The Growing Problem
The recovery-relapse cycle of addiction and substance use is painful for so many. Individuals and their families are drained of precious time, energy, resources, finances, and hope forever finding a way out. Brain-based addiction recovery alternatives are becoming an increasingly popular and effective way to enhance more traditional interventions. There has never been a more important time for change as the statistics surrounding addiction and the vast increase in the number of treatment facilities nationwide paint a very grim picture.
The Difference
Traditional addiction and substance use recovery programs have remained largely unchanged since 1935 when Alcoholics Anonymous was founded. This marked the beginning of the 12-Step model of recovery and the view of addiction as a disease. This disease model utilizes necessary detoxification from the substance or habit, medication to curb unwanted behavior, intensive counseling to address previous trauma that may have led to addiction, and a focus on the tenets of the 12-Step program; the first of which is admitting powerlessness over the substance or behavior one seeks to eliminate.
Brain-based approaches to recovery address what many in the psychological and neurosciences believe is the root cause of addiction; Learning and Behavioral Disorders. Whether primary or related to conditions like a brain injury. The following conditions are classically associated with those seeking treatment for addiction and substance use disorders of any type:
- PTSD
- Concussion/Brain injury/Stroke
- ADHD/OCD/ODD
- Auditory/Language processing disorder
- Dyslexia/Dyscalculia/Dysgraphia
- Non-verbal learning disabilities/Asperger’s
- Visual perception disorder/Eye movement disorder
- Motor disabilities – dyspraxia, ataxia, CP, stroke, etc.
- Cognitive disorders – executive function, memory, processing speed, etc.
- Vestibular (balance) disorders
Read More at Apex Brain Centers
