Launched on 23 June 2010, Addictionology.co.za website is dedicated to the addiction and recovery industry of South Africa and acts as an online resource that members of the public as well as professionals working in the field can access for all addiction and recovery related issues.

At Addictionology we believe that an open exchange of knowledge and information is the key to dealing with addiction and recovery across South Africa. We provide accessible support resources to the public and expert resources to professionals and organisations working in this field.

Why are we here?

Addictionology.co.za was established in 2010 in order to achieve two fundamental goals.

1. To combine all resources in the field of addiction and recovery on a single website so as to make these accessible to the public.

Unless one is familiar with centres and professionals in private practice who deal with addiction and dependency related issues, unfortunately too often members of the public do not know where to start looking for help when addiction becomes a problem. This site was created as a one-stop access point that helps the public access help for all types of addiction quickly and easily. In order to achieve this, a variety of resources are listed in our directory. These include:

• Rehabilitation centres across all nine provinces of South Africa.
• Support groups that deal with addiction and recovery.
• Organisations that deal with addiction and recovery.
• Mental health care professionals who provide services in a wide range of areas related to the treatment of addiction and recovery.

2. To create a comprehensive network for professionals and people who work with or come into contact with addiction and recovery. This platform encourages the open exchange information and knowledge in order to promote ethical practice and high standards of service delivery.

While there are several authorities, private and public rehabilitation centres and government organisations that deal with addiction and recovery, there is currently a significant communication gap between these institutions. This creates a disjuncture in feedback on treatment approaches and programmes, and a significant lack in the exchange of knowledge between professionals and people who work, or come into contact with addiction and recovery.

In order to create a comprehensive network, professionals and people who work with or come into contact with addiction are encouraged to interact with one another in order to share their knowledge and experiences. They are also able to keep up to date with current theory and practice by utilising Addictionology's database of current research, academic papers and professional experience articles. Furthermore, they are able to address their emotional and professional needs through our Care for the Carer; Continued Professional Development (CPD) Listing's; Classifieds and Training, workshops, courses and programme listings.  

We also provide a free subscription bi-monthly newsletter providing information, letters and feedback on the happenings and developments in the field.

Vision

Our vision is to create the largest support hub in South Africa for professionals and members of the public who are involved with addition and recovery, thereby contributing to ethical practice and high standards of service delivery within this field.

Mission

We plan to achieve our vision by:

• Encouraging an inclusive, participatory and critical approach to understanding and treating addiction and recovery.
• Providing accessible support to those who are addicted.
• Providing accessible support to those affected by another person's addiction.
• Creating an online network of professionals working with addiction and recovery.
• Supplying the latest trends and a body of knowledge on the subject within an international and South African context.