Heroin withdrawal is one of the most physically intense experiences a person in early recovery faces. For many people, fear of withdrawal is the biggest barrier to seeking help. Understanding exactly what happens - and when - can make the difference between taking that first […]
The 4 Stages of Addiction: A Clear Guide
Addiction doesn't happen overnight. It follows a progression that researchers, clinicians, and people in recovery describe in consistent stages. Understanding these stages helps families recognise where their loved one is, and helps individuals understand their own journey with clarity rather than shame. At Cherrywood House, […]
Cocaine Addiction: Signs, Effects, and Treatment Options in South Africa
Cocaine use is a significant issue in South Africa, with Cape Town among the cities with the highest cocaine usage rates nationally. Despite its widespread presence in social and professional circles, cocaine is a powerful and genuinely addictive substance - one whose health and psychological […]
Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms and Timeline: What to Expect
Alcohol withdrawal is one of the few withdrawal syndromes that can be directly life-threatening. Unlike heroin or other drug withdrawal - which are profoundly uncomfortable but rarely fatal - severe alcohol withdrawal can cause seizures, delirium, and death. This is not said to frighten, but […]
Intervention Guidelines
If a loved one is suffering from an addiction and you judge that they might be responsive to an appeal from family members and close friends to address their problem, an intervention might be a good course of action. By “intervention” we mean a deliberate, planned […]
Signs of an Addiction
Addiction is an insidious illness. It usually develops gradually over time, making it easy for the severity of the problem to escape the notice of immediate family members. On top of this, the natural inclination for close family is to deny and diminish the problem […]
Helpful Information for Families
If you love someone who is battling an addiction and you are wondering what to do, please keep the following in mind: Treating an addiction is about more than just about breaking the addict’s physical dependence on the substance - It is a common misconception that […]
RELATIONSHIPS AND MANAGING EXPECTATIONS IN EARLY RECOVERY.
So often we hear people saying “But why don’t they trust me? I’ve been clean for a few months now, I’ve done 3 months of rehab, surely, they should trust me already.” Firstly, I think we need to look at what a relationship looks like […]
Compliance VS Surrender
Some people believe that because they say the right things and do “what’s required” of them in treatment that they are working in the program. We find that these people never actually change their behaviour; nearing the end of their treatment they begin to act […]
Recovery isn’t just about stopping the using
Many people come into treatment and think this is recovery, if I could just stop using/drinking/acting out my life would be fine, it would go back to “normal”. Here’s the thing, what’s normal? Is normal that life you had before you started using/drinking? Is normal […]
