Substance Abuse Awareness Day was observed on 26 June, aimed to create an impact and discuss the dangers of drugs and alcohol abuse.
Life Poortview Hospital, a private Life Healthcare-affiliated treatment centre supports every drive to help create awareness, education, prevention and intervention information on substance abuse, and is designed to meet the needs for a short term in-patient programme for addictive disorders.
“We not only want to create awareness of the dangers of addiction, but also the consequences, the composition and effect of drugs on the human body,” said Marinda Overbeek, clinic manager at Life Poortview and Life Riverfield Lodge. *Jean Smith shares her story, themed Legal Drug Abuse Ruined My Life, Almost!
“We all realise how easy it is to obtain illegal drugs and designer drugs, whatever one’s age, as media have shown us some shocking footage of such scenarios among our children. And while most of us are aware of the dreadful way in which alcohol abuse ruins lives, many of us are ignorant of how easy it is to become addicted to prescription and over the counter drugs,” Smith shared.
When Smith’s husband threatened to leave her and to take the children with as a result of her drug abuse, she was wise enough to seek help.
“I would come home after a busy day at work and be faced with my children’s homework, while preparing dinner and ensuring the house was neat and that the family’s clothes would be clean for the next day. I handled this well for several years. Then the depression started. I would burst into tears for no reason at all, at work, at home and in bed with my husband. I felt out of control.
“I paid a visit to my doctor, who prescribed an anti-depressant. This worked well at first. I was in control again. I even slept through the night.”
Overbeek said when Smith felt she had to speed up the process, she bought some over-the-counter painkillers, which she took with the prescribed anti-depressant.
“At first she felt in control again, but after a few months she started neglecting her job and her duties as mother and wife. The painkillers were no longer enough, and she bought more and more. She lost her job and spent a lot of time in bed sleeping,” Overbeek revealed.
“Within a year of abusing these cocktail drugs, her husband asked for a divorce, her kids spent more time away from home, while her eldest son was caught driving his mother’s car under the influence of alcohol. The story ended on a successful note for Smith, who requested that her doctor refer her to Life Poorview for treatment.
“But, how many people are not lucky enough to save their lives in time. Historically there has been a separation in the provision of mental health services and treatment of substance use,” concluded Overbeek.
*Name changed to protect the subject’s identity.
Details: Dr Marinda Overbeek, clinic manager Life Poortview and Life Riverfield Lodge, 010 003 0930.
