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Category: Addiction

Why is addiction a disease?

June 6th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

When you think of a disease, addiction probably wouldn’t cross your mind, but it should.

Addiction is a disease of the brain and body which involves using substances or taking part in dangerous activities despite the negative effects. Like all diseases, if addiction isn’t treated, there are health-related consequences (for both the addict and their loved ones).

Drinking excessively and taking illegal drugs are the most common types of addictions, but there are many others.

Types of addiction:

Substance addiction is the compulsive use of drugs like cocaine, opioids, and prescription drugs like sleeping tablets, painkillers and inhalants. This also includes drinking and smoking (cigarettes and marijuana).

Impulse control disorders are when impulses cannot be resisted. This includes kleptomania (habitual stealing), gambling, pyromania (setting fires) and intermittent explosive disorder (obsessive aggressive acts).

A behavioural addiction is when someone engages in certain behaviour repeatedly, even if it causes themselves or others harm. Common ones include binge eating, having sex, self-harm, exercising, watching porn, using social media, playing video games and working.

Why willpower isn’t enough

Most addicts start out with wanting to relieve stress, feel good or escape from reality. Once they find a source for any of these, they may become addicted to it. Addiction affects the brain’s functions and disrupts the areas responsible for reward, learning, motivation, judgement and memory.

This means, if you have an addiction, you won’t be aware of how your addiction is causing problems. Even if it’s causing discomfort to others, the urge you have to get the pleasure from the activity or substance will control your behaviour.

Signs of addiction include:

  • An inability to stay away from a substance or activity.
  • Using a substance more often than in the past.
  • Lying to your friends and family about your use of a substance or the extent of your behaviour.
  • Abandoning commitments and relationships.
  • Being antisocial so you can rather spend time with the substance of your choice (e.g., hiding out at home on weekends binge eating).
  • Ignoring risk factors involved with your addiction.

The road to recovery

Addiction doesn’t just affect your wellbeing; it can also damage families, relationships, workplaces and neighbourhoods. Although it can be difficult for everyone, there are ways to cope and things you should keep in mind throughout the process.

If your loved one has an addiction:

Remember that you didn’t cause the addiction

It’s easy to start blaming yourself, but it’s not your fault. Even if you weren’t there for him 24/7, or if you used to drink with him or were rude to him at some point, you aren’t the cause.

Be a support system

The person will need help, especially during the recovery process. For example, if your loved one was an alcohol addict, you can show support by planning activities to distract him. Being available to listen and talk to him when needed is a big help, too.

Protect yourself

Your mental health is important, too. If your loved one’s addiction threatens your wellbeing in any way, get professional help or keep a healthy distance. Go for counseling through the recovery process if needed.

Approach with concern

If your loved one feels you’re blaming him for his addiction, he won’t react well. If you’d like to express concern about the addiction, do so with love and support. Tell him how his behaviour has changed your relationship and how you’d like to improve things. Offer your support, be positive and share that you want what’s best for him.

If you’re a recovering addict:

Continue your therapy sessions

It may be tempting to skip appointments or see your therapist less when you feel you’re coping again, but rather wait till you’ve been given the all-clear. Keep them updated on whether you’re having any withdrawal symptoms or other problems.

Create a safe environment

To heal, you need to feel secure at home. Get rid of addictive objects, for example, pornography if you’re addicted to sex. If you don’t trust yourself to clear out the triggers, ask someone you trust to get rid of them for you.

Ask for help!

Spending time with people who are supportive of your recovery will help you fight off addiction and stay healthy. Remember to create a routine that works for your recovery, but also be considerate of your friends’ and families’ time, too.

References

Do you need to go to rehab for binge-watching?

May 11th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

You’ll regret it in the morning when you can’t keep your eyes open, but you press play anyway. “Just one more episode,” you tell yourself.

A recent Netflix survey revealed that 61% of users regularly watch two to six episodes in just one sitting. Does this sound familiar?

After a long day, curled up in bed with snacks, watching endless episodes of your favourite series may sound appealing, but it may not be so kind to your health. The high you get from watching your favourite shows on a loop makes you feel good but it may lead to addiction.

Slave to the screen

Hilarie Cash, a mental health counsellor who specialises in screen and internet addiction in America, explains that overstimulation plays a big role in why we binge-watch. She shared that most binge-watchers who become addicted initially start as a means of escapism.

Indulging in binge-watching makes you so used to the easy distraction and the high you get, that eventually a few episodes isn’t enough. You soon find that you’re watching more episodes in one sitting to get your fix.

Binge-watching happens easily for other reasons too:

  • It helps you escape your responsibilities and worries for a while.
  • It relaxes you.
  • It adds a sense of excitement to your day (your favourite show becomes something to look forward to).
  • Today, compelling TV shows are at our fingertips on TV or online.

What’s the harm?

A recent study found that adults who watch more than three hours of TV a day double their risk of premature death! Sitting for long stretches is more likely to increase the risk of health issues like diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

A University of Michigan study found that TV shows with captivating plots excite the brain. This makes it difficult for your mind to settle before bed and may cause sleep deprivation.

Too much TV time is also linked to the risk of becoming overweight because for most, binge-watching and snacking go hand-in-hand. Sitting for hours while snacking on junk food is not the way to health!

Binge-watching also puts your social life at risk. A study done by Marketcast, an entertainment company, found that 56% of binge-watchers prefer to watch alone and that 98% watch at home. This leaves little time for friends or making new connections.

Pace yourself

If you save a few slices of pizza, you’ll get to enjoy it tomorrow. The same goes for your favourite TV show. Don’t watch an entire season in one go, treat yourself to an episode a day. A study done by the Journal of Consumer Research found that the faster you watch your favourite show, the less enjoyment you’ll get out of watching it. A little distance will make your heart grow fonder and help prevent an addiction.

Avoid purge-watching

Be honest. Are you binge-watching because you can’t get enough or just to finish what you started? Usually, finishing tasks is a good thing, but when it comes to watching TV and specifically shows you don’t like, it can be harmful. Only watch shows you enjoy, so you’re less likely to end up in a cycle of continuous binge-watching. (You’re also more likely to run out of episodes in no time.)

Earn it

Going cold turkey with binge-watching isn’t easy, especially when Netflix releases an entire season of your favourite show. Use a reward system to make watching your favourite show productive. For example, cleaning your room could earn you some screen time, as well as finishing an assignment or hanging out with your friends.

Time yourself

Don’t know when to stop watching? Let your alarm tell you. A great way to regulate how much you’re watching is to set an alarm for when you’ve started watching and when you should stop. Listen to the alarm! You can watch again tomorrow.

References:

The dangers of Ritalin if you don’t have ADHD

December 8th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

Campus life can be crazy and rewarding all at once. Hopping between classes, social events, new relationships and extracurricular activities can take its toll by the time exams roll around.

You’re stretched thin, and the pressure to perform can be unbearable. This can be dangerous territory if you start scouting around for illicit substances to give your performance a boost.

The dark side of study drugs

So-called “study drugs” are common at universities, with students misguidedly assuming they’re the best options for mental focus during crunch time.  Ritalin is one such culprit. This medication is normally prescribed for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) patients. So, when you take it without having this condition, you run the risk of harming your health!

“Ritalin helps me study much longer and take in more information,” says a Capetonian student, currently using Ritalin for what he calls “a heightened sense of alertness.”

Dr Shabeer Jeeva, who runs an ADHD clinic in Johannesburg, says it’s a growing concern. “It’s typically abused by matric students around exam times. But the problem is globally underdiagnosed and undertreated,” agrees Cape Town psychiatrist, Dr. Pieter Cilliers.

Ritalin, coffee in excessive amounts, caffeine-based pills and other uppers aren’t new on campuses. And taking the drug without a prescription has almost been normalised over the years.

“I started out using a source who had a prescription and later obtained prescriptions myself. It’s very easily accessible to students. Many of my friends use this as well and there’s always someone willing to sell the drug if you ask around,” says the same Capetonian student.

Ritalin is not your study buddy

This growing epidemic has given Ritalin a bad name, explains Dr Jeeva.

The main purpose of these stimulants is to increase attention and focus in Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and ADHD patients. Ritalin works by improving concentration of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, which are responsible for cognitive functions like reasoning, problem-solving, controlling attention span, impulse control, self-discipline, and hyperactivity (in the case of ADHD).

Ritalin’s active ingredients, methylphenidate, increases dopamine production in the brain, while norepinephrine controls impulsivity and movement overactivity to create a feeling of calmness. But, when taken by someone without ADHD the drug can cause feelings of euphoria and restlessness as that person already has an adequate supply of dopamine.

Risks of Ritalin for non-ADHD people

Using Ritalin without a prescription can cause physical and psychological dependence and side-effects, especially if taken over an extended period. The risks and severity vary from person to person.

These include:

  • An irregular heartbeat
  • Feeling restless
  • Paranoia
  • Headaches
  • Dryness of the mouth
  • Feeling nervous and anxious
  • Depression with weak concentration
  • Insomnia
  • A suppressed appetite
  • A higher blood pressure
  • Sexual dysfunction that include impotence or changes in sex drive

Cope without the drugs

  • Take care of yourself. Sleep enough, drink lots of water, avoid stimulants like chocolate and coffee, cigarettes and energy drinks. Make it a priority to exercise at least every other day. A short walk, a bike ride, or a yoga session are all good ideas for relaxing.
  • Get organised. Explore study techniques like mind maps. Figure out what works best for you, and make sure you have a study environment where you’re comfortable and won’t be disturbed.
  • Techniques for better focus. Ritalin doesn’t make you smarter, it merely enhances focus. Rather improve your focus by working in manageable blocks of time. Don’t try to take it all in at once by multitasking. Assign time slots to specific sections of your work. And take a 15-minute break after each block.
  • Rely on your support structure. Get a study buddy. Stay connected to your support network who might be able to guide you along the way if you’re feeling overwhelmed.
  • Don’t be afraid to ask for help. The South African Depression and Anxiety Group often hosts live Facebook chats where you can interact and ask for tips on how to cope with stress.

References:

What makes ‘street drugs’ so dangerous?

October 27th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

If you’ve used recreational drugs, you might think: “It’s not that bad! I’ve enjoyed getting high, with no consequences.” The problem, however, is not just the drug itself, but all the extras that gets added in. Narcotics, like heroin, tik and cocaine, don’t just have dangerous short term effects, but cause significant damage to the structure of your brain when used over time.

So, before you drop one, pop a tab or do another line, take a look at the facts:

What makes it so dangerous?

Because street drugs are uncontrolled, dealers will use anything to mix, dilute or bulk up drugs – it means more money for them. Tests have found substances such as:

  • rat poison
  • pool chemicals
  • anti-retroviral drugs
  • milk powder
  • bicarbonate of soda
  • pool cleaner

Some of the drugs can even laced with a cheap form of heroin. Often these mixes make the drug even more addictive, so you end up with a cheap-to-make (not cheap-to-buy!), highly addictive and potentially deadly substance.

How do they work?

Street drugs work by stimulating neurotransmitters in your brain; especially dopamine and serotonin, which over-stimulate your “reward” pathways and give you a euphoric high. These abnormally high levels can cause long term damage by depleting your brain of essential hormones – which means that your brain can no longer function as it should and structural damage begins.

Some street drugs affect blood flow to the brain causing strokes, such as cocaine.  The abnormal spikes in neurotransmitter levels can cause violent behaviour, psychosis and paranoia. And that’s just while you’re high. Then comes the low where users can get muscle spasms, seizures and even heart attacks.

What Drugs Have Been Chemically Changed?

Here is a list of common chemically changed or processed street drugs. Processed means that the drug may have started out as a natural substance, but it’s been changed into another form.

  • Ecstasy
  • Crack cocaine
  • Heroin
  • Meth (methamphetamine)
  • Crystal meth (Tik)
  • Cat (Methcathinone hydrochloride)
  • LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide)
  • Nyaope – also known as whoonga or sugars

What if you or your loved one battles with addiction?

Drugs affect people in all age groups and social circumstances, from the very rich to the very poor. Addiction can occur after a single use, so experimentation is just not worth the risk.

If you or anyone you know are struggling with addiction, call Narcotics Anonymous at 083 900 69 62. Alternatively, email Narcanon at [email protected] or visit the SANCA site for information: http://www.sancawc.co.za/master/article.php?id=103

Take a look at our drug infographic, if you’d like to see what drugs do to your body.

Private Online Support For Addicts

If you use cocaine and are over 18, you may be eligible to participate in a program that trains you to resist cocaine-related cues and provides you with coping skills. This project is web-based with an optional Skype session with the main researcher and six online training programs. Your identity throughout is completely anonymous.

How to access help: https://www.lab.uva.nl/lotus/cocaine_training/registration/

Does your friend have a secret drinking problem?

June 21st, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

Did you know, that the average South African drinks about 20 liters of alcohol each year!? It us equivalent to 196 six packs of beer, 62 bottles of spirits, and 220 bottles of wine! That means that some people drink more than that, and some less. So, we drink a lot of booze as a country – but how much is too much?

People with drinking problems often don’t realise it: they think they’re in control, while their life slowly spins out of control. They need a friend – like you – to help them see the light.

According to the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, you may have a problem if:

  1. You don’t stick to the recommended alcohol limit of one unit per day for women and two units per day for men. One unit is equal to a 120ml glass of wine or 340ml beer/cider or one tot of spirits.
  2. You’ve increased your alcohol intake over the past few months.
  3. You’ve changed your alcohol brand to one with a higher alcohol volume.
  4. You drink at every occasion and create opportunities to drink.
  5. You drink when you’re angry, sad or stressed.
  6. You drink in secret or alone at times.
  7. You’ve stayed out of work after a drinking episode.
  8. You’ve lost jobs because of your alcohol use.
  9. You spend more than 10 percent of your salary on alcohol every month.
  10. Your family and friends have complained about your drinking.
  11. You’ve done things you’re not proud of while under the influence.
  12. You experience memory lapses.
  13. You have health issues because of your drinking habits.
  14. You drink and drive.
  15. You’ve been arrested for being over the limit.

The ugly side of alcohol
 So, what exactly gives alcohol such a bad rep?

It starts in the brain and central nervous system. Excessive drinking can cause slurred speech and weaken your coordination, balance, and judgement. It can also affect your ability to think clearly and form memories. In the long run, heavy drinking can even shrink your brain and cause permanent brain damage.

Your heart takes a beating too. Chronic drinking can increase the size of your heart muscle, making it more difficult to pump blood. This can cause problems like irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, heart failure, and stroke.

Boozing can also cause stomach ulcers, acid reflux, and inflammation of the pancreas, and may increase your risk for mouth, throat, and colon cancer.

Research also shows that chronic drinkers are more likely to get pneumonia and tuberculosis. Alcohol can also slow your body’s ability to fight off infections and viruses.

So, what do you do, if you or a friend may be tipping over a few too many tequilas?

Sip safely

  • Stay within the drinking limit.
  • Always eat before you drink. Drinking on an empty stomach speeds up the rate at which alcohol is absorbed.
  • Find an alcoholic drink that agrees with you, and doesn’t make you feel like death the next day.
  • Don’t mix your drinks.
  • Pace yourself. Sip your drinks instead of gulping them.
  • Have one drink every hour as this is how long the liver takes to metabolise alcohol.
  • Add lots of ice to your drink to water it down.
  • Drink juice or water in between alcoholic beverages.
  • Avoid drinking games.
  • Don’t drink and drive, even if you’ve had one drink. Make sure you have a designated driver when you go out.

And, if you or one of your friends are struggling to stick to these rules, you may need some support. Contact Alcoholics Anonymous. You don’t have to feel like an “alcoholic” to reach out to them – and they can help you in the right direction.


References:

Help! My loved one is an addict

April 10th, 2016 by The Hello Doctor Team

It can happen to anyone, and maybe it’s happened to someone you really care about: a family member, a friend or a partner.

Addiction to drugs or alcohol can seem like an impossible thing to handle. You go through feelings of fear, anger and helplessness as you watch someone slowly slip out of their own lives, and it’s like they can’t even hear you. Continue reading “Help! My loved one is an addict”

Private online support for addicts

November 12th, 2015 by The Hello Doctor Team

If you use cocaine and are over 18, you may be eligible to participate in a program that trains you to resist cocaine-related cues and provides you with coping skills. This project is web-based with an optional Skype session with the main researcher and six online training programs. Your identity throughout is completely anonymous. Here’s how you can access help: I Quit Cocaine

Continue reading “Private online support for addicts”

It’s easy to be an addict

June 4th, 2015 by The Hello Doctor Team

No one wants to be a drug-addict, but you’d be surprised how easily you can end up there. What may start as “just one try” could lead you down a far more dangerous path, not to mention the damage you could cause if you’re high. Here are some common ways on how you could become an addict…and, we suggest you AVOID them at all cost: Continue reading “It’s easy to be an addict”

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