THE DOWNWARD SPIRAL

Cravings, depression and guilt make up the harness that keeps an addict in
the downward spiral of drug addiction.

In almost all cases these symptoms are generated after a long term of
substance abuse. So then what is the best approach to tear down these
barriers to successful recovery?

Remember cravings are the first barrier to recovery.

These are caused by drug or alcohol residues that store primarily in body
fat in the form of metabolites. And as mentioned in an earlier article,
metabolites are the byproduct of the body trying to digest and breakdown
the toxin once ingested into the system. These metabolites are connected to
memories the addict has of the time and experience associated with
ingestion of the chemical.

These metabolites will activate at times when the addict's metabolism
increases.

Once the metabolite activates, an uncontrollable urge to use more drugs
overcomes the addict.

The active metabolite triggers or reminds the addict at a physical and
mental level of drug use. There are a number of methods that are being used
today to address the fat storage aspect of drugs.

Some include intravenous ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) treatments another is
fasting.

More and more we are seeing the emphasis being shifted to holistic
treatments as a significant component of substance abuse treatment planning.

One of the most effective means of ridding the body of drug metabolites has
proven to be the use of aerobic exercise combined with a nutritional
program that utilizes Vitamin B3 (niacin) and extended periods of sweating
in a dry sauna.

This detoxification method was researched and developed by L. Ron Hubbard
in 1978 and has helped increase the rate of recovery by eliminating the
physical triggers that create drug cravings.

It is this process called The New Life Detoxification Program that is
utilized at the Narconon drug and alcohol rehabilitation program.
Depression is another one of the barriers to recovery The depression an
addict experiences is two fold. There is a chemical imbalance that drug and
alcohol abuse creates in the body. Drug and alcohol abuse inhibits the
production of natural body chemicals and in some cases replaces them. This
impacts the natural reward system that encourages our physical well being
or eliminates pain after an injury.

This bio-physical aspect of the chemical imbalance present in drug abusers
is driven by nutritional deficiencies that occur when someone uses drugs or
alcohol on a regular basis.

In most cases the emotional depression that an addict experiences follows
after a person comes off drugs or alcohol not before.

This is because of the declining quality of life an addict experiences and
a decayed state of health.

In most cases an addict has alienated themselves from family members and
loved ones. There is often criminal behavior that comes about from the need
for money to purchase drugs.

Depending on the degree and type of drug abuse an addict frequently find
themselves in trouble with the law. Addicts don't want these situations to
occur but cannot control the circumstances in their lives.

As broken relationships or legal problems develop, the addict feels down or
bad about these situations and will display characteristics of depression
or lethargy. Remember that all addicts are basically good people before the
addiction begins. They start encountering problems brought on by their
addiction.

Then they get involved in the arduous task of trying to hide or cover up
the deeds that led to these problems. At this point they begin to feel guilty.

This guilt then causes the addict to withdraw from family, loved ones and
friends or they will become antagonistic towards those close to them who do
not abuse drugs or alcohol.

This anti-social behavior is a direct result of his or her wrong doings and
dishonest life style. In order to remove these barriers to successfully
recovery, addicts must experience a positive change in moral values.

They must get honest-which is probably the toughest part of recovery.

As a general rule people do not enjoy admitting their wrongs.

This process is particularly difficult for the person who is addicted.
However, the age old basic premise of effective counseling still holds true
- - "confession is good for the soul." This is certainly true in remedying
drug or alcohol addiction.

If an addicted person can confess honestly their sins and can make up the
damage that was done by committing these sins, he will experience
tremendous relief.

They will not feel guilty any longer and will be able to better calculate
how to improve their quality of life.

Part 1
US AL: From Use To Addiction - The Stages Of Drug Use
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n925/a01.html

Part 2
US AL: Drug Use Through The Ages
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n945/a03.html

Part 4
US AL: Drug Policy From 1870 - 1970
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n985/a03.html

Part 5
US AL: Drug Policy Since 1970
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n1038/a09.html

Part 7
US AL: Does Treatment Really Work?
URL: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n1143/a01.html

Part 8
US AL: Overcoming The Barriers
URL: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n1195/a08.html

Part 9
US AL: On The Road To Recovery
URL: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n1253/a04.html

Part 10
US AL: The Barriers To Successful Recovery
URL: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n1306/a06.html