Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment

Ruin and recovery  are found within.” -Epictetus

 

In the  December 24, 2013 edition of the Wall Street Journal,  there was an article about dealing with alcohol and drug addiction. As we all know, heavy use of alcohol and drugs affects the pleasure or reward centers of the brain which can lead to drive dependence. In the Journal of Internal Medicine, drug testing at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism found that other centers of the brain are chemically affected as well. It seems that anxiety and tension are also associated with heavy drug and alcohol abuse. Simply put, feelings of anxiety and tension produced by drug and alcohol abuse can only be eased by more consumption. So we not only have dependency issues, we also have anxiety and tension to compound the problem.

So it’s not surprising that many of the drug and alcohol treatment’s ; for example medication’s have  been unsuccessful. Currently,  the pharmaceuticals are coming up with new medications to affect these neurotransmitters. So this might mean better living through chemistry.

Of course with any medication treatment, it is recommended that counseling or therapy be added as well. I would suggest adding movement or exercise to anyone who has a drug and/or alcohol dependency problem. Yes, prescription medication has great benefits along with psychotherapy. But it  seems to me, the body and not just the mind should be treated likewise. My approach is that a sound mind can lead to a sound body and a  sound body can lead to a sound mind. And I talk the talk and walk the walk.

Yesterday, Tony, Carrie , Porter(the dog) and I ran down  Brown’s Bar and up Maine Bar  for about a 10 mile or so trail run. Whatever you do, do not forget to keep moving, smiling, laughing, deep breathing, bonding, and having gratitude in order to live happier and longer.