How Treatment Heals the Brain Part II by Steven East

Click to read Part I of How Treatment Heals the Brain

The neurons of an addict or alcoholic are damaged; that is why the addict feels discontent.

A.        To understand this we must understand what neurons are and how they relate to addiction:

1. The human brain is comprised of 860 billion specialized cells known as neurons.
   
2. Neurons are the conduits or in simpler terms the wiring that our brains use to transfer information back  and  forth.
3. Neurons are responsible for all cognitive function: Learning, memory, motor skills, emotion, etc.
4. Sustained substance use affects all these cognitive functions, but it is the effects it has on the neurons involved with emotional cognitive functions which are primary to substance dependency or in other words addiction.
   

B.         To understand how the neurons of an addict are damaged we must take a look at how they work.

1. Neurons have a front and a back. The front is called an axon and the back is called dendrites. Information is transmitted from the axon of one neuron to the dendrite of another and this process is repeated at the speed of light through out our brains constantly.
2. Neurons do this by mixing certain chemicals they contain to create an electrical charge. 
3. Part of the process return of the neurotransmitters back to their original cell is called "Re-uptake."
   

C.      The blocking of "Re-Uptake" causes a sensation of please. In the brain of someone that does not consume drugs or alcohol the only blocking of re-uptake pumps occurs in small amounts. Some examples are: 

• Food; greatest with sugar and chocolate.
  
• Laughter, intellectual conversation, episodic conversation
• Learning, memory, creative activities
• Movement exercise, sex,
  
• Medications such as: Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil.

D.   In the brain of someone that consumes drugs or alcohol the blocking of re-uptake pumps occurs on a massive level and we feel incredible pleasure. 

1. As we progress in our addiction tolerance is developed
2. Eventually, normally pleasing activities like Disneyland, chocolate cake, laughter, coffee, or even sex are useless; only drugs and alcohol at this point will suffice. 

This is why it is so hard to stay sober.

Parkinson’s disease and Schizophrenia have similar damage to neurons as do addicts and alcoholics.

 People that suffer with Parkinson’s disease have neuronal damage similar to that of some one that has been using for thirty years.  The main difference is that most of the transmission is associated with motor skills. 

People that suffer with schizophrenia have neuronal damage also similar to addicts and alcoholics.    This phenomenon is also genetic in nature, but said to be triggered by experiential trauma.

The brain of some one with ten years clean and sober is drastically different than someone still using or in early recovery.

Someone with ten years sober does not attempt to block their re-uptake with anything mind altering. This would trigger an immediate re-release of second messengers, which would initiate the phenomenon of craving.

Although their brains are not like some one in early recovery or still using their brains they will never be able to experience any amount of drugs or alcohol with out the release of massive second messengers.  A recovering alcoholic's brain will never be like a normal drinker.

Someone with years of consecutive sobriety can feel pleasure again from the simple things in life such as laughter, chocolate cake, and just coming home from work.  

The brain of someone in early recovery that is immersed in a treatment program has been significantly restored to normal. The brain of some one not working a holistic treatment program will continue to operate like a person using for many months.  The person who is immersed in treatment uses some of these healthier ways of blocking re-uptake like:

• Food (including sugar and chocolate)
• Laughter and Intellectual Conversation (process groups and 12-Step Meetings)
• Learning which enhances memory and creativity
• Exercise and outdoor activities
• Medications if necessary (ie. Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil)

During the initial phase of treatment (recovery) enough re-uptake is blocked to overcome the feelings of despair. Not enough to get high, but enough to be "okay" and make it through another day.

You Decide Your Own Bottom

So I hope that I have been able to explain how the brain of some one thoroughly involved in the treatment process is far different from that of someone not. It is my hope that you will be motivated to now put your best effort in to the tools of recovery. This may just be a little easier now that you have an idea of how what you are suggested to do actually results in real tangible lasting changes in the healing of your brain. I will leave you with this: none of you should feel as though you need to do more damage to your neurons to bring about some kind of motivation. You all can make your most recent drink or drug use your "bottom." You never have to feel that way again.

 - Steven East
Steven East is a Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor(CADAC II). He specializes in Client Centered Therapy. His approach utilizes an eclectic array of positive reinforcement motivational techniques.