Generated by Rank Math SEO, this is an llms.txt file designed to help LLMs better understand and index this website.

# Cape Town Drug Counselling Center: Established in 1985, the Cape Town Drug Counselling Centre is a key resource for the Western Cape community, offering comprehensive outpatient drug treatment and rehabilitation services.

## Sitemaps
[XML Sitemap](https://drugcentre.org.za/sitemap_index.xml): Includes all crawlable and indexable pages.

## Pages
- [Privacy Policy](https://drugcentre.org.za/privacy-policy/)
- [Terms and Conditions](https://drugcentre.org.za/terms-and-conditions/)
- [Donate](https://drugcentre.org.za/donate/)
- [Mitchells Plain Branch](https://drugcentre.org.za/mitchells-plain/):  **DUE TO LIMITED FUNDING THE MITCHELLS PLAIN BRANCH IS NO LONGER OPERATING AT ITS NORMAL LOCATION
- [Atlantis Branch](https://drugcentre.org.za/atlantis-branch/):  Drosdy Building Wesfleur Circle Atlantis Atlantis 7800
- [Observatory Branch](https://drugcentre.org.za/observertory-branch/):  1 Roman Road Observatory Cape  Town 7925
- [Links](https://drugcentre.org.za/links/): http://www.aanonymous.org.za/
- [Resources](https://drugcentre.org.za/resources/): Article 1 - CTDCC Services after 29 yearsArticle 2 - Help for Families Facing Drug ProblemsArticle 3 - 10 Things you can doArticle 4 - Drug problems - The costArticle 5 - A new start for Drug AddictsArticle 6 - What is AddictionArticle 7 - Women and AddictionArticle 8 - Addiction Treatment For AdolescentsArticle 9 - Substance Induced Psychotic DisordersArticle 10 - Behaviour and AddictionArticle 11 - HIV/AIDS and DrugsArticle 12 - In or Outpatient ServicesArticle 13 - The real harms of AddictionArticle 14 -It takes a community: Stability and support at home for recovering addictsArticle-15 Abuse Prevention for teenagers
- [Hallucinogens](https://drugcentre.org.za/hallucinogens/): Effects:Effects can be mild as in the case of Dagga where the user may experience distortions of time. It can also be dramatic, for example when an LSD user experiences visual and auditory hallucinations.
- [Famalies and Drugs](https://drugcentre.org.za/famalies-and-drugs/): Many people think addiction is the only negative outcome of drug use. But most people, especially adolescents, will run into problems with drug and alcohol use way before they get to the point of addiction.
- [Recovering 38 Year Old Female Tik Addict](https://drugcentre.org.za/38-yr-old-female-tik-addict-in-recovery/): To the staff and team at CTDCC – thank you for your support, encouragement, patience and positivity.
- [REFERRER](https://drugcentre.org.za/referrer/): The help which clients receive from you is of immeasurable value. For example, the most recent client I referred learnt to talk about what was worrying her.
- [Recovering 35 Year Old Male Alcoholic](https://drugcentre.org.za/35-yr-old-male-alcoholic-in-recovery/): Speaking about myself in group sessions was when I knew I wasn’t the only one who was suffering from this disease. At Observatory Drug Counselling Centre I learned that I have this disease. Today I am thankful for the staff there – God will bless the work they do. As one of their clients I am grateful for what they did in my life.
- [Recovering 61 Year Old Medication Addict](https://drugcentre.org.za/61-year-old-medication-addict-in-recovery/): I have found the Drug Counselling centre program most effective, in that it has allowed me to regain stability and clarity in life. I found my social worker Colleen’s input particularly helpful because she made me realize that I had a great deal to offer in the group sessions.
- [Recovering 38 Year Old Tik Addict](https://drugcentre.org.za/38-year-old-tik-addict-in-recovery/): I came to the Centre with the mind-set of just getting through this to please my wife. I know I had a problem, but didn’t acknowledge the size of it, although I was interested in quitting.
- [Recovering 26 Year Old Dagga Addict](https://drugcentre.org.za/elementor-page-484/): I came here with the problem of using dagga, without planning to stop, and feeling that if I did need to stop I wouldn’t need any help, can do it myself. But attending the Centre made me see and do thing differently. Addiction is not a problem I can deal with on my own. Attending the Centre made me see what I’ve lost and what I can still lose in life, and that’s something I don’t want. This process has made me the person I am at this moment. A big thanks to everyone who helped me in the time I needed them.
- [Recovering 25 Year Old Tik Addict](https://drugcentre.org.za/25-year-old-tik-addict-in-recovery/): Ek is ‘n student en ‘n transvestiet. Ek het so baie om te se maar ek is emosioneel omdat my pad by CTDCC beeindig. My tyd by CTDCC was opbouend – nie net emosioneel nie maar ook fisies, letterlik en my mentaliteit. Ek her so baie van myself geleer. Ek het geleer om my negatiewe in die positiewe te omskep deur my sessies by CTDCC.
- [Recovering 37 Year Old Female Tik and Dagga Addict](https://drugcentre.org.za/37-year-old-female-tik-and-dagga-addict-in-recovery/): A sincere thank-you to CTDCC and my counselor Fairuz for all the assistance and knowledge provided. I would like to explain briefly the role that CTDCC has come to play in my life. It has been a God-send working with Fairuz, simply because it is evident that she has a passion for what she does, and that has made all the difference to me.
- [Testomonials](https://drugcentre.org.za/testomonials/): 37 year old female Tik and Dagga addict in recovery
25 year old Tik addict in recovery
26 year old Dagga addict in recovery
38 year old Tik addict in recovery
61 year old medication addict in recovery
35-yr-old male alcoholic in recovery
Referrer
38-yr-old female Tik addict in recovery
- [Magic Mushrooms](https://drugcentre.org.za/magic-mushrooms/): Magic Mushrooms are hallucinogens or psychedelics and contain a substance known as psilocybin. Psilocybin and psilocin are the chemical components responsible for mind-altering effects and are found in about 40 different mushroom species. Mushrooms require warmth and sunshine for growth and so the abuse of magic mushrooms is generally seasonal.
- [LSD](https://drugcentre.org.za/lsd/): LSD or “acid” is made in the laboratory and comes from a fungus that grows on rye grains and is called ergot. It comes in different forms such as white powder, liquid solution, tablet form and sometimes the LSD solution is injected into blotting paper with cartoon characters printed on them.
- [Tranquilisers](https://drugcentre.org.za/tranquilisers/): Benzodiazepines/Tranquillisers are medication that is prescribed by a doctor to relieve anxiety and assist with sleeping problems. When experiencing stress or a loss these medications are given for a specific length of time.
- [Mandrax](https://drugcentre.org.za/mandrax/): Mandrax is a small tablet varying in colour that is highly addictive. Mandrax slows down the central Nervous System and has a sedative effect. Originally Mandrax pills were firm and white in colour, with Mx written on the side of the tablet. Currently Mandrax can be freckled, crumbly and may be grey, yellow or white.
- [Inhalents](https://drugcentre.org.za/inhalents/): Inhalants are breathable chemical vapours that produce mind-altering effects. Although people are exposed to volatile solvents and inhalants in the home and workplace, many do not think of inhalants as drugs because most of them were never meant to be used in that way. The most commonly abused inhalants are glue, petrol, cleaning fluids and nail polish remover. These substances are both psychologically and physically addictive.
- [Heroin](https://drugcentre.org.za/elementor-page-418/): Heroin is one of many drugs known as opioids – drugs originating from the opium poppy PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM. Other drugs in the same family include Opium, Morphine, Pethidine, Methadone, Codeine and Wellcanol.
- [Dagga](https://drugcentre.org.za/dagga/): Dagga comes from the hemp plant Cannabis Sativa. It is normally green in colour and the head (flower) of the plant is smoked. It contains chemicals that affect the brain, heart, and lungs slowing down the Central Nervous System. Dagga comes in different forms that can be moist, dry or compressed.
- [Alcohol](https://drugcentre.org.za/alchol/): Alcohol is a liquid fermented with starches that slows down the body’s functioning. It is the most commonly used substance that affects the Central Nervous System responses, resulting in loss of co-ordination and judgement.
- [Depressants](https://drugcentre.org.za/depressants/): Central nervous system depressants (Downers)
Drugs that dull the central nervous system, and generally slows down all functioning, making the user feel relaxed and drowsy are known as downers. Sometimes, as in the case of alcohol, inhibitions may be dulled leading to behaviour out of the norm.
Effects Slows you down, often slurred speech
Lack of co-ordination
Decreased energy
Decreased alertness
Decreased sexual drive
Decreased appetite
Decreased functioning of the Immune system
Increased sleeping Examples of downers Alcohol
Heroin
Inhalants
Mandrax Withdrawal - General symptoms include: Sleeplessness
Night sweats
Headaches
Mood swings
Back-ache
Stomach cramps (Symptoms such as stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fevers are specific to heroin withdrawal – other general symptoms are also evident)
During benzodiazepine withdrawal, panic and anxiety attacks prevail
- [Tik (Meth)](https://drugcentre.org.za/tik-meth/): Tik is an odourless, crystal-like substance. It is a stimulant that speeds-up the functioning of the vital organs e.g. heart. It is highly addictive and harms the functioning of the Central Nervous System.
- [Khat](https://drugcentre.org.za/khat/): Kat is a stimulant. It is an amphetamine and has similar effects to Cocaine and Tik. Kat comes in two forms – the original (Cathinone) and artificial form (Methcathinone). Kat originally comes from a leafy green plant called Catha edulis. The leaves at the top of the plant are used and have the active ingredient cathinone in it. The leaves are green, brown or yellowish in colour depending on their age. 
- [Ecstacy](https://drugcentre.org.za/ecstacy/): Ecstasy or ‘E’ as it is widely known is an amphetamine known as Methylene-dioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). It is a potent stimulant and mild hallucinogen. This drug is psychologically addictive, meaning that the user could become dependant on the high experienced with Ecstasy.
- [Cocaine](https://drugcentre.org.za/cocaine/): ]Cocaine is a bitter-tasting white powder. It is a powerful stimulant that acts on the pleasure centres of the brain. The powder in its original form is mixed with talcum powder or teething powder to increase the quantity for the user. The end product is about 20% pure.
- [Stimulants](https://drugcentre.org.za/stimulants/): Central nervous system stimulants (Uppers)
Drugs that stimulate the central nervous system and generally speed up all functioning, making the user feel pumped-up, energetic and euphoric are known as uppers.
Effects Increased heart rate
Increased energy
Increased sexual activity
Accelerated speech, jumping from topic to topic
Decreased appetite
Decreased inhibitions, impaired judgement
Decreased functioning of the immune system
Unrealistic confidence Examples of drugs that are uppers Appetite suppressants
Cocaine
Crack
Ecstasy is a stimulant with hallucinogenic properties
Ice
Speed
Tik Withdrawal - Withdrawal is generally short-lived and physical. People often exaggerate symptoms to justify drugging. Mood disturbances – depression, anxiety, irritability, paranoia
Sleeping patterns are disturbed/changed (insomnia)
Cognitive dysfunctions – lack of concentration, memory
- [Signs of using](https://drugcentre.org.za/signs-of-using/): Some of the above symptoms may be due to other reasons besides drug use, such as sexual abuse. Adolescence is also a time of physical changes as well as changes of your role in society. To a degree some of the above symptoms may be completely normal for an adolescent. Substance abuse normally results in a substantial change in a whole range of behaviours.
- [Drug Information](https://drugcentre.org.za/drug-information/): Signs of UsingStimulantsGeneral InfococaineEcstasyKhatTikDepressantsGeneral infoAlcoholdaggaHeroinInhalantsMandraxTranquilisersHallucinogensGeneral infoLSDMagic Mushrooms
- [Referral Procedure](https://drugcentre.org.za/referral-procedure/):  
- [Prevention](https://drugcentre.org.za/prevention/): South Africans, specifically those residing in the Western Cape, are all too aware of the large numbers of substance users in our communities. Apart from training people in how to work with substance users and treating those requiring help we have a responsibility to assist individuals when making choices around drugs.
- [Treatment](https://drugcentre.org.za/treatment/): We are an outpatient centre that provides confidential assistance to individuals and families experiencing problems with substance use. The basic difference between an outpatient and an inpatient centre is that with an outpatient programme people remain integrated in their everyday activities. Which means that as an out patient, you're forced to deal with the situation "on your feet". Whilst you may receive support from family, friends and our staff, a large responsibility lies on your shoulders.
- [Cape Town Drug Counselling Centre](https://drugcentre.org.za/):  
- [Contact](https://drugcentre.org.za/contact/): Please contact your closest branch to set up an appointment for yourself:
- [Services](https://drugcentre.org.za/services/): Our intensive six-week CBT program includes key interventions such as comprehensive assessments, drug testing, individual and group counselling, psychoeducational sessions, family support, and aftercare services.
- [About](https://drugcentre.org.za/about/): Observatory branch