The Gauteng Department of Health has raised alarm over the growing link between substance abuse and severe mental illness, warning that healthcare facilities are seeing an increasing number of young people diagnosed with substance-induced psychosis.
The warning comes as South Africa marks SANCA Drug Awareness Week, with health authorities and medical experts calling for greater awareness, early intervention and an end to the stigma surrounding addiction.
Healthcare professionals have observed that a significant proportion of patients presenting with psychosis also struggle with substance abuse, with substance-induced psychotic disorders increasingly being diagnosed in public healthcare facilities.
“Healthcare professionals continue to observe that a significant proportion of patients presenting with psychosis also struggle with substance abuse.”
The department said substance-induced psychosis occurs when alcohol or drugs disrupt normal brain function, causing people to lose touch with reality. Symptoms may include hallucinations, delusions, confused thinking, social withdrawal and sudden behavioural changes.
It warned that while some patients recover after treatment and stopping substance use, others may go on to develop long-term psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia.
“Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve recovery outcomes and reduce the risk of long-term mental illness.”
Young people remain particularly vulnerable, with psychosis commonly developing during late adolescence and early adulthood. The department said cannabis, methamphetamine, cocaine, alcohol and other illicit drugs have all been associated with an increased risk of psychosis.
Meanwhile, Affinity Health said addiction should be understood as a medical condition rather than a personal failure, stressing that prolonged drug use changes the brain in ways that make quitting without professional support extremely difficult.
“Drug addiction is often misunderstood. Many people still think it’s simply a choice, but it’s far more complex than that.”
“Health experts recognise substance use disorders as a medical condition closely linked to mental health.”
Affinity Health said stigma remains one of the biggest obstacles to recovery, as many people battling addiction avoid seeking help because they fear being judged or labelled.
“People need proper care and support, not judgment or punishment.”
Saturday Star
Anita Nkonki
iol.co.za
