Addiction Treatment is Improved by Complementary methods

Addiction Treatment is Improved by Complementary methods

Addiction Treatment is Improved by Complementary Methods

Though long-term abstinence is the end goal of addiction treatment, significant relapse rates indicate that talking it out is not enough. The majority of today's standard addiction treatment approaches are based on the Minnesota Model, which has been in use since the 1940s. 

The core of this concept is the idea that psychological dependencies, rather than biological ones, are at the root of an individual's drug and alcohol abuse. Addiction, it is thought, is caused entirely by psychological requirements. However, recent studies are confirming that chemical imbalances cause physiological variations in addicts. As we get a deeper understanding of the underlying biological imbalances that trigger addictive behavior, we can begin to treat them holistically.

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Addiction Treatment is Improved by Complementary methods.

Though long-term abstinence is the end goal of addiction treatment, significant relapse rates indicate that talking it out is not enough. The majority of today's standard addiction treatment approaches are based on the Minnesota Model, which has been in use since the 1940s. The core of this concept is the idea that psychological dependencies, rather than biological ones, are at the root of an individual's drug and alcohol abuse. Addiction, it is thought, is caused entirely by psychological requirements. However, recent studies are confirming that chemical imbalances cause physiological variations in addicts. As we get a deeper understanding of the underlying biological imbalances that trigger addictive behavior, we can begin to treat them holistically.

Northern Colorado's InnerBalance Health Center and others like it across the country are having great success. The success rate of conventional treatment is roughly 20%; therefore, this is a huge improvement. The results of a long-term study by Vaillant (1983) on a cohort of alcoholics show that only 19% of alcoholics abstain from alcohol after one year, and just 5% abstain after eight years. Twenty-three percent of alcoholics surveyed in another study by Walsh et al. (1991) said they had stopped drinking entirely after two years. Many studies have found the same thing, making one wonder why there isn't more progress being made in terms of improving treatment and raising the rate of abstinence. It's obvious there's opportunity for development.

A more comprehensive approach to treating substance misuse has recently been investigated. The "missing link" in effective addiction treatment is known as biochemical repair. The physical and mental need to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol has been linked to a variety of factors, including genetics, dietary deficits, and medical disorders. Hypoglycemia, caused mostly by a bad diet and the consumption of sugar and simple carbs, has tested positive in 98% of the alcoholics at InnerBalance over the past seven years. As many as 64 symptoms, including despair, dizziness, and exhaustion, can manifest in a person with hypoglycemia if it is not treated, making it extremely challenging to maintain sobriety. Conventional addiction treatment ignores the biological factors that may be contributing to the patient's drug or alcohol abuse. 

Talk therapy is a vital part of the healing process, but it can't stand on its own. Similarly, it's not enough to simply manage the physiological component; one also needs to be equipped with the mental tools and lifestyle improvements necessary to stay sober. However, this combination of physiological restoration and conversation therapy has shown remarkable results with addicts. Including nutritional and fitness guidance in a treatment plan increases the likelihood of long-term success. When a person's internal chemistry is all screwed up, they are more vulnerable to substance abuse and are more likely to relapse. More and more clinics are finding success without the use of medicines to treat these imbalances, opting instead for natural methods like nutritional counseling, natural supplements, and individualized exercise programs.

The goal of treatment facilities like InnerBalance Health Center is to help patients enhance their mental and physical health. Clients have a better chance of long-term healing when complementary treatments are used in conjunction with group counseling. ''I went in and out of various treatment programs, getting temporary relief but nothing permanent,'' Bob, a former client, said. Other facilities emphasized mental and spiritual health while disregarding physical health. 

This meant there was ultimately no success. Neither type of facility could be compared to the other. Inner Balance was much ahead of its time. Intravenous (IV) infusions of amino acid, vitamin, and mineral supplements are used in biochemical repair methods of replacement treatment, which quickly restore health. Almost immediately, patients see a reduction in withdrawal symptoms and an improvement in their general health. Clients of InnerBalance Health Center also have access to a fitness center. Clients get more resources for dealing with stress when yoga, meditation, and exercise are integrated into the therapy plan.

The progress our patients make is quite amazing. Our patients report not only a dramatic decrease in cravings but also vast improvements in virtually every other area of their lives. Our patients are better equipped to deal with the long-term repercussions of permanent abstinence from drugs and alcohol as a result of their increased self-assurance and general well-being. The advantages of healthy eating and regular exercise are explained to them. In talk therapy, clients receive the emotional reinforcement they need to deal with life's pressures.

Treatment facilities that use the biochemical restoration approach believe that chemical imbalances in the brain are at the root of addiction. Dr. Kenneth Blum of the University of Rhode Island calls this "reward deficiency syndrome." Addicts are constantly on the lookout for new sources of pleasure. Addicts' brains are wired to respond differently to stimuli than those of non-addicts. 

Individualized medical evaluations and tailored biochemical treatment plans are at the heart of biochemical restoration. Hypothyroidism, hypoglycemia, vitamin and mineral deficiencies or toxicity, excessive metals, food allergies, and elevated histamine levels are just some of the issues that can be detected with a battery of tests performed under medical supervision. 

Disturbances in amino acid levels and hormone levels are also detected. Doctors use the data from the exams to formulate treatment strategies for each patient. The inability to focus, anxiety, melancholy, forgetfulness, migraines, double vision, indigestion, irritability, racing thoughts, and weariness are all symptoms of chemical imbalances. 

Deficiencies are treated and symptoms alleviated with the help of replacement therapies for vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and hormones. If a person has a high histamine level, for instance, their neurons will fire excessively, leading to insomnia, intense anxiety, trouble focusing, and compulsive behavior. L-Methionine, an amino acid, can be used to treat this illness by reducing histamine levels, thereby alleviating or eliminating symptoms. These medicinal concoctions are natural compounds crucial to wellness.

Biochemical restoration has the potential to set in motion profound physiological changes and boost general health and well-being. And now," Linda proudly declared, "I am sober, healthy, and happy." The burdens of life have been lifted. Complete recovery plans that include biological repair, talk therapy, and guidelines for a healthy lifestyle, including nutrition and exercise, give those battling addiction the best chance of maintaining long-term abstinence. Many facilities have relied primarily on talk therapy for decades despite its low success rate, which has been widely recognized. The "missing link" of biochemical mending allows for dramatically increased success rates.

Joe Eisele is the Clinical Director of InnerBalance Health Center in Fort Collins, Colorado, and he is also a licensed alcohol and drug therapist with national certification.