Patients seeking a way to overcome addiction may turn to physicians and treatments for help. For a number of years, the drug disulfiram has been used to help patients avoid alcohol. The drug is an effective deterrent as it creates a fierce hangover for the individual who uses it and consumes even a small drink of alcohol due to its interference with the body’s ability to metabolize the substance.

A recent Science Daily release highlights the potential of using disulfiram in treating an addiction to cocaine. While alcohol and cocaine affect the nervous system in their own unique ways, the way in which disulfiram works opens up treatment possibilities.

Emory University School of Medicine researchers wanted to take a closer look at the operation of this medication as even though it is effective in treating alcoholism, it inhibits other enzymes through copper sequestering and has the potential to damage the liver. As a result, the medication is not desired when taken over the long term.

Cocaine addiction also presents challenges of its own, including getting the individual to stop taking the drug and preventing relapse once they have stopped. Cocaine is known to boost neurotransmitters, including dopamine and norepinephrine. Dopamine is important for pleasure sensations, yet it is hijacked by cocaine, which plays a significant role in addiction.

When studying cocaine-addicted rats and the use of disulfiram, researchers found that the rats would not seek the cocaine after they had a break from it. At the same time, once the rats had cocaine again after the break, they continued to take it.

This area is worthy of continued research to determine how disulfiram – or like drugs can play a role in treating cocaine addiction without posing a threat to the addict that exceeds the risk associated with the addiction.
 

A properly aligned spine may be another tool for battling substance abuse. Research indicates that when misalignments – or subluxations – occur in the spine, the proper function of neurotransmitters is interrupted. When these misalignments are corrected, and the nerves are in correct order, neurotransmitters can be released in the right pattern – contributing to a sense of calm that may help ward off drug cravings and could contribute to a patient’s completion rate of a drug recovery program.

In contrast, when the spine is improperly aligned and pressure is applied to tissues, the chemicals known as neurotransmitters may be blocked or released in an incorrect pattern, thus inhibiting a sense of well-being.

The connection between spinal alignment and drug recovery has recently been studied by Jay Holder, a Florida doctor and chiropractor at the Exodus Treatment Center in Miami Beach. Holder studied treatment for drug addiction on nearly 100 participants, comparing treatment that involved chiropractic adjustments with patients who only received traditional, non-chiropractic rehabilitation care and another group who received “fake” spinal adjustments during their recovery program.

Published in Molecular Psychiatry, Holder’s research suggests that during a 30-day span, when chiropractic care was implemented in combination with traditional recovery strategies, participants showed a 100 percent level of completion for the program. Emotional problems associated with recovery, like anxiety and depression, also declined for these patients.

In comparison, the groups who received only traditional recovery strategies and those who received care in the placebo group – including fake chiropractic adjustments —showed lower program continuity rates, in line with typical drug recovery patients at about 55 percent.

The study results are significant because the success of a person’s recovery from drug or alcohol addiction is often linked to their ability to remain in a 28 or 30-day program. However, Holder says that in the U.S., more than one-fourth of program participants will drop out before the cycle is completed.
Chiropractic care, Holder suggests, may create enough of a sense of calm to encourage patients to keep going in their treatment plan. In addition, this sense of calm can contribute to greater participation and success in a group therapy setting.

During the study, Holder focused treatments on the Torque Release Technique, which releases trapped tissues along the spine and the tailbone area. When these tissues are restricted by misalignments, the limbic system can be affected – or the set of brain structures believed to control emotions may be affected as well. In addition, the body’s neurotransmitters are unable to perform normally.

Holder’s research emphasizes that chiropractic care is not a new type of drug addiction therapy, but rather a supplement to traditional in-patient and out-patient programs. He also explains that chiropractic care cannot treat a drug or alcohol addiction problem, nor any other addiction, but could be viewed as a complement to existing programs.
 

In the world of drug use and addiction, there are a number of different methods individuals have sought to eliminate such demons from their lives. While some treatments have proven to be effective, even the most promising of solutions can fail if the person is not committed to making a total life change. One method gaining increasing attention is that of biofeedback therapy and its impact on a complete recovery program.

Known as an integrative medical treatment, biofeedback helps patients to develop an increased mind-body awareness and control that enables them to play a more active role in their overall healthcare. Also referred to as neurofeedback and neurotherapy, this method relies on electroencephalographs (EEG) to capture the brain’s electrical activity and display it for the patient.

When in place, an EEG device can help to track physical changes an individual experiences in their interaction with drugs and alcohol. As the abuser may not always be aware of the physical signs of the actions their body will experience, biofeedback captures these instances and reports them back to the user so they can better understand how to control their actions through quantifiable data.

The reason biofeedback is known to be effective is that it enables the individual’s physician to create a treatment plan that is specific to the individual. The data captured with the EEG allows for the creation of a specific profile on the individual and the subsequent development of a training program designed to correct the abnormal resting or stress-evoked physiological responses that could be triggering the craving for drugs or alcohol. This method can also help to teach alcoholics how to reduce their risk of relapse.

Scientists and doctors focusing specifically on treatments for drug and alcohol abuse believe that this method of therapy can be effective in treating a number of addictions, including dependence on heroin, cocaine, crystal meth, marijuana, alcohol and even addictions to gambling or sex. The method in each situation is very similar in that the EEG will capture data that allows the physician to identify changes from normal brainwave patterns and target those areas for treatment.

There is a belief in the drug and alcohol abuse treatment industry that individuals who give in to addiction and substance abuse follow this path simply because they have lost control over their mind and body. This belief is supported by the reality that addicts fully depend upon substances as they feel they are necessary for their survival. As this type of dependence is more based in the mind than the body, biofeedback has an opportunity to work.

As addicts are trained and conditioned to be more aware of their physiological functions, they can better understand what leads them to rely on a substance and introduce healthy alternatives to deal with life in general.
 

Alcohol recovery has been accomplished by a variety of methods, ranging from counseling, meditation, medication and the traditional 12-Step plans. However, many other forms of therapy exist, including therapeutic drumming, which may provide the motivation some alcoholics need to get on the path to recovery.

Drumming is an ancient practice, but research shows it may also boost concentration, immunity and feelings of peace. It can trigger a release of tension and give a sense of group-belonging when performed with others, counteracting the desire of many alcoholics to remain in isolation.

The practice also encourages a sense of self and a connection to the current moment; it is also a way of expressing a person’s unique thoughts and feelings that isn’t harmful to others and doesn’t require talking.

Drumming has been used as therapy for children with autism, adolescents with behavioral problems, and even patients undergoing trauma recovery. The technique has also become part of inpatient and outpatient drug recovery centers, prisons, and community-based programs.

Among other benefits, participating in drumming may be an effective, calming activity to fill up the time alcoholics once spent drinking or gaining access to alcohol. Some say it also reduces cravings and creates a distraction from drinking.

Arizona State university professor Michael Winkelman, PhD, MPH, Department of Anthropology, summarized research conducted in 2001 and 2002 on drumming as a therapy tool. He noted that it helps create a sense of calm by encouraging the production of theta-waves in the brain, as well as helps synchronize brain-waves.

Drumming may also activate areas of the frontal lobe that can lead to new insight toward addiction-related problems. Winkelman also suggests drumming may be especially helpful in times of alcoholic relapse or when other types of therapy, like counseling, have not been effective.

A drumming session can begin with participants drumming on their own as a warm-up, then include a series of guided exercises. Group chanting can also be an option and the group may be encouraged to experience their feelings that emerge during drumming. Visualization can also be utilized, with an emphasis on releasing the feelings of guilt that come from an addiction.

Participants have reported a sense of group continuity toward recovery and feelings of release, resulting in benefits ranging from improved attitudes to better sleep. At the Sacramento Native American Health Center, only participants who are sober and have no drugs in their system may use the drums, a philosophy that group leaders say helps the program encourage addicts to remain accountable for their healing.

Music therapist and drug abuse counselor Ed Mikenas has also utilized drum therapy at a home for girls with substance abuse problems. He praises drum therapy for building young adults’ self-confidence and delivering new ways for reaching emotional health.

Other therapists report similar success with drumming and teens, especially for combating feelings of powerlessness and isolation during drug or alcohol recovery. The technique has also been used to combat gang violence and help participants improve school performance.

In summary, drum therapy helps provide a sense of calm, impacts participants on a psychological level with new awareness of their emotions, and provides a path to meeting addicts’ social needs. The therapy, though unconventional, may become an asset to traditional therapies for drug and alcohol recovery, both for teens and adults.
 

Cocaine addiction can ruin a life or end it completely. With such dire consequences, those suffering with the addiction must seek effective treatment. Now, a new regimen of memory-boosting medication and behavioral therapy is being studied to measure its effectiveness in helping cocaine addicts to stay clean.

A recent Science Daily release examined a study that suggests the use of D-cycloserine may be an effective tool in cocaine addiction treatment. D-cycloserine has been used in the past to treat fear and anxiety disorders. This recent study examined the potential of the drug in helping addicts resist the next hit, even if triggers occur.

Drug addicts – especially those with a cocaine problem – tend to have high rates of relapse. Old habits are easy to fall back into and addictive substances can be difficult to resist when sights or smells related to the drug can trigger cravings.

To better understand the impact of cocaine and potential treatments, Yale University researchers studied 168 rats self-administering cocaine for a number of weeks. The rats were then introduced to behavioral therapy combined with D-cycloserine, known as a memory-enhancing drug.

It is believed that the D-cycloserine can have an impact due to the cycle of activities of the drug addict. An abuser will more easily resist drugs while in a treatment facility and even after returning home than if they were to revisit old habits or even old activities as drug cues are powerful. Extinction therapy focuses on breaking the association between dangerous cues and drug use.

The Yale researchers found that when extinction therapy was combined with the D-cycloserine, relapse due to cues could be effectively combated. The medication is known to act primarily on the nucleus accumbens – an area associated with drug addiction and the formation of drug-related memories. It is suggested by researchers that by focusing on such a regimen, addicts could more easily remain clean.
 

Recently, the economy has taken a downward turn, leaving many men unemployed and many women as the sole breadwinner for their families. Many families are heavily reliant on the income that women bring home because 7 out of 10 jobs that have been lost have been lost by men. Women make up nearly half of the U.S. labor force.

Because of the important role that women play in the financial security of their families, the availability of substance abuse treatment will be crucial for the well-being of women and their families. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health gathers information on past-month alcohol use, binge alcohol use, and illicit drug use, as well as the need for treatment. The information here is combined data from 2004 to 2008.

Individuals were classified as needing treatment if they met criteria for dependence or if they received treatment for substance use in the past year. Women were considered full-time employees if they worked 35 hours or more per week on a regular basis.

Approximately 50 million women were employed full-time when interviewed, which equates to about 53.4 percent of all 18- to 64-year olds. 19.8 percent of the female population that was employed full-time had engaged in binge alcohol consumption and 6.4 percent had used illicit drugs during the last month.

Substance use varied among women, depending upon their marital status. Those who had never been married had the highest rate of substance use, at 31.5 percent of never-married women indicating binge alcohol use. By contrast, 20.6 percent of women who were divorced or separated, 14.5 percent of those who were married, and 12.3 percent of those who were widowed had participated in binge alcohol use.

It should be noted, however, that the difference between marital statuses may also be tied to age. Most of those interviewed who were never married were between the ages of 18 and 34, while most of those that were married were between the ages of 35 and 64.

In addition, having one or more child aged 17 or younger slightly reduced the rates of having binged on alcohol in the last month or used illicit drugs in the last month.

About 3.6 million women in this category were classified of needing treatment for a problem with substance abuse, but only 5.8 percent of those needing treatment actually received it at a specialty facility in the last year.

With the workforce relying heavily on the labors of women, it is crucial that women who work full-time have substance use treatment available to them. Besides the many families that are relying on women to maintain financial stability, substance use problems hurt the economy in lost productivity and health care costs.
 

Parents often worry that treating chronic childhood illnesses with medication could turn those children into drug addicts later in life. However, is not treating the illness the answer? Studies show that children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who are not treated with ADHD medications are more likely to become drug addicts than those who take the ADHD medications.

Methylphenidate, more commonly known as Ritalin, is a stimulant that has been widely successful in treating children with ADHD. Ritalin helps children sharpen their mental focus and increase concentration. Researchers have found that adolescents who get relief from ADHD symptoms with Ritalin are less likely to become drug abusers than those who do not take medications to treat their ADHD.

However, ADHD is not the only thing Ritalin might be good for treating. Researchers have now found that Ritalin can be used to successfully treat cocaine addicts who have problems controlling impulses. This discovery is a major breakthrough in substance abuse addiction research, as impulse control is one of the main reasons why substance abusers can’t stop taking dangerous drugs, even when they know they shouldn’t.

Given that lack of impulse control is a major component of substance addiction, and that Ritalin helps normalize emotional response in those with ADHD, it is no surprise that adolescents who undergo continuous treatment of ADHD with Ritalin experience fewer incidents of drug addiction than those ADHD suffers who are left untreated. Could ADHD be a precursor to impulse disorders later in life?

A small study at Yale University was recently conducted to test the hypothesis that Ritalin can help addicts control their impulsive behavior. Ten subjects were administered methylphenidate (Ritalin) before undergoing an MRI to record brain activity. The activity was measured when the subjects were completing computer tasks related to controlling impulses. The subjects who received the drug were better at impulse control while on Ritalin than when they received only a placebo (usually a sugar pill).

The brain scans of the Ritalin users showed changes to the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VPC), the area of the brain that is involved in risk, fear, and decision-making. Researchers have found that the VPC is important in controlling behavior during emotional events and is involved in matters of impulse control. It is believed that the methylphenidate may be able to help stabilize an addict’s impulse response.

Dangers of Ritalin

However, Ritalin use, in and of itself, it not without its own dangers. The drug is a stimulant and has pharmacological effects similar to cocaine and amphetamines. As such, it can be highly addictive. Ritalin has not yet been reproduced by street dealers in homemade labs, however, because it is an affordable controlled substance that can be purchased at a local drug store or pharmacy with a valid prescription. Because Ritalin is typically prescribed to adolescents for treatment of ADHD, and those teens can then go and sell the pills to peers, it is easier for other young people to obtain it on the black market than other types of illicit, stimulant drugs such as methamphetamine (meth) or cocaine. One Ritalin tablet can cost as little as $.50 or as much as $5.00, depending on the prevailing supply and demand in the marketplace.

Ritalin, sometimes known as Vitamin R in adolescent circles, is misused, especially in high school and college populations. Ritalin is taken as an appetite suppressant, to heighten focus, and to produce a euphoric feeling. College students, in particular, use Ritalin when studying for exams as it keeps them awake and helps keep them focused on the books.

As with any pharmaceutical, Ritalin is not without side effects. Common side effects include headache, trouble falling or staying asleep, nervousness, decrease in appetite, or elevated blood pressure and heart rate. If Ritalin is abused (i.e., taken in greater doses than prescribed or taken without a prescription), it can cause the user to become addicted. Tolerance is also a problem with Ritalin, as increased doses could be needed to have the same effect as when the user began taking the drug.

http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jul/26/news/la-heb-ritalin-20100726
 

It is difficult enough for normal teens to respond to peer pressure and frequent changes in emotions; the journey is even harder for teens with substance abuse problems. When teens with drug abuse problems seek treatment, research indicates therapy that involves the whole family may be the best approach. Called multi-dimensional family therapy, or MDFT, research studies suggest the practice may be linked to higher rates of improvement across the family unit.

MDFT is an outpatient treatment approach for teens, involving the whole family in counseling sessions. The practice has emerged during the last two decades and is the focus of federal research toward reducing teen drug abuse. One distinguishing factor of MDFT is acknowledging that teen drug abuse is influenced by several factors – friends, homelife, and community – and thus a multi-dimensional approach is needed to resolve the problem.

Another element that makes MDFT unique is that it is organized into phases, based upon knowledge of what is considered normal adolescent cognitive and emotional development. Providers do not progress to the next phase until the current phase has been successful, and should have knowledge of teen development.

Three distinct stages of MDFT are recognized: the first stage, or building a foundation; the second stage, called Work the Themes; and a third stage, called Seal the Changes and Exit. In addition to the stages of MDFT, five types of interventions can occur during treatment. These are one-on-one interactions with the teen, interventions with only the parents, or activities that modify the ways the teen and the parents interact. Sessions can involve additional members of the family, or work with the school or community-based entities that influence the teens’ drug behaviors.

Treatments can occur at home, at school or other community places. Themes may include helping parents deal with feelings of being powerless to provide influence to their teen, and ways to address conflict successfully.

During sessions where the teen works with the therapist without the family, themes like how to make decisions and talk about feelings are the focus. Ways to solve problems and reduce stress are also addressed, as are plans for acquitting career skills or training. Simultaneously, the parents learn about parenting styles that may be more effective at discouraging drug abuse – such as the difference between exerting guidance instead of just control.

A San Francisco-based study worked with 95 teens involved with drugs to explore the success rate of MDFT alongside therapy involving several families at once, and therapy involving several teens in a group setting. The teens’ drug use habits were assessed at the beginning of treatment and one year after, including their success at school and the way the family functioned. Teens and their families who took part in MDFT showed more improvements in behavior and school/family success than teens in the other treatment programs – and these positive changes continued beyond the treatment duration.

While a variety of approaches may be utilized to counteract teen drug abuse, the Center for Treatment Research on Adolescent Drug Abuse describes MDFT as successful because it pinpoints the highest risk factors connected with teen drug abuse. The treatment simultaneously improves the systems and processes that can generate successful teen development, both independently and within the family unit.
 

Lidocaine is a generic drug also known as lidocaine hydrochloride and available under the brand name, Xycloaine. As lidocaine has cardiac antiarrhythmic properties, it is generally used as a local anesthetic. Lidocaine is often used for numbing the gums when a dentist needs to work on a patient’s teeth. More recently, another discovery indicates lidocaine may be useful in other ways.

Lidocaine has the ability to shut off insula, or the brain nucleus that is responsible for controlling an addiction to drugs. Scientists believe the ability to control or target insula could hold the key to ending drug addiction for many. Insula plays an important role in the brain as it controls the body’s heart rate, blood sugar, hunger, cravings and a number of other functions. It is believed that an impaired insula can eradicate addiction.

In a study of lab rats, amphetamines were given to the rats anytime they entered a well-lit area. This was somewhat of a contradiction for the rats, rodents who tend to love the dark. In this process, the rats quickly became addicted to the amphetamines and returned repeatedly to the same location to receive a new dose.
At this point in the study process, some of the addicted rats were given shots of lidocaine into the insula. As lidocaine is known to impair the signals transmitting between the brain cells, it was effective in changing the behavior of the addicted rats.

Before they received the shots – and after they had developed the addiction – many of the rats were spending as much as 25 percent of their time in the well-lit areas, seeking their next hit. After receiving the lidocaine, that group of addicted rats spent less than 10 percent in the well-lit area.

One scientist involved in the study believes that lidocaine could provide the key for switching off memories related to the experience of taking the drug. The challenge is that right now, giving lidocaine to humans presents considerable risk as infection could develop and potential changes in heart rate could be life threatening. No matter how addicted the individual, injecting something into the brain is still a risk.

The finding is significant nonetheless. And, while lidocaine delivers only a short lasting effect (injected rats only forgot about the drug for about 20 minutes), there is still potential for further development in this area. Further studies are suggested, although developing a process for interrupting multiple interactions between a vast array of brain regions presents considerable challenge.

Until lidocaine can be used through other methods, it will likely continue to be the anesthetic of choice in the dentist’s office.
 

Self-help groups, in existence for decades, are used to help people work through issues including mental health, addictions, obsessive behaviors and even medical conditions like cancer. Group members share the same disorder or circumstance and meet voluntarily. Self-help groups can be professionally-guided or peer-led; can allow members to remain anonymous; and typically meet on a set schedule – thus contributing to their value in treatment plans.

Prior to the emergence of self-help groups, many people with addictions or behavioral problems were likely to seek help from friends and family. However, these relationships tend to be more dispersed in today’s technological age, and reflect cultural changes in communication. Immediate, consistent peer support may be one of the primary benefits of self-help groups, also called support groups or mutual help groups. Members say they experience feelings of comfort when sharing similar stories with one another. Feelings of belonging can also counteract the isolation that afflicts people with addictions and mental disorders.

The group leader –either a counselor, therapist or a member of the group – is usually responsible for keeping meetings organized and generating discussions. In recent years, some self-help strategies have moved to the online world, allowing members from broad geographic locations to participate in a non-threatening environment and have around-the-clock access to support. Online tools can include chat rooms, Internet bulletin boards, forums or email lists.

Basic criteria for self-help groups include educating members about their condition or disease, discussing its impacts, teaching members new ways to cope and care for themselves, and providing a network of relationship-based support. Members who are active and dedicated toward participation typically experience greater levels of success and more positive attitudes toward recovery.

Some studies have shown that people suffering from mental illness may find self-help groups quite helpful. Basic group models include independent groups or those connected with national ties, such as Alcoholics Anonymous. In the professional-based format, a counselor, therapist or expert oversees the group meetings and discussions and if often able to give additional resources.
Regardless of format, experts agree that it is the experiential knowledge component of self-help groups that helps create an environment of openness and reciprocity. Often times, those who are experiencing recovery continue to attend groups for the purpose of helping their peers reach the same goal. Eventually, a feeling of self-empowerment emerges and may help the recovering alcoholic or addict retain success.

Self-help groups, with membership numbers reaching well into the millions, are also helping reduce negative stereotypes about mental illness and addictions. Some groups, such as Rational Recovery Systems, do not follow a traditional Twelve Step model of recovery and instead rely on non-spiritual approaches.

Though they may use different strategies for meetings, underlying almost all self-help groups – from overeating to alcoholism to family members of addicts – is the premise of non-judgmental attitudes and caring for one another. Experts caution, however, that groups should be careful not to create a system of complete dependence for members or to fall into victim-based thinking.
With new Internet-based options available today, and support for hundreds of conditions, self-help groups continue to be an important treatment option for many people with addictions or problem behaviors.