Once you attend a treatment center and find the cause of your pain, the need to use drugs and alcohol to numb the pain will cease once you have worked through your issues.  If you only focus on the addiction itself and not on the underlying problems, then relapse is very probable. Whether you are dealing with an undiagnosed physical ailment, childhood trauma, family problems, a chemical imbalance, or one of the many other underlying causes of addiction, one-on-one therapy is much more helpful in uncovering what is driving you to use drugs and alcohol.  Passages Malibu is a holistic drug rehab centers that is extremely effective when it comes to uncovering underlying issues, healing addiction and preventing relapse.

Recently, a new study has found that stimulant drugs actually change and manipulate the brain’s circuitry, which makes recovery following addiction to such drugs an even more difficult process.  At the University of California, Berkeley, researchers found that individuals with a history of using cocaine now show changes in their brain’s chemistry that cause the neurotransmitter dopamine to immediately be released whenever the recovering addict is exposed to cocaine-associated stimuli.

The study also showed that dopamine is released into areas of the brain that are more vulnerable and susceptible to changes.  These findings may help explain why recovering cocaine addicts still feel cravings for the drug, even after they have gone through withdrawal, attended a treatment program, and remained sober for extended periods of time.  Researchers are not sure yet if this alteration in brain chemistry can be reversed, but they do agree that there is a better chance of success with the help of an inpatient drug rehabilitation program.

Alcoholism and drug abuse are typically easier for the general population to understand.  However, individuals can be addicted to food in the same way that they are addicted to substances.  If you are concerned that you or someone you may know is a food addict, there are several things to look for.  When someone is addicted to food, they become physiologically and mentally dependent upon eating and feel a complete loss of control. If you know that you’re eating ritual is harmful, but continue to engage in the destructive behavior anyways, you may be addicted to food.  Many individuals with a food addiction also suffer from other mental disorders, such as anxiety, depression, or substance abuse.  At Passages, we help our clients overcome food addiction with therapy, by modifying eating patterns and lifestyle, and with a manageable exercise program.

Research studies do show that specific drugs used vary from country to country and from region to region. Throughout the world, the main substance of abuse is alcohol, and the three main illegal drugs of abuse are marijuana, opiates (particularly heroin), and cocaine.  Drugs have been present in every culture throughout history, whether used for medical, religious, or recreational purposes.

The problem of drug abuse around the world has dramatically increased during the past 100 years, as advances in chemistry and science have allowed new drugs to be mass-produced and created synthetically from old sources.  Unfortunately, these new drugs that are refined and created synthetically are often more dangerous, powerful and addictive than any drugs in the past. While great advances have been made in the creation and use of drugs for medical purposes, drug use for recreation and pleasure has increased sharply, resulting in a much higher occurrence of addiction around the world.

For the second consecutive year in the United States, the adolescent birth rate dropped and underage educational dropout rates decreased, both of which are clear indications of effective social and educational programs. Unfortunately, the report also found that  children ages eight-grade and up have increased their use of illicit drugs from 8% in 2009 to 10% in 2010.  These findings are so startling because the earlier an individual begins to abuse drugs and alcohol, the more likely they are to become full blown alcoholics or drug addict’s later in life.  In order to decrease this problem and prevent further adulthood drug issues, education, familial support, and awareness are essential.

Physical fitness and exercise is definitely one of the keys to maintaining a healthy, balanced, and sober existence.  Regular exercise causes the release of endorphins, which are small, protein packed molecules that are produced by cells in your nervous system.  Endorphins have been shown to have a positive effect on the brain and body causing feelings of pleasure, controlling pain, reducing depression and anxiety, relieving stress, and decreasing cravings for addictive substances.  As you continue to exercise one you have detoxed and become sober, you will notice a difference in your physical appearance and will also begin to feel strong again and your self-esteem will increase.

To reverse the trends you have likely developed as part of an unhealthy lifestyle, at Passages we provide our clients with one-on-one sessions with our Certified Fitness Instructors in our own fully equipped fitness center.

In a recent study conducted by the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, millions Americans admitted to habitually smoking pot, drinking alcohol, snorting cocaine or taking prescription drugs, yet many of them were not completely honest about their level of use and many of them who met the criteria for needing treatment did not recognize that they have a problem. The study estimates that those “in denial” of a problem is close to 5 million, which is a much higher number than the people that actually seek and get professional treatment.  It seems as though there is a large and growing denial gap when it comes to drug abuse and dependency in our society.  Drug and alcohol abuse is often glorified and readily accepted in the media, which may in part add to the nation’s large issue with denial.  At Passages, we help our client come to terms with and be honest about their behaviors and help them get back to healthy, drug free lives.

Another important concern for many of these people is being able to maintain their schedule while in rehab-it can be nearly impossible for executives or CEO’s to take off 30 days or more of work. Many individuals in executive positions actually become addicted to their work, or are “workaholics,” which is why they have the success that they do.  However, this can be emotionally and mentally unhealthy. Men and women in these high performance careers often turn to alcohol or drugs to ease work anxiety or to attempt to relax after a stressful day or some choose to use stimulants to enhance their performance on the job.

Treatment centers like Passages Malibu are very understanding of this situation and cater to executives and professionals.  We offer a resort-style atmosphere and consider privacy and confidentiality to be top priorities for our clients.  We also allow clients to have full unrestricted access to their cell phones and computers, which is very important for people in the business world. Our therapists are experienced in working with these types of individuals who operate under extreme pressure, and they can help them learn how to handle their careers without turning to alcohol or drugs for relief. Our therapists help clients realize their underlying emotional issues that may be causing them to abuse alcohol or drugs to manage work stress.