Support structures

P1030101For many people addiction is a chronic disease that requires ongoing treatment and management. This can include therapies and/or medication to help individuals address psychological and emotional struggles, dealing with co-occuring conditions and preventing relapse.

Not only those with addiction, including process addictions, but those experiencing ‘other’ trauma’s and emotional confusion/ difficulties will also benefit from a broad range of support services to help with the various challenges that they face.

Participation in peer support or mutual support programs can allow individuals to seek and provide social, emotional and informational support within a group of others seeking to manage their similar personal struggles.

Peer or mutual support is not treatment, but participation in these ‘programs’ can increase the chances of a qualitative existence and recovery.

Self-help organisations in South Africa, recommended for long-term recovery:

All 12-step programmes mentioned below are free, as they consist of members in recovery supporting each other.

Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
12 Step, self-help programme of recovering drug addicts who help each other stay clean.
International: www.na.org
South Africa: http://www.na.org.za

Nar-Anon / Narateen
12 Step, self-help programme for family and friends affected by drug abuse.
International: www.nar-anon.org
South Africa: http://www.naranon.org.za

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
12 Step, self-help programme helping alcoholics to achieve sobriety and stay sober.
International: www.aa.org
South Africa: www.aanonymous.org.za
Western Cape: www.cape.org.za

Al-Anon / Alateen / Al-Anon Adult Children of Alcoholics (AACA)
12 Step, self-help programme for families and friends of alcoholics.
International: www.al-anon.org
International: www.adultchildren.org
South Africa: www.alanon.org.za

Overeaters Anonymous (OA)
12 Step, self-help programme of recovery from compulsive eating (incl. obesity, bulimia and anorexia).
International: www.oa.org

Gamblers Anonymous (GA) 12 Step, self-help programme for recovery from a gambling problem.
International: www.gamblersanonymous.org

Gam-Anon
12 Step, self-help programme for the family members, friends and loved ones of compulsive gamblers who have been affected by the gambling problem.
International: www.gam-anon.org

Co-Dependents Anonymous (CoDa) 12 Step, self-help programme for developing healthy relationships.
International: www.coda.org
South Africa: www.coda.za.org

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA)
12-step, self-help programme for sex addiction, love addiction, dependency on romantic attachments, emotional dependency, and sexual, social and emotional anorexia.
International: www.slaafws.org

Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA)
12-step, self-help programme for overcoming sexual addiction and recovery from sexual addiction.
International: www.sexaa.org

Hazelden
Non-profit organisation helping people recover from alcoholism and other drug addictions, also known as the world’s premier publisher of information on this subject and related areas.
Based in the USA: www.hazelden.org

Testimonials