Emerging Understandings & Solutions for Addictions

    Addiction Articles / No Comments

    By Dr. Chas Gant, M.D., Ph.D.

    Did you know that addiction is, by far, the number one cause of death and disability, with tobacco use alone responsible for more than 400,000 deaths per year in the U.S. and over 5 million worldwide?  If we ignore addictions (which some would call “denial”), then it would appear that cardiovascular disease, cancer, suicide and cirrhosis lead the mortality statistics, but addiction looms behind many of those statistics as the root cause.

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    Deficiency Check

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    Serotonin Deficiency

    1. Is alcohol your drug of choice? If yes, 3 points
     
    2. If you have used marijuana, does it have a relaxing effect on you? If yes, 2 points
     
    3. Have you ever obtained relief from symptoms of depression by taking antidepressants such as Prozac, Paxil, or Zoloft? If yes, 5 points
     
    4. Have you ever gotten relief from your symptoms by taking 5HTP or the amino acid tryptophan? If yes, 5 points
     
    5. Does eating high-sugar foods or processed carbohydrates relax you and/or relieve your irritability and anger? If yes, 4 points
     
    6. Do you often have the sense that you’re “out of sync” or not attuned to what’s going on around you, and that a few drinks gets you “reconnected?” If yes, 2 points
     
    7. Do you have a history of angry and irritable depression? If yes, 2 points
     
    8. Do you have a regular pattern of unexplained rages or a history of explosive or assaultive behavior? If yes, 3 points
     
    9. Do you have a history of sleep problems, especially waking up early and not being able to get back to sleep? If yes, 2 points
     
    10. Is there a history of depression in your family? If yes, 2 points
     
    11. Do you often experience symptoms of gastrointestinal distress, including gas, bloating, loose stools, constipation, and/or abdominal discomfort? If yes, 3 points
     
    Total of 12 to 15 points: You are probably serotonin-deficient.
     
    Total of 16 or more points: You are very probably serotonin-deficient.

    The Serotonin PAK may be right for you.

    GABA Deficiency

    1. Are sedatives, sleeping pills, or “downers” your drug of choice? If yes, 5 points
     
    2. Is alcohol your drug of choice? If yes, 2 points
     
    3. Does alcohol relax you or help you to sleep? If yes, 4 points
     
    4. Have you ever obtained relief from symptoms of anxiety by taking prescription drugs such as Ativan, Klonopin, Valium, or Xanax, or by taking sedatives? If yes, 5 points
     
    5. Do you often have symptoms such as headache, irritability, and/or dizziness when you go four hours or more without food? If yes, 5 points
     
    6. Do you have a history of panic attacks or severe anxiety? If yes, 3 points
     
    7. Do you have a tendency to be thin or underweight? If yes, 2 points
     
    8. Do you have problems sleeping, especially falling asleep? If yes, 2 points
     
    9. Do you have sugar cravings? If yes, 2 points
     
    10. Is there a history of anxiety or panic disorder in your family? If yes, 2 points
     
    Total of 12 to 15 points: You are probably GABA-deficient.
     
    Total of 16 or more points: You are very probably GABA-deficient.

    The GABA PAK may be right for you.


    Do you have an amino acid deficiency?

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    Endorphin / Enkephalin Deficiency

    1. Are heroin, Darvon, codeine, morphine, methadone, Oxycontin, and/or other opiates your drug of choice? If yes, 5 points
     
    2. Have you ever had difficulty stopping the use of painkilling drugs such as codeine, morphine, Darvon, methadone, or other opioids? If yes, 3 points
     
    3. Do you use drugs or alcohol to carve out a respite or “time out” from a very busy, active life? If yes, 4 points
     
    4. Have you ever been diagnosed with Post-Traumatic-Stress Disorder (PTSD)? If yes, 5 points
     
    5. Are you troubled by chronic pain, such as back pain, headaches, etc.? If yes, 1 point
     
    6. Do you have difficulty enjoying pleasurable experiences much of the time (and not just when you’re feeling down)? If yes, 1 point
     
    7. Do you have low pain tolerance? If yes, 3 points
     
    Total of 10 to 13 points: You are probably endorphin-deficient.
     
    Total of 14 or more points: You are very probably endorphin-deficient.

    The Endorphin PAK may be right for you.

    Catecholamine Deficiency

    (Dopamine and Norepinephrine)

    1. Is either cocaine or amphetamines your drug of choice? If yes, 5 points
     
    2. Do you smoke cigarettes, or use nicotine in another form, such as smokeless tobacco? If 1 pack per day or less, 1 point. If 2 packs per day, 2 points. If 3 or more packs per day, 3 points.
     
    3. If you have used marijuana, does it excite you or have a “speedy” effect on you? If yes, 4 points
     
    4. Is there a history of mania in your family? If yes, 2 points
     
    5. Is there a history of depression in your family? If yes, 3 points
     
    6. Do you often experience tiredness, loss of energy, boredom, or an inability to feel pleasure? If yes, 3 points
     
    7. Are you a thrill-seeker or risk-taker? If yes, 3 points
     
    8. Do you respond positively to tricyclic antidepressant drugs, such as Tofranil, Elavil, Endep, or Pamelor? If yes, 5 points
     
    9. Do you respond positively to prescription drugs, such as Ritalin, Cylert, Adderall, or methamphetamine? If yes, 5 points
     
    10. Do antihistamine drugs like Benadryl cause you to feel “speedy?” If yes, 2 points
     
    Total of 13 to 16 points: You are probably catecholamine-deficient.
     
    Total of 17 or more points: You are very probably catecholamine-deficient.

    The Dopamine PAK may be right for you.

    Disclaimer: The information contained in this document is for educational purposes only and it should not be followed without first consulting with a healthcare professional who is knowledgeable about CAM (Complementary/Alternative Medicine), Integrative and/or Orthomolecular Medicine. If you have any known medical or psychiatric disorder you should first follow the recommendations of your healthcare professional before taking nutritional supplements. The statements contained in this document or presentation have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

    Power Recovery PAKs

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    The Power Recovery PAKs have been developed by Dr. Chas Gant, M.D., Ph.D. to include the nutrients he recommends for recovery from addiction based on his many years of research and treatment of addiction and related disorders. He found that neurotransmitter imbalances can be corrected and normal production restored by nourishing the brain with the appropriate nutrients and by removing toxins that have accumulated in the body.

    There are four primary neurotransmitters affected by addiction: dopamine, serotonin, endorphin and GABA.

    Each neurotransmitter has a different action on the brain. If dopamine is deficient, your ability to focus will probably be affected, your energy level will be lower, and your overall sense of well being will be decreased. If serotonin needs to be restored, your ability to relax has been affected, you will worry more, and your sense of serenity will be decreased. If endorphin has been affected, your tolerance for pain in all forms has been diminished, and you will be hypersensitive to all types of stimuli. If GABA has been affected, your anxiety levels may be very high, you may have panic attacks, and you will probably have trouble sleeping. Each recovery PAK offers the ingredients to revitalize the beneficial actions of each of these neurotransmitters and restore the positive, natural feelings that go with them.

    There are four primary neurotransmitters affected by addiction: dopamine, serotonin, endorphin and GABA. Click to Tweet

    With the Power Recovery PAKs, you will begin rebalancing your brain chemistry with PAKS that contain healing amino acids right for your deficiency as well as vitamins and minerals to help the amino acids work. Determine which PAK is right for you from the Neurotransmitter Chart. Generally you will find that the Serotonin PAK is right for you if your drug of choice is a depressant drug, the Dopamine PAK if your drug of choice is a stimulant drug.  The Endorphin PAK if your drug of choice is a painkiller, and the GABA PAK if your drug of choice is an anti-anxiety drug. Usually the Serotonin PAK is right for an alcohol problem, but not everyone drinks for the same effect. So look at the chart to determine whether another PAK might be right for you. Several neurotransmitters are involved in nicotine addiction, so choose the Tobac Pak if you want to quit smoking.

    You should start taking the Serotonin PAK, the Dopamine PAK, the Endorphin PAK, the GABA PAK, or the Tobac PAK before you actually quit using an addictive substance. Take one packet twice daily. These nutrients will begin healing your brain immediately, making it easier for you to quit in a few weeks. During that time you should be cutting down and may find that you have less desire for the drug after you start taking the nutrients. When you are ready to abstain entirely, the nutrients in the Detox PAK will help you withdraw from the drug.  Removing toxins from your body, help your body absorb nutrients from food and your supplements, and aid in the normal production of neurotransmitters. Take one packet of the detox nutrients each day for at least one month. Continue taking your Serotonin, Dopamine, Endorphin, GABA, or TobacPAK nutrients twice a day and stay on them at least six months.

    Warning: Withdrawal from some drugs can be life threatening. If you are at risk for serious withdrawal symptoms, “do not try this at home.” In the case of severe alcoholism withdrawal can be very serious and can result in seizures and even death. You should not attempt to discontinue drinking without being under medical supervision and preferably in an addiction treatment facility. If you are taking a benzodiazepine drug such as Xanax, Klonapin, Atavan, Valium, or Librium, withdrawal can be very serious and life threatening. Never stop taking any of these drugs all at once. You should taper gradually under medical supervision. You may not think you are addicted, but dependence on these drugs can occur within a week. Withdrawal can result in seizures and death. Even if you can stop taking them without such serious consequences you will probably experience severe sleep problems, anxiety, and perhaps panic attacks. Taking the Power Recovery nutrients while you gradually taper off the medication will relieve anxiety, help you sleep, and help prevent serious symptoms from occurring.

    If you are taking an SSRI antidepressant, you can rebound into serious depression if you stop taking it all at once. In fact, if you are taking any psychotropic prescription medication, you would be wise to taper off instead of just stopping. If you are not sure about the safety of withdrawal from a drug you are taking, check with a physician to determine how to withdraw safely.

    The good news here is that, however you withdraw, you can do it easier and more safely with the help of nutrients that help you detox and nourish your brain. The Power Recovery nutrients can reduce or relieve symptoms of withdrawal and help you do it more safely.

    In addition, we recommend that you get support from some source while you are detoxing and well into your recovery. You can get that support from a counselor, a treatment facility, and/or a support group such as a 12-Step program. You need other people to encourage you and people you can turn to when you are tempted to return to drug use. Addiction recovery is really not a do-it-yourself process. But there is a lot you can do yourself to increase your chance of success. And taking the appropriate nutrients to remove toxins from your body, nourish your brain, and replenish your brain chemicals may be the most important thing you can do.

    Recovery from addiction is a lifelong process. It is much more than just quitting. It means maintaining your health as well as your sobriety. Your have to be sober to be healthy, but you also have to be healthy to be sober. This means eating well, exercising, maintaining healthy relationships, and continuing to take nutrients that will keep your brain chemistry in balance. We also suggest that you read some books that provide guidance for addiction recovery. You will find guidance for rebalancing your brain chemistry in End Your Addiction Now by C.E. Gant and Greg Lewis. We also recommend two books by Merlene Miller and David Miller: Staying Clean and Sober – Complementary and Natural Strategies for Healing the Addicted Brain and Learning to Live Again – a Guide to Recovery from Chemical Dependency (with Terence Gorski). If you have symptoms of attention deficit disorder we suggest you read Overload – Attention Deficit Disorder and the Addictive Brain by David Miller and Kenneth Blum.

    Disclaimer: The information contained in this document is for educational purposes only and it should not be followed without first consulting with a healthcare professional who is knowledgeable about CAM (Complementary/Alternative Medicine), Integrative and/or Orthomolecular Medicine. If you have any known medical or psychiatric disorder you should first follow the recommendations of your healthcare professional before taking nutritional supplements. The statements contained in this document or presentation have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

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    Practitioner-quality formulated supplements for nutritional support in addiction recovery, detoxification, mood regulation, focus improvement, and maintaining optimal health and wellness.

     


    Formulated supplements for nutritional support in addiction recovery

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    The information and product descriptions appearing on this website are for information purposes only, and are not intended to provide medical advice to individuals. Consult with your physician if you have any health concerns, and before initiating any new diet, exercise, supplement, or other lifestyle changes. Statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Any products, supplements, or other tools found throughout this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.