Alcohol Abuse

Don’t kid yourself. Alcohol, booze, the devil’s juice – whatever you call it, alcohol is a deadly drug and is the leading protagonist when it comes to death.  If you want (or need) proof as to why alcohol is the most deadly drug around, read on.

Booze in its many forms has been around for thousands of years. Almost 10 000 years to be exact. Although we are not saying it should be wiped out and banned from being drunk (it’s not a prohibition speech, promise) we are here to let you know that there are a few truths that need to be told to you about alcohol. In the end you need to be fully aware of everything before you make a choice. Knowledge is power after all. Continue reading “Alcohol. The most deadly drug of them all.” →

Video games: Gaming Addiction

Ever since the early 70’s video games have captured the world’s imagination. America is considered the birth place of commercial video game activity and research paints the real origin of the world of gaming to be as early as the 50s – borne out of research needs from eager scientists who wanted to find new ways to discover and use simulations to further their work. Although the work back then on video games can be seen as primitive compared to present day technology , Continue reading “Gaming Addiction A Winning Addiction?” →

What’s in a name: Designer Drugs and their effects

Designer drugs. You may have heard the term in passing conversation, or know someone who is on them. You may even be on them and need help getting off them but don’t know what they are. A designer drug is a synthetic substance that is sold (mostly) illegally as a way to get high. Bath salts, synthetic marijuana, and synthetic hallucinogens are examples of designer drugs. They are not classified as being the same as the drugs they are supposed to mimic and are much more variable, unpredictable, and as a result, dangerous. It is vitally important for anyone who uses these drugs to stop, and for those who cannot stop to get help before the adverse effects cause real and lasting damage.

What do we mean when we say a designer drug is synthetic? Well, designer drugs are man-made substances that people use to get high. Most are illegal, but some fall through the legal loopholes. The ingredients and potency in products like synthetic marijuana, bath salts, and others are impossible to know and result in dangerous, unpredictable effects on those who use them. Any use of a designer drug is risky and potentially life-threatening. The actual term “designer drugs” refers to substances that are made by a process of chemical synthesis – i.e., they are designed to mimic another drug. They are mostly made in a laboratory – but don’t let that fool you, a lab isn’t always a room full of scientists, it can be a back alley room full of dodgy drug dealers and manufacturers with no background in science or lab work.

They are created to be sold for people who want to get high, often mimicking natural substances and drugs. Take for instance synthetic marijuana products like K2 or Spice which are created in labs based on the structure of natural cannabinoids, the compounds found in marijuana.

Designer drugs are manufactured in a laboratory

But to say that they are the same or even similar to their natural counterparts is misleading and often a source of more headaches (and heartache) than you could ever imagine.  They are often very different and can cause a wide range of effects and adverse reactions. Because they are illicit, unregulated substances, and because they often change chemically from one product to another with the same name, designer drugs and how they will affect a user are highly unpredictable.

And here’s the catch. Some designer drugs are legal. Designer drugs are often referred to as legal highs. The substances created to make these products are new and not yet specifically listed as illegal.  Some laboratories make these products to tweak the compounds and produce something that is not technically illegal. This can make designer drugs particularly harmful because people, especially teens and young adults, may falsely believe that something legal must be safe to use.

So, how are designer drugs classified?

Did you know that there are said to be over 300 known designer drugs, each belonging to one of three types of new psychoactive drug (NPS) classifications. An NPS is, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes a “substances of abuse, either in a pure form or a preparation, that are not controlled by the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs or the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, but which may pose a public health threat”. The term “new” does not necessarily refer to new inventions — several NPS were first synthesized 40 years ago — but to substances that have recently become available on the market.

Here are the three main categories that NPS drugs (Designer drugs) are classified under:

1. Synthetic cannabinoids.

These are designer drugs that are supposed to mimic the natural compounds in the cannabis plant, also known as marijuana. There are many different street names for these products, including Spice, K2, Bliss, and Scooby Snax. They can cause a range of adverse effects, including anxiety, violent behaviours, seizures, hallucinations, and paranoia.

2. Synthetic cathinones

Cathinone is a natural substance found in plant called khat. Designer drugs that are supposed to mimic this substance are stimulants, similar to cocaine, MDMA, and methamphetamine. The most common street name for these drugs is bath salts. Potential adverse effects of bath salts include paranoia, hallucinations, seizures, chest pains, suicidal thoughts, and violent outbursts.

3. Synthetic phenethylamines.

Phenethylamines made in a laboratory are designed to mimic hallucinogenic drugs. N-bomb and smiles are two of the street names for them and they can be found as liquids, powders, and papers soaked in the liquid solution. These designer drugs may cause seizures, heart attack, and respiratory failure.

The adverse effects of designer drugs may seem glaringly obvious to some, but to others, they are not and need to be highlighted.

Designer and synthetic drugs are dangerous for a few reasons.

One of the most important reasons is that they are unpredictable. It is impossible for the user to know what exactly is in one of these products or how it will affect them. The actual compounds can vary as can the amount. There may even be contaminants, as was recently the case in hundreds of samples of synthetic marijuana, as dangerous as rat poison. Some of the potential effects these drugs have been reported to cause include:

1. Psychosis, including paranoia, hallucinations, and delusions
2. Violent and aggressive behaviours
3. Depression and anxiety
4. Muscle tensions and spasms
5. Increased heart rate and chest pains
6. Addiction
7. Seizures
8. Suicidal thoughts and behaviours
9. Kidney failure and even death.

Final thoughts on designer drugs:

Any use of designer drugs, even just one time, is risky, at best.  Some people become addicted to these substances and they are at an increased risk of adverse effects.  It is possible to get help, though. The most important realisation you may need to make either for yourself or a loved one is that there is no real science behind these drugs, no matter what the reasoning behind the synthesis is. The drug is created to mimic an already devastating drug, and at the very best, you will feel those effects. The best advice we can offer is to seek out a professional to guide you through what is a solvable and dangerous maze.

Nearly all of the designer drugs in the world are addictive and can take a massive profound toll on the body and mind. If you or someone you know is struggling with designer drug addiction, do not wait to seek help.

For more information on dealing with designer drugs or any other substance abuse and getting yourself into rehab to start a new life, call Houghton House now:

office hours:  011 787 9142

24/7 emergency help line: 079 770 7532

Click on the green envelope below and fill in our contact form, and one of our professional staff members will get back to you via email or phone, respecting your anonymity at all times.

If there is one thing the world needs to shout loudly about addiction,
it is this: Addiction doesn’t only affect one person, the addict,
but also their entire family.

Being addicted to alcohol or drugs deteriorates the physical health of the addict. It spoils the spirit and impairs their mental activities. It also eats away and destroys relationships in their life and makes it quite difficult to maintain steady employment, meet financial obligations and participate in social activities. Genetics play a part in addiction, but there things which of course are role players in the disease. A single person in the family suffering from addiction can alter the family dynamics so you can imagine when two or more family members with addiction can do to a family, not just now, but for generations to come.

All the family members of an addict are affected by substance abuse.

This abuse affects the finances, health and wellbeing of the family. Families of the past were often directed by the grandparents but are now inclusive of multiple generations.  Single-parent households are more severely and adversely affected by an addiction than the larger family units more popular decades ago. Children exposed to addiction are more likely to develop an addiction themselves. They tend to begin using substance at an earlier age than other children and the substance abuse lifestyle is more familiar to them and seen as acceptable as it is seen as part of the family dynamic.

Every addict is different and has a different story and reason behind their addiction.

It can be difficult to assign a connection between alcoholism and family roles. For the most part, people who grow up in families of addiction are more likely to develop addictions themselves. You are not the cause of someone else’s addiction or alcoholism, you cannot cure it and you can’t control it but there are ways that you may be contributing to the problem. Before we place the blame for all the problems in your home at the feet of the addict, it might be wise to look at how the other person’s substance abuse may have affected you, and how you have reacted to it. How do we do this? We look at some of the roles we play while we deal with an alcoholic within the family unit.

Here are some of the roles we play while dealing with an alcoholic or addict:

The Hero: The rescuer doesn’t let the incident become a “problem”.  They will like, cover up and protects them from the world. They often deny that there is a problem at all.

The Victim: Many addicts feel guilt, shame and remorse for the pain they are causing their families. Some become angry and disrespectful. They can also blame the family for their suffering and live in  in total denial of their addiction and problems.

The Mascot: They use their humour to handle the uncomfortable nature of the house. They know their humour can bring a sense of comfort and relief to the family and use this role to accomplish that sense of comfort and balance.

The Head Enabler:  This person is usually closest emotionally to the victim and serves as the protector of the family. They appear self-righteous, super responsible, sarcastic, passive, physically sick, or even martyr like.  Beneath the surface they are however often full of anger, hurt, guilt and low self-esteem.

The Lost one:  Often alone and isolated from other family members, the odds of them developing big troubled relationships when they’re older is great. Often they feel awkward in social gatherings and find ways to escape family engagements.

The Scapegoat: They have a habit of misbehaving and showing unnatural and annoying tendencies in front of everybody. They also get into trouble at home and in school. When these youngsters move get older  they’ll most likely have issues with the law.

What you need to realize is that the enabler takes care of all things, makes sure to handle all social, financial and business issues. They work to hide the addiction so the addicted member of the family doesn’t feel bad. They make excuses and clean up messes and ensure the addict does not face any consequences. If you recognize yourself in any of these roles you should consult a professional for help in dealing with the addict. Remember, addiction is a family affair and if you are not stopping the problem, you could be contributing to it.

For more information on dealing with alcohol abuse and getting yourself into rehab to start a new life, call Houghton House now:

office hours:  011 787 9142

24/7 emergency help line: 079 770 7532

Click on the green envelope below and fill in our contact form, and one of our professional staff members will get back to you via email or phone, respecting your anonymity at all times.

Holiday shopping can be super tricky for someone in recovery.

We all have that someone who is difficult to shop for. Now imagine someone who is going through the journey of addiction recovery – it can be a HUGE hiccup when festive season shopping. If you happen to have a loved one who is on the road to recovery and you are unsure about the ideal Christmas gift, stress no more, we have a bunch of ideas for you to take inspiration from.

Remember that you want to choose a gift they will enjoy while also encouraging their continued sobriety and avoiding any triggers and emotions which could test their ability to stay sober. So what could you choose as a perfect gift that matches their interests and which is sensitive and supportive of their decision to make healthier choices and to remain sober?

Here are a few of our top picks of gift ideas for loved ones going through recovery:

1. Music lessons.

Countless studies have proven that music is a great complement to therapy for men, women, and adolescents who are in recovery for addiction. Be it drumming or piano lessons or even the good old six string, there are many ways that someone in recovery could work music into his or her recovery.  Buy a loved one a musical instrument or lessons and if you don’t want to fork out cash for lessons – the internet is a great place for free instructional lessons on almost every single instrument known to man!

2. A personalised gift.

Giving someone an acknowledgment of their sobriety and the efforts they have gone through to stay the course is never a bad idea. Think of keychains with powerful verses or messages engraved on them or a piece of jewelry with key dates of their journey etched on the inside. A gentle reminder of the power of their decisions is a beautiful thing. Gifts such as mug, notebook with the Serenity prayer are also great for someone in recovery looking for acceptance.

3. Faith based Gifts

Studies have shown that faith in a higher power can actually stress, fatigue, anxiety, and depression while adding and improving overall quality of life. In addition, research has shown that religious faith or spirituality helps those in addiction recovery stay on the sober track. Why not celebrate your loved one’s faith or someone in recovery with a religious or spiritual gift?

4. Yoga and Meditation

Yoga and meditation are great complementary therapies for those going through addiction treatment. It is well documented that  yoga, meditation, prayer, and other mindful, spiritual practices have incredible healing factors. Yoga and meditation can help someone in recovery learn to cope with triggers, cravings, and difficult feelings so they can stay clean, sober, and healthy and live a beautiful and happy life. Think of gifting your loved one a class package at a local studio or a DVD that will guide them through these incredible practices.

The holiday season can bring up seriously hard and difficult emotions in all of us. Healthy holiday can help your loved one celebrate the hurdles they’ve overcome and the amazing leaps in recovery they have achieved in order to get clean and sober. Just as importantly,  your well thought out gifts are a physical constant reminder that they have your support every step of the way as someone in recovery finds themselves walking down the path of rehabilitation.

For more information on dealing with alcohol abuse and getting yourself into rehab to start a new life, call Houghton House now:

office hours:  011 787 9142

24/7 emergency help line: 079 770 7532

Click on the green envelope below and fill in our contact form, and one of our professional staff members will get back to you via email or phone, respecting your anonymity at all times.

Why Lean is Uncool – Downright Dangerous – and will Kill You

Last September rapper Lil Wayne once again had to cancel a show when he was hospitalized for multiple violent seizures. While Weezy has struggled with epilepsy throughout his life, it’s no secret that his addiction to Lean (also known as “Sizzurp” or “Purple Drank”) is largely to blame for his repeated seizures. It’s not the first time either: the star was also hospitalized in 2012 and 2016.

In a 2011 interview, Lil Wayne admitted to abusing Lean, a mixture of cough syrup, sweets and cooldrink, which was popular on the New Orleans scene, partly to emulate his hero Pimp C.

Pimp C died of an overdose in 2008.

In spite of the documented dangers of Lean, it’s still considered cool in some circles, especially on the South African hip hop scene. Artists like AKA sing about “Coming to you live from the third world. Getting high on the purple.” Youngsters who are easily influenced by their heroes make the mistake of trying it for themselves, often with disastrous results.

So, what is Lean? And why are so many people – especially school kids – using it?

What’s in it?

Cough syrup contains codeine (an opiate that is used as a painkiller) and promethazine (a neuroleptic with sedative effects). Used according to a doctor’s prescription, it can be an effective medicine. Unfortunately, when it’s mixed with cooldrink and drunk as Lean, it’s a dangerous cocktail with potentially lethal effects. Typically, half a bottle of cough syrup is mixed with 2 litres of fizzy cooldrink (Sprite being the most popular). Local brands that contain codeine include Broncleer, Myprodol and Mybulin, Benylin C, Syndol, AdcoDol, Tensodol, Sinutab C and Sinumax Co. As abusers become used to the mix, typically they will opt for stronger concentrations. In some cases, they may be ingesting doses exceeding the prescribed dosage by up to 25 times, putting their health at major risk.

What does Lean do?

Drinking Lean produces a somewhat euphoric state – you feel a bit dizzy and extremely laid back. This is the combination of the painkiller and sedative effect of the codeine and promethazine. In Jamaica, where Lean/Sizzurp abuse has become a major problem among young people, it’s also known as “Liquid Heroin” because of the way it dulls your mind and impairs your motor function. After drinking it, you’ll be drowsy and lethargic. You will struggle with coordination. In fact, a user has pointed out that the name Lean can be tied the way it “dampens” your walk.

The side effects of Lean are far less “chilled.” Excessive doses of codeine can damage the liver and may cause heart and respiratory problems.

Risk of Seizures

Promethazine affects the central nervous system. Consuming way more than the recommended dosage can put a person into a hyper-excitable stage which increases the odds of potentially suffering a seizure. Promethazine alone is risky enough, but if you combine it with other narcotics, including alcohol, it’s a recipe for trouble.

How Addictive Is Lean?

The trouble with Lean is that abusers start off using it for its anti-depressant or de-stressing effects. But when the effects wear off it can lead to depression and anxiety – which causes a craving for more Lean. Codeine is one of the most commonly used opiates and can lead to serious opioid addiction. How serious is opioid addiction? Deadly serious. In the US, between 1999 and 2015, 183,000 people died from overdoses related to prescription opioids – 59,000 last year alone.

The School Epidemic

The Lean craze has spread quickly in South Africa, with reports of pupils as young as 10 addicted to the mix. One of the reasons Lean is so popular is it’s relatively cheap and very easy to get hold of. Prescription cough syrup is readily available and winds up in medicine cabinets in homes everywhere. Over-the-counter cough mixture is even easier to get hold of. It contains lower doses of codeine but still creates a similar high – which teenagers in the US call “robo-tripping” after the popular Robotussin brand. As regular users become used to the effect, the chances of them seeking a more powerful high (prescription cough syrup or other opioids) become more and more likely.

Symptoms of Lean abuse

Parents and family members are urged to keep a lookout for the following warning signs:

• Drowsiness and lack of coordination
• Nausea and vomiting
• Constipation
• Regular, continual use of cough medicines even when the user is not sick

Other indications of abuse are behavioural changes brought on by craving codeine. Teachers have noticed that pupils may display hyperactivity, irritability, lack of concentration and aggression.

Don’t be a “Sucker For Pain”

As Lil Wayne battles with his addiction, keep in mind the rapper’s own words: “I don’t do this to be cool. I did it because I was sick.” If you, your family members or your friends are drinking Lean, it’s important to know exactly what you’re in for –  and to get help right away.

More info on  Houghton House  Halfway Houses 

If you or a loved one wants the best chance of recovery from drug and alcohol addiction, Houghton House provides two outstanding Halfway Houses – both within close proximity to their Inpatient and Outpatient facilities.

We recommend this as a continued form of reintegration back into society.

 Contact us for more info.

Office: 011 787 9142   Emergency:(after hours) 079 770 7532

Life is Tough

Especially when you’ve had your crutch taken away.
That’s why halfway houses exist: to offer the support and structure needed to rebuild your life post-addiction.

All names have been changed to protect their anonymity.

Houghton House halfway Houses.

Shaun couldn’t shake his addiction to cocaine. “I tried. Multiple times. Was in and out of rehab for as long as I can remember. Kept relapsing every time. Sometimes, after a few weeks. Sometimes, a few days. The last time, pretty much the moment I got out the gate.”

Relapsing after treatment for drugs and alcohol is relatively common. There are many Shaun’s out there.

Treatment in a rehab center may help hinder the cycle of drug and alcohol abuse. But this is largely from being confined in an in-patient programme or being regularly tested in an outpatient programme. Going back into the real world can be tough: suddenly an addict has the freedom to do what they want… just being aware of that can cause cravings for drugs or alcohol.

“It got me every time. Knowing I could call the merchant [colloquial for drug dealer] whenever. I was never accountable to anyone,” says Shaun. “Well, yeah, I was, I guess, to family, to my boss, but never immediately, never ‘right now’. Living at home, being able to cut lines [preparing powdered drugs for inhalation], with no one looking over my shoulder… [it was] too easy to get away with stuff.”

It’s not that rehabs are ineffective. Rehabs like a Houghton House use techniques considered by medical science as pivotal to addiction treatment.

Such as psychotherapy, in the form of individual and group settings – which help uncover the issues that led to addiction. Lectures give the addict an understanding of the nature of their addiction, to allow them cognisance into their self-destructive behaviors.

Rehabs also use the principle of ‘one addict helping another’, as found in various Recovery Fellowships, like Alcoholics Anonymous. This principle is about forming a community of people who aim to achieve the same goal: staying clean.

Humans are social animals: who we spend time with impacts our thoughts and, consequently, our actions. This can be destructive, as in ‘a mob mentality’, or positive, as in a charity organisation where members bring out each other’s best qualities.

A philosophy of kinship is best expressed by ‘sticking with the winners’. Simply put, if you spend time with bad influences, you’re likely to relapse on drugs or alcohol. Conversely, through developing strong bonds with recovering addicts dedicated to keeping clean, your chances of relapsing drops drastically.

“Things changed for me when I went into a halfway house,” Shaun says. “Suddenly I was in a place where I was accountable. To everyone there.”

A halfway house is a community who look out for each other and encourage each other to keep clean.

Harry, a current resident at Houghton House’s Aspen, says, “Living with other addicts [and alcoholics] who understand your plight and won’t take your bull has helped me a lot. While here, I had a [romantic] relationship end in a bad way. If it wasn’t for the guys and their support, I might have started drinking again.”

A halfway house helps in another way too: it provides firm structure to the daily lives of its residents.

Such as set times the residents have to be out the house. This ensures productivity. Especially necessary for an unemployed addict or alcoholic. It’s easy for anyone, but particularly someone with an addiction disorder, to slide into despair without structures in place. Before they know it, they’re sleeping late, not taking care of themselves, and deep in depression. But structures keep them moving one foot in front of the other. And with the continued support of the house, it isn’t long before they’ve gained traction in their lives.

Then there’s regular testing. “I have to admit, there were some dicey moments when I first got back to the big bad world,” says James. “Like, times I just wanted to call the dealer and pick up a bag of cat [a methamphetamine-like drug]. But knowing I’d come back to the okes wasted, that they’d spot me a mile away… hahaha, yeah would’ve been awkward.” Because it’s harder to deceive other addicts, and halfway houses know the most efficient way to administer tests – to prevent cheating – they’re able to provide a stronger incentive for addicts to keep clean.

This could be the one thing that keeps an addict from using drugs at their most desperate time.

So, it’s no surprise that there’s a massive disparity of clean time counts between halfway house residents and non-resident addicts. The rate of halfway house addicts still clean after six months is 68%, up from a baseline of 11%, according to a study called What Did We Learn from Our Study on Sober Living Houses and Where Do We Go from Here? [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3057870/]

Another reason is this support system has an authority figure who cares. A house manager, who ensures residents do the minimal amount required to stand a chance of recovering.

For instance: going to NA or AA meetings; doing step work; finding a sponsor and maintaining contact with them, etc.

Many house managers are recovering addicts themselves, with multiple years of clean time behind them. As such, they’re able to provide emotional support guided by personal experience.

“I see myself as more than just a house manager. I’m their on-site sponsor: whenever they need any help, my door is always open,” says Tamara.

This culture of kindness is one of the many reasons rehabs recommend halfway houses.

Because day-to-day, halfway house residents receive a scaffolding of support, one that finally allows them to rebuild their post-addiction lives.

More info on  Houghton House  Halfway Houses 

If you or a loved one wants the best chance of recovery from drug and alcohol addiction, Houghton House provides two outstanding Halfway Houses – both within close proximity to their Inpatient and Outpatient facilities.

We recommend this as a continued form of reintegration back into society.

 Contact us for more info.

Office: 011 787 9142   Emergency:(after hours) 079 770 7532