9 Reasons for Alcohol and Drug Abuse

1. To Ease Suffering for people with Anxiety, Major- and Bipolar depression

2. Role Model Identification (e.g. family members, friends, heroes, public icons)

3. Boredom – especially under teenagers. Escaping into altered reality

4. Trying to cope with stress and life challenges

5. Prescription drugs are seen as “safe”

6. Dependency on prescription drugs

7. Softening unresolved painful memories and experiences

(traumatic events e.g. divorce, molestation, rape, assault, robbery, loss of loved one, life-threatening experiences)

8. Social integration and acceptance (“fitting-in”)

9. Chasing the “HIGH” created by drugs – wanting to “feel good”

What is a clinical psychologist?

A clinical psychologist is a person who holds a MA degree in clinical psychology and is registered with the Health Profession Council of South Africa (HPCSA).

This profession speciality is mainly concerned with diagnosing more serious mental, emotional and behavioural disturbances. Clinical psychologists tend to view emotional wellbeing in an integrated way by taking into consideration the related aspects of the environment, body, brain and the mind.

Why do people visit a clinical psychologist?

Individuals visit a clinical psychologist because they are troubled with problems, traumas or issues that they are not able to effectively deal with.

These problems mostly have a significant negative impact on various areas of their lives, and may include school-, work-, home or their relational/marital live.

How are appointments made?

Clients often make appointments for themselves when they have the need to.

But clients are mostly referred to psychologists by their General Practitioner (GP’s), certain Specialists, Pastors of their congregation, their schools or even by their employers.