Alcohol Rehab Centres in Johannesburg: The Process of Entering Recovery

According to the World Health Organisation, South Africa has the fifth highest alcohol consumption rate in the world. Statistics show that although a large segment of the population abstains from alcohol, those who do drink, drink heavily. The numbers speak volumes, and with a high alcohol consumption rate, comes a high incidence of alcoholism amongst South Africans of all ages. If you or a loved one is in need of help, we provide the following valuable advice on how to find alcohol rehab centres in Johannesburg.

Intervention

In many cases, individuals struggling with alcoholism do not enter recovery on their own. Most are prompted by family members or friends, often by means of an intervention. Such an intervention can take the form of a meeting where the loved ones of an alcoholic stages a setting in which they can let the alcoholic know how their behaviour is affecting both themselves and those around them. A counsellor may or may not be present during the intervention. Their presence often helps to alleviate tension and create a space that is conducive to open discussion and sharing. If you would like to stage an intervention but need advice on how to go about this, contact us at Crossroads Recovery Centres – our counselling team is readily willing and able to point you in the right direction or help directly where possible.

Free Consultation

One of the ways in which an alcoholic can be convinced to enter the recovery process, is to let them know that a consultation with a counsellor for an assessment is cost- and obligation-free. Meeting with a professional and talking through some of the issues that may be affecting them, may help an alcoholic to agree to get help for their problem. At Crossroads Recovery Centres, we provide this service free of charge. As some of the leading alcohol rehab centres in South Africa, we have a team of professionals who are experts in their fields and are trained to provide alcoholics with a non-judgemental, open-minded space in which to express their feelings and perhaps, begin the process of recovery.

Admission

At Crossroads Recovery Centres, we do everything we can to make recovering alcoholics feel safe, understood and at home within the treatment setting. Admission occurs on a case by case basis. Sometimes it becomes necessary to admit the alcoholic, with their consent, immediately after the assessment. In other cases, alcoholics may volunteer to be admitted a few days after the assessment. In each case, our trained team of professionals will provide sound advice for the alcoholic but also for their loved ones. South Africa has in fact become a popular recovery destination for alcoholics from all over the world including the United States and the Netherlands. At Crossroads Recovery Centres, we have the expertise to help addicts and alcoholics enter recovery and begin their journey towards finding a new way to live.

If you or a loved one are battling alcoholism and are in search of an alcohol rehab centre in Johannesburg, know that help is readily available. The road to recovery is not always an easy one but getting yourself or your loved one the best care from the team at Crossroads Recovery Centre, provides you with a map to sober, healthy living. No matter how bad things seem, there is hope and it’s just a phone call away. If you or anyone close to you needs help with an addiction to sex, gambling, substances, alcohol or food, please contact us for a free assessment.

www.crossroadsrecovery.co.za

074 89 51043 JHB

012 450 5033 PTA

Sources:

South Africa has some of the heaviest drinkers in the world

Stories of Recovery

• 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.
  Oliver VG
  Read more
• 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.
  Johan B
  Read more
• 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!
  Carla S
  Read more
• "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."
  Angelique J
  Read more

Read more

Approved Medical Aids

Substance Abuse in Johannesburg.

For many years now people have been made aware of the dangers that are present when substance abuse occurs. Unfortunately, misinformation and ignorance contribute to the continued abuse of drugs both legal and illegal. This article will go on to discuss the physical implications associated with some of the commonly abused substances within the drug culture of Johannesburg.

Alcohol

Alcohol is arguably the most widely abused substance across the world, though many people partake of it without serious consequences, those who drink to excess can experience a host of negative health consequences. These include liver damage and failure, damage to the kidneys and other internal organs. The brain can also experience severe damage with prolonged alcohol abuse, possibly even resulting in Korsakoff’s syndrome, (sometimes referred to as “wet brain”). This form of dementia is not unlike Alzheimer’s, and the effects are not reversible once present. When heavy drinkers suddenly stop the body can enter a state of withdrawal, though most of the symptoms cause temporary discomfort, some people may experience seizures which can lead to long-term damage. Indulging in large quantities of alcohol in one go, common among binge drinkers, can result in alcohol poisoning, Alcohol poising may cause severe vomiting,incontinence, difficulty breathing, irregular heart rate, coma and possibly even death.

Benzodiazepines

“Benzo’s” are a class of pharmaceutical drugs that are used to cause sedation and are prescribed to treat sleeplessness and anxiety. The greatest risk in benzodiazepine abuse is death as a result of overdose. The central nervous system shuts down and vital functions such as breathing and heart rate are compromised. Like alcohol, benzodiazepines can also cause physical dependency, resulting in withdrawal symptoms when suddenly stopped. In some cases, persons experiencing withdrawal can go into a coma, or even die as a result of the severe physical toll the benzodiazepine withdrawal has on the body. It should also be noted that long-term substance abuse can lead to reduced cognitive functioning, with reduced memory capabilities. This may be alarming but most cognitive functions do return to normal some time after abstinence is achieved.

Methamphetamines

Crystal meth is about as infamous as a drug can get. Its abuse has become widespread in the last few years and psychosis as a result of this stimulant has become more common place. Heart disease is a frequent complication among crystal meth users, accounting for the second most frequent cause of death, with the first being overdose. Methamphetamines have a negative effect on the immune system, making users more likely to contract other diseases and infections, as well as doing serious damage to the kidneys. Meth users also frequently experience tooth decay and skin sores – these are the most stereotypical signs of crystal meth abuse.

Amphetamines

The most commonly used amphetamine in Johannesburg is Cat (Methcathinone, also known as mephedrone). Like many toxins Cat has the potential to damage the liver, lungs, heart and kidneys. It can also have negative effects on mental health, resulting in paranoia, depression and anxiety. It may also cause psychosis in users. Cat also has a potential for overdose, when excessive amounts of the drug are used it can result in seizures, coma, and death.

Marijuana

As far as drugs go, marijuana is considered “safer” than many other substances. However “safe” does not mean safer (please see our article on the use and legalisation of marijuana). As far as physical side-effects go, the bodies of marijuana users aren’t heavily impacted, the physical consequences of marijuana use are similar to that of cigarette smoking. However, the consequences on mental health should not be underestimated. Long-term and excessive use can have serious impacts on mental health, resulting in paranoia, psychosis, depression and anxiety. These consequences require medical treatment long after the substance abuse has stopped.

Opiates

In Johannesburg opiates are most commonly used in 3 forms, prescription medication (containing codeine), heroin, and Nyope. Though these drugs vary wildly, opiates have the same impact on the brain and body regardless of where they come from. The central nervous system of a user is severely impacted, the liver and kidney’s also work overtime trying to process the toxins, with excessive use possibly resulting in their damage. Opiates also have a high overdose potential. An overdose causes the respiratory and circulatory system to slow down, possibly resulting in respiratory failure, cardiac arrest and death. Opiates also cause physical dependence in users, withdrawal from opiates can be painful and traumatic. Withdrawal that presents with any sort of illness or discomfort should always be referred to a medical doctor. Detoxing with the assistance of a physician is imperative.

There are many dangers associated with substance abuse within Johannesburg’s drug culture, this article has only scraped the surface of the possibly consequences. The physical symptoms may be frightening and severe but the mental and social consequences should not be discounted.

The road to recovery from substance abuse is not always an easy one but getting yourself or your loved one the best care from the team at Crossroads Recovery Centre in Johannesburg, provides you with a map to sober, healthy living. No matter how bad things seem, there is hope and it’s just a phone call away. If you or anyone close to you needs help with an addiction to sex, gambling, substances, alcohol or food, please contact us for a free assessment.

www.crossroadsrecovery.co.za

074 89 51043 JHB

012 450 5033 PTA

Stories of Recovery

• 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.
  Oliver VG
  Read more
• 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.
  Johan B
  Read more
• 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!
  Carla S
  Read more
• "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."
  Angelique J
  Read more

Read more

Approved Medical Aids