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…
In your journey of addiction recovery, maintaining a positive mindset can be a transformative force. It’s crucial to understand that each person’s recovery journey is unique, and the power of positive thinking can play a vital role in your healing process. In South Africa, there are resources available that can support and guide you on…
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…
The Exhaustion Nobody Talks About Most people associate exhaustion with long work hours, financial stress or caring for a sick loved one. Very few recognise the kind of burnout that comes from dealing with a narcissist. It is not loud, dramatic or obvious from the outside. It is a gradual emotional depletion that builds over…
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…
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…
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…
A group often forgotten in the quest to comprehend addiction is first responders and their hardships. There is a higher rate of PTSD and substance abuse disorders among first responders because of the frequent exposure they have to stressful and traumatic events. If you or someone you care about in South Africa is struggling with…
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…
There’s a kind of emptiness that modern people carry, a restlessness that never really leaves. You wake up, reach for your phone, scroll through noise, chase meaning through caffeine, through screens, through work, through something that feels almost alive. And yet, by nightfall, the quiet creeps back in. You’re stimulated, but not satisfied. Wired, but…
