ADDICTION

You are not your addiction. In creating an environment where your needs are listened to, your goals are paramount, and your best interest remains front and centre, we are re-emphasising one of the key pillars of recovery, the belief that things can change. You are not a bad person for falling into the trap of addiction. You’re somebody who deserves a real opportunity to grab recovery with both hands.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF ADDICTION?
Whilst every journey towards addiction looks different – each presenting unique obstacles and turning points – some risk factors increase the likelihood of an individual descending into uncontrolled use of substances/alcohol or addictive behaviours. For example, external factors such as peer pressure and experimentation, childhood neglect, all forms of abuse, conflict, stress, unemployment, and exposure to drugs and other vices predispose an individual to addiction, on top of the genetic factors that were found to account for 40 to 60% of a person’s addiction vulnerability.

COMMON ADDICTIONS INCLUDE;
  1. Substances
  • Alcohol Addiction
  • Drug Addiction
  • Prescription drug addiction
  • Cocaine addiction
  • Opioid addiction (Heroin, Fentanyl, Morphine, Codeine, etc.)
  • Cannabis addiction(Weed/Marijuana)
  • Nicotine /tobacco addiction
  • Prescription drugs( pain killers and sedatives)
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Meth and Ecstasy

      2. Behaviours

  • Gambling
  • Internet Addiction
  • Shopping
  • Sex addiction (Pornography, Masturbation etc.)
  • Videogame addiction
  • Food addiction
  • Risky behaviour addiction

 

WHAT ARE THE TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR ADDICTION?
For most people in active addiction, we advocate for residential/In-patient care for its advantages of a combination of medical detoxification, intensive psycho-therapy, both individual and group, a period of abstinence from the substance or enabling environment to the addiction and family support during and after treatment. Intensive out-patient care may also be used in consideration of prevailing conditions. The overall goal of the treatment is to cleanse the body through detoxification, dealing with the root cause of the addiction through one-to-one individual therapy, breaking the patterns that are addiction, having an objective assessment of one’s life, psycho-education about the addiction, identifying the triggers and prevention of relapse through individual and group therapy.

HOW CAN I HELP A LOVED ONE IN ADDICTION?
Watching a loved one fall into the clutches of addiction can be traumatic, guilt and anxiety-inducing. Addiction is said to be a family disease because it affects the sufferer alongside their family members. It may cause conflict in the family and ill health among some, hence the questions of how you can help them arise. We encourage relatives of individuals suffering from addiction to follow our three points – educate yourself about their addiction, avoid neglecting your own needs and seek specialist help. They’ll thank you eventually.

Schedule a Consultation