Cat, also spelt “khat,” or “chat,” belongs to the stimulant class of drugs and is derived from an evergreen flowering tree that is indigenous to East Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula. In countries such as Ethiopia, Yemen and Somalia, the cat drug is legal. Chewing its leaves is in fact, a deeply entrenched part of the culture within some of these countries, with a reported large number of students using cat to concentrate for prolonged periods of time. Unfortunately as we know in the recovery field today, cat, like other stimulants is addictive and when abused, can have devastating effects on one’s physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
There is simply no “one size fits all” solution to drug adduction treatment. Years of experience in dealing with people from different backgrounds, socioeconomic groups and nationalities has given the treatment team at Crossroads Recovery Centres, invaluable insights into how to listen to and meet the needs of different clients. Everyone who enters the treatment process, needs to be met halfway. Counsellors, life coaches and wellness practitioners who work in the recovery field, are always willing to help, but drug addicts need to want help and most importantly, they need to put in the necessary action to get that help and be guided by the professionals.
Cat Drug Treatment Programmes
Treatment programmes for the cat drug are generally not differentiated from treatment for other drugs. A recovery programme will include group therapy, individual counselling sessions, life skills workshops, exercise and wellness programmes and an introduction to the relevant 12-step fellowship where necessary. Each client will be assessed and supported on a case by case basis in order to introduce them to life in recovery in a way that brings with it a sense of hope, positivity and belonging.
During the treatment process, recovering addicts will be informed about the disease of addiction and in the case of cat drug users, recovering addicts benefit greatly from leaning more about the drug – its effects on the body and mind and what is required to achieve long-term recovery.
If you or a loved one is in search of help for addiction, know that help is readily available. Contact us for a free consultation and we’ll support you in your journey.
The encouragement, love and support from the team at Crossroads allowed me to eventually see that I was worth something - that my life could be turned around and that I could accomplish the things that had long been a forgotten dream.
On the last day of my stint at Crossroads I could only express gratitude towards all who works there. A wise councillor once commented on my question when one is ready for rehab by explaining that when one is ready for rehab, rehab is ready for you.
I was lost and my soul was broken until I ended up at Crossroads and was introduced to the Twelve Steps. With the help of their excellent staff and amazing support I have recently been clean for 18 months, I could not have done it without them!
"Just for today I am more than three years in recovery. I have Cross Roads to thank for this wonderful gift. Cross Roads helped me to set a firm foundation in my recovery on which I can continue to build."
Relapse occurs when someone returns to substance use after a period of abstinence. It is a common setback among people recovering from addiction. In fact, many individuals in recovery experience more than one relapse in their lives.
Staying
sober takes time, practice and commitment, and a relapse does not
mean treatment has failed. Addiction is a brain disorder that causes
people to engage in compulsive drug use despite knowing the physical,
legal and social consequences.
People in recovery from this disease may return to heavy drug or alcohol use. A number of factors can cause people to relapse, but long-term recovery is possible for those dedicated to living healthy, sober lives.
Factors that Can Cause A Relapse
Completing rehab does not guarantee sobriety. After leaving treatment for substance abuse, people often return to environments where they once used drugs. Certain people, places and things from a person’s past can bring about memories of substance use, which can induce urges that may lead to a relapse.
The risk for relapse can be influenced by the duration of addiction. For example, a person in recovery from long-term alcoholism has a higher risk of relapsing than someone who seeks treatment for an alcohol addiction that has lasted less than a year.
A number of factors can increase the likelihood of relapse, including succumbing to triggers or failing to seek out aftercare services upon completion of treatment for addiction.
Triggers
Triggers
are thoughts, feelings, sensations, situations and relationships that
cause someone to drink or use drugs after a period of abstinence. For
example, driving past a familiar drinking establishment, such as a
bar or restaurant, may generate cravings in some people in recovery.
Triggers
can arise when people feel sad or attend a social function where
alcohol is available. Other triggers include stress, lack of sleep
and various physical illnesses.
Communicating
with individuals who engage in substance abuse is a common trigger
for individuals in recovery. Friends who do drugs or drink heavily
might also pressure people to engage in substance use after addiction
treatment.
Failing to Seek Further Assistance after Rehab
Many people who complete rehab do not adhere to their treatment plan. They may think treatment cured their disease, but a relapse can still occur. Taking proper steps to remain drug-free can increase a person’s chances of maintaining sobriety during recovery.
Aftercare services provide extended care after rehab. These services include psychotherapy, 12-step education and other prevention programs that help people avoid triggers that commonly lead to relapse. Many treatment centres encourage clients to engage in aftercare services.
These
programs may also include sober housing, which are substance-free
homes for people in recovery. These environments allow residents to
support one another in abstaining from drug or alcohol use.
Access to a strong support system is important for preventing a relapse. Family, friends, recovery coaches and peer mentors can provide immediate support and encouragement to people experiencing challenging times.
Other Factors that Lead to Relapse
Several
internal or external factors can cause a relapse that delays recovery
from drug or alcohol addiction.
Fatigue
Physical
or mental exhaustion can lead to fatigue, which can affect everyday
tasks. Too much stress can create urges to numb physical or
psychological pain with drugs or alcohol.
Depression
Depression
is a mental health disorder that often co-occurs with addiction.
Depressive thoughts can cause people to oversleep, lose interest in
hobbies or have difficulty focusing. People experiencing depression
in recovery may be tempted to use drugs to find relief.
Physical Pain
In addition to psychological issues such as depression, physical pain is associated with relapse. A 2016 study published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence found that decreases in pain levels may lower the risk for alcohol relapse.
Dishonesty
Many
people in recovery are dishonest about feelings such as anger and
resentment. As a result, they may make excuses for not accomplishing
tasks, or they may become more easily frustrated with others. These
feelings can steer someone back to substance abuse.
Self-Pity
People in
recovery may be disappointed that they can no longer attend parties
or go to the bar with friends. Feeling sorry for oneself or dwelling
on negative circumstances can be dangerous because these thoughts can
lead to relapse.
Unemployment
A 2011 study found that unemployment increases the risk of relapse after rehab treatment. Researchers found that risky drinking, which includes binge drinking or heavy alcohol use, is more common among the unemployed. They also found that unemployment is a risk factor for substance use and addiction.
Mindfulness
Activities Might Help Prevent Relapse
Recovery
takes time. Further treatment may be needed after an initial stay in
rehab to help people reach long-term sobriety. During recovery,
individuals should attend counselling or 12-step meetings, such as
Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous.
A variety
of factors can cause someone in recovery to relapse. However,
engaging in aftercare services such as 12-step programs or halfway
houses can reinforce strategies to stay sober. Individuals who
experience chronic stress or feelings of depression should seek
further assistance to avoid relapse.
Why Relapse Isn’t a Sign of Failure
Addiction
relapse is akin to relapse for other chronic diseases.
Addiction
relapse is common. Studies suggest that approximately half of all
individuals who try to get sober return to heavy use, with 70 to 90
percent experiencing at least one mild to moderate slip. In other
words, not many people say, “I want to get sober,” walk into a
treatment centre, and never use drugs again.
In this
way, addiction is very much akin to other chronic diseases. As with
chemical addiction, patients with chronic illnesses such as diabetes,
asthma, and hypertension frequently fail to comply with their ongoing
treatments – relapsing, if you will, oftentimes with dire
consequences.
Thus, no
matter the chronic disease, it is ultimately up to the individual to
adjust his or her lifestyle and assume responsibility for managing
his or her own care. Unfortunately, removing the drug (detoxing) is
the easy part. Changing the behaviours that compel the addict to use
is significantly more difficult.
The encouragement, love and support from the team at Crossroads allowed me to eventually see that I was worth something - that my life could be turned around and that I could accomplish the things that had long been a forgotten dream.
On the last day of my stint at Crossroads I could only express gratitude towards all who works there. A wise councillor once commented on my question when one is ready for rehab by explaining that when one is ready for rehab, rehab is ready for you.
I was lost and my soul was broken until I ended up at Crossroads and was introduced to the Twelve Steps. With the help of their excellent staff and amazing support I have recently been clean for 18 months, I could not have done it without them!
"Just for today I am more than three years in recovery. I have Cross Roads to thank for this wonderful gift. Cross Roads helped me to set a firm foundation in my recovery on which I can continue to build."
Addicts and alcoholics lie to cover up their addictive behaviour for a variety of reasons, so don’t take it personally. Here are some of the reasons why addicts compulsively lie and how you can try to deal with this behaviour effectively.
Addicts Lie to Avoid Confrontation
Addicts often want to
avoid confrontation because they’ve used their addictive behaviour
as a coping strategy for so long, they often don’t have other
well-developed ways of dealing with the stresses of life.
When tackling a
difficult topic, try to stay matter-of-fact about it. Use language to
reflect your own perspective, rather than blaming the addict.
People With Addictions Don’t Like Forced Change
Addicts tend to have a
stubborn streak. They know their behaviour isn’t in anyone’s best
interests, especially their own, but have decided it works for them.
Eventually, addicts can
and do change, when they realize the consequences of their behaviour
will continue to worsen unless they do something differently. They
often lie about the extent of their addictive behaviour, because they
want to avoid you pressuring them to change.
Try to provide
information that might influence the addict in your life to make up
their own mind to change, instead of trying to persuade them to
change.
Addicts Want to Escape Negativity
Addicts often see their
behaviour as a kind of holding pattern, hoping things will work
themselves out and the addiction will disappear.
They don’t want you
to remind them about the negative aspects of their behaviour,
especially if it is in a blaming way. When an addict feels constantly
criticized by loved ones- they lie to cover up their behaviour.
Try to focus on what
will be better if things change, not what will be worse if they don’t
change.
Loved Ones Enable Lying
You know your loved one
just lied because you know what really happened, but for some reason,
you allow them to lie without letting them know that you know.
This sends one of two
messages:
“You told a lie and I
didn’t notice – so if you lie again, I might not notice next time
either.”
“You told a lie and I
did notice, but I’m pretending to believe you – so if you lie
again, I’ll pretend I believe you that time as well.”
In this case, either
avoid discussing the subject completely or simply state what you know
happened, rather than going along with the lie.
Life Without Addiction Can Seem Like a Void
An addicts life
revolves around their addictive behaviour. Although they plan to quit
“one day”- for today, life without their addiction seems
frighteningly empty. If you don’t understand how this emptiness
drives people back into their addictive behaviour, they will tune in
to that, and lie to shut you up.
Mention in a kind and
positive way what you would like to see happening rather than the
addictive behaviour, preferably before the addictive behaviour
becomes part of your routine.
Addicts Feel Ashamed
Addicts often make the
people around them behave in ways that cause them embarrassment and
regret. Their own behaviour causes them similar shame as well. When
you point this out, they lie to avoid feeling ashamed.
Going along with an
addict’s lie is a form of enabling that may avoid outward
embarrassment, but will not do anything to relieve your loved one’s
inner emotional pain.
Crossroads Recovery Centres is a group of private alcohol and drug rehab centres located in Gauteng, South Africa. If you are looking for assistance with drug or alcohol addiction, contact us for more information.
The encouragement, love and support from the team at Crossroads allowed me to eventually see that I was worth something - that my life could be turned around and that I could accomplish the things that had long been a forgotten dream.
On the last day of my stint at Crossroads I could only express gratitude towards all who works there. A wise councillor once commented on my question when one is ready for rehab by explaining that when one is ready for rehab, rehab is ready for you.
I was lost and my soul was broken until I ended up at Crossroads and was introduced to the Twelve Steps. With the help of their excellent staff and amazing support I have recently been clean for 18 months, I could not have done it without them!
"Just for today I am more than three years in recovery. I have Cross Roads to thank for this wonderful gift. Cross Roads helped me to set a firm foundation in my recovery on which I can continue to build."
“Most people are prisoners, thinking only about the future or living in the past. They are not in the present, and the present is where everything begins.” – Carlos Santana.
Using the
illustration of what it takes to play the guitar with skill, we look at
what it takes to maintain sobriety. Recovery from addiction involves the
learning of new skills and it takes commitment, dedication and many,
many hours – and there will be parts of it that you will not enjoy. Acquiring
a new skill means you are required to learn, you need to teach yourself
and you need a feed-back mechanism in the form of a teacher or a coach
or, in the case of recovering from addiction – a sponsor. In order to
make progress, you will need to learn about your disease. You will need
to make sure that you are not blindly repeating the same mistakes over
again, and that you cannot do in isolation.
I hope you enjoy the podcast.
This podcast was recorded as a series of lectures given to people in 12 step addiction
recovery treatment. The purpose of these talks was to teach and
motivate individuals to search for their own spiritual solution to their addiction.
Please feel free to contact me directly or go to our site for more information:
The encouragement, love and support from the team at Crossroads allowed me to eventually see that I was worth something - that my life could be turned around and that I could accomplish the things that had long been a forgotten dream.
On the last day of my stint at Crossroads I could only express gratitude towards all who works there. A wise councillor once commented on my question when one is ready for rehab by explaining that when one is ready for rehab, rehab is ready for you.
I was lost and my soul was broken until I ended up at Crossroads and was introduced to the Twelve Steps. With the help of their excellent staff and amazing support I have recently been clean for 18 months, I could not have done it without them!
"Just for today I am more than three years in recovery. I have Cross Roads to thank for this wonderful gift. Cross Roads helped me to set a firm foundation in my recovery on which I can continue to build."
