Addictions

Opting for treatment to address substance use disorder is a significant step towards transformation. Yet, the journey of recovery often presents a set of unique and testing challenges. Navigating triggers, which can be any stimuli evoking memories, thoughts, or emotions tied to past substance use, can prove to be one of the most daunting hurdles...

Whether we're on the path to recovery or not, anger has a way of barging into our lives. When it does, our bodies tense up, heartbeats race, and breaths quicken. Amid this tempest, neurotransmitters like adrenaline and cortisol surge through us, setting the stage for an intensely emotional experience. In the midst of such turmoil,...

Science has made significant strides in understanding questions surrounding dependency disorders and their impact on the brain. Here we take a look at how substance dependency affects the brain and how to get on the path to recovery and stay on it. How Misused Substances Exploit the Brain's Reward System When a person goes through...

Traumatic experiences leave a lasting mark on individuals, shaping their perspectives of the world and their own identities. Whether the traumatic events occurred during childhood or later in life, they can influence one’s future actions and well-being. Unfortunately, drawing a line between trauma and addiction tends to be easy; many individuals seek solace in alcohol...

The significance of adhering to a regular exercise regimen to maintain sobriety is often underestimated. Physical activity helps people with dependency issues by creating new healthy coping mechanisms.  When combined with other forms of treatment, exercise can effectively deter relapse by establishing a dependable routine, occupying idle time, managing mental well-being, and fostering increased self-confidence....

People grappling with substance dependency often confront both physical and psychological symptoms. However, developing physical reliance on a substance is feasible without experiencing psychological addiction and vice versa.  Due to the intricate nature of dependency, many individuals find it challenging to understand and differentiate between physical and psychological dependence fully. Let’s delve deeper into the...

The holiday season can be really divisive. For some, it’s ‘the most wonderful time,’ while for others, it can be a real struggle. For those living with addiction or mental health issues, celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa can be a time filled with dread and nervous anticipation because of the number of hurdles and triggers...

So, you’ve made the decision to turn your life around – kudos to you! But now’s the time when taking the right next step is crucial. Your choice of recovery centre is the key to lasting sobriety. If you’re looking for addiction treatment this winter, South Africa has absolutely everything you need. Here are six...

The term “addiction” is most widely used when talking about substances such as drugs and alcohol. So, when it is used in relation to a more abstract concept such as love, it may seem a bit farfetched to some. But what are people referring to when they talk about a love addiction? While not an...

How can being addicted to work be a bad thing? Believe it or not, an increasing number of people are starting to think this way. That’s because modern life dictates that we must all be strivers. If you want to go backpacking across Cambodia, buy the latest tech or dine at the most popular eatery...

Gaming may have been around for almost 50 years, but there is still a lot to be understood about its effects. It all started in the 1970s, when very simple arcade games first appeared and caught the imagination of children and teenagers, in particular, across the world. It quickly became clear that such games had...

“Addiction” is a word that is both widely used and misused in modern-day society. On the one hand, you might hear someone flippantly describe themselves as a “chocoholic”. Or say that they’re “addicted” to online shopping because they spend a little more than they should on online purchases. On the other, there are those that...