Alcoholism, according to the disease model of recovery, is a chronic illness that causes trauma on a number of different levels, not only in the life of the alcoholic, but in the lives of everyone with whom they come into contact. Recovery from alcoholism, in many regards, involves a multi-pronged approach. What we know about this form of addiction is that there is no one, simple way of recovery. In fact, the recovering alcoholic will be faced with many choices and important changes that are crucial to whether he/she will recover in the long-term. This includes the kind of people with whom they choose to associate, the places they visit and even the activities in which they engage. Recovery is a lifelong, life-changing process, but we encourage recovering alcoholics to think of their process as a “one day at a time,” experience.
Depending on the level of alcohol in the individual’s system, a detoxification process may be required. It is important that this process is facilitated and monitored by a medical professional who is able to check the client’s vital signs and ensure that the process is as comfortable as possible. The nature and length of this process will depend entirely on the physical and mental state of the individual client. We therefore treat each detox process on a case-by-case basis.
After detox, the client will join the rest of the therapeutic community in group sessions. The goal of treatment at Crossroads Recovery Centres is to help our clients build foundations for long-term abstinence. This involves focusing on making changes in the way recovering alcoholics live their lives, face problems and relate to themselves and the world around them.
For many, recovering from alcoholism may not seem possible, but we believe that one day at a time, one step at a time, it can become a reality. We understand the importance of building a support network that extends beyond the treatment programme, which is why we deem it imperative to introduce recovering alcoholics to the Alcoholics Anonymous 12 step fellowship during their time at the facility. This ensures that they have a long-term plan for recovery and that after treatment, they have the support they need to live free from the clutches of alcoholism.
If you or a loved one is in search of help for addiction in any form, know that help is readily available. Contact us for a free consultation and we’ll support you in your journey.
No Obligation Addiction Assessment
Book a No Obligation Confidential Assessment at your nearest Treatment Centre Today.
The encouragement, love and support from the team at Crossroads allowed me to eventually see that I was worth something - that my life could be turned around and that I could accomplish the things that had long been a forgotten dream.
On the last day of my stint at Crossroads I could only express gratitude towards all who works there. A wise councillor once commented on my question when one is ready for rehab by explaining that when one is ready for rehab, rehab is ready for you.
I was lost and my soul was broken until I ended up at Crossroads and was introduced to the Twelve Steps. With the help of their excellent staff and amazing support I have recently been clean for 18 months, I could not have done it without them!
"Just for today I am more than three years in recovery. I have Cross Roads to thank for this wonderful gift. Cross Roads helped me to set a firm foundation in my recovery on which I can continue to build."
Can You Detox at an Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre in South Africa?
20 March, 2020Articles, News
Alcoholism, like substance abuse and other forms of addiction, is a progressive disease that can have fatal consequences. Fortunately, those who suffer from alcoholism today have more access than ever before to information on the disease and how it can be treated. The team of professionals at Crossroads Recovery Centres has years of collective experience in working with alcoholics and helping them to walk the path to recovery. More often that not, that process begins with a supervised detox.
If you are wondering whether it is possible to detox at an alcohol rehabilitation centre in South Africa, the answer is yes. In fact, a rehab centre is one of the safest places to go through detox from alcohol abuse.
Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal vary from person to person, but these symptoms can be quite severe. Mild symptoms begin to show up as early as 6 hours after a drink and can include headaches, anxiety and nausea. In extreme cases symptoms can include high blood pressure, heavy sweating, heart palpitations and even delusions. For this reason, it is advisable for an alcoholic to seek professional help with the detox process, such as Crossroads Recovery Centres.
The process of detox at an
alcohol rehabilitation centre in South Africa should be facilitated by a
medical practitioner such as a doctor or nurse. It is important that the
patient’s vital signs be monitored regularly and any complications treated
timeously in order to make the process as bearable as possible. Alcoholics who
have a history of heart or lung disease are particularly vulnerable to severe
withdrawal symptoms and are therefore advised never to detox alone, but to seek
the guidance of a professional who can make sure that their medical conditions
do not worsen during the process of withdrawal.
Many alcoholics may be apprehensive about entering an alcohol rehabilitation centre in South Africa, for fear of what withdrawal will entail. However, the life that awaits on the other side of binge drinking is one to look forward to. Taking the first steps and checking into rehab to detox, is the all-important action that will help an alcoholic to find a new way to life, free from the clutches of active addiction.
If you or a loved one is in search of help for alcoholism, know that help is readily available. Contact us for a free consultation and we’ll support you in your journey.
No Obligation Addiction Assessment
Book a No Obligation Confidential Assessment at your nearest Treatment Centre Today.
The encouragement, love and support from the team at Crossroads allowed me to eventually see that I was worth something - that my life could be turned around and that I could accomplish the things that had long been a forgotten dream.
On the last day of my stint at Crossroads I could only express gratitude towards all who works there. A wise councillor once commented on my question when one is ready for rehab by explaining that when one is ready for rehab, rehab is ready for you.
I was lost and my soul was broken until I ended up at Crossroads and was introduced to the Twelve Steps. With the help of their excellent staff and amazing support I have recently been clean for 18 months, I could not have done it without them!
"Just for today I am more than three years in recovery. I have Cross Roads to thank for this wonderful gift. Cross Roads helped me to set a firm foundation in my recovery on which I can continue to build."
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, psychosis refers to an episode in which an individual has a break from reality. This often includes but doesn’t require, delusions, or false beliefs that are firmly held despite clear evidence to the contrary, and hallucinations. About 3 in every 100 people will experience at least one episode of psychosis in their lifetimes.
Drug-induced psychosis, also known as substance-induced psychotic disorder, is simply any psychotic episode that is related to the abuse of an intoxicant. This can be due to any of the following : taking too much of a certain drug, having an adverse reaction after mixing substances, during withdrawal from a drug, or if the individual has underlying mental health issues. Though it’s not actually true that taking a certain kind of drug can suddenly trigger a severe mental illness where none had existed, mental illness is a predictor of substance abuse, and someone prone to psychosis can be triggered by becoming overly intoxicated.
Substance abuse is defined as any use of an illicit intoxicant, any use of a prescription medication outside the direction of a doctor, or excessive use of legal substances such as alcohol. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.3 percent of individuals in the US, age 12 and older, needed treatment for a drug or alcohol problem in 2009. This does not include people who occasionally abuse drugs but are not considered to have a dependence issue. This amounts to 23.5 million people.
Psychosis Due to Drugs
Many recreational and prescription drugs can induce psychotic
symptoms that can mimic serious psychiatric disorders.
Drug-induced psychosis has been associated with suicidal
thoughts, dangerous and violent behaviour, hospitalization, and arrests.
Because treatment modalities can vary, it is important to ascertain whether psychotic symptoms are substance-induced or caused by other factors.
Drugs That Can Cause Psychosis
Heavy, long-term use of many substances can result in
psychotic symptoms. However, certain drugs are more likely to cause psychotic
symptoms than others. These include:
Methamphetamine
The use of methamphetamine can lead to paranoia, persecution
delusions, and auditory and visual hallucinations.
One common hallucination is the feeling of bugs crawling on
one’s skin. These symptoms might subside after stopping use, but they can also
persist for weeks or longer, and may increase one’s susceptibility for developing
future psychosis. Even after long periods of abstinence, psychotic symptoms may
return in periods of stress.
Cannabis
Cannabis use has long been associated with psychotic symptoms. The first evidence came from the Swedish Conscripts Study of 45,570 military inductees who were followed-up for 15 years.
The results showed that those who had used cannabis by the
age of 17 were 2.4 times more likely to develop schizophrenia than non-users.
The risk of schizophrenia rose to 6 times that of non-users for heavy cannabis
users (more than 50 times at initial interview).
Cocaine
Up to 50% of cocaine users will show some symptoms of
psychosis after use. The risk increases with needle or freebased use.
Persecution delusions and tactile hallucinations are common.
Psychotic symptoms can persist days, months, and sometimes years after use has
stopped.
Amphetamine
Amphetamine (Speed) can cause psychotic symptoms similar to
methamphetamine and cocaine after repeated use.
Alcohol
Alcohol can cause delusions, mental confusion, disorganized speech, and disorientation. Typically, these symptoms subside upon sobriety.
Alcohol is one of the most commonly abused substances among individuals with schizophrenia, although diagnosis usually precedes use.
Psychedelic drugs (e.g., LSD, PCP, etc)
These drugs can induce temporary effects that mimic
psychosis. However, these symptoms typically cease when the drug wears off.
For most people, psychotic symptoms will not be present
after first use. It is only after repeated use that psychotic symptoms become
more prevalent and long-lasting.
Club/recreational drugs (e.g., ecstasy)
Ecstasy can cause psychotic symptoms, antisocial behaviour,
and panic attacks. Persistent psychosis has been reported after a single use in
some people.
Prescription meds (e.g., ketamine)
Ketamine users typically exhibit a variety of symptoms that
mimic psychosis including delusions, cognitive impairments, disordered
thinking, and incoherent speech.
Treatment and Recovery from substance-induced Psychosis
Drug induced psychosis can be treated, but it may be complicated by the challenge of making a correct diagnosis. In an emergency, regardless of the cause or diagnosis, psychosis can be treated with hospitalization and medications. Hospitalization is important to keep the patient safe until the symptoms are resolved. Medications, including antipsychotics and sedatives, can help resolve symptoms more quickly and can help the patient relax.
Once a patient has detoxed from whatever substance triggered psychotic symptoms, and from any other substance being used, a better diagnosis can be made. It is important to diagnose any mental illnesses as well as substance abuse disorders. For treatment to be effective, all issues have to be identified and addressed.
For most people going through substance-induced psychosis, the psychotic symptoms will not persist. They are usually temporary, and ongoing residential treatment will address any underlying mental illnesses as well as substance abuse disorders through behavioural therapy, medical care, social support, self-care, lifestyle changes, relapse prevention therapy, and other strategies.
In rare cases patients may experience long-term or chronic
psychosis from substance use. In these instances, treatment may involve more
specific strategies, like those used to treat psychotic disorders such as
schizophrenia. Treatment may include a combination of behavioural therapies and
antipsychotic medications to control and manage symptoms.
Treatment for any type of psychosis, including cases triggered by substance use, can be complicated, because patients struggle to recognize that their delusions and other experiences are not grounded in reality. The best outcomes result from residential care in which a patient can get intensive care and round-the-clock supervision. Treating underlying substance abuse and mental illness will help most patients recover and be able to manage their lives outside of care.
The encouragement, love and support from the team at Crossroads allowed me to eventually see that I was worth something - that my life could be turned around and that I could accomplish the things that had long been a forgotten dream.
On the last day of my stint at Crossroads I could only express gratitude towards all who works there. A wise councillor once commented on my question when one is ready for rehab by explaining that when one is ready for rehab, rehab is ready for you.
I was lost and my soul was broken until I ended up at Crossroads and was introduced to the Twelve Steps. With the help of their excellent staff and amazing support I have recently been clean for 18 months, I could not have done it without them!
"Just for today I am more than three years in recovery. I have Cross Roads to thank for this wonderful gift. Cross Roads helped me to set a firm foundation in my recovery on which I can continue to build."
Sex and porn addiction can refer to a range of behaviours that are done in excess and significantly impact one’s life in a negative way.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-V (DSM-5) does not list sex addiction as a diagnosable condition yet, but research indicates that there is a clear prevalence of adverse sexual behaviour that is similar in development to a “chemical” addiction.
Is Porn Addiction the Same as Sex Addiction?
Porn addiction and sex addiction are not the same disorder.
Addiction to porn is considered to be a type of sex addiction and can manifest
itself differently than other types of sex addiction. Like “sex addiction,”
“porn addiction” is not an official diagnosis in the DSM-5 yet. However, an
addiction to porn can lead to serious distress and consequences in many facets
of life.
What Are the Different Types of Sexual Addictions?
There are no distinct categories, but sexual addictions can
come in different forms, including addiction to:
Pornography.
Prostitution.
Masturbation or fantasy.
Sadistic or masochistic behavior.
Exhibition/Voyeurism.
Other excessive sexual pursuits.
What are the Signs, Symptoms, and Effects of a Sexual Addiction?
Several signs can serve to indicate whether someone is addicted to sex. These can be emotional or physical. Furthermore, it’s important to know the debilitating effects of sexual addiction.
Emotional Symptoms of Sex Addiction
If you or someone you love suffers from a sex addiction, you
might not have healthy boundaries. If your husband is addicted to porn or sex,
you may feel alienated, isolated, depressed, angry, or humiliated and need
treatment yourself. If you are addicted to sex, you might become easily
involved with people sexually or emotionally regardless of how well you know
them, according to Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous. Because most sex addicts
fear being abandoned, they might stay in relationships that aren’t healthy, or
they may jump from relationship to relationship. When alone, they might feel
empty or incomplete. They might also sexualize feelings like guilt, loneliness
or fear.
Physical Symptoms of Sex Addiction
Although a sex addiction or pornography addiction can create
many physical side effects, few physical symptoms of this disorder exist.
However, the most common physical sex addict symptoms you might notice from
having a sexual addiction is feeling immobilized due to sexual or emotional
obsessions.
Effects of Sex Addiction
The effects of a sex addiction can be severe.
According to Departmental Management of the USDA, about 38%
of men and 45% of women with sex addictions have a venereal disease as a result
of their behaviour.
Pregnancy is also a common side effect that can occur due to
risky behaviour. In one survey, nearly 70% of women with sex addictions
reported they’d experienced at least one unwanted pregnancy as a result of
their addiction.
Additionally, sex addiction likely has a negative impact on
several areas of one’s life. It can lead to:
A decline in personal relationships, social, and
family engagement.
Decreased concentration and productivity at
work.
Physical consequences like sexual dysfunction or
sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
It can have profound psychological effects, like generating
feelings of shame, inadequacy, and emotional distress. It can lead to, or stem
from, comorbid psychological disorders like:
Anxiety.
Depression.
Substance abuse.
Problems related to impulse control and emotion
dysregulation.
Obsessive-Compulsive type symptoms.
It is important to know that addressing co-occurring
problems in one’s life, like depression, social anxiety, or social isolation,
can make it easier to recover from sexual addiction.
Am I Addicted to Sex?
It is best to consult with a healthcare professional for proper evaluation of your sex addiction; however, you may also want to look out for the following signs:
You feel powerless over how you act sexually.
Your sexual choices are making your life
unmanageable.
You feel shame, embarrassment or even self-loathing
over your sexual acts.
You promise yourself you’ll change, but fail to
keep those promises.
You’re so preoccupied with sex it becomes like a
ritual to you.
If you’re exhibiting any of these symptoms, it might be time to seek sex addictiontreatment. If you also have a co-occurring substance addiction (e.g., alcohol, cocaine), call to learn more about treatment options.
The encouragement, love and support from the team at Crossroads allowed me to eventually see that I was worth something - that my life could be turned around and that I could accomplish the things that had long been a forgotten dream.
On the last day of my stint at Crossroads I could only express gratitude towards all who works there. A wise councillor once commented on my question when one is ready for rehab by explaining that when one is ready for rehab, rehab is ready for you.
I was lost and my soul was broken until I ended up at Crossroads and was introduced to the Twelve Steps. With the help of their excellent staff and amazing support I have recently been clean for 18 months, I could not have done it without them!
"Just for today I am more than three years in recovery. I have Cross Roads to thank for this wonderful gift. Cross Roads helped me to set a firm foundation in my recovery on which I can continue to build."
