What you need to know about addiction

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Addiction is a disease, not a weakness. People who become dependent on drugs need treatment, not punishment. This doesn't mean that there is a quick fix for addiction; but like other chronic diseases, it can be treated and managed.

Many people take drugs without becoming dependent on them. Drinking alcohol is a social norm, but relatively few people become alcoholics. This is because it is not the drugs that cause addiction. Rather, the addict needs to be treated for the disease of addiction.

This helps explain why people can become addicted to different activities, not just narcotic substances. For example, many people can gamble at casinos without a problem, while others will develop a gambling addiction.

Addiction is a symptom of an underlying problem. Addictive behaviours are so serious not only because of the direct harm they can cause, but because they indicate serious fundamental problems.

This is why professional treatment is so important. It is not enough just to stop addictive behaviour because this doesn't address the fundamental issues. Addiction is not a failure of willpower. Addicts don't choose to be dependent.

Addicts usually experience emotional problems or difficulty coping with their lives. Taking drugs is a way of dealing with emotional conflict or turmoil. In order to help addicts achieve long-term recovery, treatment helps them deal with these underlying issues.

This is why successful treatment is usually intensive and takes place over an extended period of time. Addicts need to learn positive behaviours and discover how to cope. Healing emotional trauma and psychological pain is a complex process that that should be undertaken by trained professionals.

Oasis Counselling Centre believes in using a range of methods and treatment to deal with addiction. Addicts receive Drug Addiction Counselling in combination with treatment following a 12 Step Programme. The programme emphasises "abstinence plus change". Of course, it is important to stop taking the substances or engaging in behaviours that the addict is dependent on. But if the causes of addiction remain untreated, the problem will only get worse. And because addiction cannot be cured, a relapse can return the addict to the same behaviours - or worse.

Addicts should have a realistic time-frame when seeking treatment. The disease of addiction cannot be treated overnight. But that is no reason to give up hope. With the help of professional, caring staff and the support found in group therapy addicts can take the journey to recovery. For more information, call Oasis Counselling Centre in Plettenberg Bay for expert advice.