SUBSTITUTING ONE DRUG FOR ANOTHER

SUBSTITUTING ONE DRUG FOR ANOTHER

(New Beginnings Aftercare Programme — SANCA National)

 

The Dangers Of Substituting One Drug For Another

People with substance abuse problems sometime temporarily or permanently substitute other drugs for their primary drug of addiction. While addicts and recovering addicts typically have a number of justifications for their actions — and may even believe that switching from one drug to another is a sign of improvement — drug substitution is not less dangerous than addiction to a single main substance. In fact, it can add further danger by reinforcing the behavioural patterns that underlie drug addiction and other forms of addictions.

Underlying Issues Of Drug Addiction

While addicted individuals may think they only have problems with a single drug, they typically have under-lying thoughts and behaviour that are common to all addicts.  Common thoughts that lead to or support addiction include a belief in drugs as a gateway to greater creativity; a belief in drugs as necessary tools for relaxation or stress relief; a belief in drugs as a salve for various painful emotional states; and a believe in drugs as a way to ease the boredom of everyday life.

 

Common behaviour that lead to or support addiction include compulsive drug use, preoccupation with drug use-related topics, continuation of drug use despite obvious harmful effects, and neglect of the various aspects of daily life (work, relationships, etc.) that interfere or conflict with drug use. Underlying both addictive thoughts and behaviour is a conscious or unconscious desire to change the basic chemistry of the brain.

How substitution happens

Some addicts and recovering addicts believe that switching from one drug to another proves that they’re not “addicted” at all and can modify their actions whenever they choose. Addicts may also substitute one drug for another in order to stave off the effects of intentional or unintentional drug withdrawal; cycle back and forth between two or more drugs with different specific effects; or use a drug that’s more generally acceptable in their current social circumstances,

 

More addicts switch there preferred drugs for a combination of those reasons, according to the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers.

 

In addition, a great number of addicts use multiple drugs simultaneously, or combine the use of a single drug with other forms of addictive behaviour (gambling, compulsive sexual activity, etc.).

Dangerous Consequences

While addicts may believe that substitution frees them from the burdens of addiction, this substitution does nothing to alter the underlying thoughts and behaviour that lead to and support addiction. It also does nothing to alter the urge to alter the brain’s basic functional chemistry.

 

For these reasons, when an addict switches drugs, he or she merely transfers these underlying problems to a superficially “different” or “new” situation that’s actually business as usual. In fact, since this new situation creates an additional layer of denial or deluded thinking, it can actually be worse than business as usual and ultimately make it more difficult for the addict to truly start the path to recovery. 

In addition to substituting one drug with another, addicts may also try to replace drug use with gambling, compulsive sexual behaviour, binge eating, binge shopping or other addictive behaviour. In most cases, diffe-rent individuals have established degrees of preference for these activities and will bounce back and forth between them as circumstances allow.

 

During recovery, some addicts also substitute exercise or other typically healthy activities for drug use and treat these activities in the same way they would treat a new drug or other addictive behaviour. In fact, some addicts use these recovery process itself as a substitute for drug use and build up their old habits and patterns around this normally therapeutic settings.

Avoiding Substitution

To avoid the dangers of drug substitution, an addict or recovering addict needs extensive help from addiction specialists or other trained professionals in order to understand and recognize the underlying thought and behavioural patterns associated with addiction. Ongoing help is then needed to create new thoughts and behaviour that replace these patterns and provide a sense of fulfillment that ultimately displaces the addictive cycle.

 

Typical required steps in this process include detailing the addict’s drug use, creating an in-depth patient history, making sure that the addict and the addict’s family understand the dangers of substitution, and pointing out substances or behaviour that merely continue addiction in another form or setting.

(Please share your thoughts on drug substituting with us)

 

Working together to optimise Substance Abuse Treatment – “Treatment Works”

The Central Drug Authority held a Substance Abuse Treatment Conference Symposium with the theme

 

 “Working together to optimise Substance Abuse Treatment – “Treatment Works”

 

 in Kimberley from 12 – 14 November 2014.

 

A wide variety of presentations focused on the following:

· Access to services

· Standardised services

· Accreditation of services

· Holistic and Integrated services

· Medical treatment and detoxification

· Aftercare and reintegration programmes

· Accessibility and affordability

· Collaboration amongst stakeholders

· Community Based services

· Improved law enforcement

· Further research to be conducted

 

A number of interesting remarks were made that require further attention:

· One size fits all should be avoided at all cost. The statement was made that if we individualise treatment, patients cannot be admitted at the same time and be discharged at the same time.

· The duration of treatment should be longer – 3 months being regarded as optimal.

· Reasonable fees, attractiveness and quality of the service can ensure that more people access treatment. (Attractiveness not only refers to the physical infrastructure, but also to the attitude of staff members).

· Voluntary treatment is more effective than compulsory treatment.

· Substance abuse should be declared as specialised field requiring accredited multi-disciplinary professional practitioners. (A White Paper for certification and education of addiction professionals was made available by the Colombo Plan).

 

The advantage of a conference of this nature is that the attendee is given the opportunity to measure current practices with international trends and standards. In an ever developing and growing field of service, this information is of vital importance.

 

Ek vertrou dat elke leser van die Nuusbrief ‘n baie geseënde Kersfees en voorspoedige Nuwejaar sal beleef. Baie dankie vir u steun aan die Sentrum op welke manier ookal!

 

Are you addicted to gambling?

ADDICTED TO GAMBLING?

                                   Information from a NRGP pamphlet

According to research three in 100 adult South Africans may have a gambling problem, but few ask for help. The problem often remains concealed until it is too late and by then, the damage is done. It is not called the “hidden addiction” without reason! There are no obvious signs: no smell of alcohol on the breath, no unsteady gait, slurred speech, spaced–out behavior: so the tell-tale signs are easy to conceal.

Most people who gamble enjoy the activity as an exciting form of entertainment, but almost anyone who gambles is also potentially at risk of developing a gambling problem.

COULD YOU BE A PROBLEM GAMBLER?

Take the international recognized lie/bet screening test and check it out. Answering the following questions:

1. Have you ever lied to anyone important to you about how much you gamble? Yes/No

2. Have you ever felt the need to bet more and more money? Yes/No

If you answer yes to one or both questions, further assessment is needed. Call the NRGP Problem Gambling Counselling Line on 0800 006 008.

WHAT IS PROBLEM GAMBLING?

Problem gambling shares the features of an impulse control disorder, a compulsive disorder and an addictive disorder. The cause is complex and involves multiple factors including genetics, distorted thoughts and psychological problems.

WHAT ARE THE WARNING SIGNS?

· Spending much more time or money gambling than was originally intended

· Finding yourself pre-occupied with planning for gambling opportunities during your day

· Manipulating people into providing you with money to gamble

· Gambling in order to try and recover your losses

· Gambling with progressively bigger amounts to generate more excitement

· Resorting to criminal behavior to fund your gambling

· Neglecting family or work commitments to gamble

· Feeling anxious and moody when you are unable to gamble

· A breakdown in close relationships because of gambling debt and dishonesty

· Lying to concerned others about your gambling activity   

Problem gambling is often disguised by physical symptoms so you need to inform your doctor if you think you may have a gambling problem:

*Headaches, * Abdominal discomfort, * Anxiety, * Depression, * Sleep disturbances 

Problem Gambling often occurs alongside alcohol or drug use disorders. Seeking help for one problem while ignoring the other; usually keeps you locked into both.

WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT PROBLEM GAMBLING?

Problem Gambling is a treatable condition that responds well to intervention. The NRGP treatment service can assist with further free screening advice and counseling.

HOW TO AVOID GAMBLING PROBLEMS

· Decide beforehand how much money you are willing to spend and then stick to your limit.

· Don’t try and recoup your losses — they may only increase.

· Be aware of how often, and for how long you play.

· When you are winning take occasional breaks. Think about the smart time to stop.

(You are welcome to contact the Aurora Centre for more information

Aurora Sentrum se Direkteur aan die woord

September 2014 Direkteur: Aurora Sentrum

Dit is haas ongelooflik dat die jaar reeds so ver soos Augustus gevorder het! Die een aktiwiteit het die ander met gereelde tussenpose gevolg. Ons is nou reeds besig om ons dagboeke na die einde van die jaar vol te skryf!

Hoogtepunte het ingesluit die besoek van die SANCA Nasionale kantoor om ‘n assessering te doen met die oog op voortgesette affiliasie by SANCA (sien die foto hieronder), die  Jaarvergadering waartydens Dr. Paulina van Zyl cannabis as moontlike medikasie bespreek het (sien foto op bl. 3) en die Internasionale Dag wat gefokus het op die opsegging van een gewoonte vir ‘n week. In die nabye toekoms (13 September 2014) word ‘n “Live Free” pretloop beplan en daarna is dit ‘n vryval na die einde van die jaar.

Tydens die Jaarvergadering is twee nuwe lede op die Bestuur verkies en ons wil graag baie geluk en welkom sê aan die twee nuwelinge op die be-stuur, mnre Jan van Niekerk en Kobus Swanepoel . Baie dankie ook  aan die gesoute lede wat steeds bereid is om hul gewig in te gooi en dit moontlik maak dat die Sentrum ‘n “gerekende” Bestuur het. Die eise van die tyd maak die kundige insette van die Bestuur ‘n voorvereiste vir behoorlike verantwoordbaarheid.

In this newsletter the focus is on gambling addiction, a phenomenon which – as with other addictions – affects not only the gambler, but also the family. The prevention, signs and symptoms are important if you gamble from time to time. There is also an input by the Chairperson of the Aurora Centre on the grace of God. Hardly possible to believe that it is free!

G.H.J.Kruger

Life Free Fun Walk

Take a look at our Facebook page for exciting news about our Fun Walk on 13 September 2014.

Take a stand against alcohol and drug abuse, gambling addiction, low self-esteem, bullying and co-dependency!

R50 p.p - Hope to see you there!

For more information and registration please contact 051 447 4111 or livefreefunwalk@gmail.com

Live Free Fun Walk

EXCITING NEWS!

Aurora Centre will be hosting a 5km Fun Walk on 13 September 2014.
Take a stand against Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Gambling addiction, bullying and negative influences.

Live Free and Above the Influence!

Spread the word!
Share and invite your friends and family.

For more information email us @ livefreefunwalk@gmail.com

Set Clear Boundaries from Help Me I'm a Parent by Dr Estie Groenewald. Parents need Boundaries Too

SET CLEAR BOUNDARIES from HELP ME, I’M A PARENT

by Dr. Estie Groenewald

PARENTS NEED BOUNDARIES TOO

Always keep in mind that you are NOT your child’s friend. You are their parent. You have years of wisdom; you watch your child draw their first breath and felt that awesome sense of responsibility as you become a family of three. Don’t devalue what a parent is by trying to simply be a “friend”, it is a parents job to help their children become adults.

Being a friend to your child is one way to sidestep the conflict, responsibility and pain of being a pa-rent. It is also a good place to hide if you don't know how to parent. But your role in your child’s life is to be a parent. Being a parent is not an adversarial relationship, but one in which clear lines are drawn about who is in charge. When you find yourself and your child thinking alike, or spending a lot of time hanging out together, it may be time to rethink your role. If you are not creating a solid, secure base from which your child can explore the world, you are probably a friend rather than a parent.

Understand that one of our most important jobs as parents is to stay loving and separate from our children. We do this by clearly defining our principles, staying in our role as a parent and sticking to our bottom lines. Pincus (2013) mentions that we must think of a boundary as the line you draw around yourself as to define where you end and where your child begins.

We also have to define boundaries for our own behavior. Just as “no hitting” exists as a rule for children in daycare or schools it may also be a rule we have for ourselves. Maybe we need anger boundaries or even boundaries for guilt feelings. Just as our children are given new rules and boundaries as they get older, we need to give ourselves new rules and boundaries.

We need to continue with self-evaluation and boundaries procedures throughout our parenting career, even when we become parents to adult children.

How do you know if you might be blurring boundaries as a parent? Here are some signs:

· Doing for your child what he can (or should) do for himself.

· Constantly asking questions; interrogating your child over everything.

· Letting your child invade your boundaries as a couple — making your kids the centre focus at all times.

· Over-sharing with your child about your life; treating them like a friend rather than your child.

· Giving up your authority and allowing your child to take control of the household.

· Living through your child vicariously; feeling as if their achievements are yours, and their failures as yours as well.

· Your child is upset, and you fall apart.

CONCLUSION

To set clear boundaries is not always as easy. And let’s face it — kids push the boundaries every day, all the time. They are wired to test us and see how far they can go; it’s in their nature. As pa-rents, we sometimes cross boundaries ourselves in our attempts to fix things for them. Understand that one of our most important jobs as parents is to stay loving and separate from our children. We do this by clearly defining our principles, staying in our role as a parent and sticking to our bottom lines.

 When boundaries between parents and children are too rigid, all of the power and control lies within  the parent circle. Not only in “no back talk” the rule, no real communication takes place between two circles. In a family with too rigid boundaries, children often move into an adolescence of withdrawal or extreme rebellion.

Remember that setting of boundaries is a way of disciplining your children. It starts already when your baby is very small and continues to be necessary until they are grownup and have a family of their own.

Discipline techniques may come and go, but one constant in all discipline techniques is that parents must set boundaries for their children. Boundaries let children know what behaviour is acceptable and what behaviuor is not. For young children, boundaries keep them safe — don't cross the street alone, don't talk to strangers, etc. For older children, boundaries make them pleasant people to live with, work with, and play with. Without boundaries, children will have problems getting along with others their entire life.    

                   (Feel free to share your thoughts on boundaries with us.)