Our modern world is inundated with stress. Wildfires are burning out of control. Governments are striking out against their people. Relationships collapse and finances meltdown. People turn to whatever form of relief they can find. Often that relief carries with it its own dangers. Drugs. Alcohol. Smoking. Toxic relationships. A craving for approval. Sometimes the […]
We have written a few articles on the role of modern masculinity in its many destructive formats however it is worthwhile reiterating masculinity can exist in a format where many men aspire to achieve a valid foothold the context of their modern lives. The inherent strength of mindful men should not be diminished in the…
To create the mindset of a functional recovery based lifestyle is actually not hard at all. New healthy routines require a timed and conscious effort to establish and sustain your personal growth agenda. Your agenda must include self-care morning practice, adopting mindful practices in your day, gut health and healthy food, social interaction, physical exercise…
The loneliness in recovery is perhaps one of the hardest things we have to contend with as human beings. This time of year brings back the hurt, as we are forced to imagine how things should or could have been so different if we had only been able to stop the succession of events that […]
As society accelerates into a whole new era of social interaction we still have a long way to go in our relationship expectations. Defining where and how traditional male roles fit into this time is an important task and an undertaking that requires greater understanding and agreement as we are all still so conditioned into…
The concept of an addictive personality is contentious especially in the evidence-based practice of addiction recovery. People struggling with addictions seldom have universally identifiable character traits. Each case is different. What is relatively common is an inability to find grounding, comfort or satisfaction in day to day activities, relationships, work is a strong commonality in…
Sean O’Connor and Barry Tyson, founders of Mindful Drinking SA recently hosted Cape Town’s first Mindful Drinking Festival at the Kirstenbosch Stone Cottages. Well-timed on the back of “Sober October” the event that was attended by over 1000 visitors. The drawcard was a wide range of “non-alcoholic” or “alcohol-free” drinks that included “beers, wines, sparkling…
Recovery Direct has established a fundamentally different approach to addiction treatment and recovery than has ever been attempted before in South Africa. The model uses adaptations of many mainstream traditional methods of psychotherapy in an integrative evidence-based treatment plan. This format applies the best practice principles across a spectrum of treatment options for each patient […]
Recovery coaching has recently emerged as an adaptation of life coaching in the field of addiction recovery. The practice follows a similar suit in terms of traditional psychotherapy and borrows many of the recovery principals and practices from psychology and life-coaching and applies them in the context of addiction recovery. It all sounds good in…
Many therapists have spent thousands of hours researching psychology, understanding people and their motivations and working with individual cases. As a patient, you come into the process cold and often need to navigate complex psychology concepts relevant to your life in realtime with no training whatsoever. This post is dedicated to providing you with some…
A new study distributed under the South African Medical Journal reveals that substance addiction is so common in South Africa that one in five adults abuse substances like alcohol, dagga and painkillers. Dr Allers from the South African Society of Psychiatrists remarks that alcohol consumption is still the primary component to substance addictions in South […]
Traumatic stress is a natural reaction after exposure to a terrifying event or a series of independent incidents that we find distressing. It is not only caused by physical scenarios – It can also manifest after exposure to unpleasant emotional influences. After exposure to a frightening event, our brains are alert to danger, but usually […]
The symptoms of post-traumatic disorder (PTSD) and complex post-traumatic disorder (CPTSD) are not as visually obvious as physical injuries or ailments. Neither is it as well known as other mental afflictions. Consequently, it is often misinterpreted, underestimated or ignored by untrained observers. It can also be misdiagnosed by inexperienced health practitioners. This presents unique challenges […]
How does a rehab work? Since patients are removed from the stress of their daily lives, they are often better able to work through their addiction issues. Rehab programs can include group therapy, individual therapy, medication-assisted treatment, and even complementary therapies such as meditation, animal therapy, or outdoor activities. What is the process of rehabilitation? […]