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Research shows that more than half of the
people affected by one condition (such as an addictive disorder)
are also affected by at least one other condition (such as an
emotional condition or mental illness), and vice versa. This
diagnosis is referred to by a variety of terms including:
co-occurring disorder, dual diagnosis, co-morbidity, concurrent
disorders, co-morbid disorders, and dual disorder. Individuals
with co-occurring disorders often face a wide range of
psychosocial issues and may experience more than two interacting
illnesses. When all conditions are not simultaneously treated,
recovery is far more difficult. Unfortunately, because many
addiction treatment and mental health programs treat only one
condition, many people are under-treated or inappropriately
treated. A single course of treatment is less likely to be
effective than a comprehensive plan of treatment that
simultaneously treats all conditions, addictions, and disorders.
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The Brain, Health and Recovery |
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At the Neuroscience Institute through research we know that certain people have propensities toward
addictive behaviors and that brain chemistry plays a
significant role. Aggressive
behavior is often the result of a brain gone wrong. When these brain abnormalities are properly treated
there is often significant improvement. There is
substantial imaging research on violence;
New Neuro-scans can identify brain systems involved with
violence and help direct treatment
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Prefrontal Cortex – impulsive, poor forethought
and judgment
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Temporal Lobes – dark, violent thoughts
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Anterior Cingulate – get stuck on thoughts,
rigid, inflexible
Addictions are typically a result, not a cause, brought
on by one or more psychological factors or trauma that has been
self medicated or through prescriptions medicated
for relief which became uncontrollable and a dependency.
You do not have to hit your head to have a brain
injury. A simple whiplash can cause a serious brain
disorder.
The impact of head trauma is often overlooked in
psychiatry. Even minor head injuries to vulnerable parts
of the brain can cause problems for years to come. After
a significant brain injury there is a high incidence of
depression, substance abuse, marital conflict, school
underachievement, job related and legal problems.
SPECT-scans and Neuro-scans are the best tools in
evaluating functional deficits from brain trauma that
are often not seen by other studies, leading to more
understanding and effective treatments for patients.
Medicating often
has lead to a chemical adjustment in the brain resulting
in a craving and a lifestyle of compulsive use
and intense abnormal addictive behavior. The change and in
time becomes damaging to the organs
and the more obvious physical showings, hair, skin,
teeth and then brain executive functions. Some recovery
is usually possible with professional treatments and a
follow through program.
Abuse of prescription and illegal drugs occurs at all
social and economic levels of society. It affects people
in all walks of life and with all levels of education. Excessive alcohol and many drugs lower the functions of the prefrontal cortex,
and causes problems with judgment and impulse control.
Much like cancer, drug and alcohol
abuse becomes debilitating and if not treated
effectively, continues to diminish your mental capacity, damages
and deteriorates primary organs your body functions and
significantly shortens the your life span.
Current
brain imaging research has shown that many chemicals are
toxic to brain function. Alcohol, drugs of abuse,
nicotine, much caffeine, and many medications decrease
blood flow to the brain. When blood flow is decreased
the brain cannot work efficiently. Avoid these toxic
substances. In a similar way, sleep deprivation also
decreases brain activity and limits access to learning,
memory, and concentration. A recent brain imaging study
showed that people who consistently slept less than 7
hours had overall less brain activity. Getting enough
sleep is essential to brain function.
Related Article: Addiction Causes
How the Body Responds to Alcohol
Alcohol
acts primarily on the nerve cells within the brain.
Alcohol interferes with communication between nerve
cells and all other cells, suppressing the activities of
excitatory nerve pathways and increasing the activities
of inhibitory nerve pathways.
For example, University of Chicago Medical Center: Alcohol and
Anesthetic Actions talks about the ability of alcohol (and inhaled
anesthetics) to enhance the effects of the
neurotransmitter GABA, which is an inhibitory
neurotransmitter. Enhancing an inhibitor would have the
effect of making things sluggish, which matches the
behavior you see in a drunk person. Glutamine is an
excitatory neurotransmitter that alcohol weakens. By
making this excitatory neurotransmitter less effective.
Alcohol does this by interacting with the receptors on
the receiving cells in these pathways.
Related Article: Problem Drinking During Adolescence is Never a Phase
Related Article: Treating Alcoholism
Related Article: Teen Addiction
Family Resources
WHEN WILLPOWER’S NOT ENOUGH - Call us
today, we can help.
Dual diagnosis occurs when someone has both a
mental disorder and an alcohol or drug
dependency. One of these conditions usually foster the
other. In
particular, alcohol and drug problems tend to
evolve as a result of occurrences or trauma that have set up in the hippocampus
part of the brain and triggers the amygdala
resulting in characteristics often misdiagnosed as
bipolar, ADHD, OCD and other impulsive and
compulsive behaviors.
While many programs claim to
provide dual-diagnosis co-occurring
disorder treatments, we are one of very few
facilities that are truly prepared to
deal effectively with co-occurring
disorders. Our evidence based,
integrative methods have been proven
more effective than traditional drug and
alcohol treatment methods in a five-year
research study.
The degree of impairment due to
psychiatric illness may vary greatly
from mild to severe, or may occur in
mixed patterns. Others may be impaired
during ongoing periodic episodes or
cycles. The nature of co-occurring
disorders becomes even more complex when
alcohol and drug use is considered. Some
people may choose to use a single type
of drug while another person may use
many different types of drugs. Some
people use large amounts for the effects
while other people use smaller amounts.
Some people use daily, while others use
on periodic binges. Often individuals
attempt to “medicate” their psychiatric
illness with alcohol and drugs. It
becomes evident that there are many
different forms of co-occurring
disorders when the different types of
psychiatric illnesses and different
patterns of alcohol and drug use are all
taken into account. However, in terms of
co-occurring disorder recovery, they do
share one thing in common: treatment
must address both the emotional or
psychiatric illness and the chemical
dependency within a comprehensive
program to ensure recovery from both.
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Family and social problems
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Employment or school problems
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High-risk behavior
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Increased emergency room
admissions
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Increased need for acute health
care services
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Legal problems and incarceration
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Multiple admissions for chemical
dependency due to relapse
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Multiple admissions for
psychiatric care due to reoccurrence
of psychiatric symptoms
Very often, the psychological issue occurs
first. This can lead people to self medicate
with alcohol or drugs for relief, setting
up a chemical imbalance in the brain, resulting
in dependency. Occasionally, the substance
abuse evolves into dependency as a result of a
brain chemical change and leads to emotional
and mental problems.
According to the National Institute of Mental
Health (NIMH)-sponsored research studies:
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56% of individuals with a bipolar
disorder, (Manic depressive illness) abuse
substances
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47% of individuals with a schizophrenic
disorder, abuse substances
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32% of individuals with a mood disorder
other than bipolar, abuse substances
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27% of individuals with an anxiety
disorder, abuse substances
Research
and technology
tells us that an addiction is very often a stress related disorder {psychological}
which
alters the brain chemistry, neurotransmitter flow and brain functioning.
In turn this change diminishes one's
capacity to use logic, reasoning or good judgment orchestrated in the
pre frontal cortex.. Psychologists refer to most psychological disorders having good insight, but
inability to regulate and exercising good judgment, resulting in poor
and destructive behavior. These
conditions are often self medicated for relief by prescription drugs for
relief, excessive use of illicit drugs, alcohol and or compulsive
addictive behaviors {obsessive sex, compulsive gambling, rage and anger}
that activate the endorphins for relief. When primary parts of the
brain that control behavior are “hijacked” i.e., imbalanced, these reactive symptoms presented by the patient are often misdiagnosed or
intentionally labeled for insurances purposes.
Perfectionism Reinforces Eating Disorders
|
College-aged
young adults already concerned with their physical
appearance can have tendencies toward eating disorders
reinforced by perfectionist fathers.
A survey of more
than 400 male and female college students showed that
fathers are more likely than mothers to create the kinds
of pressures that can lead to disordered eating, and
eventually to anorexia, bulimia and other problems.
Seventeen percent
of the students surveyed exhibited eating patterns
considered maladaptive, including vomiting as a result
of feeling uncomfortably full.
Personal
perfectionism was also found to be more an issue in
eating disorders than food itself. Those who feel out of
control of their lives and bodies may turn to eating as
an area in which they do have a sense of control.
An interesting
note neurologically, the adrenalin influence on the
dopamine level has significance baring on the continued
practice and ultimately sets up a chemical imbalance
soliciting a continued pattern of eating and vomiting.
Related Article: Living With An Eating Disorder
Anxiety Disorder |
|
The individual may have insight-i.e. knowledge, but can not regulate his or her
emotions resulting in {moods} a fight or flight argument condition. which occasionally escalates into uncontrollable physical abuse and violence.
This condition is often diagnosed as obsessive-compulsive disorder,
ADHD, bipolar disorder, however neurologically it is stated, it is an
uncontrollable amygdale, 'a racing brain' that through proper testing and integrated therapy can be adjusted to normalize,
readjusting allowing the patient to regain control of
thoughts, feelings, emotions and behavior.
The
process to adjust the brain (neurotransmitter movement from amygdale to prefrontal cortex) functions, is multi-psychological cognitive integrated
holistic treatment process
called "Holistic Therapeutic
Transference". a complex
clinical process that requires
both clinical knowledge and expertise involving multiple
tests, and specialists who know how to identify and cause adjustment,
transference of these emotionally sensors.
Often the patient is functioning
with excessive endorphin stimulation, adrenalin, with great expectations-, ... trying to
process neurotransmitters in a chemically imbalanced brain..
What Is Neuropsychological Testing?
What information will I get from a neuropsychological report?
Neuropsychological testing is a procedure that measures and identifies cognitive impairment and functioning in individuals. It provides quantifiable data about the following aspects of cognition:
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Short-term and long-term memory
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Ability to learn new skills and solve problems
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Attention, concentration, and distractibility
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Logical and abstract reasoning functions
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Ability to understand and express language
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Visual-spatial organization Visual-motor coordination
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Planning, synthesizing and organizing abilities
This data provides accurate insight for "clinical diagnosis" by a Neurologists and a grading of clinical severity.
Neurological-imaging provides information on structural and physiological aspects of brain injury while neuropsychological testing provides the most accurate picture of patient's cognitive functioning.
Although dopamine is a key glutamate, it also plays an important role in a return to the substance of abuse. Brain chemical alterations to the glutamate signaling system lead to compulsive drug use. Some medications are capable of interfering with glutamate signaling and conditioning, and thus will block drug cravings. These medications are discussed upon intake assessment and thoroughly in the treatment process.
Alcohol has been linked to specific gene codes that encode for a particular dopamine receptor. These codes can make a person more vulnerable to alcoholic addiction.
Today, we have various medications that can help balance certain brain
chemistries or provide a blocker to receptors that activate the
cravings.. Neuroscientists believe that in men, substance abuse leads to changes in the genes, liver damage, loss of libido and potency, shrinking of the testicles and penis, increased breast sizes, excessive loss of body hair,
wet-brain, mental deterioration, amnesia and often pitit mal seizures. In women, ovulation may cease, breasts and sexual organs shrivel,
aura, tremors, loss of hair, blemished pail skin, notwithstanding Romberg's sign and
several strains of cancers that are alcohol-related.
Some facilities
solicit a
brain wave and biofeedback map to try and picture the internal functions
of a patient. However due to the complexity of
the brain, [much like fMRIs and
CATscans] only specially trained and experienced doctors "Neurologists"
can accurately assess brain imaging, mappings and more importantly can accurately
evaluate and develop an appropriate treatment plan that
maybe effective. At AA&E, the neurologist's expertise
is significantly important to providing accurate findings with a clinical team to provide effective individualized treatment for
adjustments, correction for sustained recovery. Some patients with acute psychotic behavior may need both neurological and neuro-psychological work-ups.
In time, alterations in the reward system can bring about horrific feelings of stress, fears, anxiety, violence, depression, irritability, panic attacks and despair, These feeling drive the person to what seems to be the only possible relief ...cutting, purging, self -medicating. Relief often starts with a conscious abuse of prescription drugs or alcohol and lead to a more pills, illicit drugs and then a dependency., an uncontrollable addiction. In need or substituted with other compulsive behaviors [gambling, sex ...endorphin kicks], some resort to unusual physical stimulations to increase endorphins for relief. |
At the AA&E Retreat, our doctors have the capacity to empower and inspire individuals to
succeed-in recovery
If you have been in
programs and relapsed or seen a psychiatrist for medication or a
psychologist for more than 3 months, you should consider
getting the proper diagnosis and effective treatment now. Ask a doctor what
integrated clinical
treatment can do for your recovery ...opposed to
12-step rehab disciplines, medications and AA- meetings for the rest of your
life. If you are
serious about recovery, call around, ask the hard questions, how
many doctors will I see for diagnosis and one-on-one in treatment each day?
" THERE IS HOPE THERE IS RECOVERY " Call 1- 877. 379. 2273 
As Chris Kennedy Lawford says : " We
all have choices- If
you have been through some detoxes, tried a couple rehabs, you
should inquire what a clinical program can do for you that is different-
You can go to a rehab and receive help in learning how to live with your addiction, or you can go into a CLINICAL TREATMENT PROGRAM and regain
control of your live-
ADDICTIONS,
PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS,
BEHAVIORS The brain is involved in
everything we do. Today,
given all the new technology, NeuroScience and treatment results, a psychological or an addition illness
can be identified in the brain, properly diagnosed
and in most cases is treatable .
*Diagnosis *Adjustments *Diet *Exercise
At
The AA&E Retreat, we are clinically staffed with a multidisciplinary
treatment team of doctors. As a team, we can scan, test, identify and treat
patients with addictions,
chemical dependency, psychosis, underlying psychological disorders like
PTSD, bipolar,
ADD, eating disorders, OCD, trauma, and other compulsive behaviors
and co-occurring disorders.
Our drug treatment philosophy incorporates
education, integrated psychological treatments, alternative
medicine, family sessions and we can extend recovery supervision
into our Career Center and sober living up to one year,
affordably. *Results |
BRAIN IN THE NEWS
-
"Brain in the News" is a weekly commentary on how brain science relates
to the news. The brain is involved in everything we do. Wherever there
are human stories the brain is involved. From the impact of war and
natural disasters on the brain to drug abuse scandals to courtroom
dramas to politics the brain is in the news, and you can read about it
here.
NEW STUDY
LINKS ADHD AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE
An interesting study was released this week concerning
decreased dopamine levels in the brain, ADHD and substance abuse. We
have observed for many years that people who struggle with Attention
Deficit Disorder often self-medicate by using drugs and alcohol to
excess. Two new studies link a deficiency in the brain chemical dopamine
with the harmful behavior…
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Two
studies published on Monday showed the importance of a brain chemical in
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, with researchers saying it
might help explain why people with ADHD often are substance abusers.
Researchers at the Neuroscience Institute
and U.S.
National Institutes of Health focus on the role of dopamine, a
chemical messenger in the brain involved in governing movement,
emotional response and the ability to feel pleasure and pain. A clinical team led
by Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the NIH's National Institute on Drug
Abuse, documented decreased dopamine activity in the brains of a group
of adults with ADHD. Volkow said the decreased dopamine activity related
to systems involved with attention and cognition, but also with reward.
Researchers have known that
people with ADHD are more likely than others to smoke cigarettes and
abuse alcohol, marijuana, cocaine and other drugs. The decreased
dopamine activity in the brains of people with ADHD pointed to an
explanation, Volkow said. "If you take a drug of abuse, whether it's
alcohol, nicotine or cocaine or methamphetamine -- it doesn't matter -- what you're going to be doing is temporarily increasing the
concentration of dopamine in the brain," Volkow said in a telephone
interview.
"So a person then has a
greater risk (of substance abuse) because it's not just that they are
taking the drug because they want to get high, but by taking the drug,
they may actually feel better and temporarily perform better." ADHD is a
condition that often becomes apparent in preschool and early school
years. Children with ADHD have a tougher time controlling their behavior
and paying attention.
The usual treatment for ADHD
may include drugs like Ritalin, or methylphenidate, a stimulant intended
to lower impulsiveness and hyperactivity and boost attention. Volkow
said the study may explain how such stimulant drugs work in people with
ADHD -- by amplifying dopamine in the brain. The researchers compared
brain scans on 19 adults with ADHD -- average age 32 -- who had never
received medication for the condition to brain scans of 24 healthy
adults of a similar age without ADHD.
A
team of researchers led by Dr. Philip Shaw of the NIH's National
Institute of Mental Health used MRI exams to look at the brain structure
of 105 children with ADHD and 103 children without ADHD. The researchers
also performed DNA testing. They found that a version of a gene involved
with dopamine appeared to be associated with ADHD and with thinner
tissue in areas of the brain that control attention. ADHD is the most
prevalent psychiatric disorder among children, according to background
information in the article.
____________________________________
You can have your life back-
Mind-Body-Spirit
In the United States, eating disorders are far more
than prevalent – they’re epidemic. Today, 10 million
women and girls have eating disorders and up to one
million of them will die from the disorder. That’s
right: die. These diseases are not confined to a
certain segment of society or age group. They cross
all racial, ethnic, cultural and religious lines and
are now being diagnosed in children as young as six.
Anorexia and bulimia are the most common eating
disorders. The former is defined by starvation while
the latter is characterized by cycles of binging and
purging.
Although both anorexia and bulimia revolve around
food, they are actually psychiatric illnesses. In
terms of treatment, the American Psychiatric
Association has suggested certain guidelines. These
include a team approach to therapy, family
involvement and treatment of the “whole” person, not
just the eating disorder.
The
brain
The brain is the control center
of our life. It is the bank of neurons and receptors that allows our very being,
to function properly. Like the hardware of a
computer, the brain must function at an optimal
level in order for us to run the software programs
of life (child rearing, education, going through
adolescence, training for a career, marriage,
navigating mid-life crises, for instance). When the
brain is hurt or damaged (such as when a computer
does not have enough RAM, speed, or storage space),
we cannot run these software programs efficiently,
and end up with a troubled life and often begin self
medicating to suppress the ill feelings and
discomforts. .
As with computers, you need more than hardware. The
hardware of a computer is powerless without an
efficient operating system or proper software. So
too in our lives, we need effective programming
(good parenting, optimal nutrition, spiritual
practice, positive relationships, opportunity,
freedom from chronic stress, clear goals, positive
thoughts, and an attitude of gratefulness) in order
for the brain to work right. A dynamic feedback loop
exists between the brain and the events of our
lives. The brain impacts our behavior and how we
behave impacts actual brain function.
The latest brain imaging research has shown that
thoughts, feelings, and social interactions all
impact brain function, in potentially positive and
negative ways. How we live our life matters. In
addition, the condition of our soul and the
spiritual connections we make have an impact on the
physiology of the brain. It is a reciprocal
relationship. I have seen that sin (doing things
that you know are wrong) disrupts healthy brain
function and leads to anxiety, fear, and depression;
while living with integrity and having a positive
relationships with others actually improves brain
function. A number of research studies have
demonstrated that people of faith suffer less from
anxiety disorders and depression and they recover
70% faster from these illnesses than those without a
religious faith. The suicide rate and even mortality
rate is lower for religious people than the
non-religious. The brain needs a healthy soul, and
the soul needs a brain that works right.
Research studies show us that the brain is involved
in everything we do and how it must be considered in
our day-to-day lives.
Related Article: Brain Pollution Images
Related Article: Common Types of Treatment
Prescription Drug Abuse
Pain Management
Addiction Intervention
Why this Center?
At the AA&E Retreat, our doctors and
patients will tell you, "we get results where others have failed".
We provide
solutions; individualized
{one-on-one} dual diagnosis integrated treatments for
anxiety conditions, drugs - alcohol dependency, eating disorders, pain,
bipolar, trauma PTSD and other
compulsive psychological addictions.
Because we have the
newest technology to
see and monitor the brain, we can literally follow the
neurotransmitters of thoughts, as our specialists and doctors focus on
finding the causes, and making the psychological adjustments {diagnosis and treatments). In
your support we follow through for 3- years at no
additional cost, unlike rehabs, clinics or hospitals.
We
focus on the brain and the connections psychologically and physically
that integrate to make your feelings and behavior. If you
have trouble sleeping, stressed, frequent mood swings, anxiety, abusing
pills or alcohol re-living the pain again and again ....you
should inquire what "clinical diagnosis and a holistically balanced
program" can do for you that is different, ..call and talk with one
of our doctors-
*Call and ask your questions!
Just double click for details
We all remember John Belushi, Elvis, Kurt
Cobain, River Phoenix, Jerry Garcia, Chris Penn, as a result of drugs & alcohol; Rickey Nelson, Andy Gibb, Margaux
Hemmingway, Anna Nicole Smith, Freddie Prinze, Chris Farley, Paula Yates as a result of depressions Karen Carpenter, Gilda Radner, Jessica Savitch, John Candy as a result of eating disorders.
Before you make any decisions-
...ask questions and get the
facts
 1.
877-379-2273
Our Retreats Are Extraordinary Tropical
Estates Of
Distinction, Sanctity & Privacy
Outside the USA Call 1 877 379 2273 |
At
AA&E ~ AA&E Retreat, we provide distinguished programs and services
of excellence that build upon a tradition
of
health and quality of life.
Comfort, Safety, Individualized
Treatment and Sustained Recovery ...is a phone call
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