Drug Addiction: It Often Starts With the Brain

Nov. 2, 2010 - PRLog -- When addictive behavior was studied in the 1930s, people addicted to drugs were thought to be morally flawed and lacking in willpower. Those views shaped society’s response, treating addiction as a moral failing rather than a health problem. Today, thanks to science, our views of drug abuse have changed dramatically. Discoveries about the brain have revolutionized our understanding of drug addiction.

Research has shown that addiction is a disease that affects both the brain and behavior. Addiction is defined by the National Institute on Drug Abuse as a “chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences.”

At Challenges Addiction and Relapse Prevention Treatment Center in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, where they specialize in the treatment of co-occurring disorders, Rick A. Harris, Psy.D., Clinical Psychologist and Executive Director of the Neurofeedback Institute, is known for his innovative  treatment of the brain disease of addiction. Harris says:

“Drug abuse is considered a brain disease because drugs change the brain, they change the structure and how the brain works. These changes can be long lasting and lead to the destructive behaviors seen in people who abuse drugs. However, it is also my belief that we need to consider the brain and its functioning prior to first trying drugs.”

Harris has been working in the field of addictions and mental health for over 25 years.

At Challenges, we know that by using scientific methodology to improve brain functioning that addiction disorders can be more effectively treated. Data from the National Comorbidity Survey (NCS) shows:

•   43 percent of individuals with an addictive disorder had at least one mental disorder.
•   15 percent of individuals with a mental disorder had at least one addictive disorder.

How is the high prevalence of co-occurring substance abuse and mental illness best explained? Brain dysfunction. The question remains does brain related instabilities contribute to individuals who have a substance abuse problem with no co-occurring mental disorder. It is the age old question: which came first the chicken or the egg? But what we do know is that for the most effective treatment of addiction, looking first at the brain and improving brain function is often the key to not only successful recovery, but relapse prevention as well.

CONTACT INFORMATION

If you are a member of the media interested in interviewing one of the doctors or experts on the Challenges staff, please contact Michelle Lamar or Shelly Kramer at V3 Integrated Marketing. Contact us at info@v3im.com or call 816-200-2520.

If you are not a member of the media and you are interested in learning more about Challenges addiction recovery program, please contact us by phone at 888-755-3334 or online at http://www.challenges-program.com.  The team at Challenges Addiction and Relapse Prevention Treatment Center is available to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Challenges Addiction and Relapse Prevention Treatment Center
5100 Coconut Creek Parkway
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33063
(888) 755-3334 Toll Free

Challenges Addiction and Relapse Prevention Treatment Center
4440 PGA Blvd., Ste. 600
Palm Beach, Florida 33410
(888) 223-2060 Toll Free

Challenges Addiction and Relapse Prevention Treatment Center
701 Brickel Avenue, Suite 1550
Miami, FL  33131
(877) 477-6479 Toll Free

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