Tough love, SELFLOVE

WHEN A PLANE IS IN TROUBLE, YOU HAVE TO PUT YOUR OXYGEN MASK ON FIRST BEFORE HELPING OTHERS WITH THEIRS. THIS INCREASES THE OVERALL ODDS OF SURVIVAL AND RECOVERY. WHEN SUPPORTING AN ADDICT, THE SAME RULE APPLIES...

- THUVESHNIE GOVENDER

TIME TO INTERVENE 

"It is estimated that 10% of the South African population struggles with addiction in one form or another. This includes substance abuse, gambling and sex addiction. That translates to one in 10 people, with most families having at least one person struggling with a substance-abuse problem," says Gideon Williams, an experienced addiction counsellor and owner of Start to Stop Bespoke Addiction Services in Cape Town.

It's a hard pill to swallow, knowing how badly addiction can take possession of one's life - whether you are the one addicted or watching from the sidelines. There will always be that feeling of helplessness and hopelessness.

In 2018, 60% of murders, 30% of rapes and 80% of youth deaths were committed or caused by being under the influence of alcohol or drugs. From children as young as eight years old to adults and the elderly, addiction (especially to drugs or alcohol) is a disease that can consume anyone.