Prescription abuse sees more people sucked into addiction on the North Coast

Prescription medication addiction has increased locally since the start of the pandemic as people battle mental health disorders, such as anxiety, depression and burn-out, says Tongaat-based halfway house for recovering alcoholics and drug addicts, Haven of Rest.

Haven of Rest programme manager, Shushie Govender said they wanted to raise awareness around the dangers of addiction during substance abuse awareness month.

“In many of the local cases we have found common problems which lead people into a life of substance abuse. These include a lack of coping mechanisms, childhood issues, coming from broken homes, societal pressure and being predisposed to addiction,” said Govender, a qualified social worker who has been running Haven of Rest for 19 of its 20 years.

Govender said people often did not realise what they were getting into when experimenting with drugs.

“It is not just the physical problems which come from substance abuse, but also mental health implications.”

Substance abuse affects the brain’s capability of producing a number of hormones and chemicals and long-term abuse can hamper this capability.

This could lead to the development of a number of mental health disorders.

Govender said the most common substances abused locally were heroin, cocaine, prescription medication and alcohol.

Heroin is typically a cheaper street drug, while cocaine and alcohol are said to go hand-in-hand.

Experimentation with drugs among teens had also increased, often owing to peer pressure and issues at home, she said.

She warned against type-casting addicts as stupid or poor, as they saw people from all walks of life.

“The addicts we see are often highly intelligent, but lack emotional intelligence and the ability to cope with the pressures of life.”

Haven of Rest offers a number of programmes, ranging from 1 to 6 months.

While government does supply subsidies per patient, the halfway house – a registered non-government organisation (NGO) – is battling with funding to see to the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the community.

The NGO will embark on a number of educational programmes and demonstrations this month, with a pamphlet distribution effort planned for June 25.

“This event is to commemorate the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking – a United Nations initiative – held on June 26. We really want to create awareness and alert the community to the dangers of drugs and their effects.”

Contact Haven of Rest at 032 944 6364.