Posts Tagged ‘alcoholism’

Alcoholism and Drug Addiction

The Causes of Alcoholism and Drug Addiction

A different school of thought argues that the problem of addiction is a dual one, which comprises a mental and physical dependency on chemicals. The issue is further compounded by a pre-existing mental disorder that has to be treated in the first instance due to the fact that it is the primary cause.

Some people hold a different position, believing that dependency on a drug causes a ‘chemical imbalance’ in the neurological system. Accordingly, it must be treated psychotropic medication once the individual has gone through withdrawal.

The number of theories that exist about addiction and the cause of it shows that none of the scientific research can be deemed definitive. Based of average national figures, treatment for addiction leads to a 16% – 20% recovery rate, which shows that the theories are just that, theories. Accordingly, much more research needs to be undertaken to raise the national recovery rate to make it more impressive.

Out of the many, there is one theory that has proven to be the most accurate, which relates to the cycle of an addiction. The data that comes from the study can be universally applied despite the thought process used to explain the dependency on the substance. The addiction cycle usually commences with some type of issue or discomfort, such as a physical or emotional paint hat the individual finds difficult to deal with.

These problems can take many forms, such as severe shyness, physical injury like a broken bone or some other chronic physical condition. A persistent problem can be difficult for an individual to deal with, which can seem so intense that no relief can be found. Many of us will have some experience of this type of problem. Some individuals will find relief in using drugs or alcohol, despite the feeling only being temporary, which will become a solution to the problems suffered. This can be the reason why people return to drink or drugs again and again.

When an individual begins on this path of addiction, they will suffer physical, mental and lifestyle changes that causes negativity in their life. The continued use of drugs or alcohol will be ruinous if it goes unchecked. At any point that the individual is sober, they feel so miserable and depressed that they can do nothing else but numb the pain. This downward spiral of addiction can only result in three outcomes: sobriety, prison or death.

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Altenative Alcoholism Treatment

For those alcoholics who are not helped by the traditional means, there are alternative alcoholism treatments. Mostly, these treatments have not been researched well. However, many people have had success with them.

One interesting alternative alcoholism treatment is called “drumming out drugs.” This method is just what it sounds like. Participants use drums in a group setting to enhance their recovery. Surprisingly, the procedure seems to be an effective alternative alcoholism treatment.

Many alternative alcoholism treatments are based on traditional Chinese medicine. This form of treatment is a more holistic remedy for alcoholism than purely Western means. There are several different treatments involved.

Yoga is a great tool in combating the anxiety that comes with alcohol withdrawal and recovery. The gentle stretching and spiritual focus help the alcoholic to release the tension that contributes to their desire to drink again. Meditation is a good alternative alcoholism treatment for the same reason.

Acupuncture can be used in combination with other treatments for a balanced approach to the mind-body connection. It, along with yoga and meditation can make other alternative alcoholism treatment work better. These methods can make a big difference in an alcoholic’s recovery.

Nutrition is an important alternative alcoholism treatment that has come into favor in recent times. For one thing, alcoholics tend to suffer from poor nutrition. Not only do they eat poorly as a rule, but they have physical limitations to their nutrition as well.

The small intestine is affected by the alcohol the person drinks. This keeps nutrients from being absorbed in the normal fashion. Thus, the alcoholic does not even get the nutrition from the food that he or she does eat. Alternative alcoholism treatment must address this issue if it to succeed.

Also, alternative alcoholism treatment that concerns nutrition must cover the rebalancing of blood sugar levels. Over time, the alcoholic’s blood sugar and insulin have been waging a battle. Eliminating the alcohol is only the first step in correcting the situation. The nutritional values of the foods eaten by the alcoholic are important too.

Many companies offer nutritional supplements as alternative alcoholism treatment. These are high in vitamins thought to have an affect on the withdrawal and recovery phases. For instance, Vitamin C is used because of its power to ease withdrawal symptoms and to remove the alcohol from the tissues of the body.

The B-complex Vitamins are helpful during withdrawal as well. They form a part of a nutritional supplement alternative alcoholism treatment. Glutamine reduces the cravings for alcohol that an alcoholic has, and so should be continued for a time.

When a nutritional plan is drawn up for an alcoholic, plenty of vegetables will be included. Certain vegetables, especially, are chock full of vitamins and minerals. Also, they contain fiber. This is an important part of an alternative alcoholism treatment because fiber helps eliminate toxins from the system.

Alternative alcoholism treatment is certainly an excellent part of an alcoholic’s recovery. The question of whether it can work without a more formal treatment is a good one. More research is being done to answer that riddle.

For more information about Alternative Alcoholism Treatment, please visit http://www.freefromalcohol.com

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How Does Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Affect a Person?

There is another school of thought that the addiction is due to a mental disorder and causes physical dependency. The mental disorder must be treated first in order for any treatment plan to work properly.

One more argument is that the alcoholism and drug addiction is due to chemical imbalance. With this belief, it is thought that the addiction must be treated with some sort of medication after detox has been completed.

 

Scientific studies support each concept but there are no full answers and the fact remains there are millions of alcoholics and drug addicts still out there. When someone goes through the treatment process, his chances of staying clean can range between 16% and 20%. If we want recovery rates to rise, we have to come up with some sort of treatment that will make this happen.

 

The last thought on addiction is that the alcoholism and drug addiction problem probably has something to do with the life cycle of addiction, which means there is some trauma suffered at one time or another or a painful experience an addict can’t seem to get through without the use of some sort of chemical.

 

An example of this reason for addiction would be the person who can’t seem to fit in with others, a painful condition either physical or mental, or a person who may be dealing with another real or imagined problem. The alcoholic or addict may feel there is no other way out of the situation and the addiction begins. The first drink loosens him up and then the numbness sets in and the addict begins the downward spiral.

 

The relief that an addict may feel is only temporary but it is enough to get the addict over the pain. The feelings that are suppressed by the drink or the drug are something that the addict would rather feel so the continued drinking is never about pleasure; it is always a form of self medication that leads him down a road where returning is that hardest step ever taken.

 

Effects of Alcoholism and Drug Addiction

 

The quality of life for this individual will gradually begin to decrease and the addiction will start to be a way to hide from the facts. Each and every moment an addict feels the pain of life, he will choose to take a drink or get high so he can avoid the pain. Alcoholism and drug addiction becomes a vicious cycle from which there seems no return. There are usually only three outcomes: sobriety, prison, and the worst case scenario — death.

 

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