The Anatomy of Addiction

For centuries alcoholism and addiction were viewed as personal failings. Many addicts were thought to lack a moral compass and discipline. Research has proven that addiction is not only a disease, but one that is genetic. Recently, a group of neuroscientists from the University of Cambridge asked “Where exactly does this genetic component lie?” This research was recently published in Science, Feb 2012. Evidence showed that abnormalities in the connections between specific parts of the brain (within the inferior frontal lobe) underlie our ability or inability to control our behavior, the bedrock of addiction. Furthermore, their results provide insight into why siblings sometimes display quite different levels of impulse control and addiction.  More importantly, their study offers hope that it is possible to avoid the same fate as your addicted sibling —they’re just not sure how, yet.

The scientists chose to examine the brains from fifty biological sibling pairs. Each pair consisted of someone who was addicted to stimulant drugs (such as methamphetamine or cocaine); the sibling pair was required to have no history of drug or alcohol abuse. The information obtained from these siblings was compared to that obtained from fifty healthy and non-addicted volunteers who were unrelated and matched for age and level of intelligence.

The siblings, whether addicted to stimulants or not, both demonstrated personality traits that are highly predictive of vulnerability to long term drug abuse. The major behavioral symptom was having poor inhibitory control, for example it was quite difficult for them to stop doing something risky when instructed to do so. The scientists discovered a high correlation between an inability to control one’s behavior and a deformed structural integrity in brain regions that are critical for this ability.

Why is this finding so important? Because this research clearly demonstrates the important features of our brain anatomy, features that are present at birth, predispose us to drug addiction. In the past, the assumption was that the drug-taking experience altered the brain and all that was necessary was that we avoid the drug, cue the 80’s saying, “Just Say No.”  Essentially, this approach is doomed to failure because we inherit our self-control deficits at birth. The imbalance in control that develops between vulnerable brain regions is also thought to predispose people to thrill-seeking and impulsive behaviors such as gambling, sex and shopping.  An explanation for why one sibling succumbed to drug dependence while the other did not remains to be determined for later research.

The following are the 7 key components that are integrated into The Landing treatment program for every client:

12-Step Principles for addictions

The 12-Step program of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous is a social support system for men to incorporate into their daily routine of recovery. Membership of a 12 Step fellowship makes an addict accountable to others for their recovery.

Stages of Change with addictions

Here we try to “meet the client where they currently are.” We understand that recovery is a journey and we work with the client whether they are struggling or leading.

Pharmacology

Medications are an important element of treatment for addicts. Our clients are assessed by a psychiatrist who determines if/which medications are most appropriate for the clients condition.

Motivational Interviewing

We encourage clients to seek recovery for themselves and reflect this goal back to them daily.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a proven effective approach to building awareness in our clients emotions, thoughts and reactions.

Contingency Management

Contingency management is method of motivating change in behavior through positive and negative consequences in the facility.

Family Systems
We have found that the greatest progress is made when the entire family system is addressed during treatment. For this reason we have established Family Week for families to participate in the recovery process.

To read more about our Evidence Based Treatment Approach please see the following link here:

http://www.soberlanding.com/landing-rehab/our-clinical-approach

Healthcare experts have called for urgent action to be taken to tackle the issue of rising levels of alcoholism among high-profile professionals, including doctors, dentists, vets and lawyers.

Researchers suggest that up to 24% of lawyers will suffer from alcoholism at some point during their careers. The British Medical Association has estimated that one in 15 doctors will develop an addiction problem at some point in their lives. As well, they are three times more likely to develop cirrhosis of the liver than the general population.

The term Functioning Alcoholic Is proving to not be so functional. Alistair Mordey, the Program Director of a substance abuse clinic in Chiang Mai, Thailand, said that demand for treatment from doctors was growing at twice the rate of any other occupations.

Mordey said: “We are seeing a lot of professionals coming in, particularly from London. They are in workplaces where you really wouldn’t want them to be.”

Mordey added: “Health professionals are generally not good at seeking help for themselves, mainly because they see it very much as their role to help others. There is also immense shame, a stigma still attached to a perceived weakness like addiction.”

Sober Landing works with clients from all walks of life, the business professional is a common client. High energy and driven are common characteristics among entrepreneurs, professionals and alcoholics. Often our clients come into recovery not wanting to lose all they have built in their professional lives to the disease of alcoholism.

The booklet highlights the treatment components that research has shown are critical for success, to help people make an educated and wise choice during a very stressful time.The value of the booklet lies in the many recent scientific advances that have dramatically changed the nature of addiction treatment, all of which are addressed and treated here at Sober Landing.

The guide urges consumers to look for programs that offer treatments based on scientific evidence. Programs should tailor treatments to the individual and provide regular assessment, which Sober Landing also does. There is also information on how long treatment should last and how 12-step programs fit in.

If you would like to know more about the treatment facilities, programs, therapists or schedules at Sober Landing please call:

Alcoholism is Progressive and Deadly

Ask heavy drinkers why they drink and one of the answers is bound to be that they drink because alcohol makes them feel good.  Now scientists are one step closer to understanding why some people can drink in moderation while others crave alcohol so much that they become alcoholic.

Researchers at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) have announced new findings on how alcohol acts on the brain to make drinkers feel good.  A UCSF study of a heavy drinkers found that drinking alcohol triggers the release of natural opiate-like endorphins in the pleasure and reward areas of the brain.

The study involved 13 heavy drinkers and 12 control subjects who did not drink heavily.  Each test subject was given an alcohol drink and PET imaging was used to map the effects of the alcohol on test subjects’ brains.  For both groups of subjects, drinking alcohol caused endorphins to be released.  For the heavy drinkers, the release of endorphins led to stronger feelings of intoxication.  This may mean that differences in the brains of heavy drinkers make them more susceptible to the alcohol-induced effects of feel-good endorphins.

According to lead author of the study, Jennifer Mitchell, PhD, the study indicates that people who have more of a reaction to endorphins that are released in response to alcohol are more likely to enjoy drinking and become alcoholics.  The study could help scientists understand how and why some people develop drinking problems while others don’t.  Researchers have suspected for decades that alcohol acts on endorphins and have conducted related animal studies, but the UCSF study marks the first time that endorphin release following alcohol consumption has been observed in human subjects.

The new findings may hold the key to more focused treatments for people who abuse alcohol and drugs.  Now that scientists understand the specific areas of the brain that are affected by alcohol, treatments may be able to target those areas. “Heavy drinkers report a lot of pleasure from a drink of alcohol.  That’s why we think drug treatment could be effective – if we can block that high, eventually they’ll learn that drink isn’t worth it anymore,” said Mitchell.

Straight Forward....To Help Victims of Pill Addictions

Too often the stories we hear about addicts end in death and heart ache. One former addict and dealer has decided to change his own story by forming an Anti-Addiction Movement on Facebook called, Straight Forward….To Help Victims of Pill Addictions . The group exists to help addicts and the children of addicts connect to gain support from each other in the recovery process.

The movement was started by Gavin Campos, 31 when his younger brother overdosed on Christmas Eve. Campos  has been on all sides of the drug issue -the child of an addict, a user, a drug dealer, a grieving friend and a grieving brother. Straight Forward … To Help Victims of Pill Addictions was birthed out of great loss, but the group is noted for the way it gives back.

Beyond the Facebook page the group is raising awareness, advocacy and providing emotional support for victims of addiction.

Ireland is not without its drug rehabilitation centers, but how they operate these centers may be the kink in their method of treatment. Currently addicts in Ireland are coming into treatment in large numbers, but they’re not coming out the other side. The reason for this is:

1.)    Financial – Many can not afford intensive in-patient treatment so they are doing Methadone treatment (a drug that helps with the withdrawal process for Heroin addicts.) This treatment is cost effective, but as a resource, Methadone is not as intensive as rehabilitation or re-education or added social skills.

2.)    The treatment – At these Methadone treatment centers the ratio of client to counselor can be high, as much as 50 to1, I believe. Some could argue cynically that methadone is more of a holding exercise prior to treatment, but not the initial process of recovery.

The Landing realizes how expensive treatment can be for families. Therefore we approach treatment in a timely, cost effective way.

1.)   First 30 days – We help the client through detoxing withdrawals and introduce them to a lifestyle of recovery; 12 step meetings, counseling, meals, exercise and stay consistent with this routine.

2.)   60 days – In addition to the above we assist the client in addressing the underlying trauma or family dynamics that brought them into their addiction. With the assistance of counselors and Family Week we try to bring healing to the underlying issues.

3.)   90 days – In addition to the above we assist the client with their transition back into the community. Whether through attending college, acquiring a job or returning to their family we help clients take the tools they have learned in recovery and step out on their own.

If you would like to know more information about the programs at The Landing please call:

(877) 235-6134

Most people don’t think of a grandparent when they picture the typical drug addict, but a significant number of seniors are developing problems with drug abuse.  The U.S. Department of Health reports that more than 8 million older adults are currently addicted to illegal drugs, medication and alcohol.  That number is expected to rise as members of the Baby Boom generation reach retirement age.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports that admissions for substance abuse treatment for people age 50 and older nearly doubled between 1992 and 2008. Although alcohol abuse is still the leading cause of substance abuse hospitalization for seniors, admissions for drug abuse are on the rise.

Many of today’s seniors abused illicit drugs in their youth.  While a significant number of them have problems with illegal street drugs like heroin and cocaine, many are now abusing prescription drugs.  A 2008 SAMHSA study on drug abuse among older American found that 26% of admissions for treatment were related to cocaine and 25% were related to prescription drugs.  In addition, the study found that a larger proportion of seniors are seeking treatment for abuse of multiple substances, from 13% of seniors seeking treatment in 1992 to nearly 40% in 2008.

One of the biggest issues related to substance abuse among senior citizens is that it can go unnoticed and untreated.  Since retired people are less active in society, their problems with drugs and alcohol may not be detected.  Also, many seniors take several prescription drugs each day for health problems and abuse of these medications is not always easy to spot.

According to AARP, these are some signs to watch for if you’re concerned about an older friend or relative who may be abusing drugs or alcohol:

• Lack of coordination and unsteadiness
• Frequent falls and unexplained bruises
• Changes in eating and sleeping habits
• Less attention paid to personal hygiene
  

  older man has drug problem

• Sadness, depression, irritability, agitation
• Problems with concentration
• Increased desire to spend time alone
• Lack of interest in activities that were previously enjoyed
• Memory loss and confusion, especially after drinking alcohol or taking medication
• Frequently changing doctors to obtain multiple prescriptions

SAMHSA administrator Eric Broderick warns that continued substance abuse by members of the Baby Boomer generation creates increased medical risks and will put further strains on the nation’s health care system.  Experts have projected a need to double the number of drug treatment facilities by 2020 to handle a wave of senior abusers.

We know addictions bring with them an abundance of frustrations. Please continue searching for the rehab that best suits your loved one. To speak more with The Landing about the services we offer please call: (877) 235-6134

The Canyon Club

The Canyon Club is an Alano Club in Laguna Beach. A beautiful facility with locals in their early 20’s to late 50’s the commraderie in this group is felt the moment you walk in the door. For $20 you can spend your New Year’s Eve at the Canyon Club with a DJ, Buffet, Salsa Dancing lessons and Meeting Marathons!

The Newport Club

The Newport Club is the Alano club in the Newport Beach area the crowd is in their early to late 20’s. This year they are hosting a fundraiser on New Year’s Eve to make money for the club. Tickets are on sale now for $50. The evening includes dinner dancing, Black Jack  and lots of great prizes! This is the clubs biggest annual fundraiser and all proceeds help to keep the club in full operation!

AOCYPAA

This is pronounced (Ack-you-pa) and is the Association of Orange County Young People of Alcoholics Anonymous. This is an 18 to 20 something crowd that get’s together for lot’s of great parties. Their New Year’s Eve Party is always raved about. For $15 you get to enjoy a DJ, Dancing and a Meeting! Our clients love this event!

Marijuana Anonymous 

Depending on your addiction, some people find better comraderie in diferent 12 Step communities. Marijuana Anonymous is a favorite of our ex-stoners. This New Years Eve party asks you to Dress in your Best to Bring in the New Year! Formal attire is suggested. $5 suggested donation. Games, Potluck Dessert, Snacks, & Martinelli Sparkling Cider. Sober, Fun and Safe!

Wherever you choose to spend New Year’s we hope that you keep it a safe and SOBER one! Happy New Year!