Drug Addiction Treatment Blog

A core concept evolving over the past decade is that drug addiction is a disease of the brain that develops over time as a result of abusing drugs and alcohol.

Some of the consequences that a person experiences is a virtually uncontrollable craving for drugs and alcohol, the seeking and use of drugs and alcohol that interferes with an individual’s functioning within the family and society. In most cases, an illness such as this usually requires inpatient chemical dependency treatment.

• we understand the brain functions through which drugs acutely modify mood, memory, perception, and emotional states.
• Using drugs habitually over time changes brain structure and function in ways that can persist long after the individual stops using them.
• Addiction is conceived through an array of neuro-adaptive changes and the lying down and strengthening of new memory connections in various circuits in the brain.

We do not yet understand all of the actual functions, but the research demonstrates that those long-lasting brain changes are responsible for the distortions of cognitive and emotional functioning that characterize addicts, particularly including the compulsion to use drugs that is the essence of addiction. It is as if drugs have high jacked the brain’s natural motivational control circuits, resulting in drug use becoming the sole, or at least the top, motivational priority for the individual.

This brain-based view of addiction has generated substantial controversy, particularly among people who seem able to think only in polarized ways.

• Many people erroneously still believe that biological and behavioral explanations are alternative or competing ways to understand phenomena.
Modern science has taught that it is much too simplistic to set biology in opposition to behavior or to pit willpower against brain chemistry.
• Addiction involves inseparable biological and behavioral components.
• Many people also erroneously still believe that drug addiction is simply a failure of will or of strength of character. Comprehensive research contradicts that position completely.

It is important to note, that the recognition that addiction is a brain disease does not mean that the addict is simply a hapless victim. Addiction begins with the voluntary behavior of using drugs and addicts must participate in and take some significant responsibility for their recovery. Thus, having this brain disease does not absolve the addict of responsibility for his or her behavior, but it does explain why an addict cannot simply stop using drugs using willpower alone.

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A core concept evolving over the past decade is that drug addiction is a disease of the brain that develops over time as a result of abusing drugs and alcohol.

Some of the consequences that a person experiences is a virtually uncontrollable craving for drugs and alcohol, the seeking and use of drugs and alcohol that interferes with an individual’s functioning within the family and society. In most cases, an illness such as this usually requires inpatient chemical dependency treatment.

• we understand the brain functions through which drugs acutely modify mood, memory, perception, and emotional states.
• Using drugs habitually over time changes brain structure and function in ways that can persist long after the individual stops using them.
• Addiction is conceived through an array of neuro-adaptive changes and the lying down and strengthening of new memory connections in various circuits in the brain.

We do not yet understand all of the actual functions, but the research demonstrates that those long-lasting brain changes are responsible for the distortions of cognitive and emotional functioning that characterize addicts, particularly including the compulsion to use drugs that is the essence of addiction. It is as if drugs have high jacked the brain’s natural motivational control circuits, resulting in drug use becoming the sole, or at least the top, motivational priority for the individual.
This brain-based view of addiction has generated substantial controversy, particularly among people who seem able to think only in polarized ways.

• Many people erroneously still believe that biological and behavioral explanations are alternative or competing ways to understand phenomena.
Modern science has taught that it is much too simplistic to set biology in opposition to behavior or to pit willpower against brain chemistry.
• Addiction involves inseparable biological and behavioral components.
• Many people also erroneously still believe that drug addiction is simply a failure of will or of strength of character.

Comprehensive research contradicts that position completely.
It is important to note, that the recognition that addiction is a brain disease does not mean that the addict is simply a hapless victim. Addiction begins with the voluntary behavior of using drugs and addicts must participate in and take some significant responsibility for their recovery. Thus, having this brain disease does not absolve the addict of responsibility for his or her behavior, but it does explain why an addict cannot simply stop using drugs using willpower alone.

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Alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence in the gay and lesbian populations

1. The prevalence of drug addiction, substance abuse and alcoholism is higher in the gay and lesbian community than in the general population.
2. Gay identity formation may be linked to the increased prevalence of drug addiction and alcoholism.
3. Fewer gay and lesbian clients enter addiction treatment programs and alcohol rehab than heterosexual.
4. Drug addiction and alcohol addiction may be linked to unsafe sexual practices.
5. Most alcohol rehab and addiction treatment centers do not address the special needs of the gay and lesbian populations.
6. Lesbians may have additional needs beyond that of the gay man including child related and domestic violence issues.
Overall Effect:
1. Early work in the alcoholism treatment field estimated the rates of drug addiction and drug and alcohol dependence in gay men to be greater than 30%.
2. Population-based samples of gay and heterosexual men in the mid 80’s found substantially higher rates of drug use among gay men than heterosexual men. This result was true for both urban and rural areas.
3. There is no clear consensus on the actual prevalence, as most of the studies have had methodological errors including poor or absent control groups, unrepresentative samples (e.g. gathered data from bars), failure to use uniform definitions or substance abuse and dependence, or of homosexuality, and the “closet factor”.
4. Lesbians appear to have an equal prevalence of substance abuse and alcohol dependence as compared to gay men, and have a higher prevalence than heterosexual women.

If you are seeking a gay friendly alcohol rehab or drug rehab go to , www.gay-rehab.com for help or you might want to call the national drug rehab helpline to find an alcohol treatment facility in your area, 1-800-511-9225.

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Alcohol Detox – Alcohol detox is necessary for a person to achieve an alcohol free and non-dependent state and begin the successful road to a long-term recovery. To fully detox from alcohol abuse, the process usually takes anywhere from 3 to 14 days, depending on the severity of an individual’s reactions and physical health. The effects of alcohol detox can include mild to the very severe reactions and regardless of the level of seriousness the reactions are, the process can always be traumatic for the person undergoing detox.

Drug Detox – Drug detox always brings with it withdrawal symptoms, which is brought on by the sudden discontinuation of use or dramatic reduction of drug use, following prolonged or heavy use of a drug over an extended period of time. During drug detox, withdrawal symptoms usually include the following reactions: sweats, irritability, nausea, headaches and cramping.

Depending on the drug, drug detox is never the same and medical concern can come in many forms. While the detox of particular drugs require medical detox it is highly recommended that an addict have professional and medical supervision while undergoing the detoxification process and beginning their journey for a long and permanent recovery. The following table depicts the different drugs that do and do not require medical detox; however, it is never recommended that an addict attempt a detox without the appropriate professional or medical supervision

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