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…
Dealing with a loved one’s relapse can be challenging and emotionally draining. As a supportive family member, it’s important to approach the situation with understanding, empathy, and a willingness to provide the necessary support. This article aims to provide you with coping strategies and practical guidance to help you navigate through the complexities of relapse…
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…
Bill Wilson, a co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), not only pioneered a movement that has helped millions worldwide but also battled his own severe bouts of depression. His personal struggles and innovative approach have highlighted a broader application of the Twelve Steps, initially crafted for overcoming addiction, as a universal framework for managing mental health…
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 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…
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…
Borderline Personality Traits and Addiction Borderline Personality Disorder, or even strong borderline traits, is one of the most stigmatised psychiatric issues out there. People throw the label around online as an insult. Families use it as a weapon. Partners use it as a way to explain chaos. None of that helps. What helps is understanding…
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…
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…
