The ManicaPost
Dr Mazvita Machinga
Mental Health Issues
WHILE addressing thousands of youths some months ago, His Excellency, President Emmerson Mnangagwa vowed to fight substance abuse, which is now rampant in the country.
The effects of substance abuse and addiction are being felt at every level of society, in families and communities and it is time to act.
Of particular concern is how substance abuse is robbing our children of their dreams and quality of life.
Mental health professionals have also noted with concern the rapid increase of drug-induced mental health issues.
About 57 percent of the cases reported in major mental health care centres are a result of drug abuse.
The good thing is that there is help for our loved ones who struggle with addiction.
People who access care can be freed from addiction and substance abuse. Remember that addiction is a disease that needs treatment, attention and collaborated efforts.
There are treatment centres in Harare, Masvingo and Bulawayo as well as substance abuse recovery services in various parts of the country, including Mutare.
Families have reported that while they are interested in having their loved ones access care and recovery services, they face challenges in making the affected people participate in recovery or treatment programmes.
So the question that has always been posed to me is how do we get more substances-abusing people into recovery or treatment programmes?
This is a very important question.
There are some important factors that we all need to know.
For example, it is rare for someone with an addiction to agree to voluntarily go for treatment or recovery services.
Many people who struggle with addiction are often in denial about their situation and unwilling to seek treatment.
They may not recognise the negative effects their behaviour has on themselves and others.
But nevertheless, they need help.
The spiritual and emotional connection that they have with the substance is so strong that it is not easy for them to give up what they view as important.
Raising awareness among family and community members about the value of addiction treatment and recovery services is very important.
Also, it is important to know that substance abuse and addiction recovery does not have a one-size-fits-all approach.
Treatment and recovery services vary based on the individuals’ needs.
However, the good thing is that there is hope for recovery and breaking the addiction.
The following are some of the ways we can get our loved ones into recovery or treatment:
1) Sometimes a direct, loving, heart-to-heart conversation can start the road to recovery.
Families can sit down and share with their loved ones how their substance abuse and addiction is impacting the whole family and the life of the addict.
They should clearly express to their loved one the need to get professional help.
2) When it comes to addiction, the person with the problem may struggle to see the problem and even recognise it.
In that case, families need to participate in substance use disorder education so that they understand the condition that their loved one has and get skills on ways to respond.
3) Families may need to have a more focused approach and join forces with others and act through a formal intervention that will confront the loved one so that he or she may see the need to access help.
4) A multi-pronged approach might be needed.
Families may need to work with their medical doctors, mental health professionals, clergy and others to convince the person to go for treatment or recovery services.
After that, sobriety maintenance is needed and individuals need to continue in local support groups.
5) Health care and educational facilities need to identify those who need substance abuse treatment or recovery and make appropriate referrals.
We should not let drugs destroy our children.
Let us all do something about it.
◆ Dr Mazvita Machinga (Ph.D) is a local psychotherapy and mental health consultant based in Mutare. For more information on substance recovery services, contact 0771 754 519 or 0714 79 9613 or Toll Free Helpline 08080482 Email [email protected].
