Addiction to alcohol and other drugs takes its toll in the lives
of those addicted, their families, and society as a whole. It kills
by overdose, accidents, suicides, homicides. It destroys the mind
and body, and causes other diseases. It tears apart families, fills
our prisons, steals our children, and drains our economy. Although
it is listed by the government behind cancer and heart disease
as a leading cause of death, it is actually the leading cause of
death if you consider that: cancer death rates include lung cancer
due to nicotine addiction and pancreatic and liver cancer due to
alcoholism; heart disease death rates include heart problems due
to heroin and cocaine addiction; diabetes death rates include complications
because of alcoholism. Adding homicides, suicides, and accidents
attributable o alcohol and drug use, it can easily be seen that
addiction is the leading cause of death in the nation.
Yet while progress has been made in the treatment of cancer, heart
disease, and diabetes, little has been done to change the dismal
rates of recovery from addiction, whether addiction to alcohol,
nicotine, illegal drugs, or prescription drugs. Little progress
has been made in the effectiveness of the treatment of alcoholism
or other drug addictions in the last 40 years. Yet there is no
health problem more serious or more widespread.
Lack of effective treatment for addiction stems partly from misunderstanding
about the nature of addiction and why it is so difficult to maintain
sobriety. Addiction is a disease of the brain, and the biochemical
imbalances associated with it create abstinence-based symptoms
that often lead to relapse. For many people staying sober and free
from drugs means living with chronic emotional pain – depression,
anxiety, and confusion – unless proper brain chemistry is
restored. Treatment that addresses only the psychological, social,
and spiritual issues connected with addiction is effective less
than 20% of the time. Complete treatment for addiction requires
a combination of treatment for the brain and counseling and education
to support lifestyle change.
While acknowledging that addiction is truly a physical disease,
with psychological and social consequences, traditional treatment
has primarily addressed the consequences. They have recognized
that it is a disease but not known how it is a disease and, therefore,
have not known ways to treat the condition directly. Consequently,
the main goal of conventional treatment has been to teach people
how to cope with their symptoms. While this approach helps many
people stay sober, for the majority, those with severe abstinence-based
symptoms, it is not enough. Some hang on, some find substitute
addictions, most relapse. Two out of three who enter treatment
will relapse. |
Most people are unaware that there are
treatments available that directly affect brain chemistry and the
functioning of the brain to allow a more comfortable recovery.
That is why we wrote the book, Staying Clean and Sober, Complementary
and Natural Strategies for Healing the Addicted Brain. To spread
the word about new approaches to the problem of addiction that
change the brain chemistry of the addicted person, removing the
discomfort of withdrawal, eliminating cravings, and relieving the
abstinence-based symptoms of addiction.
Amino Acid Therapy. Addiction results from changes in brain chemicals
called neurotransmitters. These are made from amino acids, the
building blocks of protein. There are key neurotransmitters that
are affected by addiction and need to be restored to their normal
state in order for the recovering person to be free of cravings
and anxiety. Amino acids can be taken separately, as a formulated
compound, or intravenously. Certain vitamins combined with amino
acids make the treatment even more effective.
Nutrition. A balanced diet high in protein and specific brain nutrients
is essential for the recovering addict. More and more information
is becoming available about nutrients that improve brain functioning
and should be welcomed by every person in recovery from addiction.
Acupuncture, Auriculotherapy, and Brainwave Bio-feedback. These
neurological treatments for the brain are currently being used
successfully to help people overcome the craving for alcohol or
drugs. Hundreds of drug courts throughout the United States have
found that acupuncture is more effective than traditional methods
alone. Brainwave biofeedback has been found to be effective in
changing brain wave patterns so an individual has the power to
choose to increase brain waves that help them relax when they choose
or to concentrate better when they need to focus.
Counseling, Coaching, and Support Groups. The therapies described
above are powerful tools for healing the addicted brain. However,
they are not magic bullets. The best chance for recovery occurs
when the addicted person also gets counseling or coaching and participates
in a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous for dealing with
issues that result from an addictive lifestyle.
Merlene and David Miller are addiction recovery experts. Their
book, STAYING CLEAN AND SOBER, is available at Hoot Owl Attic. |
