Signs of drug addiction can range and include different elements. What to look out for is excessive consumption of alcohol or drugs, the inability to control the use of the substance engaged with and the impact it has on the person’s life, relationships, work, reputation, and goals. Most people who do have a problem often will be in denial about their relationship with their drug of choice. It is important to observe and seek professional assistance when required. unfortunately, in South Africa help for substance use-related problems is limited as most people do not have access to medical aids and community-based care is not established enough to contain the problem. Assessment of the individual need to be carried out by an experienced professional.

Most people struggle with emotions and want to find a way to release the stress and tension that they are grappling with. They often unconsciously overshare information out of desperation. They may not always do this to elicit sympathy or in a way to take on a victim role in their lives.

The listener needs to be able to make a distinction when professional help is needed. Most times friendly support will do in other cases urgent intervention might be required. Resources can include hospitals or NGOs that operate within the addiction sphere. However, very few people are aware of these resources and very inexperienced to identify danger signs that might indicate future harm to others or self-harm.

We have a very big addiction problem in South Africa. This problem is not only limited to substance use (drugs and alcohol) but also other process addictions that include, eating disorders, gambling, gaming, internet and porn and sex addictions. It is estimated that 10% of the population struggles with addiction in one form or another. That translates to one in ten people. Most families have at least one person struggling with a substance use problem. South Africa has a very turbulent past, apartheid with its gross inequalities, forced removals, unequal access to economic resources, lack of employment opportunities highest amongst the youth and violent crimes that affect everyone. The Covid lockdown has compounded the problem and placed a microscope on individual struggles with mental health.

According to SACENDU (The South African Community Epidemiology Network on Drugs use, South Africans consume Mandrax, Heroin, Cocaine, Crack, Cannabis and Methamphetamine (tik). In my practice I treat clients struggling with the same substance, especially cannabis use among learners.

There is a big link between addiction and trauma. In my experience, most people use some sort of substance or behaviour to deal with discomfort and physical or emotional pain. It serves as a pacifier to numb the unpleasantness of past trauma or current dissatisfaction with life. Substance use and process addictions are only the symptoms of a deeper underlying problem that needs to be explored and resolved.