Changes Addiction and Treatment Blog
Our addiction and treatment blog is here to help you navigate the space between addiction and recovery
The 12 Patterns of Denial: #1 Avoidance in Addiction
People with addiction or substance abuse problems use different forms of denial to keep themselves in the addictive cycle. Avoidance in addiction is one example. Denial can be a dysfunctional protection mechanism which you may use to protect yourself from having to...
12 Patterns of Denial in Addiction – Are You in Denial?
To recover from addiction, it is incredibly important to be able to identify denial. The 12 patterns of denial were developed by international addiction expert Terence Gorski to do just that. Read more about the 12 patterns of denial below: Denial & Avoidance...
Codependency And Families Facing Addiction
Codependency on a loved one addicted to alcohol or other drugs can be a deadly affair. By definition, codependency is an unhealthily close relationship where one person plays one of these six enabling roles that allow another’s addictive behaviour to continue. The...
Drug use and pregnancy: What happens to babies exposed to cocaine?
Using cocaine during pregnancy can have serious, and even fatal, consequences for babies. It may be very difficult for pregnant women who are addicted to cocaine to read this post but it is intended to educate, not to judge. We urge you to seek rehab treatment sooner...
What happens to babies exposed to benzodiazepines?
Using benzodiazepines, commonly known as tranquilisers, during pregnancy can have serious consequences for infants. It may be very difficult for pregnant women who are addicted to benzodiazepines to read this post but it is intended to educate, not to judge. We urge...
Weed in South Africa & 5 Interesting Facts We Bet You Didn’t Know
Weed is a commonly used drug in the country, yet many don't realise its addictive potential or the harm it can cause to society. Five lesser known facts about weed in South Africa, including about marijuana use, abuse and addiction. Read on to understand the facts...
What’s the link between addiction and Cluster B personality disorders?
We’ve looked at the link between addiction and personality disorders more generally but now it’s time to get specific and look at each disorder in detail, and more specifically, Cluster B personality disorders. Personality disorders are grouped into three clusters....
What’s the link between addiction and Cluster A personality disorders?
The link between addiction and personality disorders more generally but now it’s time to get specific, read on for an in-depth look at the science behind the link between Cluster A personality disorders and substance abuse problems. A personality disorder is a mental...
Mental Health Awareness Month in SA
Dual Diagnosis: Addiction and Other Mental Illnesses During mental health awareness month, we educate professionals and the public alike with a specific focus on addiction as a brain disease and how it often occurs alongside other mental health problems like major...
What’s the link between addiction and personality disorders?
Personality disorders: There is a lot of baggage, and many myths, that come with this phrase. But one irrefutable truth is that there is a strong link between addiction and personality disorders. Read on for an in-depth look at the science behind this link. Having a...
3 C’s to Addiction Recovery for Empowered Families
Addiction is a family disease, everyone plays a role and is affected by the addiction, whether you’re a parent, child, spouse, sibling or even a close friend. Families often go through overwhelming emotions related to their loved one’s addiction including guilt,...
Does My Loved One Have a Drinking Problem? 10 Tell-Tale Signs
Despite many signs indicating an alcohol addiction in a friend or relative, many families wait until the consequences are extremely severe before they take action. If you are asking the question Does my loved one have a drinking problem, there are probably already...