INTERNET Addiction Under the magnifying glass!

April 2015
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In this issue/
In hierdie uitgawe
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Internet Addiction
Meth the devil’s drug
(CAT & TIK)
How to help an
addicted partner
Donations
Stabilis in action...
Het jy geweet?
INTERNET Addiction
Under the magnifying
glass!
Internet addiction … internet gaming ... internet
gambling … internet affaires…. All these topics
will be thoroughly discussed on the 5th of May at
a workshop which will be held at Stabilis
Treatment Centre in Pretoria.
Officially internet addiction is included in the DSM-V. Conceptually, the
diagnosis is a compulsive-impulsive spectrum disorder that involves online
and/or offline computer usage and consists of at least three subtypes:
excessive gaming, sexual preoccupations, and e-mail/text messaging.
It is important to distinguish between addictions on the internet and addictions to the internet. Some
addicts are not addicted to the internet but use it as a medium to fuel other addictions, like
pornography, gambling and games etc. Internet addiction also is linked with the abuse of drugs and/or
alcohol also. This is the conclusion according to research that was made at Stabilis Treatment Centre.
The most of the persons who inquired about internet addiction, also acknowledged the abuse of drugs
and/or alcohol. A few exceptions were that a person who was addicted to drugs, succeeded in not using
drugs anymore, but become addicted to one or other form of internet
addiction – a severe risk for abusing drugs and/or alcohol again.
The workshops at Stabilis Treatment Centre became very popular because of
the high standard of these workshops. CPD points for registered
psychologists and social workers, and also VBO points for ministers of
religion will be awarded for attending the workshop.
Dr. Elca Erlank –
Presenting at SAPS Women in
Leadership on 24th Feb. She
is also a presenter of the
Internet addiction workshop.
Contact Stabilis Treatment Centre for more information about this workshop
on internet addiction on the 5th of May or any of the other workshops: 012
333 7702 / www.stabilis.org.za / [email protected].
NPO: 001-627 | Practice Nr: 0043494
Tel/Fax:
Email:
Website:
Address:
GPS:
Postal:
012 333 7702
[email protected]
www.stabilis.org.za
Haarhoff Street East 1229, Môregloed
25.423241 S, 28.150526 E
PO Box 32727, Waverley, 0135
METHCATHINONE (CAT) & METHAMPHETAMINE (TIK)
STREET NAMES
Methcathinone (mephedrone): CAT, ietsies, kayo, gram, line, wannebee. (This must be distinguished
from Khat which is a natural Amphetamine that is normally chewed - leaves contain Cathinone).
Methamphetamine: is also known as TIK, crystal meth, speed, meth, ice, shabu, jib, crank, cold.
DID YOU KNOW?
Both Tik and Cat are stimulants (uppers) and form part of the amphetamine rage of drugs. Stimulants
speed up the body and brain forcing the release of the body’s own energy chemicals. It also stimulates
the reward/pleasure centre of the brain which makes the user want to use it repetitively.
DANGERS WITH CHRONIC OR HEAVY USE
Many negative psychological effects accompany the use of these drugs. These include irritability,
aggression, depression, agitation, compulsive skin picking, hair pulling, obsessive behaviour, paranoia
and hallucinations. Hyper sexuality may also occur. With chronic use and/or high doses, the use may
experience stimulant psychosis which includes catatonia, delusions and hallucinations.
The physical effects of include anorexia, hyperactivity, dry mouth and “meth mouth” (loss of teeth),
dilated pupils, excessive sweating, flushed skin, diarrhea, constipation and insomnia. With chronic
and/or high doses, convulsion, heart attack, stroke and death occurs.
Stimulants use encourages the abuse of other drugs because users take “downers” in order to
counteract the sleeplessness, anxiety and agitation that occur as a result of the “uppers”. Severe
psychological and physical addiction is possible. Users may have symptoms after usage, although the
dangers are prevalent after long term or heavy use. Tik specifically is considered dangerous and
addictive, users have reported that experimenting with this drug only once left them hooked on this
substance.
WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS
Withdrawal symptoms are similar to those of cocaine withdrawal, lasting from two to three weeks or
longer depending on the extent of use. Symptoms may include fatigue, depression, anxiety, irritability,
headaches, agitation, excessive sleeping and increased appetite.
Overdose can occur with any quantity of drug used, and the user is
always at risk. Overdose causes seizures, an increase in body
temperature, respiratory failure, coma and/or death.
PARAPHERNALIA
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Syringes and needles for injecting.
Small envelopes or folded paper squares.
Light bulbs and straws.
Unidentified tablets or powders.
www.drugfreeworld.org
NPO: 001-627 | Practice Nr: 0043494
Tel/Fax:
Email:
Website:
Address:
GPS:
Postal:
012 333 7702
[email protected]
www.stabilis.org.za
Haarhoff Street East 1229, Môregloed
25.423241 S, 28.150526 E
PO Box 32727, Waverley, 0135
HOW TO HELP AN ADDICTED PARTNER
Having to cope with an addicted partner can really be a
concern. We all care to be the most cherished object in our
partner’ life, but having an addicted partner can indisputably
dash this desire. An addict is preoccupied with his addiction
more than any other activity and this creates friction in the
relationship with his/her partner. However, you do not have to
believe that there is no outcome to the situation.
You have options to consider…..
Help yourself first: You might be thinking, “help myself?” “I
am not the addict. The fact is that if you have been living with an addicted partner the possibility exists
that you have been negatively affected by your partner’s addiction. Take responsibility for your own
recovery. Consult with a counsellor in the field of addiction. Al Anon states: "You didn’t cause it, you
can’t control it and you cannot cure it."
Understand addiction: Addiction is a chronic disease which is progressive in its nature. It interferes
with the addict’s physical and mental health, which can have a negative impact on the recovery
process. Knowledge opens doors to choices and strategies to manage problem situations. The more you
understand the better you are equipped to decide what is best for you.
Join a support group: It provides you with the opportunity to share with others in a similar situation
than yourself. Jointly you explore and discover strategies to prevent becoming co-dependent and a
victim of your partner’s addiction.
Do not enable your partner: Discomfort leads to change. If the addict is allowed to suffer the
consequences of his/her actions the continuous confrontation with the painful reality creates discomfort
which can result in motivation for change.
Therefore do not lie on their behalves, protect them, cover up, makes excuses or justify their actions or
believe that you are the cause of the problem.
Consider the option of intervention: Create an opportunity whereby people significant to the addict
meet with the addict and share with the addict (in the presence of friends and family) how they
experience the addict when he or she is abusing alcohol and/or drugs or gambling, and compare that to
how he/she was before the addiction started. The aim is to highlight consequences of the addictive
behaviour in the addict’s life. Utilise this opportunity to tell the addict how the addiction is affecting you
personally. It is therefore important that the person sees him/herself through your eyes.
The objective of the intervention is to reflect the reality of the
addiction to the addict to create motivation for treatment. Consult
with a counsellor specializing in the field of addiction to advise
and guide you with this process.
NB!
Stabilis is available for Wellness / Open days
/ Workshops @ companies and schools.
Please find attach our Training Schedule for 2015,
do not hesitate to contact us for your
requirements.
NPO: 001-627 | Practice Nr: 0043494
Tel/Fax:
Email:
Website:
Address:
GPS:
Postal:
012 333 7702
[email protected]
www.stabilis.org.za
Haarhoff Street East 1229, Môregloed
25.423241 S, 28.150526 E
PO Box 32727, Waverley, 0135
STABILIS in action…
Donations
Pieter du Preez Roos
We thank you for your
continued support:

Thank you very much for the
ongoing donation of animal
food (rabbits, birds, fish),
these animals have a
relaxing effect on the
patients.
NG Kerk (Noordelike
Sinode)
Pieter du Preez Roos
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Dr Michiel vd Merwe ontvang namens Stabilis Treatment Centre 'n
sertifikaat van prof Maharaj, van die Universiteit Pretoria, vir
deelname in die JCP gemeenskapsprojek.
NUWE Interne Maatskaplike Werker
BAIE WELKOM aan LIZNA SHARP.
Dis ‘n groot vreugde om jou as deel van
ons span te hê!
Lukas, one of the Chefs of
Stabilis, is very excited
about the new gas stove
which
was
recently
installed. Not only will it be
cost saving, but also a
solution
for
the
load
shedding days.
HET U GEWEET?
Hoe suksesvol was Stabilis Treatment Centre die afgelope jaar?
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Die pasiënte het op ‘n anonieme vraelys ‘n tevredenheid van 90% aan die behandeling wat hul
ontvang het, toegeken. Hierdie vraelys spreek 9 terreine aan wat alle aspekte tydens
behandeling insluit;
Meer as 80% van die persone wat gekom het vir rehabilitasie, was suksesvol in hulle
behandeling. Twee-derdes van diegene wat nie suksesvol was nie, het op eie keuse teen die
voltooiing van hul behandeling besluit.
Die feit dat verskeie pasiënte verkies om na Stabilis terug te kom vir opvolg-behandelings, is
‘n aanduiding van die tevredenheid en sukses wat behaal word met die multi-dissiplinêre
behandelingsmetode wat Stabilis volg.
NPO: 001-627 | Practice Nr: 0043494
Tel/Fax:
Email:
Website:
Address:
GPS:
Postal:
012 333 7702
[email protected]
www.stabilis.org.za
Haarhoff Street East 1229, Môregloed
25.423241 S, 28.150526 E
PO Box 32727, Waverley, 0135