Successfully managing narcotic addiction is not merely about stopping addictive behaviours, but about thriving in society.
Successful addiction treatment is about having a support group to fall back on and the tools one needs to deal with the emotional problems at the root of addiction. It’s the chance to relate better to loved ones and to society in general.
Narcotic Anonymous (NA) groups in South Africa have found that truly successful addiction treatment includes professional counselling, group therapy and the implementation of a 12 step recovery program.
Counselling and support
Experienced addiction counsellors at NA groups in South Africa understand that addicts have as much right and desire as anyone else to contribute meaningfully to society, and will work with those seeking addiction treatment to help them to cope with addiction.
Intensive one-to-one counselling and support group therapy assists addicts during emotional phases of the addiction treatment process.
This approach to reaching the root of the addiction is instrumental in helping addicts understand their dependencies and avoid relapses.
Focused individual therapy provides a safe and confidential setting, where addicts can divulge their problems
and deal with their troubled pasts and core issues. Support, hope and friendships emerge from these meetings and addicts do not feel alone and isolated in their struggle for recovery.
Support group therapy provides an interactive platform for sharing experiences, and members can relate to the apprehensions and challenges of fellow addicts.
12 Step recovery programme
The highly effective 12 step recovery programme is a core component of NA groups in South Africa. The programme assists addicts in altering the aspects of their lives that they have the power to control as well as helps addicts to come to terms with the compulsions that they feel they cannot control.
In a 12 step programme, members are encouraged to admit to and take accountability for any wrong-doings or harm caused to others as a result of their addictions. The programme is based on spirituality, not religion, and includes meetings, written work, lectures and workshops.
12 step programmes teach addicts to manage their daily lives in a healthy and productive manner. The programme encourages members to stay connected with recovering addicts for support, in the pursuit of abstinence and recovery.
Meetings are group-oriented and there are no rewards other than potentially helping a fellow addict in some way. This is exceptionally powerful as it forms the basis of a support structure that is instrumental in preventing relapse.
Narcotics Anonymous groups are not the only ones to endorse the 12 step recovery programmes, many well-known addiction treatment centres and fellowships such as Alcoholics Anonymous make the 12-steps a core part of their programs as well.
NA South Africa have found that addicts can focus on continual growth and development by following a treatment programme aided by one-to-one counselling, support group therapy and the precepts of a 12 Step Programme. With proper counselling and a daily programme of recovery, addicts are once more able to lead healthy productive lives.
