The Hard Reality of Drug Addiction

The Hard Reality of Drug Addiction

According to recent studies on drug addiction, provided by the Society for Study of Addiction (SSA) an estimated 4.9% of the world’s adult population i.e. approximately 240 million people, suffer from alcohol use disorder and an estimated 15 million people are addicted to drugs such as heroin, pethidine and methamphetamine. Substance abuse is at an all-time high.

In fact, in an article from internationally recognised author, Lorelie Rozzano, a writer, blogger and recovery advocate who works in the field of mental health and drug addiction it is noted that addiction kills more people than cancer, heart disease and diabetes combined. Many of us know and love someone with this illness. It is time we started talking about it.

The SA National Council on Alcoholism and Drug dependence (SANCA) stated that there is an “alarming increase” of people under the age of 21 in treatment centres. A study was done with 57 000 respondents in schools which showed that 34% of teens had used drugs & alcohol in the last 6 months, 32% in the last month and 27% had used substances in the last week. The studies suggests children under the age of 17 made up 22% of the people in treatment centres.

According to the United Nations Office for Drugs & Crime UNODC, in the annual drug report of 2017, indicated that over 190 000 drug related deaths were recorded in that year. These included opioids, prescription medications and heroin abuse.

An estimated 1.6 million people are living with HIV, 6.1 million people living with hepatitis and 3.1 million people living with both which has been attributed directly to needle use.

Drug & alcohol abuse is a reality that we face on a daily basis. It negatively impacts our family, relationships, health, quality of life and well-being and can lead ultimately to disability, poor health, co-occurring disorders such as depression and other related psychiatric conditions, and eventually death.

Stop your loved ones from becoming another statistic and call us today for professional help, guidance and support. If you or a loved one needs assistance with drug addiction – know that help is readily available. The road to recovery is not always an easy one but getting yourself or your loved one the best possible care from the team at Crossroads Recovery Centre, provides you with a map to sober, healthy living. No matter how bad things seem, there is hope and it’s only a phone call away. If you or anyone close to you needs help with an addiction to sex, gambling, substances, alcohol or food, please contact us for a free assessment.

Stories of Recovery

• 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.
  Oliver VG
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• 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.
  Johan B
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• 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!
  Carla S
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• "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."
  Angelique J
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