New research shows that substance abuse is not a weakness of character or a choice but a clinical disease in need of professional treatment.

It’s official: the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) has officially recognized that addiction is not solely related to substance misuse and is, in fact, a chronic brain disease.

For decades, addiction specialists and those battling substance abuse have had to fight against the stigma that addiction is some sort of character flaw or personal weakness. But experts have long known that “at its core, addiction isn’t just a social problem or a moral problem or a criminal problem. It’s a brain problem whose behaviors manifest in all these other areas,” ASAM Past President Michael Miller, MD, said in a news release.

“The disease is about brains, not drugs. It’s about underlying neurology, not outward actions,” added Dr. Miller, who oversaw the development of the new addiction definition.

This new definition of addiction was based on findings from brain circuitry studies prompted by more than 80 experts who came together four years ago to begin the process. Previous research has shown that addiction affects neurotransmission in the reward area of the brain, triggers craving of addictive behaviors based on memories of previous experiences, and alters areas that govern impulse control and judgment.

Addiction Definition

Highlights of the new definition include a description of addiction as a primary disease, which means “it’s not the result of other causes such as emotional or psychiatric problems.” ASAM also notes that addiction is a chronic condition, and so should be treated, managed and monitored over a lifetime. The new definition also acknowledges that the disease drives behaviors that others might not understand. It also makes clear that addiction is not a choice, even though choice plays an important role in getting help.

Experts hope this new definition will help decrease the stigma of addiction. By decreasing the stigma, treatment professionals believe it will lessen the barriers to individuals getting the help they need.

Drug Addiction

If you or someone you love is battling drug addiction, call The Canyon at our toll-free number. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about treatment, financing or insurance.

National Recovery Month aims to bring hope to the issue of substance abuse, despite a continuing perception problem.

It’s National Recovery Month, a time to shine a light on the problem of addiction and celebrate the heroes who are winning their battle with substance abuse every day. Unfortunately, unlike cancer or heart disease, substance abuse must overcome a perception problem that has many viewing it as a character flaw rather than a disease. When it comes to addiction, there’s the erroneous thinking that the sufferer’s behavior alone is to blame, that addiction is a matter of choice. For those who heroically fight every day to stay sober, they know that couldn’t be further from the truth.

It’s similar to the problem faced when AIDS first came to light. Many Americans felt detached from a disease that seemed highly concentrated in the gay community and even laid some blame on those who were sick. As time went on and AIDS’ reach was felt everywhere, support grew. Today, education campaigns have done their job and AIDS is battled aggressively and sufferers are treated compassionately. Those fighting the disease of addiction are simply hoping for that same kind of support and understanding.

Many entertainment programs and websites are only too happy to post unflattering mug shots or photos and speculate about a celebrity’s addiction issues. There is much less reporting about substance abuse success stories. Fortunately, National Recovery Month 2011 aims to change that. This year’s theme — Prevention Works, Treatment Is Effective, People Recover — takes a hopeful approach by showcasing all we have to celebrate.

At the top of that list is the reality that treatment has come a long way in recent years, with experts gaining a better understanding of how addiction works and the relationship between substance abuse and mental health issues. Studies estimate that more than half of all addicts also suffer from a diagnosable mental health disorder like bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder. When treated together in a “dual diagnosis” model, treatment success rates increase greatly. We are also seeing the social stigma around addiction and mental health disorder decrease as education increases.

Drug Treatment

If you or someone you love is in need of drug treatment, alcohol treatment or other help, call The Canyon at our toll-free number. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about treatment, financing or insurance.

What do you think are some common misconceptions that people have about addiction?

World Health Organization findings prove that mental health disorders are a bigger global problem than cancer or heart disease.

The World Mental Health Survey, published in 2008 and covering 28 countries, estimated that one in three adults suffers from a mental health disorder including bipolar disorder, depression, PTSD, anxiety and many others. That’s a staggering number. And a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia, pulled together data from surveys to reveal that 6.8 percent of adults had moderate to severe depression.

We’ve been saying it for a while now: mental health issues and addiction often go hand in hand. And even for those who don’t turn to drug addiction or alcohol addiction, the problem is still sizeable. We hear so much about heart disease and cancer, but in 2008 the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that brain disorders accounted for about 13 percent of the global disease burden, a greater percentage than both cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

The new report is an update on a 2005 paper that estimated that 27 percent of the European Union population was affected by mental health disorders each year. The higher figure resulted from the addition of 14 previously excluded disorders, many of which affect children and the elderly, meaning that the frequency of mental health disorders has probably not gone up substantially.

Still, the numbers are so high that we don’t have to see a huge increase to become alarmed. With so many suffering from mental health issues, there is a high incidence of self-medicating, with alcohol, prescription meds or illegal drugs. Individuals don’t get treatment for their symptoms or don’t feel it’s working so they turn to other methods to feel better. Before long, they have an addiction to deal with as well as their underlying mental health issues. In the treatment world, this is called dual diagnosis, and a high percentage of those entering substance abuse treatment arrive with these co-occurring disorders.

For decades, the stigma surrounding mental health disorders has kept some from seeking treatment and pushed others to keep their treatment secret. That shame can also contribute to addiction. Fortunately, in recent years the stigma has lessened and increasing education will continue to help sufferers feel like they don’t need to hide their diagnosis.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

If you or someone you love is in need of treatment for a co-occurring disorder or other help, call The Canyon at our toll-free number. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about treatment, financing or insurance.

They agreed to speak in order to prevent other parents from going through the same thing.

If you ever need a reminder of the toll addiction takes, watch a clip from Anderson Cooper’s recent interview with the parents of the late Amy Winehouse. During the family’s first sit-down interview since their daughter’s tragic passing, Amy’s father Mitch blamed her death on her efforts to quit drinking. It’s not the first time they’ve suggested it may have been alcohol withdrawal that killed her.

Toxicology reports showed no illegal drugs were found in Winehouse’s system, but at the end of her life Winehouse was still struggling to deal with her alcohol addiction. Her father confirmed that traces of Librium, a prescription drug used to fight anxiety and alcohol withdrawal symptoms, was found in her system along with some alcohol. No official cause of death has not yet been identified.

“She drank to excess and did detox to excess,” Mitch told Cooper, saying it was a pattern he had seen before. “The periods of abstinence were becoming longer, and the periods of drinking were becoming shorter,” he said. “It was heading in the right direction.”

It’s ironic that Winehouse’s attempts to quit drinking may have actually caused her death, but alcohol detox is particularly difficult and should be done under the care of professionals.

Cooper also spoke to Amy’s mother, Janis Winehouse, her stepmother, her aunt and boyfriend Reg Traviss. According to Traviss, he wanted to talk to her more about her drinking problem but worried she would feel he was “nagging.”

A full inquest into the singer’s death will begin next month.

Alcohol Detox

If you or someone you love is in need of alcohol detox or other help, call The Canyon at our toll-free number. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about treatment, financing or insurance.

Employment is a big part of an active and positive recovery. You need goals. You need something positive to fill your days. You need a way to pay back your debts. Finding a job is one of the best ways to do those things, but here are a few things to consider as you undertake the process.

Finding a Job You Can Deal and Assessing Your Career After Drug Rehab

Many in recovery report that the atmosphere at their job and how they feel while at work can make or break their recovery. This isn’t just a money issue. You may find a job that pays you six figures, but if the stress is too much for you to bear or you are surrounded by people who are actively abusing drugs and alcohol and you ultimately relapse back into addiction, it won’t matter at all. Here are a few “must-haves” when it comes to choosing a job after drug addiction treatment:

• No drug abuse or use. If you are surrounded by co-workers who smoke marijuana or do crystal meth on the job or come into work while high, it’s only a matter of time before you relapse. Avoid these jobs at all costs.
• Low stress. Any job that causes you stress due to a demanding boss, intense hours that are difficult for your schedule, work that is hard for you to undertake, or too much work expected in a short period of time can ultimately push you to relapse.
• Interesting work or advancement opportunities. If you find a low-key, laidback job where you get to work with good people – great! But if it starts to bore you or you find that you have a hit a ceiling in terms of your advancement opportunities, this too can be an obstacle to your sobriety.

The best idea is to find a job that is interesting to you that provides you with room for growth and progress, allows you to work with positive people, and means working hours that allow you to attend 12-step meetings or personal therapy and care for your physical health. Ultimately, if your current career path or the career you were in before drug rehab no longer serves you, it’s time to change focus.

Living Your Life After Drug Rehab

Stay tuned for the last post in the series, After Drug Rehab: The Question of Relationships. In the meantime, check out other posts in the series:

1.       After Drug Rehab: Getting the Support You Need to Succeed

2.       After Drug Rehab: Create Your Own Treatment Plan

3.       After Drug Rehab: Focus on Relapse Prevention

4.       After Drug Rehab: Paying Off Your Drug Addiction Treatment Bill

One of the biggest characteristics defining those in addiction is the inability to avoid acting on impulse. This means that when you feel like getting high, you do it. When you’re angry, you lash out. When you’re depressed, you mope or stay in bed. There is little thought given to the consequences of any action and most decisions are fueled purely by emotion rather than practicality. Doing the hard thing in favor of what’s best for you is often eschewed in favor of doing the easy thing that is most gratifying in the moment.

How Addicts in Early Recovery Usually Eat

The same process usually applies to eating habits for those in recovery after drug and alcohol addiction. If you happen to realize that you’re hungry while you’re standing in front of a fast food joint, you’re likely to step inside and grab a hamburger and fries. Unfortunately, foods like these can make you feel more tired and rundown when you’re done eating, providing you with more fat calories you need and not enough nutrients to stay healthy.

Why Eating Poorly is a Bad Idea in Drug Addiction Recovery

The negative feelings associated with poor eating choices can make you more prone to relapse. If you already don’t feel well or if you’re tired and rundown, little stressors will make more of an impact and you’ll respond more quickly and more emotionally than if you feel calm and healthy. If you have low energy, you’re less likely to make it to your 12-step meetings or therapy, put in the effort at work, or seek out positive friendships. Good nutrition can give you that baseline of positivity that you need to make good decisions in recovery and to stay dedicated to your treatment plan.

Making Good Nutrition Easy in Drug and Alcohol Addiction Recovery

For starters, eating small meals a few times a day can help you get and maintain a steady level of energy. Choosing healthful foods for those meals (e.g., whole grain breads, lean protein like chicken or nuts, fruits, vegetables, and a little bit of dairy and oils) can mean that your body is constantly getting the good nutrients it needs to keep going. If you’re on the go or if you want to save money and avoid buying premade salads or sandwiches while you’re out, pack healthful snacks and bring them with you. A piece of fruit, fiber bars, and sandwiches on whole grain bread travel well and will keep you going without wasting your money. Cooking healthful meals in advance and portioning them out, putting a few in the freezer and a few in the refrigerator can help make sure that you always have something healthy available to you at home, too.

Any tips you’d like to share about how you stay healthy and eat well during recovery?

Jeff Allison has staged something of a comeback that should be inspiring to anyone who has considered drug addiction treatment but avoided it because they feel like they’ll never have anything else in their life. It’s a big deal: Jeff Allison has officially reached the big leagues despite a drug addiction that almost killed him. It took more than eight years, but it happened.

Allison was once a first-round draft pick for the Marlins – but that was before he got arrested, mostly for drug-related issues. He went to drug rehab, got the treatment he needed, made his way back into the minors and now, he’s wearing  uniform No. 92 for the Marlins and serving as an “extra” to be used in case of emergency during spring training. He isn’t fully in the lineup by any stretch, but it’s the closest he’s ever been and he’s grateful for the chance.

Said Allison: “It’s really cool. I’m just blessed to have this opportunity to even come up here for a day.”

Opiate Addiction and Allison

Allison was Baseball America’s High School Player of the Year and a first-round pick in 2003. Then he overdosed on heroin a couple of times and developed an addiction to OxyContin. He was arrested a couple of times and almost died as a result, losing his shot at the big leagues at the same time.

The Marlins supported Allison through his struggle with opiate addiction. He was kept on board with the organization over the last eight years but never made it past the Double A level.

Said Allison: “I still have a jersey. That’s what it’s about. Whether it’s a minor-league or major-league jersey, it’s still a jersey at the end of the day.

“It took a lot of hard work and want and desire to come out of a hole — and I mean a deep, deep, deep hole — because a lot of people don’t get out of it.”

Coming Back After Opiate Addiction

But Allison has pulled out of it. He says he’s been clean and sober for four years and four months.

Though Allison didn’t get a chance to pitch during spring training. He wasn’t needed. He sat and watched the game with the other relievers. He returned to the minor-leaguers soon after.

Allison said: “I did what I did, and now I enjoy life. If it’s a day, it’s a day. Minor league or major league, it doesn’t really matter. It’s just about being here.”

How Did You Come Back After Addiction?

Tell us your story about recovering your dreams after drug rehab here!