiction Explained
Addiction is characterised by behaviours that include one or more of the following: impaired control over drug use, compulsive use, continued use despite harm, and craving. There are questions you can ask yourself to find out whether you suffer from an addiction: Do you have compulsive engagement with the substance or behaviour and find that...
Understanding The Role of Trauma in Addiction
Trauma can be defined as any event, experience or encounter which we perceived as distressing. It leaves a lasting impact on our emotional makeup and worldview, which we often only realise long after the event has passed. Traumatic experiences can be overt such as losing a loved one, being neglected, being exposed to physical violence...
The Stats on Drug Addiction in South Africa – Stop The Drug War
Addiction Statistics The drug problem in South Africa has been on a continual rise, especially in the last few years. Methaqualone (Quaaludes), cocaine, marijuana (known as dagga in South Africa), and heroin are all drugs that are becoming increasingly popular. Dr. David Bayever from the government drug control organization, known as the CDA, is quoted saying, “The drug problem in South...
Healing Emotional Trauma
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is rooted in unprocessed, irrepressible and lingering emotional responses to traumatic events or circumstances that an individual witnessed or experienced. PTSD sufferers may be aware of the circumstances that triggered their symptoms, but are usually not qualified to effectively identify, evaluate, diagnose or resolve the underlying psychological problems it fosters. In...