Addiction Relapse Sometimes Isn't the Drug Addict's Fault
The addiction and alcoholism treatment process typically involves a multi-faceted approach that addresses issues on a physical, mental/emotional and spiritual level. The reason for this is because drug addiction and alcoholism doesn't just affect the mind, or the body, or a person's sense of spiritual well-being; it affects all three. Unlike diabetes, which is purely physical, or Alzheimer's which is mental, addiction & alcoholism exist on multiple levels. The fact is, there is no other disease or malady in existence that affects the sufferer to such broad, systemic extent and depth.
When the client enters a drug rehab or addiction treatment program they are provided an array of services that address the body, mind and spirit. Obviously some rehabilitation programs are more intensive and effective than others, but the fact remains that if these 3 elements are not addressed, eventual relapse is nearly certain.
One of the key developments in addiction treatment provision and science over recent years is the concept of dual-diagnosis or co-occurring disorders - the terms are synonymous. They basically mean that the sufferer is not only stricken with addiction/alcoholism, but also an added or co-concurrent mental health disorder which typically serves to perpetuate the problem. Common examples would be clinical depression, PTSD, anxiety, bipolar, ADD, and ADHD.
Consider this example: Try skipping lunch one day and a couple hours later doing a difficult math problem, or swimming laps in a pool, or learning a foreign language. How much more difficult would it be to effectively engage in these tasks having skipped lunch a couple of hours prior? How much more productive would you be had you eaten a well balanced meal? This example points to the importance of the addict or alcoholic being properly treated for their dual-diagnosis disorder. If a newly sober individual is subjected to intense therapy or relapse prevention skills groups but is simultaneously struggling with untreated depression or anxiety, how present can they possibly be while engaged in these activities? How can they possibly extract all the benefits of these therapeutic activities while in this state of mind?
Many chronic relapsers have never had the opportunity to address their dual-diagnoses matters and thus, find themselves in a vicious cycle of relapse. No matter how hard or how much they commit themselves to a new sober lifestyle, their depression, anxiety, PTSD or anything of the like inevitably gets the best of them at some point when left untreated.
The solution in many institutions is often dosing the client with a cocktail of psychotropic medication which can then potentially result in other side effects and related issues. For instance, many SSRI's (selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor antidepressants) cause some men to have mild to extreme sexual function side effects. If this happens, the male client may be more focused on their recovery but with an important life function impaired, negatively affecting their overall quality of sobriety and decreasing the motivation to maintain sobriety long term.
Some newer treatment styles include holistic regimens that, through a combination of various dietary enhancements and supplements, coupled other holistic activities like acupuncture, yoga, physical fitness and fun-type activities, have seen tremendous results in helping newly recovered addicts & alcoholics overcome their dual-diagnosis issues. This growing holistic trend, however, is not found in most drug rehab centers. For those seeking such services, be sure to inquire with the facility prior to admission as to the array of holistic services offered.
When the client enters a drug rehab or addiction treatment program they are provided an array of services that address the body, mind and spirit. Obviously some rehabilitation programs are more intensive and effective than others, but the fact remains that if these 3 elements are not addressed, eventual relapse is nearly certain.
One of the key developments in addiction treatment provision and science over recent years is the concept of dual-diagnosis or co-occurring disorders - the terms are synonymous. They basically mean that the sufferer is not only stricken with addiction/alcoholism, but also an added or co-concurrent mental health disorder which typically serves to perpetuate the problem. Common examples would be clinical depression, PTSD, anxiety, bipolar, ADD, and ADHD.
Consider this example: Try skipping lunch one day and a couple hours later doing a difficult math problem, or swimming laps in a pool, or learning a foreign language. How much more difficult would it be to effectively engage in these tasks having skipped lunch a couple of hours prior? How much more productive would you be had you eaten a well balanced meal? This example points to the importance of the addict or alcoholic being properly treated for their dual-diagnosis disorder. If a newly sober individual is subjected to intense therapy or relapse prevention skills groups but is simultaneously struggling with untreated depression or anxiety, how present can they possibly be while engaged in these activities? How can they possibly extract all the benefits of these therapeutic activities while in this state of mind?
Many chronic relapsers have never had the opportunity to address their dual-diagnoses matters and thus, find themselves in a vicious cycle of relapse. No matter how hard or how much they commit themselves to a new sober lifestyle, their depression, anxiety, PTSD or anything of the like inevitably gets the best of them at some point when left untreated.
The solution in many institutions is often dosing the client with a cocktail of psychotropic medication which can then potentially result in other side effects and related issues. For instance, many SSRI's (selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor antidepressants) cause some men to have mild to extreme sexual function side effects. If this happens, the male client may be more focused on their recovery but with an important life function impaired, negatively affecting their overall quality of sobriety and decreasing the motivation to maintain sobriety long term.
Some newer treatment styles include holistic regimens that, through a combination of various dietary enhancements and supplements, coupled other holistic activities like acupuncture, yoga, physical fitness and fun-type activities, have seen tremendous results in helping newly recovered addicts & alcoholics overcome their dual-diagnosis issues. This growing holistic trend, however, is not found in most drug rehab centers. For those seeking such services, be sure to inquire with the facility prior to admission as to the array of holistic services offered.
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