The Impact of Addiction Treatment on People’s Lives

Angela Hough  is a psychologist working at the Grange. She is a registered psychologist, a therapeutic group facilitator (trained at CGAS), a process art facilitator, poet, artist, and a mother of two teenagers. She has taught for 15 years at tertiary level in psychology and education (UKZN and SACAP), and contributed to writing in the fields of resilience in young people, poetic inquiry, barriers to learning and diversity and decoloniality. She values increasing our capacity to relate, by healing our wounds and holding space for authentic dialogue. In the clinic Angela works with individual clients, as well as facilitating community groups, process and systems’ groups, art therapy and taking the clients paddling and into nature.

Addiction affects not only the individual but also families and communities. People struggling with addiction are not ‘bad’ people; they are individuals who have experienced pain, developed negative self-beliefs, or suffered deep wounds in their lives. Often, they are good people who have made poor choices. Our mission in addiction treatment is to provide them with a moment of change, a chance to turn their lives around and take a new path.

During treatment, clients are temporarily removed from their environment and supported by a close-knit community. This allows them to confront reality without substance use and find the courage to recognize the impact and unmanageability of their addiction. Sometimes, it feels like I am a Valkyrie, lifting people off the battlefield and giving them a fresh start.

The Importance of a Dedicated Team in Addiction Treatment

What I love most about my work is the dedication of my colleagues. We work as a team, and many of us have overcome personal struggles ourselves. Some of us come from families affected by addiction, giving us a deep understanding of the issue. Together, we form a support network, even when we use different treatment approaches. Our shared mission is recovery and transformation.

Holistic Treatment Methods: Mind, Body, and Soul

Addiction treatment is comprehensive, addressing practical, emotional, physical, and spiritual support. It is a holistic approach that focuses on the mind, body, and soul.

Effective Treatment Methods: 12-Step Program and Schema Therapy

I strongly advocate for the structure and guidance provided by the 12-step program and schema therapy. Working within a structured treatment program with weekly goals and routines helps clients approach their recovery in an organized manner. At the same time, we delve deep into their past and beliefs to understand what has shaped them and how they can change.

The Essence of Recovery: Relationships and Choices

Recovery is about connection and courage. Addiction treatment revolves around encouraging clients to face the truth and make the choice to change their lives. This process requires incredible bravery. Addiction affects not just the individual but also the family, and recovery can heal families by breaking destructive patterns. This can lead to the end of transgenerational trauma and the creation of a healthier future.

The Four Pillars of Effective Recovery

Addiction treatment can be seen as a fourfold braid consisting of:

1. Breaking through denial: Recognizing the consequences of addiction on finances, relationships, and health. Understanding one’s powerlessness in addiction and its unmanageability.
2. The power of thoughts: Thoughts have a huge impact. To maintain a substance-free life, underlying psychosocial factors must be addressed. This involves helping clients identify, challenge, and replace negative self-talk and beliefs with healthier thoughts that promote well-being and goal achievement.
3. Lifestyle changes: A new life without addiction requires drastic adjustments in daily routines, work, friendships, and leisure activities. We assist clients in developing healthy habits and social circles that support their recovery.
4. Support networks: Recovery does not happen alone. We encourage participation in NA and AA meetings, finding a sponsor, and building a strong support system with family, friends, and aftercare programs.

Addiction Treatment: Serious, Human, and Compassionate Work

Working in addiction treatment is challenging but incredibly rewarding. It is serious and intense, yet deeply human and filled with compassion. And yes, we laugh a lot too! Every moment someone chooses to change, every step a client takes toward recovery, is a victory. This is why I love my work.