Historically, most clinicians have believed that the chemical properties of a particular substance, or the pleasing nature of a particular activity such as gambling, directly cause addiction. This conventional wisdom suggests that the use of intoxicating substances or stimulating activities lead directly to abuse, dependence, addiction and impairment. A basic presumption is that physical dependence is necessarily related to addiction. The result is that, over the years, treatment has tended to focus on specific substances or activities in ...

All individuals experiment and push the limits at some point in their lives, especially as teenagers. During the developmental years, parents hope their children will learn to become responsible, independent and productive adults by exploring their interests and developing skills that will serve them in life. Involvement with drugs, alcohol, gambling or even sexual behaviors can seriously work against these goals of growing up to be mature adults, and can lead to addiction as adults. This growing experimentation stands ...

Alcoholism and Addiction as a brain disease

As an individual interested in addiction and rehabilitation, the characteristics of an addict are no doubt well known. Typically, the person in the duress of active addiction exhibit irresponsible, erratic, amoral and unethical behavior. These attributes, most commonly, are not “native” to the individual. They are the result of relinquishing to intoxication. It is said that alcohol or drugs disinhibits the brain, causing a person to ...

History of Addiction | Silkworth | Allergy | Craving

In our first article, review of the latest scientific discoveries reveals the latest information on the role of particular genes that influence addiction to alcohol and drugs. Neuropsychology, as well, ties addiction to the limbic portion of the brain, to the aptly named “reward center”. As we explore the latest in scientific discovery, however, it is also revelatory to reflect on knowledge acquired through many years ...

The Science of Addiction | Genetics and Addiction

The scientific study of addictive behavior has led down many pathways. For decades, mice have been studied scientifically in the laboratory to find causative relationships for explaining addictive behavior in lab specimens. Genetically and neurologically, mice are very similar to humans. The entire setup of the brain is quite similar, utilizing the same neurotransmitters and receptors and protein; Mice have 20,000 – 25,000, about the same number ...

The Addicted Professional Leader | The Executive Addict

A tragic irony of alcohol and drug dependency is that it often strikes the most outstanding of our population. In the professional world, it is estimated that as much as 10% of the leadership ranks has a dependency issue. In the corporate world, this problem is often ignored or poorly managed. The cost of business institutions ignoring the problem can be millions of dollars due to ...

Staying Sober During the Holidays | Tips for avoiding relapse over the holidays

It is fairly undeniable that as Americans we tend to like to indulge over the holidays. We consume great amounts of food, alcohol and in some cases even drugs as a means of celebration. We at Origins Recovery Centers do not seek to pass judgment on those who care to spend their holidays partaking in such things. There is nothing wrong with ...

Long Term Rehab | Are you a long-term Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Center?

Origins Recovery Centers is a fully-licensed and accredited drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility whereby the best of various, evidence-based therapeutic interventions are expertly commingled with intense, 12-step immersion, the combination of which we have found ensures the highest possible long-term success rates for our clientèle. We often are asked, “Are you a 28-day program or a longer term rehab?”

The answer is actually a ...

My life is not “unmanageable!”

Within the depths of active addiction, the alcoholic and addict have a truly substantial number of ways in which to hide their illness from the outside world. For instance, some whose alcoholism has taken them to where they must imbibe substantial amounts at all times choose to drink only Vodka, which is purportedly and anecdotally more difficult to smell on one’s breath than, say, Rum. Intravenous drug users will often choose ...

Twelve-step Immersion… That sounds rough! | I want to go to a spa for treatment.

The intention of this article is to dispel a common concern we encounter from prospective clients and their families. For some reason, a program like ours, of rigorous accountability and immersion in 12-step principles makes people envision a spartan, almost military like atmosphere of self-denial and repentance. In other words, people ...