Warning signs you may be addicted | Warning signs you may be addicted | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/Warning%20Signs%20You%20May%20Be%20Addicted%20Header.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | <div class="ExternalClass9E72CD22879C441D9C19129167230124"> <p>It’s never easy to admit that you have a problem. Changing habits can be scary, even though we know addiction is harmful. Remember, you are not alone.</p></div> | <h2 class="sectHeading">Am I addicted?</h2><p>If you display any of the symptoms in the graphic below, you may have an addiction problem. </p>
<span><figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Inline%20Images/Drugs-Alcohol-Am-I-Addicted-Inline-Graphic.jpg" alt="" style="width:714px;" /> </figure></span>
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<i class="info remember"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Remember</h4><p>If you need more information on substance abuse, support and treatment centres, call the City of Cape Town’s 24/7 toll-free alcohol and drug helpline on
<em>
<a>0800 4357 4 8</a></em> (0800 HELP 4 U).</p></div></div><h2 class="sectHeading">Quiz: Do I have a problem?</h2><p>Take this quiz to see whether or not you need help. Answer these 20 questions as honestly as possible:</p><ul><li>Do you ever drink or use drugs alone? YES/NO</li><li>Have you ever tried to stop or control your drinking or drug use? YES/NO</li><li>Are family and friends worried about your drinking or drug use? YES/NO</li><li>Do you ever feel ashamed or guilty about your drinking or drug use? YES/NO</li><li>Is your drinking or drug use making your home life unhappy? YES/NO</li><li>Has your work/academic performance ever suffered because of your drinking or drug use? YES/NO</li><li>Have you ever lied about how much you’ve had to drink or what drugs you’ve used? YES/NO</li><li>Have you ever stolen to be able to buy alcohol or drugs? YES/NO</li><li>Have you ever stolen alcohol or drugs? YES/NO</li><li>Have you ever been arrested because of an alcohol or drug-related incident? YES/NO</li><li>Do you take risks – such as speeding, using dirty needles or having unprotected sex – while under the influence of drugs/alcohol? YES/NO</li><li>Have you ever put buying alcohol or drugs ahead of other financial responsibilities? YES/NO</li><li>Have you ever had to see a doctor or had health problems because of your drinking or drug use? YES/NO</li><li>Do you often drink or use drugs first thing in the morning? YES/NO</li><li>Do you think about alcohol or drugs a lot? YES/NO</li><li>Do you avoid people or places that don’t like your drinking or drug use? YES/NO</li><li>Does the thought of not drinking or using drugs frighten you? YES/NO</li><li>Do you keep on drinking and using drugs, despite the bad things that happen? YES/NO</li><li>Do you ever think you might be going crazy? YES/NO</li><li>Do you ever feel it would be impossible to live without alcohol or drugs? YES/NO</li></ul><p>
<b>If you answered YES to:</b></p><ul><li>five questions, you may be at risk; or</li><li>more than five questions, there is a problem. </li></ul><h2 class="sectHeading">Treatment and help</h2><p>With the right support, you can have a positive and happy future. Call the City of Cape Town’s 24/7 toll-free alcohol and drug helpline on
<em><a>0800 4357 4 8</a></em> (0800 HELP 4 U).
<br><br><strong>You can also do one of the following:</strong></p><ul><li>Visit your local social worker.</li><li>If you are 18 years or older, you can go directly to one of the City of Cape Town’s Matrix® sites Drug and Outpatient Clinics or your nearest community-based treatment service, such as SANCA. Call<em>
<a>0800 220 250</a></em> or go through the list of SANCA offices.</li><li>Visit your nearest
<a href="https://www.westerncape.gov.za/dept/social-development" target="_blank">Western Cape Department of Social Development<i class="icon link-external"></i></a> office (‘social services’ office).</li></ul><p>A professional will guide you through the process – you are not alone. For more information, read our section
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Personal-health/Drug-and-alcohol-abuse/Help-and-treatment-for-your-addiction">Help and treatment for your addiction.</a></p><h2 class="sectHeading">Tips for staying clean</h2><p>
<strong>Staying clean once you have received help is a challenge, but here are tips to make it easier:</strong></p><ul><li>It’s best to avoid people with whom you used drugs or alcohol.</li><li>Avoid places where you liked to use drugs or alcohol.</li><li>Try and keep yourself busy during a craving – it only lasts a few minutes.</li><li>When you think about using, try to think about something completely different.</li><li>Try find other things that you like to do; the City has many great Sport and Recreation facilities across the city with a range of programmes designed to keep people busy and active. See our
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/SPORT%20AND%20RECREATION%20DEPARTMENT%20PROGRAMMES.pdf" target="_blank">full programme schedule</a>. </li></ul> | | GP0|#454e7254-1fda-4c4d-bad0-cdf165f3f1e1;L0|#0454e7254-1fda-4c4d-bad0-cdf165f3f1e1|Warning signs you may be addicted;GTSet|#ef3a64a2-d764-44bc-9d69-3a63d3fadea1;GPP|#4aca2abc-1f61-493a-9343-0924e5d18a84;GPP|#090e430c-3809-42d5-a80b-caea93b2beaf;GPP|#245ec7aa-a528-4cd3-bcac-597c292db711 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | If you are dependant on drugs or alcohol or use them more than you should, you may be addicted. | |