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The New Treatment Center For Alcohol Addiction
 by
Kamran Loghman, M.A., MCTC
National Institute For Alcohol Recovery

It is remarkable how alcohol has become ingrained in various cultures around the world. Almost routinely, many use it as a social lubricant or in celebration. Many more use it to relieve stress and escape emotional pain. Yet, prevalent drinking has led to a national crisis in America, where 76 million have been exposed to alcoholism in the family.[1] Further, untreated addiction costs the US $400 billion a year.[2] That’s six times the cost of treating heart disease and diabetes – and four times the cost of cancer.[3] Not surprising, 40 percent of all traffic fatalities involve alcohol.[4, 5] This rampant abuse crosses all social boundaries, too, affecting men and women in every ethnic group, religion and tax bracket.

Drawbacks Of Current Treatment

Unfortunately, the success rate of most rehab programs is low. Also, social stigmas and family commitments often prevent drinkers from seeking inpatient treatment in the first place. Those who do go will pay anywhere from (US) $7,000 to $50,000. This is hardly affordable if one’s life is already damaged. The alternatives include “residential programs” that rely on peer influence to invoke change. Some take a tough-love approach, while others are modified boot camps. Many more offer daily Bible study, stressing moral and spiritual growth. Research on the efficacy of such programs shows they offer advantages for certain addictions like cocaine – but none for most alcohol and opium addicts. For this group, help is typically given piecemeal in the US. Detox occurs in one place, therapy in another and prescriptions are administered elsewhere. Plus, insurance coverage has been reduced, so treatment centers are forced to discharge patients after a few days.

So, how can we effectively treat alcohol abuse? Well, recent studies indicate it is less of a behavior problem – and more of a brain malfunction. Specifically, the pleasure we feel from food, sex and alcohol comes from dopamine, a natural brain chemical. At first the brain gets intoxicated rapidly when one drinks. However, repeated drinking increases the total volume of dopamine. Eventually the brain compensates by lowering its own natural production to combat the effects of alcohol. That is why, over time, it takes more drinks to create the same intoxication. The brain malfunctions when it adapts to constantly higher levels of dopamine, artificially produced by alcohol. The moment you stops drinking, a void is created and a craving ensues. Then, the brain creates a debilitating mood to urge you to drink – in order to raise the dopamine level again. The fastest way to get it back up to its new “normal” is alcohol. Once this brain malfunction occurs, all activities are affected: from feelings and behaviors to decisions and relationships. This explains why those who abuse alcohol are twice as likely to be divorced than those who do not.

An Addicted Brain

Finding an effective treatment merits an in-depth analysis of the brain. New imaging has revealed that repeated alcohol consumption alters our brain neurons and their function as they adapt to higher levels of dopamine. In this altered state of neuroadaptation, the brain's neurons communicate with each other as if alcohol is now a natural part of their function. Recent studies have linked this state of neuroadaptation with tolerance[6, 7] and with the symptoms of withdrawal.[8] Neuroadaptation also appears to underlie the persistent sense of discomfort, or “craving,” that can lead to relapse, even after long periods of abstinence.[8]

Evidently neurons are living, growing cells; they are not fixed like electrical circuits. Each is constantly changing its function by adapting to bodily demands, sensations and environmental influences. Connections between neurons change, too. Information streaming in through our eyes, ears and other sensory organs is captured – and neural connections can alter instantly to form new circuits. New synapses form and old ones disappear as the brain's "wiring" is sculpted by experience. So, the true measure of the brain's complexity is not merely the raw number of neurons, but the total number of distinct neural connections.

A Regenerated Brain

For decades, scientists believed the number of neurons in the adult brain was fixed early in life. If brain damage occurred, new ones could not be created. Later, researchers found that new neurons are indeed generated in adulthood – a process called “neurogenesis.”[9] Also, new learning allows electrical signals to travel along neural pathways more readily. Scientists call this inherent capacity to change “plasticity.”

This ability to grow new neurons and form new connections was demonstrated in experiments like the one conducted by Doctors Avi Karni and Leslie Ungerleider at the National Institutes of Mental Health.[10] They had subjects perform a simple finger-tapping exercise – and identified the areas of the brain involved with MRI brain scans. The subjects prac­ticed this motor task daily, gradually becom­ing faster and more proficient. After four weeks, new brain scans revealed that the region of the brain involved in this task had actually expanded. This indicated that regular practice and repetition of the task had recruited new nerve cells – and changed the original neural connections involved.

This finding is the basis for a new hypothesis: that inner transformation begins with “learning” (new neural input), which gradually replaces our “negative conditioning” (present neural circuitry). The end result: "positive conditioning" (or new neural circuitry) that directs emotions and behavior. Hence, the concept of “re-wiring” the brain for lasting change is a very real and distinct probability.

The Healing Power Of Neuroplacticity

University of Wisconsin found that meditation practitioners, in heightened emotional states, showed unprecedented brain activation. In fact, high-amplitude gamma activity was the highest ever reported in a non-pathological context.[11] This demonstrates the brain is capable of amazing physical modification. Also, it takes the concept of neuroplasticity a step further – by showing how advanced mental training can alter inner brain circuitry. Professor Mike Merzenich, a leading neuroplasticity researcher, believes neurological conditions – like schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis and normal age-related declines – merely reflect brain changes resulting from neuroplasticity. Since it makes the brain vulnerable to disabilities, he asserts that neuroplasticity can also be exploited to cure them, too.[12] He points to studies that show nearly every physical aspect of the brain can recover from age-related losses under ideal conditions. How new neurons can bloom and gray matter can become thicker. Merzenich also believes neuroplasticity can help produce key brain chemicals like dopamine. Hence, it has great potential to help alcoholics re-wire their brains to a healthy state.

Interestingly, skilled meditation boosts Serotonin (5-HT), resulting in calmness and rest.[13] These are essential in helping addicts avoid relapse. Proficient meditation can be a significant tool in helping to lessen or end alcohol dependence.[14] Plus research has shown that subjects who perform meditation techniques decrease their hard liquor intake.[15] Fortunately, this ancient art form can be performed outside of conventional inpatient clinics.

In truth, most people do not seek inpatient treatment due to shame and stigma – or because it is time-consuming and pulls them away from family and work. Further, research shows that only a small percentage of people experience risky withdrawal symptoms that require inpatient treatment – and the rest can safely detox at home.[16, 17] These revelations have opened the door for effective alcohol recovery in the privacy and comfort of home.

The New At-Home Recovery Program

NIFAR®, The National Institute For Alcohol Recovery, has developed a unique recovery program called REGENERATE®. It is designed to be self administered at home for 25 days. Its unique methodology is based on the latest findings in neuroadaptation – not on 12-step programs, hypnosis or psychotherapy. This program is being introduced at a critical time in US history. Today, alcohol abuse and dependence is now our nation’s #1 health problem.[18] Given the stigma of seeking treatment, REGENERATE fulfills a critical niche: detox and recovery in the privacy of home, while people go about their normal daily routines.

Just 25 Days To Recovery

REGENERATE contains 24 audio CD's, a handbook, and one bottle of supplements. All are designed to keep participants emotionally and mentally focused for a minimum of 25 days. They simply listen to one CD each day while referring to the handbook for instructions. REGENERATE educates, coaches and empowers people to overcome negative and limiting emotions – and to establish permanent, positive emotions. The program teaches critical life skills, like improving relationships, managing debt and boosting organization – which brings about growth and stability. For the complete daily regimen visit  www.nifar.org/apk/regenerate_faq.asp

It Complements Existing Programs

REGENERATE was developed as an effective stand-alone recovery program. Yet, it may be used as a support tool in conjunction with other current treatments – like therapy, prescribed medication and 12-step programs. REGENERATE is available anytime and anywhere*. Plus, it can reinforce progress made at an inpatient facility.

*Participants must be literate and speak English. REGENERATE is not for physically challenged people lacking independence, suicidal individuals or past sufferers of severe withdrawal (such as seizure, loss of consciousness or delirium tremens).

Home Detoxification Regimen

The program starts with detox. This includes hydrotherapy, where one is submerged up to the neck in hot water once an evening for 15 days. Hydrotherapy is based on India’s system of Ayurvedic and Siddha medicine. “Swedana” (sweat treatment) has been practiced for centuries to dilate skin pores for easier toxin removal. After detox, powerful emotional and mental conditioning techniques are performed to evoke neuroadaptation – and a deep shift in emotion, outlook and behavior. Participants also regularly consume a homemade tonic of water, lemon and honey. Water hydrates the body and aids urination and perspiration. Lemon juice is used for its natural properties in liver stimulation. And research shows honey promotes the exit of alcohol from the blood. The key agent here is fructose, which increases blood alcohol oxidation. In one study, honey increased the blood ethanol clearance rate by 68%. The Nigerian citrus honey sample used contains about 40% fructose and 31% glucose, which is comparable to honey produced in America.[19]

Countering Nutritional Deficiencies

Research shows that reduced levels of vitamins and minerals are common in heavy drinkers.[20, 21] Also, chronic alcohol abuse alters how the body processes nutrients. Investigators have confirmed abnormal zinc metabolism in alcohol-dependent patients.[22] Further, compulsive drinkers excrete large amounts of both calcium and magne­sium in their urine.[23] In detox, insufficient calcium can cause painful leg cramps, slowed reflexes, insomnia and nervousness. Excessive drinking for two or more weeks can decrease vitamin B12 absorption from the GI tract. Plus alcohol blocks thiamine (vitamin B1) absorption, which causes a wide variety of neurological and mental symptoms. In fact, this deficiency is responsible for Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.[24] Thus, REGENERATE includes specific daily vitamins and minerals to support deficiencies from excessive drinking.

Also included is an herbal supplement, which addresses vital needs during detox and recovery. Utilizing supplements is only natural. Today, roughly 25 percent of all pre­scription drugs are still derived from trees, shrubs or herbs.[25]

Adding Sound Therapy to the Mix

Sound therapists know certain sounds can slow breathing and create a feeling of wellbeing – while lively music increases body metabolism, blood pressure and energy. Sound can even alter skin temperature, reduce muscle tension and influence brainwave frequencies. Today, many clinical settings use sound therapy, including psychiatry, physical therapy, gerontology, anesthesiology, obstet­rics and oncology. For example, stimulating music before meals may motivate depressed cancer patients to eat.[31] Hence, REGENERATE utilizes sound and music to promote withdrawal, relaxation and motivation.                                                                                                                                

Mental Conditioning and Neuroplasticity

NIFAR’s research shows that in order to release high levels of dopamine while drinking, one must be in a heightened emotional state. Thus, strong emotions plus repeated drinking is the “formula” to addiction. Well, NIFAR is turning the tables on this addiction formula – to use it for recovery. After detox, participants learn various mental conditioning techniques to create positive, heightened emotions. This stimulates new neurons and reinforces sobriety. Advanced meditation is then employed to create a realistic mental image, such as a trigger to drink. With careful practice, one mentally modifies that trigger to create a new association and mental pathway. This progressively leads to new behavior and sobriety. With skillful training, all thoughts and feelings can be modified via meditation and doing so is critical in recovery. In time, participants learn to manage cravings and control emotions – which creates more new pathways via neuroplacticity. Ultimately, they progress to more sophisticated forms of meditation, such as the expert yogic system from Kashmir.[32]

New Solutions To Manage Cravings

NIFAR has learned that when an urge to drink arises, one must not relax. Relaxing allows brain neurons to continue on the same pathways – which can feed cravings. So one should break this pattern by adopting behavior that shocks the brain’s neurons. This may include pouring ice-cold water on the back of the neck. Shaking ones head from side-to-side until the lips and cheeks flap. Or even getting down on all fours like a dog and chasing one’s imaginary tail – turning in circles, until dizzy. As humorous as these techniques may sound, they are highly effective in creating new neural pathways.

Discussion

NIFAR believes a multi-disciplinary approach will end alcohol addiction. So we have adopted effective methods from traditional and alternative modes of addiction treatment. They include: neuroplasticity, hydrotherapy, herbal supplements and meditation techniques from India help control emotions, cravings and behavior. While this may seem far-reaching, such practical techniques have been tested for centuries and are proven to yield immediate results. Even modern day brain imaging has confirmed that meditation techniques can indeed physically modify the brain.[33]

In practice, REGENERATE has thus far produced great results with men and women of all ages. Recently, 172 /180 adults (96%) gained a total lifestyle shift by day 25 – with no desire to go back. Further, 162 remained sober beyond six months. The eight who relapsed said they bounced back the next day with the aid of our program. Hence, our new approach is truly advancing recovery. As such, NIFAR’s innovative approach deserves serious attention by the scientific community.

In closing, we seek to change the negative attitudes toward recovery. We believe it should be filled with anticipation, excitement and passion. These empowering emotions are what drive people to success – from athletes and entrepreneurs, to artists and addicts. Our positive outlook does not offer false hope. Indeed, we teach that ‘ups-and-downs’ are simply the nature of life. Yet, how we handle life’s problems actually defines who we are. So, we should expect adversity, get organized and develop a plan of attack. In short, we help people turn negatives into positives. Thus, sobriety is not merely a behavioral change – it is a drastic shift in outlook. To learn more about our vision for sobriety, visit nifar.org

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