Relapse is a process, not an event. By the time someone in recovery picks up a drink or a drug, the relapse has usually been underway for two to four weeks. The earliest signs are emotional rather than behavioural, and they appear long before anyone reaches for a substance. This article describes what to look […]
Yes, you can be a high functioning alcoholic and still need treatment. The defining feature is that nobody around you sees the problem. You hold the senior job and pay the bond. You drink a bottle of wine every night. Your performance has not collapsed. That is not evidence you do not have a problem. […]
The safe way to stop drinking depends on how much you have been drinking and for how long. For light to moderate drinkers, the path is behavioural. You change your environment and your routine, and within a few weeks the cravings ease. For heavy daily drinkers, willpower alone is dangerous. Sudden withdrawal from heavy drinking […]
Changes Addiction Rehab has run rehabilitation centres in Johannesburg since 2007. Treatment starts with medically supervised detox at our 16-bed primary care facility at 216 Weltevreden Road in Northcliff, usually 21 to 42 days. Clients then move to River Manor, our 20-bed secondary care property in Ruimsig, for eight to twelve weeks, and on to […]
Does rehab work for alcoholics? Alcoholism is a chronic medical condition, so the fair test is whether structured rehab produces outcomes comparable to treatment for diabetes or hypertension. Rehab for alcoholics works, and the evidence is better than most people expect. Relapse rates for properly run alcohol programmes sit in the same range as treatment […]
Alcohol poisoning effects can last from a few hours to several weeks. This guide tells you what to do right now if someone is showing signs of an overdose. It then covers how to recognise the warning signs and what treatment looks like after the emergency passes. If Someone Is Showing Signs of Alcohol […]
Alcohol raises blood pressure. Regular drinking, even in moderate amounts, increases your risk of hypertension. It also raises your risk of heart disease and stroke. Cutting back or stopping lowers your blood pressure, and in many cases brings it back to a normal range. Global estimates suggest that 16% of all hypertensive disease is attributable […]
The Impact of Alcohol on the Stomach Alcohol and stomach pain is a common occurrence. It irritates the stomach lining, leading to inflammation called gastritis. This can cause pain and nausea, along with vomiting. Alcohol also increases stomach acid production, which may worsen acid reflux symptoms. The digestive system’s ability to break down food is […]
Understanding Addiction Relapse Addiction relapse is a complex process that often occurs in stages. Recognising the signs and understanding how relapse unfolds can help people in recovery take steps to prevent it. The Process of Relapse Relapse doesn’t happen suddenly. It’s a gradual process that can begin weeks or months before a person actually uses […]
Yes. Fedhealth funds inpatient addiction rehabilitation under Prescribed Minimum Benefits, with 21 days the usual authorised length of stay. What differs between options is the hospital network you must use and the co-payment you carry, not your right to the benefit. Fedhealth is an open scheme regulated by the Council for Medical Schemes, running eight […]