Why it's a danger not to know yourself

A journey of getting to know yourself

People who don’t understand addiction might tell you, just learn to love yourself and then you won’t drink like this.

For some this is great advice but for people with addiction issues, you might as well just tell them that world peace is on the way as war tears us apart. It’s a lovely idea but it seems like a distant fantasy and totally unachievable.

It’s a danger not to know yourself

People with substance abuse tend to want to get away from themselves, which is why drinking or using drugs seem to work so well, as they take you out of your head.

Addiction is the definition of being out of relationship with yourself because your main relationship is with your substance of choice. And when you’re drinking and using, it’s impossible to have healthy relationships with anyone, whether it’s family, partners or colleagues.

Honesty is the only the way out

No matter how far gone you may feel in your addiction, there is always a way out, which will only start with you being honest with yourself. The first step in doing that is admitting that your addiction has taken over your life and you’re trapped in a corner with no way out. That is real honesty.

The next step is reaching out for help from loved ones and in many cases, professionals who can guide and support you through the process of stopping drinking or using.

The physical effects of alcohol and drug withdrawal

For people with dependence on substances, withdrawal can be tricky and downright dangerous. Visiting a doctor for medical advice and support is the crucial first step in arresting your addiction. Many people also find that they also need to go to rehab to find out how to live a sober life.

Building the foundation of a new, healthy and sober life begins at Ocean Hills with a gold-standard addiction education programme and therapy from top-class addiction and mental health professionals.

A time just for you

Rigorous honesty leads to sobriety, which is the solution to addiction. Building the foundation of a new, healthy and sober life begins at Ocean Hills with a gold-standard addiction education programme and therapy from top-class addiction and mental health professionals. You will examine your life in detail and learn to be honest about your choices. You will start to recognise patterns of behaviour that have led you into addiction and most importantly, how to change them and build new skills and attitude to recovery.

Ocean Hills is run by a team of compassionate addiction and mental health professionals. We work closely with our medical team and in many cases, we have walked the walk of addiction and recovery.

For a confidential chat, call Elaine on 027 573 7744 to find how we can help enter a sustainable life of sobriety.

The Man in the Mirror

When you get all you want and you struggle for pelf, and the world makes you king for a day, then go to the mirror and look at yourself and see what that man has to say.

For it isn’t your mother, your father or wife whose judgment upon you must pass, but the man, whose verdict counts most in your life is the one staring back from the glass. He’s the fellow to please, never mind all the rest.

For he’s with you right to the end, and you’ve passed your most difficult test if the man in the glass is your friend. You may be like Jack Horner and “chisel” a plum, And think you’re a wonderful guy, But the man in the glass says you’re only a bum If you can’t look him straight in the eye. You can fool the whole world, down the highway of years, and take pats on the back as you pass. But your final reward will be heartache and tears if you’ve cheated the man in the glass.

- Dale Wimbrow, 1934