Addiction is without doubt one of hardest things for people to understand and get a grip on. The personality that develops is often monstrous and for certain not understood. Treatment for these issues is no small task. Understanding all the aspects of addiction, physical and mental is paramount in successful recovery. Handling the toxic effects of drugs from a physical standpoint is important as the bio-chemical drug personality originates here. Experienced addiction treatment counselors know dealing with the underlying mental emotional issues are easier and much more successful as a result.

Just to explain, there are a series of things that begin automatically within the body when drugs or alcohol are consumed, regardless the amount. These biochemical mechanics cause toxic erratic behavior in the beginning (intoxication) with subsequent depression, anxiety and mood swings following.The process the body takes to absorb these toxic chemicals burns up tremendous amounts of nutrients and altars the normal bodily function which subsequently influences behavior. Comprehensive addiction treatment and rehabilitation involve clearing up both physical and mental detriments caused by substance abuse.

To elaborate further, upon ingestion neurotransmitters, i.e. serotonin, dopamine and endorphins are released in the brain which cause feelings of euphoria for the user. Natural stores of these chemicals are depleted and the fuel (nutrition) needed to produce more are gone. The after effects are known as hangover and many people feel these effects are short-term as they begin to feel better within a few hours or days depending on length of abuse and amounts consumed.

According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) the toxic effects brought on by substance abuse can take up to three months to abate. This means any diagnosis of depression, anxiety, mood swings or bi-polar are based off of the toxic effects of substance abuse. Once they receive their diagnosis that further lessens the responsibility in behavior with many now claiming to have a mental disorder and reduces the ability of the individual to overcome their problems.

The approach taken in many substance abuse programs is to treat these symptoms (depression, anxiety, mood swings) with more drugs, causing further alteration of the natural order of things with more chemicals. This is not a good approach as the toxic effects of drugs or alcohol have yet to subside. Nutritional deficiencies cause the same symptoms. Drugs and alcohol burn up nutrition. Not handling these issues upfront lessens the possibility of success in permanent addiction recovery.

Reversing the effects of substance abuse with a good nutritional regimen, not more chemicals as therapy is the mark of a good addiction treatment program. Obviously alcohol and certain drugs require medical attention to ensure a safe withdraw from the substances, but continued treatment of the symptoms with drugs can lead to more difficulties while masking real issues. Depression, anxiety and mood swings are components of the bio chemical personality and giving the addict time to physically recover prior to treating these components with more drugs could take months.

The bio-chemical drug personality is a dangerous mixture of drugs and alcohol and subsequent mental emotional state of the addict coupled with the inability of the addict to take responsibility for their actions. Inability to take control is hampered by the reduction in mental capacity and lack of understanding confusing their outlook on life. It’s really quite obvious actually when a person abuses drugs and reaches that desired state of mind and then goes way past it. Accidents, fights and even death often result and all the while the abuser makes excuses for the behavior or points the finger at someone else. Doing things they never would have imagined supporting the habit to get high, meanwhile forsaking all things in life that meaningful.

The behavior associated with these symptoms then becomes learned behavior. This learned behavior develops into a bio-chemically influenced personality causing the person to transform into a self degraded, immoral addict who is quite often engaged in criminal activity and degradation. Successful addiction treatment programs reverse the bio-chemical effects and breakdown of moral character in that order.

The addict inherently knows this behavior is wrong, although will more than likely dispute any responsibility and resort to fault-finding and “look what you did to me” behavior. Effective addiction treatment and rehabilitation programs restore the ability of the body to function normally, handles underlying mental emotional issues with cognitive therapy and re-educates the person on how to live life free from the toxic influence of substance abuse. That’s the best addiction treatment approach to change the biochemical personality back to an individual who now has self-respect and a sense of moral character.