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Drug Addiction and Alcoholism: Causes and
Treatment
No one WANTS to be an addict
No one really wants to be a drug addict or alcoholic, but this
doesn't stop people from getting addicted. The question most
commonly asked by friends, family and addicts themselves is simply:
"How? How did this addiction happen?"
And right after that come these questions:
"How could my (friend, son, daughter, father, sister, or brother)
become a liar, a thief, someone who cannot be trusted? How could
this happen? And why won't they stop?"
Understanding how this happens is the first step to recovery.
Addiction: How it Starts
The first thing you must understand about addiction is that
alcohol and drugs are basically "painkillers" of one kind or
another.
Drugs chemically "kill" physical and emotional pain!
For drugs to be attractive to a person there must first be some
underlying unhappiness, sense of hopelessness, insurmountable
problems or even physical pain. Peer-pressure and sheer boredom with
your life can also be factors in trying drugs and alcohol, but these
alone don't cause addiction.
Drugs and alcohol actually make people numb to the pains and
problems of life. This is a strong reason to continue using the
drugs or alcohol.
On top of that, drugs and alcohol alter the chemistry of your
brain and body, which can often masquerade as pleasure. This adds to
the craving for more of the substance.
Even worse, drugs and alcohol alter the mind’s perception of
reality!
We've all seen how addicts lose sight of what is real and true or
even sensible to someone who is not under the influence. This is a
direct result of living in the false world of addiction.
It can be difficult to talk sensibly with an addict. What is real
to family or friends is no longer "real" to the addict.
Why Addicts Cannot Stop Using Drugs or Alcohol
Mental and physical cravings caused by drug residues which remain
in the body even long after a person quits using the drug.
The "Biochemical Personality" -- the "way of thinking" that is
caused by drug addiction and the lifestyle an addict adopts to get
drugs and live with a drug habit.
These two situations are intricately linked, the one feeding the
other, and both must be recognized and dealt with before a person
can fully free himself or herself from the addiction.
The addict can “just say no” a thousand times, but it only takes
saying “yes” one time to start the cycle of addiction again.
The Cycle of Quitting, Withdrawal, Craving And Relapse
Drug Residues Remain in Fatty Tissues
Drugs are broken down in the liver into substances called
metabolites. Although removed rapidly from the blood stream,
metabolites can become trapped in the fatty tissues. The one thing
in common—and the problem that needs to be addressed—is that these
drug residues remain trapped for years.
When the addict initially tries to quit, cells in the brain that
have become used to large amounts of these metabolites are now
forced to deal with much decreased amounts. Even as the withdrawal
symptoms subside, the brain “demands” that the addict give it more
of the drug. This is called drug craving.
Craving is an extremely powerful urge and can cause a person to
create all kinds of “reasons” they should begin using drugs again.
He is now trapped in an endless cycle of trying to quit, craving,
relapse and fear of withdrawal.
Left unhandled, the presence of metabolites even in microscopic
amounts cause the brain to react as if the addict had again actually
taken the drug and can set up craving and relapse even after years
of sobriety.
Handling the Drug Metabolites
Our Program utilizes a combination of exercise, induced sweating
in a sauna, and nutritional supplements to eliminate the traces of
drugs, or metabolites, stored in the fatty tissue.
The results of this phase of the program are:
Reduction or elimination of drug and alcohol cravings.
Reduction or elimination of many symptoms associated with drug
addiction and alcoholism. These can include depression,
irritability, and fatigue.
Ability to think more clearly.
Improved memory and attention span.
Increased energy.
Increased sense of well being.
Enthusiasm toward Life.
Addiction: What It Really Is
There are all sorts of theories about what causes addiction.
One theory says that people can be "biochemically" predisposed to
addiction or alcoholism, including ideas about "brain chemistry."
Such people physically react to substances differently than other
people do.
Another school of thought advocates the "disease concept" saying
that addiction is an inherited disease and that the individual is
permanently ill at a genetic level, even for those experiencing long
periods of sobriety.
Another theory proposes that addiction is a mental "weakness" or
"flaw", while yet another proposes it is a spiritual failing or
"fall from grace." In the first, a person should be able to overcome
addiction through mental processes or will-power, while in the
second, recovery requires faith in a higher power. In both cases,
success usually depends on help from counselors, friends and family,
or the clergy.
If any of the popular theories were correct or complete, then
every addict, one for one, could be made well again.
We know this has not proved to be the case!
There is scientific research to support all of these concepts.
The question of whether addiction is genetic, behavioral or
biochemical does not have an absolute answer. The distinguishing
feature of the condition commonly referred to as addiction turns
around the ability of the drug to dominate the individual’s
behavior, regardless of whether physical dependence is also produced
by the drug.
Although drugs and alcohol do alter the delicate chemical
functions of the brain and body, none of these theories has proven
workable across the general population of addicts. These theories
all produce hit-or-miss treatment success.
Drug Addiction and Alcoholism: A Treatment Method
That WORKS
There are a wide variety of drug addiction and alcoholism
treatment methods being used today, based on whatever school of
thought the treatment provider believes in.
Many of these so-called "treatments" include subjecting the
addicted person to more drugs!
With a 16% to 20% recovery rate based on statistical analysis of
national averages, the message is clear that there is a lot more to
know to bring the national recovery rate to a more desirable level.
If you or someone you know is an addict in need of help, call
1-800-893-7060
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