Addiction is a chronic disease, it’s not about weak willpower or bad decisions. It’s not a moral failure, a lack of discipline, or a character flaw. Addiction is a complex, chronic disease that affects the brain and body in ways many people still don’t understand.
Unfortunately, society has long painted addiction as something shameful. This stigma keeps people silent, scared, and stuck. But once you see addiction through the lens of a medical condition, everything changes. Understanding this shift is the key to opening the door to proper treatment, lasting recovery, and hope.
Let’s explore why addiction is classified as a chronic disease, how it develops, what it does to the brain, and how Dr Jolandi Meyer, working closely with the expert team at The Way Recovery Centre in Pretoria, supports individuals in healing with compassion and science.
What Is a Chronic Disease?
Chronic diseases are long-lasting conditions that can be managed but not necessarily cured. Think of diabetes, hypertension, or asthma. These illnesses may flare up from time to time, often need lifelong care, and require changes in behaviour or environment to keep under control.
Addiction fits this definition perfectly. It involves ongoing changes to the brain, can lead to serious physical and emotional health problems, and typically requires medical and behavioural treatment for successful management.
Understanding the Science of Addiction
At its core, addiction is about how substances affect the brain’s reward system. When you take a substance like alcohol, opioids, nicotine, or even gambling, the brain releases a surge of dopamine—the chemical that makes you feel good.
But here’s the thing. With repeated use, the brain adapts. It starts producing less dopamine naturally, or becomes less sensitive to it. That means the same amount of the substance no longer feels as good, and more is needed to achieve the same effect. Over time, the brain becomes dependent on the substance just to function normally.
This isn’t just a habit. It’s a hijacking of the brain’s natural processes.
Addiction also affects other key parts of the brain, such as:
The prefrontal cortex, which controls decision-making, impulse control, and judgement
The amygdala, which deals with emotions and stress responses
The hippocampus, which processes memories and emotional associations
This helps explain why someone with addiction may continue using a substance even when they desperately want to stop. Their brain chemistry has literally changed.
Why the Moral View Is So Harmful
The idea that addiction is a moral failing goes back centuries. People believed that addicts were selfish, irresponsible, or simply unwilling to stop. But this kind of thinking is not only outdated, it’s dangerous.
Here’s why the moral approach causes more harm than good:
It creates shame, which discourages people from seeking help
It isolates individuals, making them feel alone and misunderstood
It blames the person, instead of addressing the root cause
It ignores the biological and psychological realities of the disease
Imagine telling someone with asthma that they’re weak for using an inhaler, or criticising a diabetic for needing insulin. That’s essentially what we do when we shame someone with addiction.
How Addiction Develops Over Time
Addiction doesn’t happen overnight. It’s usually the result of a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors. These may include:
Genetics: A family history of addiction can increase vulnerability
Mental health conditions: Depression, anxiety, PTSD, or ADHD often go hand-in-hand with substance abuse
Early exposure: Using substances at a young age increases the likelihood of long-term addiction
Trauma: Unresolved trauma is a major contributor to addiction
Social environment: Growing up around substance use can normalise unhealthy coping mechanisms
In many cases, people turn to substances not to feel “high,” but to feel normal, safe, or numb. When we see this through a medical lens, it becomes clear—addiction is about survival, not sin.
Relapse Is Not Failure
Because addiction is a chronic disease, relapse can happen. Just like a person with high blood pressure might see their readings spike during stress, someone recovering from addiction might slip when life becomes overwhelming.
Relapse is not failure. It’s a signal that something in the recovery plan needs adjusting—more support, better coping tools, medical intervention, or therapy. With the right care, people can and do bounce back stronger than before.
How Dr Jolandi Meyer Treats Addiction as a Medical Condition
Dr Jolandi Meyer is a GP with specialised experience in treating drug, alcohol, and gambling addiction. Her medical practice is located on the premises of The Way Recovery Centre in Pretoria, allowing her to work side by side with a multidisciplinary team of therapists, addiction counsellors, and support staff.
Her approach is based on medical evidence, empathy, and respect. Here’s how she helps clients manage addiction as a chronic condition:
Medical Evaluation and Diagnosis
Dr Meyer conducts a full medical assessment to understand the scope of each individual’s physical and mental health. This includes identifying co-occurring disorders like anxiety, depression, or trauma, which are common in those struggling with addiction.
Safe Detoxification
Many substances cause withdrawal symptoms when stopped abruptly. Dr Meyer provides medically supervised detox to ensure that this process is safe and as comfortable as possible. This is critical for substances like alcohol, benzodiazepines, and opioids, which can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms if not properly managed.
Personalised Treatment Planning
Each client receives a treatment plan tailored to their specific needs. This may include medication to manage cravings, therapy to address emotional triggers, and lifestyle changes to support long-term health.
Ongoing GP Support
Unlike traditional rehab, Dr Meyer remains involved beyond the initial treatment. She continues to monitor clients’ progress, adjust medication where needed, and work closely with therapists to ensure holistic recovery.
For information on our 28-day in-patient programme with professional qualified medical detox from addiction and a platform of different approaches to addicts suffering from long-term gambling, alcohol and/or drug addiction, get in touch with Dr. Jolandi Meyer at The Way Recovery – Gambling, Drug & Alcohol Abuse Treatment Facility in Pretoria. A six-week outpatient programme with individual counselling, group therapy, and family support is also available from The Way Recovery.
The Way Recovery Halfway House in Pretoria offers a reintegration, aftercare programme to aid the addict who has finished a detox programme in adjusting to society for the recovering addict who still struggles.
The Role of The Way Recovery Centre
While Dr Meyer provides the medical foundation, The Way Recovery Centre offers the therapeutic environment needed for true transformation. The centre’s approach includes:
Individual counselling
Group therapy
Trauma-informed care
Relapse prevention workshops
Life skills training
Aftercare planning
Together, this integrated system helps clients not only detox and stabilise, but also build a new, meaningful life in recovery.
How to Talk About Addiction with Compassion
Language matters. The words we use can either hurt or heal. When speaking about addiction, try to avoid terms that blame or shame.
Say this:
“Person with a substance use disorder”
“In recovery”
“Experiencing addiction”
Instead of this:
“Addict”
“Junkie”
“Drunk”
“Hopeless”
Addiction isn’t about labels. It’s about people. People who need understanding, support, and access to care—not criticism.
Supporting a Loved One with Addiction
If someone you love is struggling, you may feel powerless. But your support matters more than you know. Here are a few ways to help:
Educate yourself about addiction as a disease
Avoid judgement, even when you’re frustrated
Encourage professional help, such as contacting Dr Jolandi Meyer
Set clear, loving boundaries
Look after your own wellbeing, too
You can’t fix someone else’s addiction. But you can walk beside them on the road to recovery.
Addiction is not a moral failure. It is a chronic, medical condition that changes how the brain works and how a person experiences life. By understanding it for what it really is, we create space for empathy, effective treatment, and real recovery.
Dr Jolandi Meyer, together with the team at The Way Recovery Centre, treats addiction with the medical care and compassion it deserves. If you or someone you love is struggling, help is available. You are not alone, and recovery is possible.
Common Ailments Treated by Dr. Jolandi Meyer
Dr. Jolandi Meyer’s expertise and comprehensive treatment options make her an exceptional General Practitioner for addressing all ailments. She provides personalised care, empowering patients to achieve optimal health. Her compassionate approach ensures patients receive the highest quality treatment. Her practice is located in Garsfontein, Pretoria on the same premises as The Way Recovery Centre.
With her support and guidance, patients can embark on a journey towards improved well-being and a healthier, happier life.