Official definitions of addiction describe it as a brain disease and, importantly, not a choice. It may come as relief to many people who are stuck in the terrifying cycle of addiction that they have a medical condition and are not necessarily weak or bad people. But how exactly does addiction manifest in the brain […]
Why Addiction Is Now Thought of as a Brain Disease?
We’ve known for over 20 years that addiction is a brain disease. People become addicted due to genetic, developmental, and psychosocial factors, but PET scans showed how addictive substances “hijack” the brain. Once addicted, the brain’s reward, motivation, and memory pathways are changed and alcohol or drug abuse becomes obsessive and compulsive. Once addicted we […]
Abstinence or Moderation: What Are the Goals When Treating Addiction?
Substance use disorder treatment options often leave people with the question, is abstinence or moderation better? Abstinence can be a scary concept, especially for addicts or alcoholics who have come to rely on their substance of choice and moderation may seem like a better ideal especially for those who aren’t yet able to imagine a […]
What Causes a Relapse? Here Are the Top 5 Relapse Triggers
The Top 5 Relapse Triggers Understanding what causes a relapse is essential in maintaining your sobriety because getting clean and sober is the best decision an addict or alcoholic can make. But the unfortunate truth is that relapse is common. Research shows that 40 – 60% of people relapse within the first month of leaving an […]
The 4 Stages of Addiction: When Does Drinking or Drug Use Turn into Addiction?
A person doesn’t become addicted overnight. Instead, an addiction develops gradually as a result of repeated substance abuse. This process unfolds in phases. Read on to understand the four stages of addiction.
What Is the Definition of Addiction? (I Can’t Be an Addict – I’m Functional!)
You might think you don’t have a problem because you haven’t lost your job/ family/ house… Yet! Understand why a high-functioning addict is still, by definition, an addict.
How Many Drinks Are Too Many?
When it comes to booze, people often ask just how much alcohol is too much. In any situation, ‘drinking less is more’. Drinking less is preferable in order to avoid the negative consequences of alcohol as well as to prevent an addiction from developing in the long-run. Alcohol consumption is associated with a number of […]
4 Scary Facts About Binge Drinking in South Africa
South Africans are heavy drinkers and the country ranks high on the list in terms of alcohol consumption compared to other nations. Binge drinking refers to drinking a high volume of alcohol in a short space of time. Basically, it means getting drunk. Alcohol is the most commonly used mind-altering substance and most people don’t […]
5 Interesting Facts About Binge Drinking We Bet You Didn’t Know
These 5 interesting facts about binge drinking will leave you questioning the impact of your latest booze bender. A heavy bout of drinking is not as harmless as many people think it is. Binge drinking refers to drinking a high volume of alcohol in a short space of time. Basically, it means getting drunk. Being […]
Important Questions to Ask When Choosing a Rehabilitation Centre in Johannesburg
Making the decision to come to treatment is difficult, but finding the right treatment centre can be even more difficult, that’s why it is important to ask these questions when choosing a rehabilitation centre in Johannesburg. You may be overwhelmed by the vast number of options revealed to you by an internet search. So how […]