The complex phenomenon of trauma can have a number of psychological effects on the human mind and our emotional repertoire. Trauma dated back to our early childhood can manifest in a host of psychiatric conditions in our adult life. Compounding this is the fact that trauma is linked to substance abuse as a means of...
Addiction Explained
Addiction is characterised by behaviours that include one or more of the following: impaired control over drug use, compulsive use, continued use despite harm, and craving. There are questions you can ask yourself to find out whether you suffer from an addiction: Do you have compulsive engagement with the substance or behaviour and find that...
Understanding The Role of Trauma in Addiction
Trauma can be defined as any event, experience or encounter which we perceived as distressing. It leaves a lasting impact on our emotional makeup and worldview, which we often only realise long after the event has passed. Traumatic experiences can be overt such as losing a loved one, being neglected, being exposed to physical violence...
The Stats on Drug Addiction in South Africa – Stop The Drug War
Addiction Statistics The drug problem in South Africa has been on a continual rise, especially in the last few years. Methaqualone (Quaaludes), cocaine, marijuana (known as dagga in South Africa), and heroin are all drugs that are becoming increasingly popular. Dr. David Bayever from the government drug control organization, known as the CDA, is quoted saying “The drug problem in South Africa...
Healing Emotional Trauma
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is rooted in unprocessed, irrepressible and lingering emotional responses to traumatic events or circumstances that an individual witnessed or experienced. PTSD sufferers may be aware of the circumstances that triggered their symptoms, but are usually not qualified to effectively identify, evaluate, diagnose or resolve the underlying psychological problems it fosters. In...
Concerns of Patients During and After Treatment
You abused a substance because it made you feel good and you believed you would never be addicted. You ended up with serious problems. And now it has come to this; you are facing treatment for substance abuse disorder in a rehab centre, but you stress about coping with your feelings during your stay, and...
How Trauma Affects Your Brain
In Dr. Rigg’s dealings with innumerate trauma patients, he shares many interesting observations as to how our brains are consistently “reacting” to external sensory information and by creating these non-thinking reactions before our cognitive mind is able to adequately process the situation and provide a measured response to it. Fascinating watch and well worth it.
Understanding CPTSD and Addiction
A lasting stress syndrome caused by exposure to traumatic circumstances over which a person had limited or no control, is clinically referred to as a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The condition identified as Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) is an extended version of PTSD. Trauma as a cause of psychopathological stress is a firmly entrenched...
Ultimate Guide to Vape/Electronic Cigarette Addiction
What is an electronic cigarette? Electronic cigarettes (also called e-cigarettes and e-cigs) are small, portable electrical devices used as substitutes for traditional tobacco cigarettes. It produces a vapour that looks like tobacco smoke, but it does not use tobacco. Instead, it heats up a liquid, contained in a cartridge, to produce the “fake smoke” vapour....