Substance Abuse Problem?
- Riaan Norval
- Aug 10
- 4 min read
How Do I Know If I Have a Substance Abuse Problem?
By David Collins ( Clinical Director) - The Foundation Clinic, Oaklands Norwood
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Addiction doesn’t always look like chaos. Sometimes it wears the mask of a
functioning job, a friendly smile, or a night out with mates. It can exist in boardrooms,
behind closed doors at home, and within people who are still holding things
together—just barely.
So how do you know if your relationship with alcohol, drugs, or other substances has
crossed the line? If you’re even asking the question, that’s already a sign that
something deeper is worth exploring.
This isn’t about judgement. It’s about awareness. And ultimately, it’s about getting
your life back.
Look at the Consequences
The most reliable way to assess whether you have a substance use problem is to
take a close look at the consequences. What’s happening around you? Are there
repeated patterns—missed appointments, damaged relationships, growing isolation,
or trouble at work?
Often, it’s the people closest to us who notice something is wrong before we do. A
friend might say you’ve changed. A partner might start pulling away. A colleague
might make a comment about your Monday mornings or your Friday absences.
These observations—however uncomfortable—are worth paying attention to.
When Did It Start? And What Promises Did You Make?
Think back to when you first began using. What role did it play? Was it social? An
escape? Something to manage stress or pain?
Now ask yourself: Are you still keeping the promises you made to yourself at the
beginning?
“Just on weekends.”
“Never when the kids are around.”
“Only after work.”
If those boundaries have quietly slipped away, it may be time to take a deeper look.
How Are You Showing Up in Your Life?
We all play many roles—partner, parent, friend, employee, employer, sibling. When
substance use begins to interfere with how we show up in those roles, it sends up a
red flag.
You might notice:
You’re no longer the parent you want to be.
Your relationship is strained or breaking down.
Your work performance has dropped.
Friends have stopped inviting you out—or you’ve stopped showing up.
Addiction rarely stays contained. It seeps into every area of your life, even the ones
you care most about.
Try the ‘Wheel of Life’ Exercise
Draw a circle and divide it into 8 segments labelled:
Health
Career
Family
Romance
Finances
Spirituality
Mental health
Social life
Score each area from 1 to 10, based on how fulfilled or balanced you feel. Then ask
yourself: how is my substance use affecting these areas?
Addiction doesn’t just take away your sobriety. It slowly steals your peace, your time,
your self-worth, your future. Recovery is about reclaiming what’s been lost—and
building something better.
The ‘Love Affair’ That Becomes Toxic
Substance use can feel beautiful at first. Like a new romance. It’s fun, freeing,
thrilling. But what begins as love quickly becomes control. It becomes a trap—one
that’s hard to escape. You know it’s hurting you, but you go back anyway.
That’s not weakness. It’s the nature of addiction. But you don’t have to stay stuck.
Shame Is Not the Answer
Many people don’t seek help because of shame. And that shame is part of the
problem. Society still treats addiction like a moral failure instead of a medical
condition.
But substance use disorders—whether it’s alcohol, prescription drugs, illicit drugs,
gambling, sex, or even work—are all diagnosable, treatable mental health
conditions.
The Foundation Clinic works to break that stigma. We don’t judge. We don’t shame.
We understand.
Life Since COVID: The Bigger Picture
Since the pandemic, substance use issues have escalated across the world. People
are using more frequently to cope with loneliness, anxiety, economic stress,
relationship breakdowns, and political uncertainty. Our nervous systems are
overwhelmed. Fight, flight, freeze, flop—and “fawn” or people-please—are common
trauma responses.
In those moments, substances can feel like the only relief. But they are often short-
term solutions to long-term pain, and the relief comes with a cost.
Addiction can lead to emotional outbursts, violence, risky behaviour, and despair. But
within the same crisis lies an opportunity—the chance to reset, to reach out, and to
begin recovering what addiction took away.
If You’re Considering Rehab
If you’ve reached the point where you’re wondering, “Maybe I’ve got a
problem?”—that’s not weakness. That’s clarity beginning to emerge. It’s an invitation
to take the next step.
What should you do? Find a place that looks at the full picture. A place that sees you
as a whole person, not just a label. A place that understands addiction as a health
issue, not a character flaw.
At The Foundation Clinic, we don’t offer one-size-fits-all solutions. We meet you
where you are. We offer professional, compassionate, person-centred care. We
support complete abstinence if that’s your goal—but we also support harm reduction
and wellness-focused recovery.
Your Recovery Can Begin Today
If you’re asking yourself, “Do I have a substance use problem?”—take a moment to
reflect on what you’ve read. Then take the next small step.
At The Foundation Clinic in Oaklands, Norwood, we’re here to support you with
understanding, confidentiality, and expertise. Whether you’re ready to stop, curious
about harm reduction, or just need to speak to someone who truly gets it, we’re
ready to listen.
Recovery is not about becoming someone new. It’s about rediscovering who
you were before addiction got in the way. Reach out today. You don’t have to do
this alone.
Love and light
David Collins
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For more information please connect with the clinic on:
(062) 676-1807 Call/WhatsApp
(010)900-3131
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