South Africa is a place of contrast. Beauty and brutality coexist in the same streets. Opportunity and desperation sit side by side. Families build futures in environments shaped by uncertainty and stress. Under these conditions addiction does not appear as a mystery. It appears as a response to a life that feels overwhelming. When a …
The Rise of a Drug That Doesn’t Just Take Lives In every part of South Africa, from Cape Town’s Cape Flats to small mining towns and middle-class suburbs, methamphetamine has evolved from a “dangerous drug” to a full-scale societal emergency. Tik doesn’t just create chaos inside a person, it reshapes entire communities around its destruction. …
We love a trainwreck, especially when it’s famous. The world has always had a strange relationship with addiction, but when it involves fame, money, and beauty, the story changes. The fall becomes fascinating. The suffering becomes art. From rockstars to movie icons, we’ve romanticised self-destruction for decades. The “tortured genius,” the “wild heart,” the “troubled …
Every story starts the same way, “just a few drinks.” It’s the after-work beers, the Saturday braai, the birthday celebration that doesn’t end when it should. South Africa has built its social life around alcohol. It’s our national icebreaker, our lubricant for honesty, our symbol of celebration. But somewhere between the clinking glasses and the …
It starts small, a few drinks with friends, a toast at a wedding, a glass of wine to unwind after a long day. It’s part of culture, connection, and celebration. Alcohol fits neatly into our lives because it doesn’t feel like a drug. It feels normal. But somewhere between “just one” and “I need one,” …
Curiosity is part of growing up. Teenagers are meant to test boundaries, challenge rules, and explore who they are. It’s how independence is built. But in a world where access to substances, screens, and social media validation is easier than ever, that curiosity can turn dangerous, fast. What starts as a sip, a puff, or …
Life is a complex tapestry of experiences, each moment offering opportunities for change and growth. Addiction, however, can lead individuals down an unexpected and often challenging path. Understanding addiction and the journey to recovery is crucial not just for those directly impacted but for society as a whole. In this article, we delve into the …
Long-term rehab centres offer extended substance misuse treatment compared to standard inpatient or outpatient programmes. Patients reside at the rehab centre, hence the term “long-term residential treatment.” The duration of treatment varies, typically lasting from 6 months to 2 years or more, depending on factors such as the patient’s needs, the facility, and the specific …
Dr. Mateusz Gola’s approach to understanding addiction offers a refreshing and insightful perspective that resonates deeply with the fabric of South Africa’s societal and cultural context. At its core, Gola perceives addiction not as a disease, but as a symptom – a manifestation of the deeper distress that arises from the challenging circumstances and environments …
