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SANCA Durban Alcohol and Drug Centre, 185 Vause Road, Durban (2026)

22/08/2017

An Addict's Apology

I’m dedicating my success story to all the families and friends of alcoholics and addicts. I want to let you know, as loved ones, that we are so incredibly sorry for everything we’ve put you through. Even if we haven’t expressed it yet, we are sorry for the worrying, the sleepless nights, broken promises and stealing of money and time. We’re sorry for ruining holidays and special occasions and the embarrassment we’ve caused. We’re sorry for all of the pain, arguments and stress. Please understand that we never intended to hurt you.

I also want to let you know that this was never a failure of willpower. Those of us who have been burdened with addiction know it’s a disease of the brain. It’s not an excuse for our behaviour, but, I want to let you know that drugs and alcohol are capable of completely controlling the brain and all of our actions. Our addicted brains tell us that we need our drug of choice for survival, no matter what the consequences. We will do anything for these substances, because our disease is telling us that without, we will die. It takes some pretty powerful treatment to rewire the brain.

I was ready to rewire my brain when I came to a rehab centre more than two years ago. I accepted the excruciating withdrawals from pain pills and worked hard in my 28 days of treatment. I soaked up all the knowledge I could from the counsellors. I dove into the education about an addict’s brain and genetics. I started to understand what was causing me to use and learned how to conquer cravings and handle triggers. I got healthy, started a new life in recovery and haven’t looked back since.

To all the friends and family of alcoholics and addicts, I know you’ve had it with us. Deep down we understand that you might need to create boundaries with us and go to AlAnon meetings for support. Thank you, families and friends, for bearing with us as we try and beat this disease. Recovering from addiction might seem impossible, but treatment really does work and there is hope.

SANCA DURBAN has now opened a new inpatient wing for women.
SANCA is the leading national organisation that provides both prevention and treatment services of alcohol and other drug dependence throughout South Africa.
185 Vause Road Berea Durban
031 202 2241

16/08/2017

Mikey’s Story

I’m pretty sure the first time I smoked w**d I was 11. A close family member used to do he**in and crack, so I saw that as a kid, and I always thought, “My drug use isn’t serious, I’m only smoking w**d.” But while I was doing that I got involved with the wrong crowd, and everybody smoked w**d, and it started taking me away from the important things in life. I started stealing stuff and selling drugs on the streets. I actually got jumped a lot of times; people tried to rob me for the drugs I had. They were people I used to know as friends, but the drugs had turned them around. With all of that going on, it wasn’t long before I was facing jail.

I entered a Rehab program, at first I didn’t want to change, but that’s normal, and eventually I got comfortable and started liking the program. I found good people to hang out with, and I ended up doing all right. I’m still in contact with some of the staff and clients to this day, and I know I’m not the only one who’s back home, sober, doing the right thing. We connect on Facebook, send each other messages, check in and see how each other are doing.

There’s more trust, and a huge sense of relief. I know I did the right thing in going to treatment, and that everything is working out for the best. Now I’m doing better than most of the people who used to look down on me.

So many people think ma*****na can’t be an addiction, but it can. Because when you smoke w**d like I did, and you feel like you can’t have fun without smoking, that’s you depending on w**d to have fun. And dependence on a drug, that’s addiction.

My advice to other kids in treatment is: stick to it, you can do it! It’s not easy because when you’re in a residential program you have to be away from the people you love. But treatment helps you realize how important those people are, and it brings you closer to them in the long run—and that’s what matters at the end of the day. I mean, yeah, you should definitely get clean for yourself. But if that’s not enough of a motivator, get clean for those who love you.
SANCA is the leading national organization that provides both prevention and treatment services of alcohol and other drug dependence throughout South Africa.
185 Vause Road Berea Durban
031 202 2241

04/08/2017

Club drugs

Club drugs are commonly used at clubs, concerts and parties. Examples include Ecstasy or Molly (M**A), gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), flunitrazepam (Rohypnol, or roofie) and ketamine. These drugs are not all in the same category, but they share some similar effects and dangers, including long-term harmful effects.

Because GHB and Rohypnol can cause sedation, muscle relaxation, confusion and memory loss, the potential for sexual misconduct or sexual assault is associated with the use of these drugs.

Signs and symptoms of use of club drugs can include:

Hallucinations
Paranoia
Dilated pupils
Chills and sweating
Involuntary shaking (tremors)
Behavior changes
Muscle cramping and teeth clenching
Reduced inhibitions
Heightened or altered sense of sight, sound and taste
Decreased coordination
Poor judgment
Memory problems or loss of memory
Reduced consciousness
Increased or decreased heart rate and blood pressure

SANCA is the leading national organization that provides both prevention and treatment services of alcohol and other drug dependence throughout South Africa

185 Vause Road Berea Durban
031 202 2241

21/07/2017

GET HELP
In-patient treatment services
Individual therapy
Intensive group therapy
Occupational therapy
Detoxification
Medical management
Leisure time enhancement
Stress management
Family therapy
Spiritual groups
Medical lectures
Educational videos
Relaxation sessions
Children's groups (for children in-patients)
Family groups
HIV / AIDS counseling (pre and post test)
Drug testing
Aftercare

Out-patient treatment services
Assessment
Motivation
Medical treatment
Family counselling
Relapse management
Drug testing
Aftercare
Self-help groups

Diversion programs
Assessment
Motivational interventions
Individual counselling
Group therapy
Family/significant other program
Drug testing
Referrals where indicated
Networking with community resources
Community service
Regular reporting to point of referral

Statutory services
Assessment
Motivational counselling
Family support
All procedures related to committal through the Court
Liaison with Magristrate's Court
Liaison with designated rehabiltation centre
Aftercare

Aftercare
Individual counselling
Group therapy
Family therapy
Extensive utilisation of self-help groups
SANCA is the leading national organization that provides both prevention and treatment services of alcohol and other drug dependence throughout South Africa

185 Vause Road Berea Durban
031 202 2241

12/07/2017

He**in addiction: "I needed the drug just to get by."

"Deon" was addicted to he**in. Here, he describes the drug's effects on his life. (This story is based on the experiences of real people whose names have been changed.)

Just after I'd shoot up, I'd get an amazing rush. I'd be on top of the world. Once the high really set in, my mind would get slow and fuzzy. It'd feel like I was sinking into the floor. I'd forget if I was asleep or awake, and time just passed me by. I got hooked quick.
After a while, I needed he**in just to get by. Too long without a fix, and…I can't even describe it. It's like I was dying in every awful way you could think of, all at once. Pain in all my bones, throwing up, chills, and I couldn't sleep for days.
The first time I got busted by the police for buying he**in, I got a short jail sentence and then was back on the street using again.
The second time I got busted, the judge decided to put me in a drug treatment program. I was so angry. I didn't want to stop using. I just wanted another fix.

When I got out of jail, I decided I'd control my drug use better, and stay out of trouble. But there's no such thing as "control" when it comes to addiction. You just want more and more, and will do all kinds of crazy things to get high again.

One day I overdosed and ended up in the hospital. That scared me like nothing had before. I saw that I really didn't have control over my drug use, and if I didn't do something, it could kill me.
The social worker at the hospital got me into a halfway house with a drug treatment program. I live with other guys like me who are just starting to recover from drug addiction. We go to a lot of Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings and classes that help us figure out how to rebuild our lives without drugs.

I also started taking a medicine called methadone. It helps me feel normal and not need to take he**in. I don't know how long I'll stay on the methadone, but maybe it will help me stay clean for good. He**in has been hard on my body. I have scars all over my arms, and my kidneys aren't working well. But I'm feeling a little more interested in life these days.
I just met my little grandson. When I'm with him, I really believe I can make it without drugs. Looking at me, he doesn't see a ju**ie. He sees his grandpa, and that's all.

SANCA is the leading national organization that provides both prevention and treatment services of alcohol and other drug dependence throughout South Africa

185 Vause Road Berea Durban
031 202 2241

03/07/2017

How Do Values Fight Addiction?

To say that your values influence your desire and ability to fight addiction is to say that you act in line with what you believe in and what you care about. Such values can be remarkably potent. For example, I heard a woman say, “I used to smoke, and sometimes I think of going back to it. However, now that I have small children, I would sooner cut my fingers off with a kitchen knife then start smoking again.” Even if this woman fell to temptation and smoked one cigarette, it is highly unlikely that she would relapse entirely.

In her memoir, Room to Grow, actress Tracey Gold described her life-threatening anorexia. When she appeared on the Today show to discuss the book, host Matt Lauer asked her the standard disease question: Was she over the disease, or was it still with her? “It’s my Achilles’ heel,” she said, “but I have two small children, and I could never fall all the way back.”
Observing this new sense of identity and resolve in new parents should make you think, quite sensibly, “This person couldn’t be an alcoholic or a drug addict; she cares too much about herself and her family.” But in the alcoholism and addiction field, we are told that if we believe these people have really become much more resistant to addiction, we are deluding ourselves.

Likewise, when you observe some rock star, actress, or athlete enters a drug or alcohol treatment center, you are discouraged from thinking that you could never let yourself go wrong like that. It is always worth maintaining your empathy and humility. At the same time, it is also valuable to appreciate that you wouldn’t put yourself in a position like that, not when you have kids, satisfying work, and basic self-respect.

As a society, and as individuals, we need to grasp that there is no more important facilitator or antidote to addiction than our values. For example, people who value clear thinking will shy away from regular intoxication. Likewise, a responsible person highly concerned for his family’s well-being would not allow himself to shop or gamble away his family’s money. People who are focused on their health will be reluctant, or refuse, to drink excessively or to take drugs.

SANCA is the leading national organization that provides both prevention and treatment services of alcohol and other drug dependence throughout South Africa.
185 Vause Road Berea Durban
031 202 2241

19/06/2017

When you’re ready to seek help for a substance abuse problem, you’ll need to decide whether an inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation (rehab) program is best for you. Each type of program has advantages and disadvantages. It’s important to consider all facets of the recovery process as well as your own personal needs when choosing the right kind of treatment to overcome addiction.
If you or someone you care about is struggling with substance abuse or addiction, call 031 202 2241 today. A rehab placement specialist will answer your questions and help get you headed towards rehab and recovery right away.
What Is Inpatient Addiction Rehab?
Many people looking to find recovery from addiction seek care in an inpatient rehab program. A defining characteristic of inpatient addiction rehab is that the person resides at the facility for the duration of treatment. Most residential treatment programs last from 14 to 90 days depending on the specific needs and preferences of the participant.
At the outset of the recovery process, many will undergo a period of inpatient detoxification (detox) prior to the commencement of the addiction treatment period. In some cases, the detox program will occur in a setting that differs from that of the eventual treatment location, such as at a standalone detox center.
Many inpatient and residential programs incorporate a structured detox program into their treatment protocol. In either type of detox setting, medications will be frequently be used to assist with the withdrawal process, especially in cases of severe dependency or addiction to more than one substance.
However, medication isn’t used in all instances of detox. Speak to program staff if you have any questions about the detox process. After detox is complete, treatment must continue. The focus moves from allowing substances to clear from the body and stabilizing the person throughout the withdrawal process to developing the skills to stay sober long term through counseling, therapy, and education about addiction and recovery.

What Is Outpatient Addiction Rehab?
In contrast to inpatient programs, outpatient treatment allows participants live at home outside of treatment hours, allowing them to continue engaging with work or school and the ability to fulfill other personal responsibilities. Recovering individuals will attend group and individual therapy sessions each week, and if needed they can meet regularly with a psychiatrist for medication to manage withdrawal, cravings, and any existing mental health issues. The treatment provided in an outpatient facility is similar to that provided in an inpatient treatment center but is somewhat less intensive.
Outpatient rehab programs might utilize one or more of the following types of therapy:
Cognitive behavioral therapy—helps participants become aware of unhealthy thoughts and behaviors and provides strategies to change them to healthier ones.
Contingency management—provides specific incentives or rewards to help people develop regular behaviors such as attending therapy or maintaining sobriety.
Motivational interviewing—works to identify and modify any feelings that might be barriers to treatment.
Matrix Model—allows therapists to act as both teachers and coaches, with the focus of treatment being on empowering the addicted individual through positive self-image and confidence. Matrix therapy is a treatment intervention developed specifically for stimulant use disorders.
Multidimensional family therapy—works to help families function better, especially in cases involving adolescents with drug or alcohol problems.

Get The Help You Need

For more information on the types of addiction treatment available, call our confidential helpline today at 031 202 2241. Rehab support specialists are available to help guide you to the best type of treatment to overcome your addiction.

SANCA is the leading national organization that provides both prevention and treatment services of alcohol and other drug dependence throughout South Africa
185 Vause Road Berea Durban

05/06/2017

Gateway Drugs

Gateway Drug Theory

The term gateway drugs is used to explain a theory that hypothesizes that the use of certain drugs may lead to an increased risk in the use of other drugs and involvement in criminal behavior. Typically gateway drugs are defined as alcohol, ma*****na or ci******es which are inexpensive and readily available. The theory is that, once someone begins to use ma*****na, drinks alcohol or smokes ci******es, they will have opened the door to using other drugs. What the theory fails to take into consideration is the influence of other factors, such as the environment, trauma or mental illness.

Drug Use Correlation

Statistics show that drug or alcohol addicts typically would have used other drugs along with their drug of choice. Most recovering drug and alcohol addicts have experimented with ma*****na, smoked ci******es, drank alcohol or used prescription medications to enhance the experience of drug taking. Statistics show that there is a strong link between smoking ma*****na and other drug use – the National Institute on Drug Abuse has stated that a person who smokes ma*****na is over 100 times more likely to use co***ne than a person who has never smoked ma*****na. The largest critique of this is the possible error of mistaking correlation with causation.

Controversy

Studies suggest that there is a link between the use of softer drugs (alcohol, to***co and ma*****na) and the future use of harder drugs (co***ne, ecstasy, amphetamines, he**in). However, this theory is still controversial. The major criticisms that are raised include questions about some individuals who suffer from conditions such as depression, antisocial personality disorder or bipolar who engage in drug seeking behaviour, no matter what the substance, and will take whatever is available.
There have also been questions around the influence of the drug dealers who may be the ones suggesting other drugs, rather than being themselves asked for new drugs. Some studies have also remarked on the difference in laws around drugs, especially drinking age and ma*****na use which does not impact on the statistics of drug dependence or addiction.

Some critics also have raised questions about links from one drug to another. Ma*****na for instance, is a popular drug smoked by many people all over the world who do not use other drugs. Some users may take other drugs in their life, but the majority of regular ma*****na users tend not to take hard drugs such as co***ne, amphetamines or he**in.

SANCA is the leading national organization that provides both prevention and treatment services of alcohol and other drug dependence throughout South Africa

185 Vause Road Berea Durban
031 202 2241

23/05/2017

Ma*****na Has Proven to Be a Gateway Drug

It should come as no surprise that the vast majority of he**in users have used ma*****na (and many other drugs) not only long before they used he**in but while they are using he**in. Like nearly all people with substance abuse problems, most he**in users initiated their drug use early in their teens, usually beginning with alcohol and ma*****na. There is ample evidence that early initiation of drug use primes the brain for enhanced later responses to other drugs. These facts underscore the need for effective prevention to reduce adolescent use of alcohol, to***co and ma*****na in order to turn back the he**in and opioid epidemic and to reduce burdens addiction in this country.
Establishing it as a third legal drug, along with to***co and alcohol, will increase drug abuse, including the expanding opioid epidemic.
Ma*****na use is positively correlated with alcohol use and cigarette use, as well as illegal drugs like co***ne and methamphetamine. This does not mean that everyone who uses ma*****na will transition to using he**in or other drugs, but it does mean that people who use ma*****na also consume more, not less, legal and illegal drugs than do people who do not use ma*****na.
People who are addicted to ma*****na are three times more likely to be addicted to he**in.
The legalization of ma*****na increases availability of the drug and acceptability of its use. This is bad for public health and safety not only because ma*****na use increases the risk of he**in use.
A better drug policy is one that actively discourages ma*****na use as well as other recreational drug use, especially for youth. The aggressive commercialization of ma*****na that is now rampant and still growing is particularly damaging to the public health because it markets ma*****na and an array of increasingly potent products in ever more attractive ways that encourage ma*****na use and frequent high-dose THC use.
We are at a crossroads. Legalizing ma*****na will have lasting negative effects on future generations. The currently legal drugs, alcohol and to***co, are two of the leading causes of preventable illness and death in the country. Establishing ma*****na as a third legal drug will increase the national drug abuse problem, including expanding the opioid epidemic.
Robert L. DuPont is the president of the Institute for Behavior and Health and the first director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

S A N C A Durban Alcohol & Drug Centres
Address: 185 Vause Rd, Berea, Kwazulu Natal, 4001, South Africa
City of Durban
Post Office box: 70389, Overport, Durban, 4067
Phone: 031 202 2241,, Fax: 031 201 4643

10/05/2017

Quick Facts about Drug addiction

Drug addiction is a chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences.

Brain changes that occur over time with drug use challenge an addicted person’s self-control and interfere with their ability to resist intense urges to take drugs. This is why drug addiction is also a relapsing disease.

Relapse is the return to drug use after an attempt to stop. Relapse indicates the need for more or different treatment.
Most drugs affect the brain's reward circuit by flooding it with the chemical messenger dopamine. This overstimulation of the reward circuit causes the intensely pleasurable "high" that leads people to take a drug again and again.

Over time, the brain adjusts to the excess dopamine, which reduces the high that the person feels compared to the high they felt when first taking the drug—an effect known as tolerance. They might take more of the drug, trying to achieve the same dopamine high.

No single factor can predict whether a person will become addicted to drugs. A combination of genetic, environmental, and developmental factors influences risk for addiction. The more risk factors a person has, the greater the chance that taking drugs can lead to addiction.

Drug addiction is treatable and can be successfully managed.
More good news is that SANCA is the leading national organization that provides both prevention and treatment services of alcohol and other drug dependence throughout South Africa
185 Vause Road Berea Durban
031 202 2241

04/05/2017

Understanding Drug Use and Addiction

Many people don't understand why or how other people become addicted to drugs. They may mistakenly think that those who use drugs lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop their drug use simply by choosing to. In reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting usually takes more than good intentions or a strong will. Drugs change the brain in ways that make quitting hard, even for those who want to. Fortunately, researchers know more than ever about how drugs affect the brain and have found treatments that can help people recover from drug addiction and lead productive lives.
What Is drug addiction?
Addiction is a chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences. The initial decision to take drugs is voluntary for most people, but repeated drug use can lead to brain changes that challenge an addicted person’s self-control and interfere with their ability to resist intense urges to take drugs. These brain changes can be persistent, which is why drug addiction is considered a "relapsing" disease—people in recovery from drug use disorders are at increased risk for returning to drug use even after years of not taking the drug.
It's common for a person to relapse, but relapse doesn't mean that treatment doesn’t work. As with other chronic health conditions, treatment should be ongoing and should be adjusted based on how the patient responds. Treatment plans need to be reviewed often and modified to fit the patient’s changing needs.
SANCA is the leading national organization that provides both prevention and treatment services of alcohol and other drug dependence throughout South Africa
185 Vause Road Berea Durban
031 202 2241

19/04/2017

Benefits of Inpatient Drug Rehab Centers

Most inpatient treatment facilities will have longer stays. Even though this might sound like an inconvenience at first (having to be away at a different location, away from friends and loved ones) it provides a number of substantial benefits that cannot be overlooked. A study in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence suggested that those patients who stayed in their inpatient rehabilitation longer had better rates of recovery. Remember that the lessons learned during recovery need to become second nature in order to help make a difference. This is why longer stays result in better-adjusted patients.
It Does Not End There

Is it important to remember that sobriety does not equate ‘solved’. Just because someone is sober, that does not mean that he or she will not experience triggers that might cause him or her to want to use later on. An article published in the Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions highlights the need for a cultural transformation for the people who are in recovery from drug addiction.
Recovery is more than just saying, “I hereby vow to never use again.” It means coming up with an entirely new way of dealing with common stresses and developing an entirely new lifestyle. This is not a process that can be completed in mere weeks, even months. It might be a process that takes years to accomplish, and with some patients, it is something that is never quite done.

Inpatient and Outpatient
This is one of the reasons that inpatient drug and alcohol treatment options have higher success rates. It gives the individual the two most important components needed for treatment – time and education. It gives them a chance to be able to see what a sober life is like, what changes need to be made. Most people need to learn how to keep their addictions under control. Outpatient programs AFTER inpatient drug treatment centers can help with that – but they are a part of the aftercare process, a part of the healing process, not actual components in and of itself.
As previously mentioned, if addicts are in a live in rehab facility, it would make sense that they are able to focus. In house treatment centers keep people occupied around the clock. In house drug rehab removes the temptation to go the nearest dealer to get high or a liquor store to get drunk. These are benefits that an inpatient rehab center has over outpatient treatment. This is why in patient rehab centers will always provide a far better alternative for addicts compared to outpatient programs.

The Facts About Inpatient Rehab Centers
There are still important questions that people need to address, such as how much does inpatient rehab cost? Fortunately, it is possible to work with a number of facilities to obtain affordable inpatient drug rehab. Oftentimes insurance will foot at least part of the bill. In patient rehab programs may or may not be fully covered, this is important to look into.
When it comes to getting the right recovery treatment, there is a reason that inpatient drug rehab and inpatient alcohol rehab are considered the “best possible option,” it is because they consistently been proven to be the most successful option for recovery. Considering how high the stakes are, can you afford to utilize anything other than the best option if you or someone you know struggles with drug or alcohol addiction? Look for the best inpatient rehabs and make your decision accordingly.
SANCA is the leading national organization that provides both prevention and treatment services of alcohol and other drug dependence throughout South Africa

185 Vause Road Berea Durban
031 202 2241

SANCA Durban Alcohol and Drug Centre

22/08/2017

16/08/2017

04/08/2017

21/07/2017

12/07/2017

03/07/2017

19/06/2017

05/06/2017

23/05/2017

10/05/2017

04/05/2017

19/04/2017

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