Addiction

Just as someone from a physical addiction may relapse and return to their addiction because of a trigger, someone with a mental illness can relapse. Relapse is defined as the recurrence of any disease that has gone into remission or recovery. In the above narrative, this person suffers from obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and has worked diligently through their obsessive thoughts and compulsions. One day they felt triggered - whether by a person, place, situation, or their own thoughts – and retreated to old habits of behavior, by asking their partner for reassurance. When someone suffers from a mental illness, relapse often involves acting on those unwanted thoughts or feelings in a way that perpetuates the illness. For example, a person who suffers from severe anxiety may partake in recovery activities that help them recognize when they are feeling anxious and may provide them with tools to work through their anxiety. A relapse for this person would mean that one day, their anxiety gets to them and the person loses all sense of control that they had learned so far in their recovery. Some warning signs that someone is experiencing a relapse are: major mood changes, losing their sense of humor, becoming very tense or agitated, difficulty concentrating, retreating from social situations, neglecting personal care, dressing unusually, sleeping excessively or not at all, eating too much or hardly at all, becoming very suspicious or hostile, increased sensitivity to light or noise, and more. This list of signs is non-exhaustive, and may vary depending on the mental illness. If someone feels they may experience a relapse soon or are already suffering from a relapse, they should speak with a health care professional immediately. Working with a doctor and support team can help you get back on track and move past the incident. Family and friends should be receptive, loving and supportive and should research the mental illness to learn more ways of which they can help.   Residential treatment programs give you the time you need to focus on healing. Avalon Malibu is one of California’s only certified primary mental health treatment facility providing trusted programs with trusted results. For a confidential assessment and more information, call us today: 888-958-7511

Ecstasy (MDMA), is a synthetic drug that alters mood and perception. Its chemical composition is like that of stimulants and hallucinogens, and the effects are increased energy, pleasure, emotional warmth, distorted sensory and time perception. Ecstasy has commonly been used at raves, parties, and concerts, and individuals typically take this drug in the form of a capsule or tablet, although they can also snort the powder or drink it in liquid form. Also known as “Molly”, Ecstasy is man-made and when purchased in capsules, individuals are often consuming other synthetic drugs or bath salts. Ecstasy affects the dopamine chemical in the brain by producing feelings of euphoria and hyperactivity. Norepinephrine is also affected, which increases heart rate and blood pressure. This can be particularly risky for people who suffer from heart or blood vessel problems. Serotonin is another brain chemical that is affected, produced in excess amounts by Ecstasy – mood, appetite, and sleep patterns change, as well as sexual arousal and trust. When taken, MDMA lasts approximately 3-6 hours, and with it accompanies nausea, muscle cramping, involuntary teeth clenching, blurred vision, chills, and sweating. Taking Ecstasy poses many risks:

Intensive outpatient therapy (IOP) is a form of treatment often used by individuals who do not need immediate detoxification. Others may use this form of treatment after they have detoxed. This form of therapy provides more structure and intensive care than a standard outpatient therapy would. This allows the person to still maintain home and work obligations while working closely with a healthcare team.  People who use IOP can generally schedule days and times to come in that works best for them, but they typically meet 3-4 days a week for 2-4 hours each day. In a study conducted by McCarty and colleagues (2014), they found that patient outcomes of IOP were like those who used residential treatment, meaning that both sets of patients reduced alcohol consumption. However, IOP’s and residential treatment centers both serve to provide relapse management and coping skills. IOP may involve group therapy, family therapy, individual therapy, medication management, detoxification, and the matrix model, depending on the center. The Matrix Model is a therapeutic intervention used to treat addiction. A therapist works as both a coach and teacher to empower the patient to their recovery. If you are considering using an intensive outpatient program, here are some characteristics that you will need to have:

Xanax first appeared in the market in 1981, and was a follow-up medication to Valium, which also helped with anxiety and was very common during the 1970’s. What made Xanax so popular is it’s marketing of helping people with panic attacks – something that Valium didn’t claim to do. Many people in the 80’s began using this drug as a form of relaxation and a way to ease their fear and panic – and has continued to rise up the charts for usage even today.   Xanax is the number one prescription drug in the United States, and provides a calm and relaxing state of feeling to those who take it. Many enjoy the effects of Xanax because it helps calm their central nervous system and acts very quickly in the body once taken. When people begin taking Xanax, they often to sleep better and have overall less anxiety. The drug boosts a brain chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the neurotransmitter responsible for sending calming and relaxing signals throughout our body. When prescribed, individuals are often set a certain timeline to take it – but once they experience the pleasurable feelings the drug produces, they often feel they need the drug to continue feeling relaxed and calm. From there, people may continue taking the drug even though their prescription is outdated to try and achieve the same results they felt at the beginning. This leads to a dangerous path though – as the body becomes used to taking the drug, it replaces its natural ability to produce GABA with the drug itself. This then means that the person must increase their dosage to achieve the same relaxing feeling that they felt when they first started taking the drug. As a person continues doing this, their body build more and more tolerance and the vicious cycle continues. Xanax is an incredibly addictive drug and has really become popular over the past 35 years. Even small dosages of Xanax can become addicting – the best way to prevent addiction is to take the medication only as prescribed by your doctor and to stay in touch with your doctor regularly regarding any unusual behaviors or symptoms that you experience. Rely on a loving friend or partner to monitor your usage and to check in with you. Staying informed and aware are the best tools for combating addiction – there are many other resources available to help people with preventative care and to help those who are already suffering from addiction.

Trading addictions happens often. Many individuals attempt to “get rid” of their negative habits, but wind up picking up another unhealthy habit instead. Why does this happen? Many people who recently quit an addiction and are recovering experience heightened stress, pain, or anxiety because the vice that they originally used to fill in an emotional or psychological gap is now “gone”. When someone perceives a lack of control over their “loss” they may pick up a new addiction on many things: binge eating, overworking, gambling, cigarettes, benzodiazepines, sex, pornography, shopping, exercising and more. When someone is recovering from an addiction, they may experience lower dopamine levels in their brain – the area that produces feelings of happiness and reward. When this happens, a person may latch on to something else to try and fulfill that craving.  There are many signs that someone has left one addiction for another: constantly thinking about the new addiction, losing sleep to engage in the addiction, difficulty at school, work, or home, relationship issues, neglecting self-care or personal hygiene, experiencing stress and/or anxiety if unable to engage in new addiction. The key to overcoming this new addiction is to find the root of the compulsion through therapy. Talking with a therapist can help a person address any subconscious emotions that haven’t reached the surface. By working through these hidden emotions, we can explore the direct root cause of our emotional and psychological distress – meaning that over time, we will be working directly with our issues instead of filling them with something else. If you feel that you have exchanged one addiction for another, call a doctor and therapist right away. There are many resources available to help people overcome this: in-patient or out-patient treatment facilities, psychotherapy, support groups, and more. By getting help, you can work on the core issue that you are having trouble working through and can be on your way to a happier, healthier life.

Eating disorders include extreme attitudes, behaviors, and emotions surrounding food. There are many common food disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, and more – all of which come with their own set of stigmas. For example, many people believe that anorexia happens with celebrities because of the cultural stigma to be “thin” and “beautiful”. However, new research suggests that this popular viewpoint is incorrect – that there is much more than meets the eye on this topic. If you suffer from an eating disorder, knowing that it’s not just cultural stigma and more about your body and brain will hopefully bring comfort. In an article discussed by Kirsten Weir of the American Psychological Association (APA), binge eating disorder is explained as being associated with obesity. When someone suffers from this, they eat substantial amounts of food and eat even when they are not hungry, often feeling guilty and ashamed afterwards. Anorexia is defined by the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) as not consuming an adequate amount of food, leading to unhealthy weight. Bulimia is characterized as eating enormous amounts of food and then taking substantive efforts to avoid weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting. While these are the most common, all forms of eating disorders take a maladaptive approach to food. Many people find eating to be a pleasurable activity. However, The International Journal of Eating Disorders found that in people who suffered from anorexia, the release of dopamine (the reward center in the brain) in the dorsal striatum triggers anxiety rather than feelings of pleasure. Stigma also surrounds those who suffer from eating disorders as having strong willpower – but a Nature Neuroscience study suggests that it’s not willpower, it’s out of habit. In 2016, Dr. Kerr at the Laureat Institute for Brain Research scanned the brains of healthy women and women who had been diagnosed with an eating disorder, and found that those with an eating disorder had abnormal insula activity – what researchers later believed to affect their anxious temperament. Research is still be conducted to look further into brain activity to help us better understand the cause of eating disorders. However, scientists are getting a new perspective that it’s not just cultural stigma – they believe that part of the brain is likely to be different in those who suffer from an eating disorder than those who do not. By learning more about the research conducted in this area, we can correct stigmas around eating disorders and understand the neurobiological aspect of these disorders.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI), borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a condition characterized by difficulties in regulating emotion. This leads to severe and unstable mood swings, impulsivity and instability, poor self-image and rocky personal relationships. With borderline personality disorder, people make several attempts to avoid real or imagined events of abandonment. Self-harm and suicide are two destructive behaviors that could result from someone having BPD. People who have BPD typically experience periods of depressed mood, anxiety, or irritability that can last for days, disassociation, chronic boredom or emptiness, and more. These individuals may seem as manipulative or over-dramatic, but researchers have found that they behave this way to cope with the overwhelming fear and emotional pain. For people who suffer from BPD, they are even higher at risk for adding addiction/alcoholism to the mix. Almost 9 million people who have an addiction also suffer from a mental illness. There are several symptoms of BPD that overlap with addiction/alcoholism, making it hard to diagnose at times:

Ambien (also known as zolpidem) is a sedative/hypnotic used to treat insomnia. This type of drug affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people who have sleep issues. Zolpidem and other sedative medications have been used as an alternative to benzodiazepines because they are considered more appropriate for short-term use and are supposed to be “safer” than benzodiazepines. Other brand names consisting of zolpidem are: Edluar (a single tablet), Intermezzo (a single tablet with various dosages), and ZolpiMist (an oral spray medication). Ambien is fast-acting, and is composed of two layers: one layer that assist the person with falling asleep, and another layer that assists the person with staying asleep. However, Ambien can be highly addictive if taken for extended periods of time and with improper dosages. For example, someone can become addicted to Ambien within a span of 2 weeks - they may not realize it until they stop taking the drug and find that they have trouble sleeping without it. This may cause the individual to want to take more as their body continues to increase its tolerance to the drug. If a loved one is concerned that someone is addicted to Ambien, here are some initial warning signs that they should look out for:

Oftentimes, individuals may feel or have been told that they exhibit signs of either a mental illness or addiction, but do not know where to begin. Discovering a mental illness or uncovering an addiction is best when consulted with a healthcare professional for official diagnosis. Here are several effective ways to determine if someone may need professional help:

There are many reasons why a person may fall into addiction – biology, genetics, environmental factors, trauma, and more. Mental health is another worthy cause to consider – many individuals do not realize that they suffer from a mental illness and choose to self-medicate through drugs or alcohol. Conversely, some individuals may fall into addiction and then symptoms of mental illness emerge later. Suffering from an addiction or mental illness does not mean that the person has failed or cannot recover. Many people do not know the resources available for discovering the status of their mental health and thankfully there are several tools that one can utilize to learn more about what they may be going through. Identifying the characteristics of a mental illness may help someone discover similar symptoms that they are experiencing. By exploring some of the symptoms to mental illness, one can become more active towards their well-being and can take steps to overcome their addiction. Here are a few underlying mental health concerns that may provide insight into addiction:

Addictions have a wide range of causes and no one cause is more relevant than the other.  There are those in the addiction community who believe that the causes of our addictions are not important.  What is important is getting help and abstaining from drug and alcohol use.  Genetics and the environment both play a role in addictions.

Drug abuse and alcoholism are caused by many factors including mental health disorders, self medication, or unresolved past trauma.  There is a growing number of addicts who are compelled to abuse substances and these individuals tend to have problems with impulse control in other areas of life. Impulse control means that we make decisions without putting too much thought into it and we do not think about the consequences of our actions prior to acting on the behavior.  We all make decisions that we might regret later on such as taking on a new job or moving to a different home.  This does not mean that we are impulsive.  It means that all of us at some point make decisions that maybe we not in our best interest at the time. Impulse control and addiction means that at some point in our addiction, it was difficult to say no.  We may have tried our first drink or took our first drug with a group of friends where it might have been challenging to resist or say no. Impulse control also affects our ability to stay sober.  When an impulse to use takes over, we have a hard time saying no.   Over time, if our impulsiveness continues and we find it increasingly difficult to say no to drugs or alcohol, we might become addicted.  Research supports this idea and it is particularly common with college students.  Once we are headed down this path of addiction, we behave impulsively as we do not think about the consequences of our behavior and we make decisions without much thought. With treatment, we can learn to suppress our impulses and make good choices.  One technique that is commonly used is mindfulness.  Learning to have focus and awareness of our feelings, other people, and unhealthy situations can stop the impulse to drink or use drugs.  We also need to have a solid grasp on our thoughts and be able to stop, listen, and act, which can be learned in treatment.