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Educational articles

A photo shows heroin paraphernalia including a crumpled piece of paper, a spoon, and a cigarette lighter.

What is heroin? Understanding heroin addiction in SA

1 June 2026

Understanding heroin addiction Heroin is an illegal opioid derived from morphine, which is extracted from the opium poppy plant. Among the most addictive substances known, heroin can produce physic...
An image shows broken and whole round white tablets scattered on dark clinical surfaces with those subtle blue-grey molecular structure overlays in the background.

What is mandrax (methaqualone)?

14 May 2026
Mandrax is a synthetic sedative drug that acts on the central nervous system, slowing brain activity and producing feelings of relaxation and eupho...
Help for gambling addiction

Gambling addiction: Causes, signs, and how to get help

27 March 2025
This article covers what gambling addiction is, how to recognise the signs, why online gambling carries particular risks, how to stop gambling, and...
Abstract macro photography of neural network or synaptic connections, deep blue and gold tones, softly lit, scientific but visually striking.

Drug addiction and substance use disorder

3 December 2024
Drug addiction and substance use disorder are terms that are often used interchangeably, but they carry slightly different meanings. The distinctio...
AI-generated image of a clear cup containing lean "purple drank", an intoxicating drink made by mixing prescription codeine syrup with sprite.

“Lean drink” codeine and promethazine abuse and addiction

3 December 2024
  Despite the documented dangers of lean, it’s still considered cool in some circles, especially on the South African hip hop scene. Artists l...
A photo shows heroin paraphernalia including a crumpled piece of paper, a spoon, and a cigarette lighter.

What is heroin? Understanding heroin addiction in SA

1 June 2026
Understanding heroin addiction Heroin is an illegal opioid derived from morphine, which is extracted from the opium poppy plant. Among the most addictive substances known, heroin can produce physical dependence after only a few uses, with withdraw...
An image shows broken and whole round white tablets scattered on dark clinical surfaces with those subtle blue-grey molecular structure overlays in the background.

What is mandrax (methaqualone)?

14 May 2026
Mandrax is a synthetic sedative drug that acts on the central nervous system, slowing brain activity and producing feelings of relaxation and euphoria. Known chemically as methaqualone, it has been a controlled substance in South Africa and most c...
Help for gambling addiction

Gambling addiction: Causes, signs, and how to get help

27 March 2025
This article covers what gambling addiction is, how to recognise the signs, why online gambling carries particular risks, how to stop gambling, and what treatment involves for those who need clinical support. Gambling in South Africa Gambling has ...
Abstract macro photography of neural network or synaptic connections, deep blue and gold tones, softly lit, scientific but visually striking.

Drug addiction and substance use disorder

3 December 2024
Drug addiction and substance use disorder are terms that are often used interchangeably, but they carry slightly different meanings. The distinction between them is worth understanding, because it shapes how we think about the condition and what k...
AI-generated image of a clear cup containing lean "purple drank", an intoxicating drink made by mixing prescription codeine syrup with sprite.

“Lean drink” codeine and promethazine abuse and addiction

3 December 2024
  Despite 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...
A close-up of a cannabis leaf resting on a wooden surface, softly lit from the side.

Is dagga legal in South Africa?

3 December 2024
Is marijuana legal in SA? The short answer is: not exactly. Dagga (cannabis) has been partially decriminalised in South Africa, but it hasn’t been legalised. The distinction matters, both legally and for public health. This article explains ...
A photograph shows a dirty black tabletop littered with debris including a beer bottle, beer bottle tops, broken pieces of cracker, and a puddle of spilled liquid (presumably beer)

“Am I an alcoholic?” – Screen yourself for AUD with this alcoholism test

3 December 2024
Photo by Anshu A on Unsplash Have you ever asked yourself the question, “Am I an alcoholic?” Alcohol is commonly used to “break the ice” at parties, braais, and other social events. In South Africa, we have a prevalent drinking culture that can ma...
AI-generated image of a silhouette of a man sitting with his head in his hands. To his left, tik (crystal meth) drug and paraphenalia can be seen. Behind him, the Johannesburg skyline is visible.

Tik (crystal meth): Effects, addiction, and treatment in South Africa

3 December 2024
  Tik is one of South Africa’s most notorious and harmful drugs, affecting communities across the country. Known internationally as crystal meth or methamphetamine, tik is a powerful stimulant that can quickly lead to dependence, severe menta...
A calm, clinical yet warm illustration of a human brain with softly glowing neural pathways lighting up in response to environmental cues. Surrounding the brain are subtle symbolic triggers: a half-empty glass, a set of keys, a crowded room, a hand reaching out.

Addiction triggers: what they are, how they work, and how to manage them

3 December 2024
If you or someone you love is navigating addiction recovery, you have likely heard the word “trigger” used frequently. But what exactly is a trigger in addiction? Why do triggers cause cravings? And how can understanding them help prev...
AI-generated image of a collection of novel psychoactive substances (NPS), also known as "designer drugs". The image shows various colourful pills, capsules, powders, and syringes with hypodermic needles.

What are designer drugs? NPS, bath salts and synthetic drugs in South Africa

3 December 2024
What is a designer drug? A designer drug is a synthetic (man-made) psychoactive substance that has been chemically formulated to produce similar effects to an existing controlled drug. Some of the drugs these substances mimic include cocaine, LSD,...
addiction to prescription drugs

Prescription medication addiction: Signs, risks, and treatment

3 December 2024
  Prescription medication addiction is one of the most common and least recognised forms of substance use disorder.  Most people who become dependent on prescription drugs didn’t set out to misuse anything. The medication came from a doctor ...
Person in dark hoodie clasping hands, contemplative mood. (AI-generated)

Understanding high-functioning depression

18 November 2024
What is high-functioning depression? Also known as persistent depressive disorder (PDD), the symptoms of high-functioning depression are comparable to those of major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the symptoms of persistent depressive disorde...
A close-up of a person's hands holding a smartphone, with a blurred background suggesting a domestic setting. The mood is quiet and introspective.

Behavioural addiction: Types, causes, signs, and treatment

18 November 2024
Understanding behavioural addictions Most people associate addiction with substances like alcohol or drugs, but addiction can develop around behaviours just as readily as around chemicals.  Gambling, pornography, gaming, shopping, sex: when a pers...
An AI-generated photo shows a man who is experiencing alcohol withdrawal undergoing medical detox treatment. The man is resting in a hospital bed. On the bedside table, an alarm clock is visible, reading 02:30.

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms, detox timeline, and treatment options

14 November 2024
Alcohol detox is often the first step in treating alcohol use disorder (AUD), a chronic condition characterised by impaired control over drinking.  While many people think of detox as simply “stopping drinking”, the reality is more complex. When s...
A person sits alone in a dark room, looking out of a window. The mood is quiet and reflective, neither hopeless nor resolved.

Trauma and addiction: Understanding the connection

14 November 2024
The complex relationship between trauma and addiction For many people who enter addiction treatment, substance use didn’t begin as recreation. Instead, substances became a way of coping with pain, fear, shame, or memories that felt impossibl...
Person refusing a glass of alcohol, hand gesture signaling no. (AI-generated)

Alcohol abuse and alcohol use disorder (AUD) in South Africa

1 November 2024
Alcohol abuse is one of the most common and least recognised health concerns in South Africa, affecting people across all backgrounds, income levels, and age groups. For many people, the line between social drinking and dependence shifts gradually...

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