Primary substance of choice varies with age profiles, says Sanca
It’s different strokes for different folks when it comes to substance abuse, says Sanca Eastern Cape director Roger Weimann.
The SA National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, a non-profit organisation based in Southernwood in East London, strives to address substance abuse and various addictions through the provision of specialised education, prevention, treatment and aftercare services.
Speaking to the Dispatch, Weimann said different age groups had their primary substance of choice.
Dagga and tik/crystal meth were the primary substance of choice for users aged 20 and under.
People from 20 to 25 also like dagga and crystal meth as well as alcohol, while the over-25s preferred alcohol.
“What we are finding in the Eastern Cape at the moment is that there has been a spike in terms of service users coming forward for treatment for drugs such as crystal meth.
“Alcohol is still very much used by our service users requiring treatment.”
Substance abuse is not a moral failing on the part of an individual, but “a proper medical disorder and we need to treat it as such”, Weimann said.
“For a long time there was this idea if you keep using drugs, you will be cut off ...
“There are ways for us to deal with this and still support the individual without giving up on that individual.
“It’s about people educating them and knowing that this is a problem in the country and we cannot live under a rock any more.
“Substance abuse doesn’t discriminate in terms of age, gender, race or social standing.
“It can affect anybody and it’s not just the illegal drugs that we need to be aware of, but also over-the-counter medication and legal drugs.”
Weimann said the consequences of substance abuse varied.
They included:
● Physical consequences which include liver and lung damage;
● Psychological consequences which include the development of a substance-induced psychosis or depression, and ideas of suicide; and
● Social consequences including loss of jobs, dropping out of school, low performance at school or work, conflict in interpersonal relationships which could lead to a relationship breakdown.
“What we have to understand about substance use disorder treatment is that we focus on lifestyle changes and encourage the individual to develop new life goals and directions,” Weimann said.
“This would indicate that the individual is inherently changed in this process and has learnt new and healthier coping skills.”
Weimann said when some people were confronted by a family member who was a user, they did not understand what to do.
Users start experimenting with substances for various reasons, Weimann said.
Some use to fit in, or because they have not developed coping mechanisms, or they have nothing else to do.
He said the spike in substance use was related to how the nation viewed substances.
“We are living in a society where there is a pill to cure everything.
“Until we change the way that we interact with substances, and I’m not just talking about illegal substances but legal substances such as alcohol, medication and over-the-counter medication, we will continue to see an increase,” Weimann added.
Those in need can contact the organisation on 043-722-1210.
Alcohol is still very much used by our service users requiring treatment