How drugs and alcohol affect you | How drugs and alcohol affect you | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/How%20Drugs%20And%20Alcohol%20Affect%20You%20Header.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | <div class="ExternalClassF4EEF0325D5140F7BE5D55D25BF45121"><p>Drugs and alcohol are substances that have a chemical effect on the way a person's brain works. This can change the way your brain communicates with your body.</p></div> | <span>
<h2 class="sectHeading">About addiction</h2></span>
<p>Drugs and alcohol change your mood and behaviour, and can seriously harm your physical and mental health. It’s easy to lose self-control and slip into addiction, so if you suspect you have a problem, it is best to seek help immediately<strong>.</strong> Continue reading below to better understand your situation and find out how to get the help you need.</p><span>
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<i class="info note"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Please note</h4><p>Get help today by calling the City of Cape Town’s 24/7 toll-free alcohol and drug helpline on
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<em>0800 4357 4 8</em></a> (0800 HELP 4 U).</p></div></div></span><span>
<h2 class="sectHeading">Causes of addiction</h2></span>
<p>All drugs, including alcohol, are addictive as they stimulate your brain’s reward system – this means that after your body gets used to certain drugs or alcohol, you feel ‘rewarded’ by taking them. This is the ‘high'. These highs can also lead to long-term changes in the way your brain works untill it's eventually very difficult to stop taking drugs or drinking. </p><p>Often, even when an addict stops abusing drugs or alcohol, the symptoms remain. For example, tik (methamphetamine) addicts who experience paranoia, hallucinations and delusions when ‘high’ often suffer from these symptoms years after they have stopped using the drug.</p>
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<h2 class="sectHeading">Preventing addiction</h2></span>
<p>There is a lot you can do to stop yourself from turning to drugs and alcohol, including educating yourself on the risks, finding positive alternatives to drugs and alcohol, and reaching out for support when you need it.</p><p>Below you can find some helpful tips on how to avoid becoming addicted to drugs or alcohol. </p><p>
<b>Avoid addictive substances</b></p><ul><li>Educate yourself about the effects of drugs and alcohol, the risk of using them and what help is available to you.</li><li>Make better choices about your use of mood-altering substances, such as relaxing and having a good time without necessarily using alcohol, cigarettes or other mood-altering substances.</li><li>If you still have questions, do some independent online research or speak to your local social services professional.</li></ul>
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<i class="info caring"></i></div><div class="desc"><h4>Did you know?</h4><p>
<b>A caring city:</b> The City runs a preventative programme called the Strengthening Families Programme, which teaches parents how to create a loving, supportive home life for their child – something that significantly reduces the risk of a child turning to the streets. Find out more about the
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Activities-and-programmes/Support-and-safety/strengthening-families-programme/Strengthening%20Families%20Programme">Strengthening Families Programme</a>. </p></div></div></span>
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<strong>Report </strong><strong>illegal activity<br></strong>Help to stop the illegal supply of drugs and/or alcohol in your community. </p><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border">
<i class="info note"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Please note</h4><p>To report a drug dealer or drug-related activity, please email
<a href="mailto:drug.stop@capetown.gov.za">
<em>drug.stop@capetown.gov.za</em></a>. You may also contact 107 Public Emergency Community Centre (PECC) on<strong><em> 107</em></strong> from a landline or <a><em>021 480 7700</em></a> from a cell phone, or reach out on Twitter at @pecc107.</p></div></div><p>
<b>Look after your body</b><br>Fun, active hobbies also offer a positive escape from peer pressure or a difficult home or neighbourhood environment.The City has a number of free
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/SPORT%20AND%20RECREATION%20DEPARTMENT%20PROGRAMMES.pdf" target="_blank">sport and recreation programmes </a>and facilities like skate parks and community centres that provide a safe space for healthy, active fun. See all of our recreational facilities
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-City-facilities/Our-recreational-facilities">here</a>.</p><p>
<b>Care for your mind</b><br> By following your curiosity, getting involved in your community and developing your skills, it becomes easier to say no to addictive substances. See the many opportunities that the City of Cape Town offers you to
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Work%20and%20business/Jobs-and-skills-development/Skills-development-and-learning/Develop-your-skills">develop your skills</a>.</p><p>
<b>Get involved</b><br>Here are some ways you can get involved in your community:</p><ul><li>Become a neighbourhood safety officer or
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Local%20and%20communities/Community-health-and-safety/Community-policing/School-resource-officers"> school resource officer.</a></li><li>Join your
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Safety-in-the-home/Community-policing/Community-police-forum">community policing forum</a>.</li><li> Join your
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Local%20and%20communities/Community-health-and-safety/Community-policing/Neighbourhood-watch">neighbourhood watch.</a></li><li>
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/get-involved/volunteer?L1=Volunteer">Volunteer</a> for a community initiative.</li></ul>
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<h2 class="sectHeading">Get help</h2></span>
<p>Recovery is possible and it is never too late to receive treatment. There are a number of ways you can get help: </p><ul><li>Contact the City of Cape Town’s 24/7 toll-free alcohol and drug helpline on
<a>
<em>0800 4357 4 8</em></a> (0800 help 4 u).</li><li>Go straight to one of our clinics that offers Matrix-certified drug and alcohol outpatient support programmes. To find a Matrix-certified clinic, please visit our
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-City-facilities/Our-service-facilities/Clinics%20and%20healthcare%20facilities">clinics listing page</a> and select the 'Drug and alcohol outpatient treatment' filter.</li></ul>
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<p>Download the
<a href="https://www.westerncape.gov.za/assets/departments/social-development/sub_abuse_general_eng.pdf" target="_blank">Substance Abuse Booklet<i class="icon link-external"></i></a> courtesy of the Western Cape Government. It contains detailed information on treatment centres in the Western Cape, as well as plenty of useful information on substance abuse.</p> | | GP0|#2107f559-9f45-4a88-bb6a-df15825e17ef;L0|#02107f559-9f45-4a88-bb6a-df15825e17ef|How drugs and alcohol affect you;GTSet|#ef3a64a2-d764-44bc-9d69-3a63d3fadea1;GPP|#4aca2abc-1f61-493a-9343-0924e5d18a84;GPP|#090e430c-3809-42d5-a80b-caea93b2beaf;GPP|#245ec7aa-a528-4cd3-bcac-597c292db711 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Drug and alcohol abuse has a harmful effect on your health and happiness – it’s best to seek help immediately. | |