Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug or alcohol seeking and use, despite harmful consequences.  It is considered a brain disease because drugs and alcohol change the brain, both structurally and how it works.  These changes can be long lasting and can lead to other self-destructive behaviors.

Addiction symptoms:

• The inability to limit the use of a substance (alcohol, opiates, benzos, cocaine, methamphetamine as examples) leading to impairment and potentially poor judgement and action.
• Craving or compulsion to use the substance.
• Recurrent use of the substance leads to tolerance and therefore the need for greater quantities or stronger doses.
• Attempts to stop result in withdrawal symptoms which may include any of the following: shaking, irritability, anxiety, headache, body aches, restless legs, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hallucinations.
• Recurrent use of the substance affects home life, family, work, school, friends.
• Commonly there are feelings of shame, guilt, hopelessness, self-anger, anxiety or depression.

Outpatient vs Inpatient Treatment

Either type of treatment is valuable because it is a path towards a better life.

Benefits of outpatient at Queen Creek Naturopathic

• Medically managed withdrawal.
• Often less expensive than inpatient treatment.
• Allows you to continue to work, go to school, be with family.
• More flexible schedule.
• Nutritional IV and glutathione IV drips to help the body and mind heal.
• Acupuncture to work on balance, excellent for anxiety, depression, pain.
• Work with the doctor to help with underlying physical issues that have the potential to be the reason for increased use.
• Amino acid therapy to work with the neurotransmitters in the brain.

Benefits of inpatient: this treatment is best for extreme addictions, such as methadone, or for those that need 24 hour structure.