You have probably heard the claims about addiction being a “disease of the brain”. Have you
considered how these ideas became so prevalent among treatment centers and self-help groups? In fact, the science behind addiction has become the basis of treatments including Medication Assisted Treatments (MATs) and psychotherapies. So, what is going on in the brains and bodies of those with this disease that must be first diagnosed by the individual themselves? The addict.
Ever eat something delicious (like chocolate) and just as it is settling into your stomach you
experience a rush of euphoria? Pleasurable experiences communicate with the brain to ensure we repeat these behaviors to survive. Drugs however cause exaggerated responses due to similarities in their chemical makeup to Dopamine. The “feel good” chemical. Dopamine is responsible for pleasure and reward with intricate connections to the emotional control center in the brain. Abnormal flooding of Dopamine eventually causes it to “run out”, leading to the inability to feel pleasure. This increased tolerance to substances drastically decreases or eliminates the expected “high” but your brain will beg for more. Simply put the brain learns to want drugs because of the association to pleasure and reward.
Sounds fun right? Not only is addiction a disease currently without a cure, it is a severely
progressive disease which many addicts will tell you leads to “jails, institutions, and death”. On one hand the addicted brain loses control over use leading to the need for drugs to function and unable to stop on their own. While on the other hand, they are often aware of how serious and progressive addiction is. With the use of MATS on the rise and decreasing stigma surrounding addiction, there appears to be more hope now than ever for addicts to survive the disease of addiction.
What about alcohol? Alcohol is a drug according to the human brain. In this therapist’s opinion one of the most frightening! As a former psychiatric hospital addictions therapist, I have watched 200-pound grown men drop to the floor in a seizure from alcohol withdrawal. It is heartbreaking and terrifying. I also watched as they returned to treatment from the hospital to continue their journey with recovery.
If you think you may have an alcohol or drug problem, it is ok to ask for help. The number one buffer for stress in recovery is social support. Yes, you have to talk to people. Yes, I know you do not want to (fears am I right?). So, start with someone familiar that you can trust like a friend, family member, neighbor, or pastor, etc. who you can count on to listen without judgement or expectations. Here are some coping strategies when you or a loved one feels an urge to use:
1. Call a support person: Or call the National Helpline for Mental Health, Drug, Alcohol
Issues at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
2. Try the HALT strategy: Am I, Hungry? Angry? Lonely? Tired? If the answer is yes to
any of these, Eat, meditate, call someone, or sleep!
3. “No sitting down” rule: Find a distraction! Intentionally divert your attention to
something else like running errands, returning phone calls/texts, watch a funny show, go
for a jog, listen to music.
4. Try the Cold Skill! Trick your brain into calming you down by using ice/ice water/ice
packs, you get the idea! Get cold from the armpits up while taking some deep cleansing
breaths.
By: Cindy Brizendine PLPC
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