Balancing Body and Mind in Treatment

Long-term sobriety is the ultimate goal of addiction treatment, but high rates of relapse have demonstrated that talk therapy alone does not offer enough to accomplish this. Traditional addiction treatment originates primarily from a Minnesota Model that has remained relatively unchanged for decades. The model's cornerstone lies in the belief that addictive behavior results from psychological dependencies that cause a person to rely on drugs and alcohol. However, current research is supporting the view that those suffering from addiction have chemical imbalances that lead to physiologic differences. As we learn more about the types of chemical imbalances that can yield addictive behavior, we are able to address them through natural means.

Traditional treatment success rates of approximately 20% indicate plenty of room for improvement. In a commonly cited study, Vaillant followed a cohort of alcoholics over the long term and concluded that only 19% abstained from alcohol use after a one-year period and a dismal 5% abstained after eight years.1 A study by Walsh and colleagues found that 23% of alcoholics reported abstinence after two years.2 Numerous other studies report similar results, leading one to wonder why treatment methods have not evolved to improve upon existing techniques.

Addressing biochemical factors

Only recently have researchers begun to explore a more holistic approach to the treatment of drug and alcohol abuse. Biochemical repair is increasingly being identified as the “missing link” in successful addiction treatment. Researchers have found that a number of genetic factors, nutritional deficiencies, and medical conditions contribute to the physical and psychological drive to self-medicate using drugs and alcohol. Over the past seven years, 98% of the alcoholics receiving services at InnerBalance Health Center in northern Colorado have tested positive for hypoglycemia caused primarily from a poor diet and overuse of sugar and simple carbohydrates. A person who does not correct this can experience some or all of hypoglycemia's symptoms, including depression, dizziness, and fatigue—eventually making it extremely difficult to stay sober.

Treatment centers that incorporate biochemical repair or restoration operate under the theory that addiction results from unbalanced chemical messengers in the brain. Researcher Kenneth Blum, PhD, described this as “reward deficiency syndrome.” Addicts seek out stimuli to make themselves feel better. Their brain chemistry requires different levels of stimuli to feel good than is the case for nonaddicts.

Talk therapy is a very important component in recovery but is ineffective as a single treatment strategy. Likewise, simply managing the biochemical portion alone is ineffective and does not equip a person with the mental tools and lifestyle improvements to maintain sobriety. However, a synergy of biochemical repair and talk therapy can result in tremendous success for addicted individuals. To enhance prospects for long-term success, nutritional and fitness counseling are also included in a comprehensive treatment program. Individuals are more likely to develop an addiction, or return to drugs and alcohol, if they suffer from underlying physiologic imbalances. Rather than correct these imbalances with pharmaceuticals, a growing number of centers are achieving success through natural means such as nutritional counseling, natural supplements, and personalized fitness plans.

Treatment programs such as InnerBalance are achieving outstanding success by giving clients tools to improve both their emotional and physical well-being. When complementary treatments are used in conjunction with group counseling, clients have a higher chance of long-term recovery.

Biochemical repair methods of replacement therapy involve the use of IV drips to supply amino acid, vitamin, and mineral supplements that rapidly restore health. Clients find relief from withdrawal symptoms and receive a boost to their overall health almost immediately. At InnerBalance, clients also receive a membership to a health club. Incorporating yoga, meditation, and exercise into the treatment plan provides clients with additional tools for managing stress.

Through these efforts, our clients report that not only are their cravings for substances significantly reduced, they also experience significant improvements in almost all aspects of their life. Armed with newfound confidence and improved health, they are much better prepared to handle long-term issues surrounding permanent abstinence from drugs and alcohol. They are educated on the benefits of nutritional changes and physical activity, and through talk therapy they receive the psychological support necessary to help them handle the stresses that life can bring.

Treatment scenario

In biochemical repair, clients receive individualized medical assessments and customized biochemical treatment regimens. Initially, a series of medically supervised laboratory tests are run to identify problematic factors such as hypothyroidism, hypoglycemia, vitamin and mineral deficiencies or toxicities, excessive metals, food allergies, and high histamine levels. Amino acid and hormonal imbalances also are identified. Physicians interpret the test results, and individualized health plans are created to correct imbalances. Symptoms of these imbalances may include inability to concentrate, anxiety, depression, poor memory, headaches, blurred vision, indigestion, nervousness, mood swings, racing thoughts, and fatigue. Appropriate vitamin, mineral, amino acid, and hormone replacement therapies are then used to correct deficiencies and provide relief from symptoms.

For example, if a person has high histamine levels, neurons in the brain fire excessively and cause racing thoughts that can result in insomnia, extreme anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and compulsive behavior. To address this condition, a patient would be given the amino acid L-methionine to lower histamine levels and dramatically reduce or eliminate the symptoms. These types of treatment formulas rely on natural chemicals that are essential to good health.

Biochemical repair can trigger dramatic changes in the body and improve total health and well-being. “I am sober, healthy, and happy now,” said Linda, another former InnerBalance client. “I can really enjoy my life again.”

People struggling with addiction have a better chance of maintaining long-term sobriety when treatment centers employ a complete recovery plan incorporating biochemical repair, talk therapy, and strategies for a healthy lifestyle. For decades, many treatment centers have been relying solely on talk therapy and have accepted dismal success rates. By incorporating the “missing link” of biochemical repair, these centers can significantly improve their results.

References

1. Vaillant GE, Bien B. The Natural History of Alcoholism Revisited. Cambridge Mass:Harvard University Press; 1995.
2. Walsh DC, Hingson RW, Merrigan DM, et al. A randomized trial of treatment options for alcohol-abusing workers. N Engl J Med 1991; 325:775-82.