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!

Future Risks of Binge Drinking in San Diego County

Binge drinking for men is defined as 5 or more standard drinks and for women as 4 or more standard drinks on a single occasion.

A standard drink is a 12 oz. can of beer or cooler; 8-9 oz malt liquor; 5 oz. glass of table wine; or 1.5 oz shot of 80-proof spirits.

According to a recent, large survey 14% of the U.S. population binge drink at least once a week.

In comparison with the 60% of the U.S. population who never binge drink, in the next three years the 14% of drinkers who binge at least once a week are

1. 330% more likely to meet the diagnostic criteria for alcohol abuse
2. 280% more likely to suffer from some form of liver disease
3. 270% more likely to use tobacco
4. 270% more likely to meet the diagnostic criteria for alcohol dependence
5. 230% more likely to meet the diagnostic criteria for drug dependence
6. 180% more likely to lose their driver's license
7. 180% more likely to meet the diagnostic criteria for tobacco dependence
8. 160% more likely to use other drugs
9. 130% more likely to experience a divorce or separation

The risks are even higher for the 3% of drinkers who binge 5 or more times per week.



Reference: Dawson DA, Li TK, Grant BF. A prospective study of risk drinking: at risk for what? Drug Alcohol Depend. 2008; 95(1-2):62-72.

Denial - The Barrier to Alcohol and Drug Treatment in San Diego

Reprinted from Join Together - Advancing effective alcohol and drug policy, prevention and treatment
Unmet Need for Drug Treatment
October 7, 2008
Research Summary

According to data from the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 82% of the estimated 7.5 million who needed treatment for an illicit drug problem in the past year did not receive it.
While there are many reasons for not receiving treatment, a primary one appears to be a lack of perceived need. Nearly all (91%) of those who were assessed as needing but did not receive treatment for illicit drug problems said that they did not feel that they needed treatment. Similar results were found for alcohol treatment.
A lack of perceived need for treatment may mean that people don’t think they have a problem, they think their problem is not serious enough to warrant treatment, or they think they can handle their substance use problem on their own.

Reprinted from CESAR Fax, a weekly, one-page overview of timely substance abuse trends or issues, from the Center for Substance Abuse Research (CESAR) at the University of Maryland.

COMMENTARY

Use of chemical substances has increased dramatically over the past years due to exposure through the media, increased glamorization and use of substances for recreation and availability to people of all ages. The people I see in treatment are the lucky ones. They are part of the 18% or 1,350,000 this year who did receive some form of treatment for this devastating brain disease. Why? What is the reason they are in treatment for their addictions and not others? The main reason is that they overcame their Denial. Denial is psychological term for a group of behaviors that evolve to protect oneself from reality.

Addiction is subtle in the way in takes over a person's life. Like a cancer is remains undetected until it creates severe enough problems to get your attention. Addiction is a chronic and progressive disease, and has specific symptoms in the Early, Middle and Late stages. Most people don't think they are addicted, even though they may realize that they are experiencing difficulty stopping or cutting down on a substance (alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, meth, tranquillizers, opiate pain medications, heroin and others). As denial begins, we minimize the amount we use or the consequences, and avoid anyone who might ask us why we are drinking or using more. We may feel guilty for our behavior change. For many of us, we believe we know what an alcoholic or addict looks like and acts like, and it isn't us. Our psychological defense mechanisms then attempt to avoid reality and convince others and ourselves that we don't have a problem with alcohol and drugs.

If you have had consequences related to your use, or anyone has suggested to you that you may have a problem with alcohol, marijuana, stimulants or opiates, take the quiz on our website and save yourself. No one else can do it for you.

Judy Saalinger

Mental health and Addiction Parity Bill

Making mental health and addiction parity with other medical illnesses is a must for our society. The problem with the this bill currently passed both houses is not parity. In other words, it doesn't have to be included in insurance policies. Mental Health and addiction, are symptoms of brain changes that have occurred,just as a change in various other organs have changed as the result of a disease. The price paid is untold suffering, creating loss of families, wounded children, divorces and losses to our economy and our society. Providing adequate mental health and addiction health care for our society will bring the ability to use our brains in creative, solution focused ways for us to restore ourselves as a nation.

Judy Saalinger, Ph.D, MFT, CAS
Clinical Director