News & References

Information about addiction

Addiction is a disease that affects a significant proportion of the world's population. In South Africa and abroad, millions of people struggle with alcoholism, drug addiction and various other types of dependencies including eating disorders and compulsive behaviours. Oasis Counselling Centre in Plettenberg Bay provides a safe environment for addicts to find recovery, and has become one of the leading addiction treatment facilities in South Africa.

The information and news below helps to educate and enlighten individuals about the disease of addiction, and provides useful insight into addiction treatment and rehabilitation.

Contact Oasis Centre in Plettenberg Bay to find out more about our drug treatment facility, or for more information about alcohol and drug addiction, dependencies, eating disorders and dysfunctional behaviours.

Oasis Counselling Centre provides effective eating disorder treatment in conjunction with a highly structured 12 step recovery programme. The treatment centre is based in the tranquillity of Plettenberg Bay and provides solace to individuals battling debilitating eating disorders.

Eating disorders are life-threatening diseases that require professional treatment by qualified counsellors. These progressive disorders can spiral out of control and have fatal consequences unless treatment is sought.

Oasis offers ethical and compassionate treatment for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and compulsive overeating disorder.

Holistic treatment
Oasis endorses a holistic approach to eating disorder treatment. Counsellors focus on the deep-seated issues and addictive nature of eating disorders that result in obsessive compulsive behaviour.

Oasis recommends long-term inpatient treatment for the best recovery results: A minimum stay of three months for eating disorder treatment is advised. For patients seeking further treatment, Oasis offers tertiary care facilities at Solar House rehabilitation centre.

Eating disorders are progressive diseases that often have roots in the childhood of the sufferer. Sufficient time is required to treat these disorders as the symptoms and compulsions are deeply entrenched in the behaviour of the client.

Oasis provides intensive treatment that addresses underlying issues with one-to-one counselling and group therapy.

Oasis employs a treatment team of registered nurses, medical physicians and consultant psychiatrists to assist clients in regaining healthy bodies and minds. A supervised diet and exercise programme are integral elements of the eating disorder treatment programme. Each client is individually assessed and treated according to their health condition. "Therapy helps clients to make healthy life choices based on self-respecting principles," says Antice Wright, director of Oasis Counselling Centre.

12 Step recovery programme
Oasis employs a 12 step recovery programme. This method of treatment is highly successful in the treatment of eating disorders, and provides daily steps for clients to follow, post rehabilitation. "The 12 step programme is a source of hope for our clients and helps sufferers not to slip back into destructive behaviours once they leave Oasis," explains Anstice Wright.

Types of eating disorders
Anorexia is characterised by self-loathing and low self-esteem. Anorexics are obsessed with controlling their food intake and restrict ingestion to virtually nothing. Their biggest fear is weight gain and starvation is their desperate means of controlling that fear. Oasis provides a healthy eating plan, 12 step programme and psychological treatment by qualified addiction counsellors when treating anorexia nervosa.

Bulimia is an eating disorder in which sufferers binge uncontrollably and thereafter engage in vomiting, over-exercising, starvation or the use of laxatives as compensation. Bulimics lead secretive lives and will go to great lengths to conceal their compulsions and behaviour. Oasis imparts the 12 step philosophy, combined with supervised eating plans and intensive therapy, when treating bulimia nervosa.

Oasis recommends treatment for compulsive overeating as it is like any other addiction: uncontrollable, progressive and unstoppable without professional help. Sufferers experience feelings of intense guilt and self-hatred which they numb with compulsive bingeing. Medical treatment, dedicated counselling and the 12 steps are used for treating compulsive overeating disorders.

About the Author:
Oasis Counselling Centre offers effective eating disorder treatment at its rehabilitation centre in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa. Oasis offers treatment by qualified addiction counsellors and endorses a 12 step recovery programme.