Alcohol and Drug Treatment in Johannesburg
Any quality alcohol and drug treatment in Johannesburg will provide a comprehensive process with distinct stages. These stages provide the best possible treatment framework for people struggling with AUD (Alcohol Use Disorder) and SUD (substance Use Disorder).
The best alcohol and drug treatment in Johannesburg processes will be based on the 12 core functions of a counsellor as outlined by Stanley Kulewicz. I was lucky enough to give a talk to staff at the Nottingham Priory in England in 2003 with Stanley.
Each of the stages outlined below plays a crucial role in supporting an individual’s journey towards recovery. It’s important to note that addiction is a chronic disease that requires ongoing management. Relapse does not mean treatment has failed but indicates that adjustments may need to be made to the treatment plan.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) provides a comprehensive overview of addiction treatment and recovery. According to NIDA, addiction is a treatable disorder, and research has led to the development of methods that help people stop using drugs and resume productive lives, also known as being in recovery.
However, like other chronic diseases such as heart disease or asthma, alcohol and drug treatment in Johannesburg isn’t a cure. But addiction can be managed successfully. Treatment enables people to counteract addiction’s disruptive effects on their brain and behaviour and regain control of their lives.
Relapse, or a return to drug use after an attempt to stop, can be part of the process due to the chronic nature of addiction. However newer treatments are designed to help with relapse prevention. Relapse rates for drug use are similar to rates for other chronic medical illnesses. If people stop following their medical treatment plan, they are likely to relapse.
Therefore, substance use disorders should be treated like any other chronic illness. Relapse serves as a sign for resumed, modified, or new treatment. Alcohol and drug treatment in Johannesburg, as with all chronic diseases involves changing deeply rooted behaviours, and relapse doesn’t mean treatment has failed. When a person recovering from an addiction relapses, it indicates that the person needs to speak with their doctor to resume treatment, modify it, or try another treatment.
While relapse can be a normal part of recovery:
– for some drugs, it can be very dangerous—even deadly. If a person uses as much of the drug as they did before quitting, they can easily overdose because their bodies are no longer adapted to their previous level of drug exposure. An overdose happens when the person uses enough of a drug to produce uncomfortable feelings, life-threatening symptoms, or death.
Research shows that with alcohol and drug treatment in Johannesburg, particularly with addictions to opioids (prescription pain relievers or drugs like heroin or fentanyl), medication should be the first line of treatment, usually combined with some form of behavioural therapy or counselling.
Addiction is defined:
as a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite adverse consequences. It is considered a brain disorder, because it involves functional changes to brain circuits involved in reward, stress, and self-control.
The chronic nature of addiction means that for some people relapse, or a return to drug use after an attempt to stop, can be part of the process. However, newer alcohol and drug treatment in Johannesburg is designed to help with relapse prevention. Relapse rates for drug use are similar to rates for other chronic medical illnesses. If people stop following their medical treatment plan, they are likely to relapse.
The first step in the treatment process is pre-admission a brief assessment over the phone or in person. It’sF used to determine the patients’ appropriateness and eligibility for a specific alcohol and drug treatment in Johannesburg.
Alcohol and Drug Treatment in Johannesburg – Screening:
Appropriateness: Is the patient psychotic? At risk of harm to themselves or others? Capable of partaking fully in the programme?
Eligibility: Is the patient on a medical aid that will pay for alcohol and drug treatment? Can they afford the co-pay of what the medical aid will not cover? Do they need long-term care and can they afford to pay for it privately?
Screening begins to compile alcohol/substance use history and highlight any possible co-occurring mental health disorders. This helps determine the appropriate level of care for the individual and forms the beginning of their treatment plan.
The intake process involves the individual actually entering the treatment facility and completing administrative processes. Nursing, admin and support staff ensure that the patient is not bringing any forbidden items (drugs, alcohol, weapons) into the facility.
During orientation, individuals are introduced to the substance abuse treatment facility, its rules and regulations, and what to expect during their stay. This ensures that individuals understand their responsibilities and rights while undergoing rehab at the alcohol and drug treatment in Johannesburg.
The assessment phase involves medical and clinical staff questioning the individual to determine their treatment plan. This includes assessing what substances the individual is addicted to, how long they’ve been addicted, and whether they suffer from any known mental health disorders.
Treatment planning creates an individualised alcohol and drug treatment strategy based on each person’s particular requirements. The therapies and interventions that will be used throughout treatment are described in this plan.
Alcohol and drug treatment in Johannesburg:
will include family counselling, group counselling and individual counselling. Drink and drug rehab therapy will be delivered by a team of professionals including a social worker, occupational therapist, psychologist, GP, psychiatrist and more. Drug and alcohol rehab in Johannesburg will assist clients in understanding their addiction, it’s root causes and conditions and help patients create coping mechanisms that support their recovery, not their addictions.
Coordinating an individual’s care requires managing their case. This may entail planning for aftercare services, maintaining medication schedules, consulting with other healthcare professionals, and more.
Crisis intervention is necessary when an individual is in immediate danger or experiencing a mental health crisis. This could involve suicidal thoughts, severe withdrawal symptoms, or other urgent situations.
Client education involves teaching individuals about addiction, recovery, relapse prevention strategies, and more. The goal is to empower individuals with knowledge so they can make informed decisions about their recovery.
Referral involves directing individuals to other services or resources that can support their recovery. This could include mental health services, social services, housing resources, job training programs, and more.
Aftercare involves ongoing support after an individual has completed their treatment program. This could involve follow-up appointments, support groups, ongoing counselling sessions, and more.
Outpatient rehab allows individuals to live at home while receiving treatment. This can include counselling sessions, medication management, support groups, and more.
Source:
(1) Treatment and Recovery | National Institute on Drug Abuse. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/treatment-recovery.
(2) Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drugs-brain.
(3) The Twelve Core Functions of a Counselor – Stanley F. Kulewicz – Google Books