Blog
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Shame and guilt in addiction
People who are addicted to substances or certain behaviors suffer from terrible shame and guilt. Shame and guilt from the way they behave, the damage and pain they inflict on their families and the people who love them, wanting and wishing that…
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Recovery – walking a tight rope
Every addiction arises from an unconscious refusal to face and move through your own pain. Every addiction starts with pain and ends with pain. Whatever the substance you are addicted to alcohol, food, legal or illegal drugs, or a person you are…
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Letter from an addict – alcoholic
I’m an adult addict/alcoholic, I need your help. DON’T lecture, blame, or scold me. You wouldn’t be angry with me for having T.B or diabetes. Addiction and alcoholism is a disease too. DON’T throw away my drugs and alcohol, it’s just a…
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Court orders – life savers
For years the belief that addicts must “want” to go into treatment held me captive. My husband refused. I felt helpless. I tried crying, begging, keeping silent or screaming at the top of my lungs, nothing I did changed his resolve, he…
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Building Relationships and Connections
This end of year holiday period often makes me wonder how some of my interpersonal relationships have gotten to where they are. I didn’t always dislike this many family members did I? Have they always disliked me? A quick disclaimer before we…
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How to speak to my addict about going to rehab?
Can you feel in your gut that something is wrong? Have you been playing the detective, trying to find signs, to prove your suspicions? Perhaps you been running the conversation in your head over and over thinking how to approach the subject?…
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Domestic Violence and Addiction
This Wednesday, the world commemorates the UN Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. As such, we thought it fitting to bring your awareness to the high rates of domestic violence within South Africa. This, coupled with South Africa’s high addiction…
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Coping Skills That Turn Against Me
From a young age we all find ways to help us cope in a world that can be frightening, painful and at times traumatic. When we are not taught at a young age how to soothe our fears, pain, or anger. We…
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Relationships in Early Recovery
To call my first (and only) time in treatment an eye-opener would be an understatement. As a sheltered and privileged person with a private school background, the stories I heard in group shocked me, while the warnings of counsellors scared me. However,…
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The Worst New Year’s Resolutions in Recovery
If you’re wondering why this week’s blog post is not about how to spend New Year’s Eve (NYE) sober or how to survive such a party without relapsing, it’s because you’ve missed out! Check out our two blogs from earlier this month…