Addiction is a mental health condition that affects millions of people each year. If you’re drinking or abusing drugs, understanding addiction and the brain may help prevent you from falling victim to this treatable illness.
Recovery Ranch PA is a full-service addiction treatment center that supports those struggling with an addiction to alcohol, cocaine, heroin, or other dangerous substances. We tailor comprehensive addiction treatment programs to address your symptoms and the reasons behind the abuse. To learn more about our addiction treatment programs in Pennsylvania, call 717.969.9126 today.
What Is Addiction and How Does It Affect the Brain?
Addiction is a treatable mental health issue that affects every person who drinks or abuses recreational or illegal drugs. It can cause a variety of symptoms that include physical and psychological symptoms and can lead to Repeated abuse can lead to impaired coordination and balance, memory loss, altered mood and judgment, and an increased risk of developing permanent brain damage or other mental health conditions, such as:
- Lung and heart disease
- Stroke
- Certain cancers
- Cardiovascular disease
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Other neurological disorders
Understanding addiction is the first step in learning how drugs and alcohol affect you. Your brain is particularly susceptible to the effects of drinking and abusing drugs. When you drink or take drugs, it signals a massive release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that sends messages between the brain and body. Your brain can never produce this much dopamine at once without more drugs or alcohol, and you’ll begin to crave more. Repeated abuse can lead to impaired coordination and balance, memory loss, altered mood and judgment, and an increased risk of developing permanent brain damage or other mental health conditions.
Treating Addiction and the Brain
Treating addiction and the brain is possible through a combination of therapies, medication, and time. While there’s no cure, there are several treatment methods that can teach you about the dangers of addiction and what it takes to recover.
Here are some ways we can treat addiction and the brain.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is one of the better modalities for treating addiction and other mental health conditions. A CBT therapist will work with you in private sessions to uncover the original reasons behind your drinking or drug abuse. They’ll then use various methods to teach you how to recognize triggering situations or people and cope with them.
Other types of behavioral therapies that can treat addiction include:
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
- Motivational interviewing (MI)
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
In addition to behavioral therapy, you’ll participate in holistic treatments such as life skills training, meditation, yoga therapy, nutrition education, and other beneficial therapies.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
One of the ways that make stopping the abuse difficult is the physical and psychological symptoms that addiction creates. It can cause intense cravings, depression, and permanent brain damage, among other symptoms. Medication is very beneficial in treating these symptoms and others. Medical staff will administer specific dosages based on your treatment plan and monitor you for adverse reactions.
The medications are only temporary support, and most patients are 100% drug-free by the end of the program.
Group and Private Therapy Sessions
You’ll work with a professional therapist through group and private therapy sessions. In private sessions, you’ll focus on the reasons behind the addiction and learn to spot your triggers before it’s too late. You’ll participate in role-playing activities, group discussions, and other holistic activities during group therapy.
You’ll build healthy relationships with your peers, which can turn into life-long friendships supporting your recovery long after treatment ends.
Enroll in Addiction Treatment at The Ranch PA
Enrolling in a recovery program at The Ranch PA can help you understand addiction and learn how to break it. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction to drugs or alcohol, fill out our online form or call 717.969.9126 today to take that first step toward a better life.
