Changes Addiction and Treatment Blog
Our addiction and treatment blog is here to help you navigate the space between addiction and recovery
Unraveling Co-occurring Disorders in Opiate Addiction Recovery
Often people trying to find recovery from opiate addiction, find themselves grappling with other mental health challenges. These Co-occurring Disorders in Opiate Addiction Recovery are not mere coincidences but are part of the complex web of factors that contribute to...
Realistic Expectations in Around Rehabs and Addiction Treatment
Setting realistic addiction treatment expectations is a crucial part of the initial treatment phase. As an addiction counsellor with 25 years experience, I've seen how essential this is, and I want to share some insights to help you and your loved ones navigate this...
4 Stages of an Alcohol Treatment Centre Programme
Here are the four stages of an alcohol treatment centre programme: 1) Treatment Initiation 2) Early Abstinence 3) Maintaining Abstinence 4) Advanced Recovery. Few alcoholics' recoveries are this direct. We move back and forth between the four stages, some alcoholics...
6 Dysfunctional Family Roles in Addiction
It's common for family members to unknowingly adopt one of six dysfunctional family roles in addiction that can perpetuate the disease and impede the treatment process delaying or stopping the recovery journey. A respected specialist in the field of addictions and...
The 12 Patterns of Denial: #12 The Democratic Disease State
People with addiction or substance abuse problems use different forms of denial to keep themselves in the addictive cycle. One such denial strategy is called the democratic disease state. Denial can be a dysfunctional protection mechanism which you may use to protect...
The 12 Patterns of Denial – Manipulation in Addiction
People with addiction or substance abuse problems use different forms of denial to keep themselves in the addictive cycle, for example manipulation in addiction. Denial can be a dysfunctional protection mechanism which you may use to protect yourself from having to...
The 12 Patterns of Denial & Comparing in Addiction
People with addiction or substance abuse problems use different forms of denial to keep themselves in the addictive cycle. Comparing in addiction is one example. Denial can be a dysfunctional protection mechanism which you may use to protect yourself from having to...
Does Medical Aid Pay for Addiction Rehab in South Africa? 2024
2024 Step-by-step Guide If you’re limping from crisis to crisis due to your own or someone else’s substance abuse, you may be asking the question: will my medical aid pay for addiction rehab in 2024? Even more so when someone you love is dealing with a drug or alcohol...
How Long Do Alcoholics Stay In Rehab?
Research shows that, on average, 35% of people will relapse in the year after treatment if their rehab programme was less than 90 days long. This drops to 17% for those who were in rehab for 90 days or longer. Relapse rates are even lower for those in treatment for a year or more.
3 Things to Know Before You Detox From Drinking.
Detox from drinking is the first part of the rehabilitation process for people with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Medication must be used to gradually wean patients off alcohol. Once physically dependent, alcohol withdrawals can be dangerous and even life-threatening....
Get Discovery Rehab Coverage: Insider Guide (2024 Update)
Treatment is often crucial for those with addiction or mental health issues. Does Discovery Health pay for rehab? Yes. Most South African medical aid schemes provide financial support to access evidence-based therapies and treatment programs. This article will explore...
Love In Recovery: Should I Date Another Addict In Recovery?
Introduction Valentine's Day is a time for celebrating love and affection, but for those in recovery from addiction, the dating landscape can be complicated when it comes to thinking about love in recovery. One question that often arises is whether it is a good idea...