Welcome to OFF magazine!

Nice to meet you and thank you for offering us the opportunity to present our mission and our many years of fight against addiction.

 I enjoyed hearing your story and would like to tell everyone about it. Could you tell us a few things about yourselves.

We met in 2004 after both of us went through a long and personal struggle. We had been clean for quite some time when we met. Our idea for “autognosia” came along quite early, and was created from our need to help others, people suffering from addiction, just like us; not through criticism and strict boundaries but through recognition, through compassion , and through a long and hard journey with their inner side. All this in a centre that creates tranquility and peace and offers great quality. Most importantly though it is done with the help of people that have had the same experiences.

Do you believe that there is a solution to addictions ? Is there hope ?

Of course there is ! If there wasn’t hope we wouldn’t be here to talk about our mission. It has been proven that addiction is an illness and just like any other illness such as asthma, diabetes and heart conditions it is manageable. It just need the proper treatment, and by treatment I don’t mean medication and substitutes that we are against, but on the contrary treatment is achieved through a lot of work with ourselves and our inner self. Our target is to help people that seek help from us to communicate with their inner self, to seek the truth and their feelings that have been oppressed and frozen for such a long time, and the redefine their life.

Which addiction is stronger, alcoholism or drugs ?

From our years of experience we can say that alcoholism is craftier and more insidious for the simple fact that alcohol is socially acceptable. The addicted person can find it anywhere and without difficulty or committing any offence, and unfortunately people with alcohol addiction delay in taking the decision to seek help.

 Do people use alcohol and drugs for the same reasons ?

The one and only reason is addiction. Addiciton is an illness recognized worldwide for over 40 years. Its main characteristic is the constant compulsive use of substances that cannot be controlled despite the harm that they can cause.

What does someone look for in drugs ?

The addicted person seeks in “freezing” his or her emotions; emotions created by reality because he or she cannot deal with them and as such drugs act as a kind of “medicine” during their use.

 Do the same reasons apply for both men and women the same ?

The main difference during drug use is that women tend to be more open to drugs when they need their hit, especially if they are in a relationship with another drug user. Usually they are able to obtain their next dosage with a promise for sex for example. This leads into them seeking help a lot later.

Is there a certain age that you are vulnerable to addictions ?

Based on statistics, the age at which the majority of people begin to use drugs is between 14-16 years old, in other words during teenage years that tend to be experimental.

When can somebody be considered addicted ?

A person is considered to be addicted when he uses a substance as a compulsion although destruction is taking its toll around him. He refuses to accept the problem and his way of thinking makes him continue the destruction expecting a different result.

 Can someone be in a relationship with someone who is addicted and not know it ?

Of course. Its actually quite common because the addicted person is quite manipulative and can convince with great ease. He can create perception around him and has mastered his charm. However as time passes, it becomes harder and harder to mask and hide his problem.

What are the tell tale signs that something is wrong ?

The first and most important step is to seek help from people or groups that have had the same experience. We musn’t hide it or try to deal with it ourselves with no help out of fear and shyness of what our surroundings or society will think or say. Unfortunately this is the mentality of the average Greek family. Valuable time is lost, by keeping the person at home trying to treat him with substitutes or other medication, or with trips and holidays in hope that he can “forget” his problem. It is an illness and like so many others, can be controlled.

Can we pressure him or just wait until he is ready himself ?

There is no solution fit for all, that is why it is so important that close family MUST seek help from professionals to get the best treatment and guidance. If there isn’t an individual therapy for each person to suit his needs then treatment will be slow and in fact may never be achieved.

Tell us about your model.

Our model began roughly 10 years ago by creating our rehab centre for addictions “autognosia”. Our role is to offer people with addictions to drugs, alcohol and gambling a decent environment where we can host them for the time needed. We welcome them with a hug, and an understanding that they are not alone, and help them understand their problem. You see, the majority of our staff are people who themselves have experienced addictions and that’s what is important for a “new start”. Of course we are a very modern centre who have adopted a successful therapy frame, individualized for each person and we have a very high rate of success. Within our program of course we also consider the importance of their immediate family, offering them guidance and support.

What has life taught you so far ?

Whatever life throws at you, you are able to face it seeking help from the right people.

 What’s your advise to our young readers ?

Drugs are not freedom… they lead to a personal prison. Its great to live free, away from addictions and drugs.