Addiction is reckoned as a medical illness, the same as a heart disease or diabetes. It can disrupts and complicates normal functioning. Although complex, addictin is a treatable condition. It requires continued treatment and aftercare before they can recover and lead fulfilling lives. The theme for international day against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking on the 26th of June is #ShareFactsonDrugs.
According to Magriet Botha, director of SANCA Sasolburg and Vanderbijlpark, a substance use disorder sometimes takes years before a person will reach out for help. Most of the time it is the family putting pressure on the person to get help. Many times they would go for help, but are not really ready for change and will have a relapse soon. SANCA is dealing with many people who have been admitted several times to the outpatient treatment program, or have been many times admitted to inpatient treatment centres before they at last have success to stay sober or clean’. Parents and loved ones of people suffering from a substance use disorder are becoming desperate, anxious and depressed and traumatised because of someone in the home with a severe substance use disorder.
It is even more devastating to the family that a person with a substance use disorder will even get in conflict with the law because they break in and steal from others to have money to buy drugs. Then the shame is getting worse. Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing disorder, characterized by compulsive drug seeking, continued use despite harmful consequences, and long-lasting changes in the brain. It is considered as a complex brain disease because drugs change brain’s structure and how it works. These brain changes can be long lasting and can lead to many harmful, often self-destructive, behaviors. (NIDA). In case of substance use disorders, loved ones need to learn as much as possible about addiction and to understand the disease to effectively deal with it. Children and youth up to ±25 years who abuse alcohol and drugs are more at risk to become dependent and possibly develop other co-occurring mental or medical disorders linked to their substance use. In case the person with the substance use disorder refuses assistance and intervention, the family members or friends have to seek help for themselves on available interventions.
If the dependent person “is a danger to himself or herself or to the immediate environment or causes a major public health risk or in any other manner does harm to his or her own welfare or the welfare of his or her family and others; or commits a criminal act to sustain his or her dependence on substances,”(Act 70 of 2008 Section 33 (1), the law is making provision for an involuntary admission processes to a rehabilitation centre with court interventions or other services of the relevant departments. One can arrange via Department of Social Development or the court to arrange for an involuntarily admission to a rehabilitation centre, preferably for 3 months to a year. If the family experience safety risks, or risk of damage to property, or theft, which might be caused by the person with a substance use disorder, immediate action should be taken to get help. The person with the problem need to be informed that a criminal charge will be laid against them if they once again steal, damage your property or becomes violent or threatened your life. Don’t set rules and consequences that you can’t stick to. If a parent has laid a charge, contact the prosecutor with the charge number to arrange treatment by court order.
Family support can motivate the family member to think seriously about getting help regarding their substance use disorder. Tough Love and setting boundaries can motivate them to take responsibility for their actions. The opposite of Tough Love is that the family enables the person with a substance use disorder consciously or unconsciously. Therefore, first identify your own enabling behaviour to be able to really help your loved one. Sometimes it is necessary to help a person to reach his rock bottom by experiencing consequences for his behaviour. Tough love implicates to NOT bail them out, lend money, pay their bills, let them handle any money, to tell lies on their behalf to save them, be a crutch and protect them against the consequences of their behaviour. Remember that a person with an addiction will pressure you with lies, manipulation & tantrums to get what they want out of you. Don’t fall for it. You can start with drug testing. Multi-urine drug tests can determine the type of substances used at that time.
The court refers first time youth and adult offenders, who has a history of substance use disorder, sometimes to a diversion program to an accredited diversion or treatment centre. SANCA centres are voluntary admission centres and it is always best that a person with a substance use disorder is motivated and willing to go for treatment. A parent can seek help from a professional addiction counsellor how to deal effectively with the substance use disorder. They can also assist with drug testing. SANCA Sasolburg is affiliated with South African National Council on Alcohol & Drug Dependence and is offering outpatient treatment in Sasolburg and Parys. SANCA Sasolburg is in Parys on Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:00 to 12:00 at 21 Father Balink Street, Tumahole. Because they are not funded for treatment in Parys, a minimal fee is charged for treatment.
Aftercare for people in Parys who completed their treatment, even at other treatment centres, is a free service. Contact SANCA Sasolburg on 016 976 2051 or 076 565 6720 (whatsapp), or email Sanca.Sasolburg@gmail.com SANCA Vaal Triangle in Vanderbijlpark is also not too far from Parys and can offer a very affordable outpatient treatment service to people from the Free State. Phone: 016 933 2055 or send email to sancavaal@mweb.co.za
