Changes Addiction and Treatment Blog
Our addiction and treatment blog is here to help you navigate the space between addiction and recovery
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...
Abstinence or moderation and 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...
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 –...
The 4 stages of addiction and 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?
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...
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...
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...
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...
Benefits of substance abuse rehabilitation
Anyone who has tried to quit an addiction on their own knows how difficult and daunting the process can be without support, that's why it's important to understand the benefits of substance abuse rehabilitation. Drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities can give an...
Do I really need treatment?
Deciding whether or not to go to treatment is difficult. But once you have made the decision, how do you find the right substance abuse rehabilitation centre in Johannesburg?
What are the symptoms of withdrawal (and when to get help)
Withdrawal from drugs can be dangerous and should be managed by a medical professional. Learn when to get help for the symptoms of withdrawal and you might just save a life.