ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY

This is the ninth story in a 13-week series that focuses on drug addiction
in Butler County. This is also the third of three stories that will focus
on substance abuse treatment.

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 tearing 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. They 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 himself 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 finds himself 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 those 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.

INDEX
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: