Neurons and Addiction

(Post share from the IRATAD Blog)

The more I learn about the brain, the more I am in awe of how it explains human behavior and thought processes. Research on the brain helps us understand better why a person with an addiction can't just quit, and why it seems sometimes that we are hardwired to continue certain patterns despite their negative consequences.  I am amazed at the hope that comes from understanding addiction in terms of a brain disease.Today I am going to focus on the neuron, which is the basic building block for the brain.

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What You Know About Addiction Might Be Wrong

In this TED talk, Journalist Johann Hari questions the real cause of addiction.  Having a family history of addiction, he realized that he lacked answers to questions like:   "What really causes addiction?  Why do we carry on with this approach that doesn't seem to be working? Is there a better way out there that we can try instead?" So he went in search of answers, travelling thousands of miles and talking to a variety of people.  What was his conculsion?  "Almost everything we think we know about addiction is wrong."

 

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Please share your thoughts about Johann Hari's talk in the comments below.

What is addiction?

(Post share from the IRATAD Blog)

Here at the Institute for Research and Treatment of Addictive Disorders we take a keen interest in the topic of addiction.  We witness on a daily basis the devastating impacts of addictive behavior in individual lives and in families, we observe the extraordinary struggle of the journey toward recovery, and we celebrate in the insights and victories that line the path of healing.  As a result we want to understand, and help others to understand, what addiction really is.

How might we define addiction?   Read More . . . 

To Those Who Suffer Addiction, May You Rebuild Your Lives, Gain Hope, and Heal

Paradise Creek Recovery Center is associated with The Institute for Research and Treatment of Addictive Disorders (IRATAD).  Here is a segment of their introductory blog post:

Our hope, dreams and desire is that we can aid those individuals and families that are suffering from the depths of addiction, to rebuild their lives, to gain hope for a better future and to heal from this devastating illness that holds them bound.  We want to disseminate information to the world that addictions are a brain disorder and have literally changed the way that the brain functions.  We wish to offer hope, through education and treatment, to all those suffering or who have loved ones suffering from an addiction, that healing is possible.

Read more of the blog here...

Sexual Addiction Explained

The criterion to screen addictive/compulsive behavior is “loss of freedom to choose whether or not to engage in a behavior (compulsively), continuation of the behavior despite adverse consequences related to the behavior (consequences, and obsession with the behavior” (Cooper, 2002, p. 148). There are various behaviors that can be considered sexually compulsive or addictive. These include masturbation, repeated affairs, pornography, cyber sex, phone sex, multiple anonymous partners, unsafe sexual activity, objectification, strip clubs, prostitution, voyeurism, exhibitionism, and other paraphilias.

How many people deal with Sexual Addiction?

Patrick Carnes, a leading researcher in the sexual addiction field, in 1991 did a study in which he stated that 3-6% of the general population has a problem with sex addiction (Ragan, et al, 2000, p. 164). This is a significant amount of people.

Consequences of Sexual Addiction

Sharon Nathan said “What appears undeniable is that there are people who are troubled by a sense that they cannot curb, control, or modify their sexual behavior, even when they are aware of the negative, social, medical, and or financial consequences that attend their inability to do so” (Ragan, et al, 2000, p. 162). Consequences include legal problems, isolation and loneliness, neglect of family and friends, financial problems occupational impairments, STI’s, shame, and anxiety. In a study by Donald Black, M.D. et al, 36 subjects who reported sexually compulsive behavior were asked the question “Why they felt their sexual thoughts, behaviors, or urges were a problem? 61% listed guilt, 47% listed feedback from others, 14% listed health problems, 11% listed financial consequences, and 8% listed the amount of time consumed” (Black et al, 1997, p. 247).

Sexual Addiction is a process addiction

A process addiction is when a person is addicted to a process rather than a substance ingested in their body.

Sexual Addiction as Emotional Coping

Sexual addiction is a way of coping with depression, anxiety, or any other uncomfortable emotion. “The addiction is an altered state of consciousness in which “normal” sexual behavior pales by comparison in terms of excitement and relief from troubles” (Carnes, 2001). There are not many things that can compete with the immediate gratification and pleasure the one feels while sexually acting out. It then becomes a cycle, in which the addict feels emotionally uncomfortable and relieves the discomfort with temporary relief and pleasure. Patrick Carnes said “within the addictive system, sexual experience becomes the reason for being, the primary relationship for the addict” (2001). Sexual addiction is lonely. It is a place of toxic shame and worthlessness.

Sexual Addiction and Treatment

Sexual addiction becomes a person’s automatic response to any kind of uncomfortable emotions or stress. The goal of treatment is to bring an automatic or unconscious response to awareness and find a new corrective process to deal with stress. This takes time but there is hope. The person must make the decision everyday to engage in recovery and find new ways of soothing. The condition for healing is created by following the principals of consistency, duration, and frequency. Every time an individual chooses to engage in something healthy rather than their addiction, they are changing. As they make these choices consistently, frequently, and for a period of time, they heal. Treatment includes concepts of toxic shame, empathy, relationships, forgiveness, healthy sexuality, relapse prevention, stress management, and emotional regulation. Treatment is a comprehensive look at the person’s life to help make lasting change.

Acting Out and Mood Altering

We have learned (through working with hundreds of individuals through the years), that there is more to acting out than meets the eye. Often times, acting out is simply labeled as being immoral or bad behavior. While these synonyms may apply, it is important to look at the meaning of the acting out. If an individual is going to gain control of the addictive (acting out) behaviors, the function that the behaviors serve must be uncovered. In virtually every individual we have treated, acting out, what ever its form, serves the purpose of assisting individuals in mood altering from negative mood states, or helping them to avoid looking at and (dealing with) painful aspects of their life.

When acting out takes place, a number of processes within the mind and body are activated. Among them is the psycho-physiological process. When an individual acts out, he can cognitively focus on something else which prevents him from having to focus on the negative aspects of his life. This provides psychological relief. In addition, when some one acts out, a cascade of neurotransmitters are released throughout the brain. Specifically, dopamine is released at an intense rate into a part of the brain called the nucleus accumbens or the pleasure center of the brain. This is the part of the brain that is reinforced when an individual engages in life sustaining/perpetuating activities such as eating, drinking, or sexual behaviors. As the dopamine is released into this part of the brain the individual experiences a sense of euphoria and well being. This is the physiological pay off of acting out.

In order to stop the acting out, this process must be identified and the individual must acknowledge those things he is trying to avoid so they can be dealt with head on, and hence, eliminate the need for acting out.

The Biochemistry of Addiction

There are many different parts of the brain with literally billions of different cells. As the different parts of the brain work together in harmony, optimal levels of functioning is achieved. Emotional and psychological trauma can changes the literal cellular structure of the brain. Addiction is a sign that some type of trauma has occurred, even if it is the substance or addictive process itself.

This handout discusses different parts of the brain. Research shows that each of these parts of the brain are involved in addictive and trauma process. Understanding the role that each part of the brain plays will help you as you engage in your healing process.

The cerebral cortex - This is the smart part of the brain. This is the brain that knows what to do in certain situations. This type of the brain knows how to avoid the addiction.

The limbic system - This is the emotional brain. It is made up of the following parts:

Due to the biochemistry of addiction and trauma, an individual can experience a trigger and the emotional brain can react before the cognitive brain has a chance to even interpret what took place. This is the addictive and traumatic process. Treatment is about retraining the brain to employ the entire system of the brain so that it can all work together and hence increase an individuals ability to be healthy.

Willpower and Change

(Post share from the IRATAD Blog)

Many times individuals who struggle with addiction have attempted to quit many times and have spent much of their energy criticizing themselves for not being "strong enough" or "disciplined enough". This is a very unhealthy loop and can lead to hopelessness, despair, and shame.  I recently read the book entitled "The Happiness Advantage" by Shawn Achor. Shawn Achor is a positive psychologist and his goal in life is to help people learn to be more positive and happy and in turn become more productive in their lives.   One of the priciples he discusses is willpower and why in the face of  great desire to change it is not enough to actually help us change.

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Love and Relationship Addiction

When a person struggles with love and relationship addiction they become addicted to the initial infatuation and excitement that comes from meeting someone new. The love and relationship addict crave the rush that comes from meeting someone new. Therefore, when the relationship is no longer new or exciting to pursue the addict will begin the quest to find a new partner. The quest to find a new person is as a much a part of the rush as actually meeting someone. The brain seeks novelty and love and relationship addiction prey on this known fact.

This kind of behavior can quickly spiral out of control. In order to get the same kind of rush a person might start engaging in higher risk behavior or move from one relationship to the other quicker and quicker. The greatest desire of the love and relationship addict is to be close to someone and feel important and needed. However, this is also their greatest fear. These interactions allow the addict to create pseudo-intimacy through intense, highly emotional interactions with another person. They risk very little and get a reward. Underneath this behavior is deep sense of shame and unworthiness. No amount of “new love” can compensate for the actual lack of intimacy and is very isolating to an individual. Therefore, professional intervention is needed in order for a person to heal from their shame and form meaningful relationships in their lives.

At the IRATAD we treat individuals who struggle with love and relationship addictions so that they can gain control of their lives and pursue more deep and meaningful relationships. Treatment for these disorders typically include a combination of individual and group therapy, as well as couples therapy where a significant other is involved.