DARE TO CARE.

 

CTDCC is the slice of heaven we all need.

By Lisalee Solomons

The formidable team that heads up the Mitchell’s Plain branch of The Cape Town Drug counselling centre.         

From left to right: Karen Piolet, Arlene Slabbert, Theresa Eiman, Hazel Hess and Ncebakazi Ketani.

 

It’s no secret that drugs has taken over the world with its deadly effect that it has on the human body. You can basically find your drug of choice on any street corner in any area. One of the most common addictions in South Africa is the common use of drugs. Even your average Joe who you would think would never even partake of this addictive exercise  because  ‘ his parents raised him right’ has somehow been introduced by the deadly drug that has taken over many peoples lives.

Now, it might be new to many peoples ears, but the Cape Town Drug Counselling Centre has been around since 1985, which is a very long time considering that we are in a whole new decade of years.  The CTDCC not only boasts rehabilitation and counselling for drug addicts, but also help those that are battling with alcohol addiction. These are very difficult topics to talk about in any family, because not only does the addiction affect those close to us, but it’s exceptionally hard to watch a family member or friend deteriorate due to drugs.

 

 

Picture supplied from The Cape Town Drug Counselling Centre website (http://drugcentre.org.za/depressants/Alcohol)

 

Well some of us consume alcohol in moderate consumption, others rely on it daily, sometimes every hour. Alcohol addiction is as serious as drug addiction and in some cases can result in death. It is a liquid fermented with starches that makes the body function at a slow pace and can result in one loosing their co-ordination and judgment.

According to the CTDCC these are the symptoms one should look out for in alcohol addicts.

         

Symptoms Of Alcohol Abuse:

·         Trembling Hands 

·         Hangover

·         Vomiting and Nausea 

·         Loss of appetite

·         Smell of alcohol on the user’s clothes or breath

·         Chewing gum, breath mints and freshener

·         Hiding alcohol

·         Withdrawn secretive behaviour – lying about drinking and the amount used, creating excuses to drink, and feeling anxious, defensive or guilty when the user is questioned about his/her drinking. 

·         Impaired co-ordination e.g. staggering walk

·         Slowed reflexes e.g. slurred speech

·         Decrease in concentration

 What Are The Effects Of Alcohol?

·         Relaxation – relieves anxiety and tension

·         Impaired judgement and loss of inhibition – the user will become adventurous and not think about the reasoning behind things.

·         False confidence – the user becomes more sociable and talkative

·         Drowsiness

·         Initially the user will feel a happy ‘buzz’ once they have had a few drinks. As they continue to drink more they may become depressed

·         Double vision (Seeing two of everything) and not being able to judge distance

·         Aggression that could lead to violence

·         Confusion 

·         Drunkenness

 What Are The Long-Term Effects?

·         Addiction – tolerance is built up quickly. This means that the user will have to drink more than before to get drunk. This causes a dependence on alcohol.

·         High blood pressure

·         Damage to the brain, heart, kidneys, liver and pancreas

·         Blackouts and memory loss

·         Stomach ulcers (sores develop in the

 

With qualified social workers and professional people working within the different branch facilities of the CTDCC, you can be guaranteed to me made felt like family. Yes of course the road to recovery is definitely not an easy one, and in most cases these addicts don’t have any family members to fall back on, but the CTDCC is determined to get you back on to your feet and living the best life you are able to live without having to turn to the drugs and alcohol to fill the void you trying to avoid.

 

 

Picture curtesy of Google/ iol

 

Most drug addicts will tell you they started experiencing with weed (dagga) as its commonly known, and that they were introduced to the drug by a friend and that is how it all escalated. But surely everyone has the right to refuse the option of trying something new out right? Well, its not that simple actually, peer pressure whether you an adult or in your teens, it’s not always easy saying no, but what is it about this drugs and alcohol addiction that has people wanting to destroy their life by giving up everything they have for this addiction? We cannot answer that, each one has their own reasons for doing what they do, and some might have valid reasons, so who are we to judge? It just becomes so sad to see good people throw their life away for this deadly addiction they cannot control no matter how much they try and how much times they have been in rehab, at the end of the day its an addicts choice whether they want to turn their life around and accept help or if they want to live their life the ‘easy way out’.

CTDCC has seen many addicts come and go from their centre, some make a full recovery as it states on their website, some don’t make a full recovery and go back to living on the streets smoking their drug of choice or consuming the alcohol that they want,  but at the end of the day, they have a very strong support structure at the Cape Town Drug Counselling Centre and social workers wanting to help these addicts, but none can force an addict to come clean, because at the end of the day that person that has an addiction doesn’t seem to think he/she has an addiction, and they are the only ones that can make then choice of wanting to turn their life around.  

The Cape Flats is predominantly known for the drugs that one can get any time of the day or night on any corner. Almost anyone staying on the Cape Flats can point you in the direction of a merchants house or lead you into contact with someone they know that can assist you in buying the drug you looking for. I’ve been living in Mitchell’s Plain my whole life, and everyday I am amazed at how people are selling drugs in almost every street in broad daylight! It’s become quite ‘normal’ to see that even children as young as 13 have resorted to the drug life by either being addicted to some sort of drug or that are now selling drugs to support their family, themselves or just chose to become this way inclined and not care about a future that could await them. There are many reasons why people choose to divulge in drugs and why they think this way is conducive for them, we are in no position to judge and there is literally only so much we can do for an addict that doesn’t want any help. Some drug or alcohol addicts have become so use to this way of life, that they don’t wish to come out of it and sadly don’t care what their addiction is doing to the family and friends they have deserted.

According to The Cape Town Drug Counselling Centre’s website, these are the signs we should look out for should we suspect some strange behaviour in our loved ones:

Drug Info

 - 

Signs Of Using

Physical Changes

·         Weight loss, pale face, circles under eyes

·         Red eyes (or frequent use of eye drops)

·         Unexplained skin rashes

·         Persistent cough, frequent colds

·         Changes in sleep and/or eating patterns

·         Deterioration in personal hygiene

·         Odour of alcohol or other drugs

·         Obvious intoxication

Behavioural Change

·         Increased need and use of money

·         Quitting or getting fired from jobs

·         New friends, lying secretiveness, mysterious phone calls

·         Attendance problems at work or school

·         Drop in performance at work or school

·         Accidents at work or school

·         Mood swings (e.g. angry outbursts, sadness/depression or elated mood)

·         Verbal and/or physical abuse of family members

·         Spending more time alone

·         Quitting hobbies or extracurricular activities

·         Theft and missing valuables, alcohol or medication

 

Items to Look for:

·         Alcohol and other drugs in possession

·         Mouthwash, breath sprays or eye drops

·         Thinners, tippex or other solvents (indicates inhalant abuse)

·         Bank bags, rolling papers (rizla, etc), broken glass bottle tops, pipes of various shapes and sizes, pieces of tinfoil, mirrors, razor blades, small screens or burnt spoons

·         Seeds (from dagga plants)

·         Incense burning

·         Burns or stains on hands and clothing

 

These are just some of the signs you should look out for should you suspect any family member or friend might be experimenting in drugs, and as painful as it will be to discover and speak about it with that person, we must also bare in mind that there is a reason as to why they decided on this choice, so we need to approach the subject with caution and with care.

The Cape Town Drug counselling centre has branches in Atlantis, Observatory and Mitchell’s Plain and are proudly supported by the Department of  Social Development.  If you know of anyone suffering at the hands of addiction and want to get them help please make contact with the following people/organisations below.

 

Narcotics Anonymous               0839006962 www.na.org.za

Alcoholics Anonymous              0861435722 www.aasouthafrica.org.za

NAR-ANON Family support       0881296791 www.naranon.org.za

ALANON Family support           0861252666 www.alanon.org.za

LIFELINE Emergency counselling       0214611111 

 

Email info@drugcentre.org.za

Observatory: 0214478026

Mitchells Plain: 0213970103

Atlantis: 0215717180

 

You can also visit their website www.drugcentre.org.za for so much more information.

It’s never to late to save a life.