Substance abuse affects different people in different ways. Often when we think about the signs of addiction, we may think only of the physical symptoms and neglect to consider the mental and emotional symptoms. However, the latter may be even more profound than the physical effects. Do you think a loved one or someone you know may have a substance abuse problem? Below are some of the symptoms of which to be aware.
Emotionally, substance abuse can lead to the user becoming increasingly lonely and withdrawn. Addiction lends itself to increasing levels of isolation. Many addicts in recovery attest to having felt alone or lonely even when surrounded by people who cared about them. Some refer to this feeling as the ‘hole in the soul” – a feeling that becomes progressively worse as the addiction develops.
Anxiety and depression are both common symptoms of substance abuse. It is well understood in the medical profession that addiction can exacerbate underlying or existing mental conditions. In the long-term, this can produce feelings of extreme paranoia, confusion and even hallucinations.
Physically, the symptoms of substance abuse vary according to which drug is being used. However, common symptoms include lethargy, fatigue, general ill-health and insomnia, which ultimately leads to increased levels of agitation and irritability. Certain drugs, such as crack cocaine and heroin for example, can cause advanced tooth decay, while others like cat, can cause respiratory illnesses and heart conditions.
The nature of addiction often strips the user of feelings of self-worth and self-esteem, making them feel like something is inherently wrong with them. The user may even feel abandoned by those around them despite ardent attempts to help them. Many addicts refer to this state in retrospect as being one of “spiritual bankruptcy.” Fortunately, what we have learnt is that it is never too early or too late to arrest the disease of addiction and begin the process of healing on all levels, one day at a time.
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.
No Obligation Addiction Assessment
Book a No Obligation Confidential Assessment at your nearest Treatment Centre Today.
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."
Are Crossroads Recovery Centres Open During Lockdown?
15 April, 2020Articles, News
The
onset of the Coronavirus and its spread to South Africa has made an indelible
mark on the social and economic fabric of society. At first it may have seemed
like an isolated problem, but the dramatic upsurge in the number of infections
during a short period of time pointed to the harsh reality of a national
crisis. As such, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the country would
enter into a mandatory state of lockdown starting on 27 March 2020.
What Lockdown Means for South Africa
The South African lockdown was recently extended by two more weeks and is currently scheduled to continue until the end of April 2020. During this time, all non-essential services will remain closed. Grocery stores, pharmacies and a select few essential businesses will be permitted to remain open. South Africa’s borders are officially closed, and a strict ban has been placed on the sale of alcohol and cigarettes, as well as dog-walking and exercising outdoors.
What Lockdown Means for Rehabilitation Centres
South Africa’s lockdown has meant that a number of businesses have had to close their doors to the public. Many rehabilitation centres, some of which frequently admit international clients, have also closed during this time. However, due to the nature of rehabilitation and the role it plays as a treatment method for addiction, recovery centres are permitted to remain open, provided that stringent screening processes are followed.
We are Open
Crossroads Recovery Centres will remain open during lockdown and we will continue to admit clients for both substance abuse issues as well as process addictions. To protect all our clients as well as our therapeutic team, we will ensure that any clients are screened accordingly, to ensure that everyone at the facility remains safe. We recommend during this period, that potential clients or their families contact our admissions team in Johannesburg and Pretoria to seek advice on how to proceed with the admissions process. Alternatively, you can request a call back via our website by filling out the form provided – we will ensure that a team member reaches you timeously. It is indeed a challenging time for us all, particularly in the rehabilitation centres field, which is why we’re ensuring that we abide by strict hygiene measures and do everything we can to provide a treatment space that is 100% safe.
If you or a loved one is in search of help for addiction, know that help is readily available at our rehabilitation centres. Contact us for a free consultation and we’ll support you in your journey.
No Obligation Addiction Assessment
Book a No Obligation Confidential Assessment at your nearest Treatment Centre Today.
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."
Since Thursday 26 March South Africa has been in a national lockdown. This is not a situation unique to South Africans, as many countries all over the world are in similar circumstances in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19. These situations are difficult to navigate, for people from all walks of life, but for addicts, alcoholics, and people in recovery it presents a unique challenge. How do I stay clean/sober in isolation? It is a difficult question, and the short answer is this; exactly how you did prior to the lockdown.
Addiction and alcoholism are chronic diseases and do not stop being life-threatening just because there is a bigger threat presenting itself. This blog post will go on to explain how to navigate recovery in a world that is drastically different to the one that existed a few short weeks ago.
How has the lock down affected rehab centres
The day before the lockdown the Department of Social Development said that rehabilitation centres are an essential service and are to remain open during the lockdown period. Screening measures are to be put in place at all facilities to ensure the safety and continuous treatment of persons within these centres.
Basically, it boils down to this: help is available and
rehab centres are a safe environment to be in.
How the government lockdown may affect those in active addiction/ alcoholism
One of the more extreme measures that have been put into place during this period is the prohibition of the sale of alcohol. Now the average heavy drinker or potential alcoholic may have stocked up before the liquor stores closed, but if this decree inspired in you a sense of dread and fear at the prospect of not being able to obtain alcohol – or a mad dash to the pharmacy or drug dealer, a closer look at the subject may be needed.
To an alcoholic or drug addict, no circumstance is quite so frightening as the possibility of being separated from their substance of choice. Subconsciously, the addict seeks these substances out as if they were critical to their survival, and in some cases they are. Certain drugs (including alcohol, over the counter medication, as well as prescription medication), when used in large quantities over long periods of time will cause withdrawal symptoms in users when they are stopped suddnely. Should you or a loved one start experiencing any of the following: clammy skin, dilated pupils, muscle aches, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, insomnia, or “the shakes”, it is imperative that help be sought as soon as possible. If withdrawal persists, (the more serious symptoms include seizures and possible coma), this can have long-term adverse health consequences and may even cause death.
Should the lockdown result in the sudden stoppage of any drugs, alcohol or medications, it is best to find a safe place with trained staff to deal with this problem, rather than going it cold turkey at home alone. The health risks are too great and it has been proven, time and time again, that people who enter treatment programs have a much higher chance of maintaining long term recovery.
How government lock down will affect those in recovery
Accountability has always been a cornerstone of personal recovery. With a lockdown in place, it suddenly becomes a lot easier for people to neglect their responsibilities. For people in recovery this may mean a variety of things, from putting off step-work, not connecting with our sponsors or not attending meetings. The lockdown presents a convenient excuse for people to take some time off, but for a person in recovery this should never be the case. Continuous recovery and growth are needed in order to maintain sobriety. This is just as valid in a pandemic as it is on your average day.
There is a cliché that says “an addict alone is in a
dangerous neighbourhood”, so what do we do when being alone is the only choice
that is presented to us?
Newcomers and veterans of recovery are battling with how to apply their program to the changing state of affairs in the world. A lot of what is taught to us revolves around one simple thing: stay connected. This has been the way for years, and this sudden change in how we need to live our lives presents a challenge, as the way that things have been done for years is no longer a possibility.
How do you see your sponsor if you cannot leave your home?
How can you get to a meeting when gatherings are forbidden? The answer is both
simple and obvious, even though it may be tricky to navigate. The internet.
Both Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous have taken their meetings online using services like Zoom and Discord. There are both regional and international meetings available, meaning that people are able to connect with people in recovery. There are a variety of meetings available, many times during the day. Most importantly, the traditions of the respective fellowships are upheld.
When we speak about traditions this can be summed up basically as: there are no dues or membership fees, the only thing that is required of a person to attend a meeting, is a desire to stop drinking/using, and that your personal anomality is respected at all times. Meetings have always been a safe place for people to get help for their substance/alcohol use problem. This is just as valid in a digital space as in a physical one.
Besides online meetings, the internet presents convenient ways to connect with sponsors and friends in recovery. Relying on the people in your life for comfort and sanity is just as important today as prior to the lockdown. Use all the resources that you have at your disposal to strengthen these connections. WhatsApp voice calling, video calling services such as Skype, along with traditional messaging applications, are but a few of the many tools we have at our disposal. Use them to further your recovery, stay accountable, and stay connected.
Conclusion
Recovery is always a daunting task for those who choose to
undertake it. In times of crisis, like the one we currently find ourselves in,
as both a country and a global community, it can be tempting to allow recovery
to take a back seat and instead hand ourselves over to the panic and chaos. But
the best day to start your recovery is always today, no matter the external
circumstances.
No Obligation Addiction Assessment
Book a No Obligation Confidential Assessment at your nearest Treatment Centre Today.
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."
According to some of the leading sex rehabilitation facilities, sex addiction is best described as an overwhelming and uncontrollable obsession and compulsion to act out sexually. Although sex addiction is not yet diagnosed as a psychological disorder, it is a condition that affects millions of people around the world. It is characterised by a persistent pattern of failure to control one’s sexual impulses and urges, resulting in repetitive sexual behaviour. In the recovery community, sex addiction is often referred to as a process addiction because it involves a compulsive behaviour rather than an addiction to a substance like drugs or alcohol.
Is There a Cure for Sex
Addiction?
Sex addiction is one manifestation of the disease of addiction, and it is the opinion of many sex rehab facilities that addiction is a chronic condition that cannot be cured per se. The destructive behaviour can be arrested and recovery is then possible. Recovery therefore is a long-term, lifelong process that is made possible by taking consistent action to seek physical, emotional and spiritual healing. Ultimately, sex addicts can enjoy healthy intimate relationships, but it takes hard work, dedication and a great deal of faith to find a new way of life, free from the bondage of addiction.
Sex Rehab Facilities: The
Recovery Process
Sex addiction, like substance
abuse, is treated using a multi-pronged approach. This approach includes group
therapy, individual counselling, life skills workshops, therapeutic activities
and often, the introduction to a 12-step fellowship like Sex Addicts Anonymous
(SAA), of which there are a number of groups throughout South Africa and the
rest of the world. It is not a process to be feared. Rather, it is a process
that demonstrates that freedom from addiction is possible. Building a strong
support network is essential to the recovery process – it is the beginning of
building healthy relationships, both romantic and otherwise. Sex rehab
facilities provide addicts with the tools and techniques that can help the
addict to change their behaviour and learn new, positive coping skills to deal
with life’s challenges without turning to sex as an escape or acting
compulsively on one’s sexual urges. Like with any addiction, recovery is a
process that addicts embark on one day at a time – every day is a new
opportunity to change and grow.
If you or a loved one is in search of help for sex 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."
