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Rehabilitation for Business

Stuart Smith — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 09:59:32 +0000

“Supporting Employee Addiction Rehabilitation: A Vital Step for Business Success”

In today’s fast-paced business environment, employee well-being plays a critical role in driving productivity and success. Addiction-related issues can significantly impact both individual employees and the overall business performance. In this article, we delve into the importance of addiction rehabilitation for businesses, providing insights on how addressing addiction can lead to a more resilient, engaged, and productive workforce.

Recognizing the Impact of Addiction

Acknowledging the existence of addiction-related challenges within your workforce is the first step towards rehabilitation. Substance abuse or other addictive behaviours can lead to decreased job performance, absenteeism, increased accidents, and strained workplace relationships. By understanding and addressing these issues, businesses can create a healthier and more supportive work environment.

Promoting a Culture of Compassion and Support

Fostering a workplace culture that values and supports employees’ well-being is essential. Implement policies that encourage open communication and non-judgmental attitudes towards addiction issues. Educate employees and managers about addiction, its signs, and available resources for rehabilitation. When employees feel safe seeking help, the journey towards recovery becomes more manageable.

Access to Treatment and Resources

Just as a solid rehabilitation program provides the tools for recovery, businesses should offer access to appropriate treatment and resources. Collaborate with healthcare providers like THE WAY RECOVERY and employee assistance programs to ensure employees have avenues to seek professional help. These resources may include counselling, therapy, support groups, and medical interventions.

Get in touch with THE WAY RECOVERY for a full detailed profile of the holistic approach they offer.

Flexible Work Arrangements

Flexibility is a key component of effective addiction rehabilitation. Consider offering flexible work arrangements, such as remote work options or adjusted schedules, to accommodate employees undergoing treatment. This approach allows individuals to focus on recovery without compromising their job responsibilities.

Peer Support and Mentorship

Similar to group therapy during rehabilitation, businesses can facilitate peer support and mentorship programs. Pair employees in recovery with mentors who have successfully overcome addiction challenges. These relationships can provide guidance, encouragement, and a sense of camaraderie, helping individuals stay motivated on their path to recovery.

Stress Management and Wellness Initiatives

Addressing the underlying factors contributing to addiction is crucial for long-term rehabilitation. Implement stress management programs, wellness initiatives, and activities that promote work-life balance. By reducing stressors and enhancing overall well-being, businesses can minimize the risk of relapse and improve employee resilience.

Ongoing Education and Training

Just as rehabilitation involves learning new coping mechanisms, businesses should provide ongoing education and training on addiction prevention and mental health. Regular workshops and seminars can raise awareness, reduce stigma, and empower employees with the knowledge needed to recognize and address addiction issues.

Measuring Progress and Success

Effective rehabilitation is built on progress tracking. Similarly, businesses should measure the impact of their addiction rehabilitation efforts. Monitor key performance indicators related to employee engagement, absenteeism rates, and workplace incidents. Celebrate successes and continuously refine strategies based on the outcomes observed.

Conclusion

Prioritizing addiction rehabilitation within the business context is a proactive approach that benefits employees and the organization. By fostering a supportive culture, providing access to treatment, and implementing wellness initiatives, businesses can contribute to the recovery and well-being of their employees. Investing in addiction rehabilitation aligns with responsible and compassionate business practices, resulting in a healthier, more engaged workforce and enhanced long-term success.

The post Rehabilitation for Business appeared first on Get Help.

Breaking the Chains of Addiction: Introducing our Elite Workplace Rehabilitation Program

Stuart Smith — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 10:34:21 +0000

Dear esteemed readers,

We are excited to unveil a ground-breaking initiative aimed at addressing addiction-related issues in the workplace. Addiction can have a profound impact on individuals and their professional lives, leading to decreased productivity, strained relationships, and an overall decline in well-being. As a result, our esteemed rehabilitation centre has developed an elite Workplace Rehabilitation Program to provide comprehensive support to both employees and employers.

Recognizing the unique challenges that addiction presents in the workplace, our program combines evidence-based treatment modalities with a tailored approach to meet the specific needs of working professionals. Here are some key highlights of our elite Workplace Rehabilitation Program:

Confidentiality and Privacy: We understand the importance of maintaining confidentiality and protecting the privacy of both employees and employers. Our program adheres to strict confidentiality guidelines, ensuring a safe and secure environment for all participants.
Customized Treatment Plans: Everyone’s journey to recovery is unique. Our experienced team of addiction specialists and mental health professionals will assess the specific needs of each participant and develop personalized treatment plans. These plans consider work-related challenges, stressors, and goals, enabling a holistic and effective approach to recovery.
Comprehensive Care: Our Workplace Rehabilitation Program offers a wide range of therapeutic interventions, including individual counselling, group therapy, family support, relapse prevention strategies, and specialized workshops tailored to workplace dynamics. We also address co-occurring mental health issues that may contribute to addiction.
Workplace Reintegration: Returning to work after completing a rehabilitation program can be daunting. Our program emphasizes workplace reintegration, offering guidance and support to help individuals smoothly transition back into their professional roles. We work closely with employers to create a supportive work environment that fosters recovery and growth.
Education and Prevention: Prevention is key to addressing addiction in the workplace. Our program includes educational workshops and training sessions for employees and employers, raising awareness about addiction, its impact on productivity, and strategies for early intervention.
Ongoing Support: Recovery is a lifelong journey, and we are committed to providing ongoing support beyond the initial treatment phase. We offer aftercare services, including relapse prevention planning, and access to
community resources to help individuals maintain their sobriety and thrive in the workplace.

Our elite Workplace Rehabilitation Program aims to break the chains of addiction and create a workplace culture that prioritizes the well-being of its employees. By addressing addiction-related issues head-on, we strive to foster a healthy, supportive, and productive work environment for all.

We invite organizations and employers who are concerned about addiction-related challenges in their workplace to explore the possibilities offered by our Workplace Rehabilitation Program. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of employees and create a workplace that promotes wellness and growth.

For more information or to inquire about our program, please reach out to our dedicated team at THE WAY RECOVERY direct corporate line: (078) 640 6431 or alternatively you can contact the office emergency line: (074) 588 0897.

Thank you for your attention, and we look forward to assisting you in building a healthier and addiction-free workplace.

Sincerely,

Get Help team established by The Way Recovery

The post Breaking the Chains of Addiction: Introducing our Elite Workplace Rehabilitation Program appeared first on Get Help.

The Face of Addiction

Stuart Smith — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 10:10:12 +0000

We no longer live in times where addiction is found only in the very far ends of severe poverty. It is no longer a thing we only read of or see over the news, nor is it something that will never happen to “me”.

The sad truth is addiction can and has happened to you and me. It is in our schools, churches, families, workplaces and even on our streets right in front of our homes exposing our innocent children. Addiction has come like a thief in the night to steal our parents, our children, our faith and our very potential to make a success of our lives during these trying times.

The worst part of all of this is that the stigma still stays the same and cripples us. One needs to first acknowledge and admit that there is indeed a problem and secondly how and where to treat the problem. Our community almost chooses to stay uneducated because of the stigma and this escalates the problem. Peers of a loved one battling with addiction do not, not only know how to help! but are enabling the problem from a place of guilt, shame and being uneducated or the unwillingness to take guidance in finding the solution.

Drugs and alcohol have been made out to be a ‘glorified’ exciting way of life where the youth are encouraged to be opened minded to try anything and everything, without being informed of the consequences not only physical but mental as well such as; drug-induced psychosis, Korsakoff syndrome, physical dependency; cramping, body aches, sleepless nights, restlessness. Thus taking away the fear of the consequences like spending the weekend in jail, losing your job, family and potentially even your life.

Addiction is no longer something that happens in secret. Addiction does not choose your social standing, race, creed, or sexual identity it is found amongst the richest of the rich, the middle class and the poor.

Our colleagues no longer come to work with just a hangover they are showing up still intoxicated on substances that cannot be easily detected on their breath or even their obvious behaviour, but rather if you pay attention to the small nuances they display.

We can no longer ignore the drastic escalation of a pandemic that is on the rise, and we need to step out of our closed-mindedness in thinking that we are untouchable by substance dependency.

ADDICTION DOES NOT CHOOSE OR DISCRIMINATE. ADDICTION DOES NOT JUST HAPPEN TO GOOD OR BAD PEOPLE – IT CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE.

And yes! it can happen to you and anyone you love.

For years we have denied the existence, blame shifted and ignored the problem of addiction rather than investing in getting educated on the disease of addiction. It is about time that we realise alcohol is also a drug, and in some cases, the consequence is far more deadly. It is highly unlikely that we will ever be able to remove all forms of substance abuse from our society. This might be a difficult pill to swallow but the sooner we do the sooner we can help those who are suffering in silence and get them the treatment they need.

No longer do we need to be ashamed of addiction as we have seen top achieving children suffering from this, big successful businessmen losing everything they have, loving families losing a loved one taken to death or even the cashier at the local convenience store to addiction. Our role models, sports stars and even movie stars all around the world are people impacted by the disease of addiction in one form or another such as overeating, gambling, eating disorders and the list is endless.

The good news in all of this is that fortunately treatment for the disease of addiction has changed and all for the better. No more do we have to send our loved ones to far away places in the bush where they will be punished for suffering from a disease, and no more do we have to sweep it under the carpet hoping that it will go away by itself.

The industry has evolved and people with a passion for the disease of addiction have invested vast amounts of experience and knowledge from not only those who have recovered but also the professionals who have studied in the field therefore helping those who are afflicted, find a new way of life. Families have started speaking openly about the disease of addiction. The medical industry has come a long way in joining the fight and addiction now form part of the International Classification of Diseases, therefore, enabling us to treat the problem accordingly.

In the workplace, employers are starting to invest in the wellness of their employees and offer them much-needed support in getting help. The labour act now makes provision for employees suffering from the disease of addiction, allowing them to ‘come clean’ and not be victimised within the workplace. An employer should consider offering counselling, treatment or rehabilitation as an alternative before deciding to discipline the employee

The Way Recovery has played an integral part in leading this “new” evolution in the treatment of addiction since 2017 with significant results. The Way Recovery gets involved in the community as well as in the corporate structure by creating awareness and finding different pathways to recovery.

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The Long-term Effects of Marijuana Use

Stuart Smith — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 12:52:19 +0000

In these last few years, we have seen a much more relaxed approach to marijuana, particularly within the medicinal field. There is a lot of good to say about is substance’s use as a treatment for chronic pain and anxiety, but that doesn’t mean that marijuana is risk-free, particularly for those who use it recreationally.

As with all drugs, there are negative long-term effects of marijuana use. Addiction or reliance is a real risk too. If you or someone you know uses marijuana chronically (once a week or more), reach out for help to avoid these long-term effects.

The long-term effects of marijuana use.

There has been a large misconception that marijuana is a “safe drug”. With the recent increase in research, we have found that to not be the fact. As we have mentioned, there have been a number of positive uses for the substance but that doesn’t mean it is free of risk or danger. This is particularly true of the developing brain, so anybody under the age of 26.

These effects include:

Respiratory difficulties
Altered brain development
Difficulty paying attention
Chronic nausea
Cognitive impairment
Lower sense of achievement
Increase risk of testicular cancer
Increase risk of mental illness

The popular mental health YouTube channel, HealthyGamerGG, describes another effect that marijuana has on the brain. “When people use marijuana the biggest problem that I see is it becomes hard for them to break habits.” This stops people from being able to change the bad habits in their life.

The video is only eight minutes long. We highly recommend you give it a watch below for more information.

You can develop an addiction to Marijuana.

Marijuana doesn’t have the same reputation around addiction that other drugs do. This is largely due to the many people who have used it not developing an addiction. That doesn’t mean you have a free pass. Like all drugs, marijuana is addictive.

There are several signs of marijuana addiction:

Using more than intended.
Habitually planning the next use or craving.
Being unable to stop using.
Increasing in time using.
Giving up other activities to use.
Continuing use despite negative effects.
Requiring more of the drug to get the same high.

Can you Overdose on Marijuana?

There have been no reported cases of overdose of marijuana. This is another reason why the drug is seen as safer than others but users are not in the clear. High doses of marijuana can cause paranoia and anxiety. Very rarely, these high doses can also cause hallucinations or delusions.

Contact Get Help

While the effects of marijuana might not be immediately life-threatening, they do negatively impact health and quality of life. If you or someone you know is struggling with marijuana or using it at a developmental age, contact us at Get Help as soon as possible. Your call comes at no additional costs and our help to guide you through the next steps to recovery come free.

The post The Long-term Effects of Marijuana Use appeared first on Get Help.

How to Spot a Spiked Drink

Tuaha Shaik — Mon, 23 Jan 2023 11:07:42 +0000

When going out for drinks with friends or to clubs to dance, it is always a good idea to understand the dangers of spiked drinks and what you can do to spot them.

When it comes to recognising if a drink is spiked, it is incredibly difficult, if not impossible to tell before it is too late and you have consumed the drug.

If you or someone you are with thinks that their drink is spiked, you need to call the police and get yourself to the safest place that you can find. Many bartenders will be able to help you if you report it to them.

Signs of drink spiking

Most drink spiking uses drugs like GHB, ketamine and benzodiazepines. These illegal substances don’t have a taste or smell and don’t change the colour of a drink. This is what makes spotting a spiked drink so difficult.

If caught early, it can be possible to see dust or flecks within the drink. The drink may also be a little murky or cloudy. All of these signs will disappear very quickly and may not even be noticeable in a dark drink.

While the drugs mentioned are very common substances used, alcohol itself is used to spike drinks too. Put into a soft drink or increase the potency of an alcoholic drink, this type of spiking can get the victim drunk or drunker.

If alcohol is used, the colour of the drink may look a little diluted and have a stronger taste. If you don’t drink alcohol, you may be able to notice when it has been added. For the symptoms of drinking a spiked drink, read our article What to do if Your Drink is Spiked.

What can you do to avoid drink spiking?

The most common advice is to go out with trusted friends and never leave your drink unattended. When we say ‘never leave your drink unattended’ we really mean that you shouldn’t leave your drink at all. Not even with a friend.

It’s not that we cannot trust the people we are with, it’s that they are likely to leave your drink on the table and may get distracted. Potentially by the person who is spiking your drink.

If you need to go to the loo, finish your drink. If you are in a busy space that is a known risk, consider giving up on it if you cannot finish it first.

What to do if your drink has been spiked

The sooner you notice a spiked drink, the better your chances are of staying safe. If your drink has been spiked, call the police and find a waiter or bartender. Tell them about your situation and find the safest place possible.

If you are safe and still need help on what you can do to get over the drug’s symptoms or any other advice about the situation you are in, you can call Get Help and one of our friendly experts will be able to help you out.

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Ketamine Overdose Help

Tuaha Shaik — Thu, 15 Dec 2022 10:45:58 +0000

Ketamine is typically used for anesthetics but can be abused and cause an overdose. The drug’s effects include sedation and a reduced sense of pain but it can also have a hallucinogenic effect. A ketamine overdose can cause damage to the mental and physical function of a person, so if you see someone going through an overdose right now, you need to call an ambulance.

Emergency medical care gives the best chance of a person surviving an overdose and not experiencing permanent damage to their body or brain. If you don’t need emergency care or you are waiting for an ambulance, you can read on to learn more about ketamine.

The symptoms of a ketamine overdose

When taken outside of a doctor’s instruction, ketamine can be very dangerous, mostly because of how it impairs alertness. In high doses, the effects of the drug can cause death. A ketamine overdose will often include some of the following symptoms:

Rigid muscles
Inability to move
Increased heartbeat
Convulsions
High blood pressure
Unconsciousness

If you see someone experiencing any of these symptoms, call an ambulance.

How is ketamine abused?

Ketamine can make someone feel detached from reality, ease physical pain and induce hallucinations. In some cases, people have reported a near-death-like experience. It can also cause memory loss while under the effects of the drug.

Because of these effects and that this drug is a sedative, it has been used as a date rape drug. It is odourless and tasteless which makes it impossible to detect when it has been placed in a beverage.

When swallowed like this, it can take up to thirty minutes for the effects of the drug to take place. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of ketamine without your knowledge, try to find help as quickly as you can and call the police.

Help for ketamine addiction can be found

Ketamine is a drug that causes dependency and addiction. Over time, a higher dose is needed to be taken to gain the same high which can very quickly lead to a dangerous overdose.

If you or someone you know is struggling with ketamine or any other drug, contact Get Help today and one of our friendly addiction counsellors will provide you with the next step that you can take.

The post Ketamine Overdose Help appeared first on Get Help.

How to Help a Meth Overdose

Tuaha Shaik — Thu, 15 Dec 2022 10:28:17 +0000

Methamphetamine or meth is a drug that often comes in the form of a white powder, pill or crystals. Meth is highly addictive and can very easily lead to an overdose which is a life-threatening event. Even if an overdose is never experienced, meth addiction can lead to deadly side effects.

If you think that you or someone you know is experiencing a meth overdose right now, call an ambulance. It is vital that emergency care is administered as soon as possible.

If you are not in an emergency or emergency care is on the way, you can continue learning how to spot and respond to a methamphetamine overdose.

The effects of a methamphetamine overdose?

An overdose can happen when a lot of any drug or a combination of drugs is taken. The effects of an overdose happen when the dosage is too high for the body to handle.

Meth overdoses commonly cause heatstroke or a spike in blood pressure which can lead to multiple organ failure and haemorrhage. In rare cases, lead poisoning can occur from contaminants in the drugs.

Signs and symptoms of a meth overdose

Because meth is so highly addictive, any use of it puts people at risk of an overdose. Using meth can very quickly lead to addiction which needs a gradual increase in dosage to give the same high.

This gradual increase in dosage is what causes an overdose which can often be spotted with these symptoms:

Chest pain
Heart arrhythmias
Hypertension
Difficulty breathing
Agitation
Hallucinations
Psychosis
Seizures
Hyperthermia

How to help with an overdose

Recovery from an overdose depends on how much of the drug was taken and how quickly treatment is received. It is important to call an ambulance right away when an overdose is happening. Once emergency care is on the way, make sure that the person is safe and as comfortable as possible until the ambulance has arrived.

In the case of a seizure, carefully hole their head to prevent injury and tilt their head to one side. If they vomit, this will stop them from suffocating. Do not attempt to hold their arms and legs.

Get Help can guide you through meth addiction recovery

An overdose is a clear sign of drug abuse, especially with meth. If you or someone you know is currently struggling with a meth addiction, you can call our helpline or email us and a professional addiction counsellor will give you the next step you can take to recovery.

The post How to Help a Meth Overdose appeared first on Get Help.

Can You Overdose on Painkillers?

Tuaha Shaik — Thu, 15 Dec 2022 10:06:34 +0000

Painkillers can cause an overdose when taken in high quantities or more than what is prescribed. When any painkiller is taken in excess or taken to the point of overdose, it can be life-threatening. It is important that if you or someone you know is experiencing this, emergency care is needed. Call an ambulance right away.

In this article, we are going to go over all the information you need to know about a painkiller overdose.

Signs of a painkiller overdose?

Overdoses can vary from drug to drug and person to person. It’s a good idea to learn the general symptoms of an overdose, but there are a few more common symptoms with painkillers.

Cold or clammy skin
Discoloured lips and nails
Slow or difficulty breath
Vomiting
Shaking
Pin-point pupils
Unresponsive to surroundings

How to help someone going through an overdose?

It is life-saving for an ambulance to be notified as early as possible. It’s these emergency first responders that can administer naloxone, an antidote to opioid overdose which is the most common painkiller to cause an overdose.

While you wait for the ambulance to arrive, place the person on their side and in the recovery position. Tilt their head back and lift their chin to ensure that they can breathe easier. Do not try to make the victim vomit, eat or drink. If you can find which painkillers they took, make sure to have that ready for the ambulance when they arrive.

Painkiller overdose risk factors

Any abuse of painkillers is dangerous and can cause an overdose. There are some risk factors that can put someone at a much higher risk of experiencing one. There are:

Injecting or snorting the painkiller
Increasing the dose without professional instruction
Taking painkillers without knowing the dose
Using counterfeit or laced opioids

Contact Get Help for painkiller abuse and addiction

Painkiller abuse is a serious threat to the lives of many and they often go unnoticed. If you or someone you know is currently struggling with medication, reach out to us and one of our professional addiction counsellors will talk you through the next step that you can take toward recovery.

The post Can You Overdose on Painkillers? appeared first on Get Help.

Treatment for an Opioid Overdose

Tuaha Shaik — Tue, 13 Dec 2022 10:55:06 +0000

There is a treatment for someone who is experiencing an opioid overdose. If you are here because someone you know or around you are experiencing an opioid overdose, you need to call an ambulance.

Opioid overdoses can be fatal if not dealt with in time. It can be preventable by contacting medical professionals quickly. If you are not in an emergency, read on to learn more about what you can do and how an opioid overdose is treated.

How to spot an opioid overdose

Opioids are a depressant that affects the part of the brain which regulates breathing. Because of this, someone experiencing an opioid overdose will struggle to breathe. This makes it incredibly dangerous as suffocation is a threat.

More symptoms that define an opioid overdose are pinpoint pupils and unconsciousness. There may also be several general symptoms of an overdose which you can find in our article; Help with overdose and symptoms.

As with all overdoses, it is vital for the person experiencing it to receive emergency care as soon as possible. According to the World Health Organisation, about 70% of all drug-related deaths are caused by opioid abuse. 30% of these happen during an overdose.

Who is at risk of an opioid overdose?

One of the causes of opioid abuse is painkiller prescriptions. Other risk factors for an opioid overdose include taking the drug by injection, mixing opioids with other substances, particularly depressants, and having concurrent medical conditions that affect the immune system, liver or lungs.

Naloxone: medication for opioid overdose

Naloxone medicine is an antidote used for opioid overdose. This substance has almost no effect on people who have not taken any opioids but can save someone’s life who is experiencing an overdose on that drug.

Naloxone is not available in many countries as an over-the-counter medication. South Africa is one of those countries, but ambulances can administer this antidote, which is why it is important to call an ambulance first.

In countries where naloxone is available for purchase, it is wise to have it on you if you or someone you know is at risk of an opioid overdose.

Help for opioid abuse

If you or someone you know is currently struggling with opioid abuse and addiction, acting now could save your or their life. Contact Get Help and one of our experts in substance addiction will assist you.

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When to Get Help for Alcohol Blackout and Poisoning

Tuaha Shaik — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 09:40:57 +0000

Find help

While caused by the same substance, alcohol blackouts and poisoning are very different. In this article, we are going to discuss their differences and what you can do when you or someone you know is experiencing either of them.

If someone you are with is experiencing alcohol poisoning right now, it is important that you call an ambulance immediately. You can read the rest of this article while you wait for help.

What is alcohol poisoning?

Alcohol poisoning is a serious and deadly condition that happens when a lot of alcohol is consumed in a short period of time. It will very quickly slow down breathing, drop the body temperature and cause vomiting. It can also lead to coma and death.

When to call for help with alcohol poisoning

Someone who has alcohol poisoning needs immediate medical attention. If someone you are with is experiencing this, call an ambulance immediately and help the person stay awake and find a safe space to wait.

Try to keep them sitting up but if they need to lie down make sure their head is on the side. This helps prevent them from choking.

What is an alcohol blackout?

Alcohol blackouts are gaps in someone’s memory of events that happened while they were drunk. This happens when enough alcohol has been consumed to block the transfer of memories from short-term to long-term storage.

There are two types of blackouts that are defined by how severe they are. The most common type is a fragmentary blackout which creates spotty memories. Then there is complete amnesia which completely blocks long-term memory and nothing can be recovered.

When to call for help with alcohol blackouts

If you or someone experiences an alcohol blackout once if your life, there is no serious call for alarm. If this is something that happens regularly, it is a sign of much greater health issues and addiction.

This is what Get Help is here for. Get in contact with us in the way you prefer and one of our friendly professionals will give you the help you need.

The post When to Get Help for Alcohol Blackout and Poisoning appeared first on Get Help.