Addiction to any substance (drugs or alcohol) is very difficult and most people cannot accomplish it alone. The entire industry of substance abuse treatment is built on how difficult the challenge of overcoming addiction truly is. When a family realises that there is a problem they will no doubt start looking for some form of drug rehabilitation clinic or detox center. There are many such facilities throughout the world and as many opinions about which is the most successful. There seems to be little consensus about what is the "best" method of treating addiction. Addiction is an illness that can strike anybody. Research has not been able to demonstrate any clear reason as to its causes and there seem to be a diverse range of causes. Addiction strikes people of all ages, from all walks of life, and across all cultural groupings. It has many forms that it takes and people can become addicted to a range of substances and behaviours.

It should be clear that addiction treatment can be a complicated endeavour and any time you spend in locating a suitably qualified drug rehab clinic will be an investment. Because addiction has so many forms it is important to consider each patient as an individual. This allows a more accurate diagnosis and provides a richer understanding of the context in which the addiction has developed. We Do Recover has expertise in understanding the etiology and course of addiction and which treatment services may be required to address these. A drug rehab program should be structured enough to provide a sense of safety to the patients but flexible enough to allow individual needs to be catered for. It should provide a range of therapeutic activities to address the facets of addiction from multiple viewpoints and treatment methodologies. At the core of a program should be a focus on helping the patient develop motivation for staying clean and the ability to take responsibility for this goal. Lifeskill training accompanies most addiction treatment programs and helps patients to learn new social styles and coping strategies. Whether it is just the ability to stand up for oneself, or a deep unresolved trauma the alcohol treatment clinic will help the individual to find new skills to deal with life on life's terms without the use of chemicals or addictive behaviours. Addiction can be beaten! Nobody has to die from this illness. Please contact us if you would like more information about drug treatment programs in South Africa.

Additional Resources

• We Do Recover offers expert advice in finding an affordable drug rehab.
• South African substance abuse treatment is an introduction to South African treatment resources.
• Drug Photo Menu provides colour photographs of various drugs.
• Alcohol and Drug Abuse provides a series of easy to read articles about drug and alcohol abuse.
• Web of Addictions provides many resources dealing with addictions.
• Drug Rehab is a site dealing with holistic treatment methods for substance abuse and other forms of addiction.
• Pathways of Addiction is a NIM book about the effects addiction has on different spheres of an individual.
• About.com Substance Abuse Page is a good resource site for professionals and members of the public alike. It has many links to other resources as well.
• Join Together Online is a website devoted to creating awareness in the fight against substance abuse.
• Drugnews Index is a news portal that provides breaking news about addiction.
• U.S. Information Service: Narcotics and Substance Abuse is a DEA document outlining the effects and severity of various drugs.
• Drugs and Drugs Use Internet Guide provides links to addictions resouces.
• Bill Moyers Close to Home Online is the website attached to an American documentary series.
• Drug Enforcement Administration: Get It Straight! is an American government publication for families.
• Straight Facts About Drugs and Alcohol is a pamphlet designed for families about recognizing and properly addressing substance abuse.
• Drug Enforcement Administration: Drugs of Abuse is an American government publication.
• Common Drugs of Abuse is a NIDA resource that provides useful information about commonly abused drugs and their effects.
• Drugsearch is an online encylopedia with a great amount of information about addiction and substance abuse.
• Project Cork Institute is a comprehensive resource site providing a good starting point for literature reviews.
• Indiana Prevention Resource Center is an American resource site with a huge amount of information.
• Understanding Addiction: Basic Science Information is an entry level text that introduces the effects substances have on the nervous system.
• Street Terms: Drugs and the Drug Trade is a website of the jargon used by addicts and drug dealers.
• Pathology of Drug Abuse shows photographs of the effects of drugs on internal organs.
• National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information is a large database of pamphlets, information, and research findings.