|
Why do human beings continue to do things they know are bad for them? We could ask this question of any addict. Gamblers, adrenalin junkies, overeaters, and shopaholics all suffer from compulsive disorders or habits that tend to get worse over time. The same could be said for alcoholics and drug addicts, but both diseases are far more dangerous than the aforementioned. A habit is a type of repetitive behavior that addicts engage in because it gives them pleasure or makes them feel alive. Most are not physically addictive, because they do not involve actual drugs. A drug, whether legal or illegal, alters normal bodily function and may result in dependence. This dependence actually changes the way the brain works, especially in the reward or pleasure centers. What do we mean? When a person consumes a simple, everyday treat, like a candy bar, the brain releases an organic chemical called dopamine, which is a natural drug that helps our bodies relax. If we reward ourselves too frequently, our bodies (or rather our brains) will begin to adapt. Drug abuse affects the brain in such a dramatic way that it must reduce the release of dopamine, which means that the addict must constantly take more of his drug of choice in order to get the same feeling or “high.” It is for this reason that many long-timer drug users eventually and inevitably overdose. Whether legal or illicit, most drugs are addictive and will result in dependence if abused. Alcohol, for example, is the most abused drug in America. Millions of people consider themselves addicts and seek treatment for alcohol dependence each year. Because it is legal, readily available, and more socially acceptable than other drugs, people are more likely to seek help for an addiction to alcohol than they are if they are hooked on other, less conventional drugs. A person who injects heroin or snorts cocaine, for example, may not be willing to admit that he has a problem because both drugs are illegal and are considered extremely dangerous. But the truth is that all of the aforementioned are dangerous and all of them can and sometimes do result in addiction. Addiction is a disease of the brain and it is treatable. Where to begin? You may have heard of the 12-step program that was originally proposed by Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) in 1939. As the name implies, it was designed for drinkers, but the initial step applies to people who suffer from all kinds of addictions. To paraphrase the program, the first step requires an addict to admit that he is powerless over his drug of choice. Only then will he have the clarity and courage to seek treatment at a Dallas holistic rehab facility. No matter which drug you abuse, the most important thing to remember is that getting help at Dallas Detox centers is nothing to be ashamed of. According to recent estimates, only about ten percent of Americans who suffer from addiction get the help they need, either because they feel embarrassed or they don’t think Dallas holistic rehab it will do any good. While it is true that the efficacy of Dallas Detox centers ranges widely, we do know that the sooner and the longer people receive treatment, the less likely they are to relapse. This is true of every type addiction, from substance abuse problems to behavioral ones.
Related Articles -
Dallas detox centers, Dallas holistic rehab,
|
