The warning signs

The following signs can warn you that someone you know or love is abusing drugs and/or alcohol:

Physical signs:

• Bloodshot eyes or pupils that are unusually large or small
• Changes in appetite or sleeping patterns
• Sudden weight loss or gain
• Deteriorating personal hygiene (such as not bathing), grooming habits and/or physical appearance
• Unusual smells on breath, body or clothing
• Tremors (shaking), slurred speech or impaired coordination

Behavioural signs:

• Drop in work attendance
• Unexplained need for money, or financial problems – money may go missing from the household
• Lying and stealing
• Being irresponsible and unreliable
• Frequently getting into trouble (such as fights, accidents, crime)
• Acting impulsively (without thinking) and compulsively (overdoing something, such as overeating)
• Prescription drugs, cold medicines, alcohol or aerosol containers going missing from the home
• Use of household items such as plastic piping, rolling papers, eye drops, butane lighters and soft-drink containers to make pipes, etc.
• Frequent use of air freshener or incense in the bedroom

Psychological signs:

• Change in personality – person may become withdrawn, moody, depressed, tired, careless, manipulative, secretive and/or isolated
• Irritability, angry outbursts, becoming physically abusive or aggressive (such as punching the walls, hurting loved ones)
• Loss of interest in daily activities as well as previous hobbies or social activities
• Periods of unusual hyperactivity, agitation or giddiness
• Becoming fearful, anxious or paranoid with no reason
• Lack of motivation – person may appear lethargic (sluggish) or ‘spaced out’

Phases of abuse

It is important to understand the difference between use and abuse. This way, you will be able to help someone you care about who you believe has a problem. There are four phases of substance abuse.

Phase 1: Use

• Occasional and controlled use
• Often recreational

Phase 2: Misuse

• Using more often or taking larger quantities of drugs or alcohol
• Using a legal substance (such as cold medicine or sleeping pills) in a different way to how it should be used

Phase 3: Abuse

• Stronger cravings – thoughts are always focused on the substance
• Daily life and responsibilities begin to become difficult to manage
• Physical or mental health is affected
• Relationships are negatively affected

Phase 4: Dependence

• Frequent use, to the point of daily use or bingeing
• The cycle of getting the substance and recovering from its effects takes over your life

Prevention is better than cure

We can help family and friends with drug and alcohol abuse – especially young people – if we stop them from turning to addictive substances in the first place. You will find there is a lot you can do to help prevent drug and alcohol abuse in your home and community:

Get informed

Educate your friends and family on the negative effects drugs and alcohol can have on your life. Remember to always set a good example (especially when around young people) by making smart, informed choices about your own use of mood-altering substances.

Seek help for friends or family

Remember, it is never too late for someone to receive treatment.

• Read Help and treatment for an addicted loved one for ways to help yourself or a loved one.
• If you want to help your community, get involved with the City of Cape Town’s drug and alcohol abuse-related programmes.

Report illegal activity

You can help protect your family and community by stopping the illegal supply of drugs and alcohol in our communities.

To report a drug dealer or illegal liquor trader, call the Public Emergency Community Centre (PECC) on 021 480 7700.

Encourage others (and yourself) to keep fit and healthy

Keeping fit and active (even when we do not feel like it) is a wonderful way to build self-confidence and improve your mood, so that we do not turn to substances in hard times. Fun, active hobbies also offer a positive ‘escape’ from peer pressure or a difficult home environment. The City of Cape Town has a number of free initiatives like sports programmes and facilities like skate-parks and community centres that provide a safe space for healthy, active fun. See all of our recreational facilities.

Care for your mind

By following your curiosity, getting involved in your community and developing your skills, it becomes easier to say no to addictive substances. Further your mind and learn by going to one of the City's libraries for the many opportunities that the City of Cape Town offers you to develop yourself.

Get involved

By encouraging strong community values, we can nurture healthy and happy individuals. Here are some ways you can get involved in your community:

• Become a neighbourhood safety officer or school resource officer 
• Join your community policing forum.
• Join your neighbourhood watch.
• Volunteer for a programme.

Get help

Find out more about the help and treatment options available to you, or for someone you care about. You can also go straight to one of our clinics that offers Matrix-certified drug and alcohol outpatient support programmes.

To find a Matrix-certified clinic, please select the 'Drug and alcohol outpatient treatment' filter when you are on our clinics page.

Document downloads

• 1. Sport and Recreation Department Combined Programme Schedules

     01/01/2016, Schedule - 23.5 MB