Substance abuse and your health and wellbeing

South Africa is seeing more and more substance abuse of all kinds among its people and this is having a devastating impact on our society. Substance abuse is affecting our homes, workplaces and increasingly even our schools.
What is substance abuse and how should we deal with it?

Substance abuse is the misuse by people of drugs such as alcohol, marijuana, heroin, ecstasy, cocaine, mandrax, tik, cat and others. The problem of substance abuse is widespread and a source of great concern to many authorities. The SA Association for Social Workers in Private Practice (SAASWIPP) estimates that some 50% of workplace accidents are related to drug and alcohol use. 1

As part of the Government Employees Medical Scheme's (GEMS) ongoing effort to educate our members and future members on a range of healthcare topics, we would like to provide you with some information on substance abuse and advice on why you should avoid abusing substances.

While drugs such as alcohol are not illegal they are often abused. In fact, alcohol is a major problem in our society and has been shown to increase violence on our streets and in our homes and accidents in the workplace. Alcohol abuse alone was estimated in 2004 to be costing South Africa more than R9 billion per year. Just because alcohol is more socially acceptable to take than other drugs, it does not mean that excessive use is not dangerous and destructive.

Of major concern is the fact that substance abuse is becoming increasingly common amongst our young people. It was reported early in 2006 that there was a massive growth in drug addiction among teenagers and that an estimated 1000 teenagers from all walks of life were in rehabilitation on any given day.2 The report suggested that children, even children in primary schools, were experimenting with and becoming addicted to drugs such as heroin, cat, marijuana, and tik. Some of these children are using and are addicted to more than one drug.

Drugs can have different effects on the different individuals who take them, but if there is one thing that these drugs have in common it is their danger and their ability to destroy lives. Drugs such as heroin, cocaine and tik, are highly addictive and once you have started taking them, it can be near impossible to stop yourself from using them. Some people become so addicted that they become involved in more and more dangerous and illegal activities to ‘feed' their habit. For many individuals becoming addicted to a drug can lead them to look for greater ‘highs', which means that they need to use more or stronger kinds of drugs.

There are other risks associated with taking drugs. As the SAPS point out, pure drugs are expensive so many dealers mix or ‘cut' them with less expensive substances.3 Some of these substances can be more dangerous than the drugs themselves and there have been a number of instances of people dying from them. Keep in mind that you can never be sure what a drug contains.

Drugs can be smoked, inhaled, injected or swallowed in the form of pills. As already noted, each person's body is unique and reacts differently to the taking of drugs. For this reason nobody can be sure how his or her body will react to a drug. An individual may, for example, have an underlying health condition such as epilepsy that is triggered by a drug.  Doctors at our hospitals around the country see many individuals who have been the unfortunate victims of bad drug reactions.

Nobody can afford to turn a blind eye to substance abuse; every one of us at every level of South African society should be proactive in identifying problems relating to substance abuse. If we as individuals take serious steps to identify at-risk loved ones and colleagues and help them, we could make a significant contribution to society.  Furthermore, we can have a really positive impact on the world of business by significantly reducing lost production and other costs. 

No matter how tempting it may be to use drugs to take a break from reality, they will not make your life better or your problems disappear. On the contrary, they could well be a major health risk and cause your life to spiral out of control. If you are feeling overwhelmed by problems or pressured by friends or peers to take drugs, give someone who cares about you a call or contact a support group such as the South African Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. Groups such as SANCA are there to provide you with support if you or a family member has a problem.

Substance abuse is something that every one of us should tackle not only because it impacts on our economy, but also because it causes enormous pain and anguish in our communities.

Raising a drug-free child

Below are some tips compiled by SANCA on how you may raise drug free children4:

• Spend as much time with them as you can. Communicate with them regularly, openly and honestly.
• Always be on the lookout for new behaviours, new items in the room etc.
• Make sure you know where your child goes and who will be there. Be sure to meet the other parents.
• Make sure you child understands the dangers of drugs, even if you think you should have no possible reason to doubt them. Drugs are available in the modern world and children are inquisitive. Talk to your child!
• Create family times, like sitting down at the table for a meal, to play a game etc. Turn the TV off.
• Make time for a child function at least once a week when you can both share a common interest. Play tennis together, see a movie they would like or take them for a meal.
• Be open-minded and listen to their queries, problems, questions and interests.
• Praise your child when they do well!

References

1. The SA Association for Social Workers in Private Practice (SAASWIPP) www.saaswipp.co.za
2. Mail and Guardian, "'Massive Growth' in drug addiction among teenagers", Feb 03, 2006.
3. SAPS "Drug awareness fact file", www.saps.gov.za/drugs/factfile.htm.
4. SANCA, www.sancanational.org.za.