Addiction and
the Brain
Addiction Treatment South Africa
Just like diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic conditions, addiction is an illness that requires specialized treatment. According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), “addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory, and related circuitry.” At Ocean Bay Recovery, we provide comprehensive addiction treatment, focusing on personalized care and adherence to the ASAM Criteria for a holistic approach to recovery.
Multiple areas of the brain are involved in the neurobiology of addiction. Addiction especially impacts the neurotransmission, how parts of the brain “talk” to one another, and function of the brain’s reward system, also known as the mesolimbic dopamine pathway.
Did You Know?
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), symptoms of a substance use disorder may include:
- A desire or unsuccessful attempts to control, decrease, or stop substance use
- Continued substance use despite the problems it causes
- Cravings to use the substance
- Excessive time spent obtaining, using, or recovering from a substance
- Often use substance more than intended
- Ongoing need to increase use to achieve same effect
- Recurrent use of substance in risky situations
- Relationships negatively impacted by substance use
- Stopping or decreasing important activities because of the substance
- Substance interferes with fulfilling obligations
- Withdrawal symptoms if substance use is stopped
Our Focus
Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a chronic condition characterised by compulsive alcohol consumption despite negative consequences. It leads to physical and mental health problems, including liver disease, depression, and high blood pressure. Alcoholism not only affects the individual but also their family and social relationships, work performance and other aspects of their life. Our treatment for alcoholism includes therapy, support groups, and sometimes medication. It is important to recognise the signs of alcoholism and seek help early on to avoid further complications and harm.
Illicit drugs
Illicit drug addiction is a chronic disease characterised by the compulsive use of illegal drugs despite their harmful consequences. It can alter brain chemicals and cause physical and psychological dependence, leading to cravings, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms. Illicit drugs such as cocaine, heroin, marijuana, methamphetamine, and others can have negative effects on an individual’s health, relationships, and overall quality of life. Our treatment for illicit drug addiction often involves a combination of behavioural therapies, medication-assisted treatment, and support from friends and family or support groups.
Prescription drugs
Prescription drug addiction is a medical condition that develops when an individual becomes reliant on medication prescribed by a healthcare professional. Prescription drug addiction occurs when someone continues to use medication for non-medical purposes, despite experiencing negative consequences. Prescription drugs that are commonly abused include opioids for pain, stimulants for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and benzodiazepines for anxiety or sleep disorders. Addiction to prescription drugs can have serious consequences, including physical and mental health problems, and can lead to overdose or death. Our treatment for prescription drug addiction typically involves medication-assisted therapy and behavioural therapy.
Dual diagnosis / Co-occurring disorders
We treat co-occurring disorders because many people with substance abuse issues also have underlying mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, trauma, or bipolar disorder. Treating only the substance abuse issue may not be effective if the root cause of the problem is not addressed. By treating both the substance abuse and the underlying mental health condition simultaneously, we can improve the chances of successful recovery and reduce the risk of relapse. Additionally, treating co-occurring disorders can also improve overall mental health and quality of life, even after the substance abuse issue has been addressed.
Gambling addiction
Gambling addiction, also known as compulsive gambling or gambling disorder, refers to a condition where individuals cannot control their urge to gamble, leading to a negative impact on their personal, social, and professional life. People with gambling addiction may experience withdrawal symptoms when they try to quit and may continue gambling despite negative consequences, such as financial problems, relationship issues, and job loss. It is a serious psychological problem that requires our professional help to overcome.
Co-dependency
Co-dependency disorder is a behavioural and emotional condition that is characterised by excessive reliance on others to feel validated and accepted. Those with co-dependency disorder tend to have a strong desire to control and fix the lives of others, often at their own expense. This condition often stems from childhood traumas or dysfunctional family dynamics. Treatment for co-dependency disorder commonly involves therapy and developing healthy boundaries in relationships.
We do not offer treatment for:
Acute medical detoxification treatment. Should a client be assessed for requiring such treatment, they will be referred to one of our partner network detoxification facilities to complete treatment before admission into our facility and commencement with our treatment program.
(For immediate help call +27 42 940 0606 – 24 hours)
