Understanding Addiction and Adult Drug Addiction Recovery

“Why won”t you just stop?” “Don’t you love us enough?” “You are so selfish.”

There is no one answer to why individuals continue to remain addicted, abusing harmful drugs, alcohol and pornography. Research states that the brain contributes greatly to addiction. Within the brain there are neurotransmitters, which are chemical messengers, that send chemicals such as dopamine throughout the brain. The dopamine system of the brain is also called the “pleasure center,” and its effects are comparable to adrenaline. As an individual continues to remain addicted, this system is comparable to adrenaline and contributes greatly to overall feelings of calmness and euphoria.

Tolerance

After extensive drug use, an individuals’ reaction, both physically and emotionally, decreases. They develop a tolerance for the drug. Larger doses of the drug are then needed to receive the same effect; this contributes to why individuals continue to use.

“You always want to find that first high. Nothing ever competes with the first time you use, and you just spend the rest of the time chasing and trying to reach it; it never happens. And before you know it, you’re addicted.” – Anonymous, Alpine Treatment Services alumni.

Dependency

Once the drug becomes a habit, or part of one’s daily or even weekly routine, they become dependent on it. Many individuals find themselves struggling to function because their body becomes so dependent on their drug of choice. In many cases, individuals simply continue to use because of the physical symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea or loss of consciousness. These symptoms that arise are so painful that finding the drug and continuing to use is oftentimes easier than facing detox.

Once an individual has become addicted to drugs or alcohol, it can become very scary, very quickly.

“I came into the room and thought that my daughter was dead. I looked at her; she was slumped on the floor and blue. I screamed so loud, but we were alone in the house. I called ’911′ and began CPR. She had overdosed. The paramedics were able to revive her, but I have never been so scared in my life. I didn’t understand how much of a problem she really had. I am listening now.” –Cheryl P. (regarding 21-year-old daughter)

Withdrawal

Individuals that begin to withdrawal from not having drugs or alcohol in their system and the side effects of this can be very painful and uncomfortable. Withdrawal is the first sign that an individual is beginning a detox off of the drug. The withdrawal symptoms vary depending on the drug of choice, but common side effects include: trembling, vomiting, insomnia, body/muscle aches, depression, irritability, anxiety, racing heart, sweating and difficulty breathing.

Because addicted individuals cannot simply stop, this is why an effective treatment program is needed. Alpine Treatment Services has developed a program that encompasses every tool that an individual would need to become successful.

“It is my feeling it’s a myth that individuals suffering from addiction must first crash and burn, or ‘hit bottom’ to get better. Not so. It is more like any other chronic condition; the sooner you start treatment, the better the outcome.” – Gray Otis, LPC, PhD, Chief Clinical Director.

Relapse

Drug and alcohol relapse occurs for many reasons. Relapse is when an individual chooses to return to using after having a stint of sobriety.

We designed our program to slowly integrate individuals back into reality.

“What I saw happening, was so many people were in residential treatment for 30 or even 60 days and they would graduate. These people would walk out the door of the facility, and they were on their own. Even with some facilities, in order to receive ‘After Care,’ people had to come back to the facility. No one was checking in on them or holding them accountable anymore.

It was like – for 30 days – you had staff watching you 24 hours a day; and then, in a moment, you were alone. I saw people relapse and almost die. This is why I developed and built our phase system into our program. At Alpine Treatment Services, we don’t want people to ever feel alone; ever.” – Justin Makin, Founder/President

Overdose

Every year, millions of people overdose on drugs and alcohol; millions die as a result. Overdosing occurs when a lethal amount of drugs is ingested into an individuals’ system, or body.

“What’s happening today, that is a shame, is these (kids) are getting their hands on drugs that are mixed. Say it’s heroin; it’s 50% heroin and 50% something else because it has been cut so many times. By the time it gets to the dealer it’s been cut over a dozen times.

These kids are using and thinking it’s 100% heroin, so they only use a certain amount to get high. What happens is, these same (kids) are getting the drug in a pure form, so it’s only been cut twice instead of a dozen times, and though they use the same amount it’s a larger dose and as a result they overdose and die.

In Orem, four people overdose and die every week on average. This isn’t just Orem, this is every city in America; something has to change.” – Orem City Police Officer

Alpine Treatment Services has developed a Program that is designed to support individuals through every phase of addiction.