Addiction Effects Discussed at San Diego Alcohol and Drug Rehab

Why can't I just have a few drinks like other people and enjoy the experience? Instead once I get started drinking or using drugs, I can't stop until I get drunk or pass out.

Addiction is a complex disorder that effects the Mind, Body, Spirit and Relationships.

MIND

As more research is done on the brain with SPECT scans, we can see the effects of chemicals on the dopamine levels in the brain, this feel good chemical in our brain increases temporarily with alcohol and drug use then crashes when the episode is over, leaving us feeling increasingly anxious and depressed.

In order to change our mood and feel different, we ingest substances into our oral or nasal passageways, rushing substances to our brain, altering the way we think, and effecting our heart and our emotions. We then relate to others with chemically induced thoughts and feelings, distorting our honest communication. Then we wonder why other people are unhappy with the way we are behaving. And we begin to lose touch with what we really think and feel.

BODY

We wound the organs in our bodies with these toxic substances, then wonder why we feel hung over, sick or tired. We injure our brains, develop high blood pressure. The toxic substances pass through multiple organs in our body.

RELATIONSHIPS

We feel guilty about what was said or what we don't remember. We deny that the use of alcohol and drugs is a problem. If someone mentions that we need help for our problem, we immediately defend our right to use alcohol and drugs and in the denying, we develop patters of lying, rationalizing, minimizing our use.

Avoidance of the problem leads to relationship difficulties such as excessive anger, physical and emotional conflict with those we love. Avoidance and denial of the developing addiction add medical problems such as high blood pressure, to the deteriorating effects of chemicals on the body.

SPIRIT

How can you tell if your alcohol and drug use is effecting your 'spirit'? At a conference on addiction, in a room full of scientists and addiction researchers obsessed with the intricacies of the human brain, William C. Moyers, the son of journalist Bill Moyers, free from alcohol and crack for 14 years, author and an advocate of recovery and, stated:

"I have an illness with origins in the brain ... but I also suffered with the other component of this illness," he told the gathered researchers and scientists, some of whom dutifully took notes. "I was born with what I like to call a hole in my soul. A pain that came from the reality that I just wasn't good enough. That I wasn't deserving enough. That you weren't paying attention to me all the time. That maybe you didn't like me enough."

The conference room was as quiet as it had been all day. "For us addicts," he continued, "recovery is more than just taking a pill or maybe getting a shot.. Recovery is also about the spirit, about dealing with that hole in the soul."

If you want to stop using alcohol or drugs, Lasting Recovery will help you heal your mind, your body, your relationships and your spirit. Call us today: 858-453-4315. We can help!