There is a special kind of panic that hits a family when a doctor says admission is needed and the medical aid says no, not fully, not yet, not for that, not at that place, not with that code. People think mental health care works like a heart attack, you arrive, you get treated, the…
The journey of recovery from addiction is as unique as the individuals embarking on it. However, one element often stands as a common denominator in successful recovery stories: the power of community. From personal experience, the value of a supportive community, like the 12 Step Fellowship, can be transformative. Entering the Fellowship, you quickly realise…
Addiction is a serious problem that can be one of the hardest things to overcome. Sometimes it feels like there’s no way out of the healing process. But what if taking a comprehensive view of addiction treatment is the way out of this tangle? That’s exactly right. A method that takes into account the whole…
Spirituality in recovery is one of the most misunderstood topics in addiction treatment, mostly because people hear the word and immediately picture clichés. Some imagine incense, mantras, crystals, and vague positivity. Others imagine rigid religion, guilt, and someone trying to convert them. Addicts often hear spirituality and think, great, another performance, another set of words…
Schizophrenia Doesn’t Exist in a Vacuum Schizophrenia is often treated as an isolated medical condition, something that emerges purely from genetics or biology, separate from the environment a person lives in. This idea is not only incorrect, it is dangerous. Schizophrenia does not develop or unfold in a vacuum. It interacts with the world around…
When grappling with a cycle of unhealthy behaviors and emotional turmoil, it’s common to question whether these issues stem from a mental health disorder or are symptomatic of addiction. This confusion is not only daunting but also deeply frustrating, especially when trying to find a way forward. Exploring the Overlapping Spectrum of Mental Health Disorders…
Discomfort Used to Be Part of Growing Up For most of human history discomfort was woven into childhood. Waiting, struggling, feeling left out, failing, and sitting with uncertainty were ordinary experiences. These moments were not celebrated, but they were tolerated. Through them children learned that difficult feelings rise and fall and that they can survive…
In South Africa, as in many parts of the world, the impact of childhood trauma on addiction is often overlooked or misunderstood. Many individuals who have experienced childhood trauma carry deep psychological wounds, such as shame, guilt, and mistrust, which can hinder their willingness to seek help for addiction. In this article, we delve into…
Achieving sobriety and maintaining it is a journey filled with many milestones. Setting realistic goals and expectations, coupled with positive self-talk, can significantly influence your loved one’s recovery process. Begin by helping your loved one to set realistic goals. These should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). For example, a goal could be…
Psychiatric hospitals in South Africa provide essential care for severe mental health and addiction issues, treating patients too unstable for outpatient.
