Why Can't the Addict Stop?

The two major causes for Addiction have been identified and are thoroughly and completely addressed and treated successfully on the Narconon Drug Detox and Rehab Program.

These two major reasons are:

Mental and physical cravings caused by drug residues which remain in the body even long after a person quits using the drug.

The "Biochemical Personality" -- the "way of thinking" that is caused by drug addiction and the lifestyle an addict adopts to get drugs and live with a drug habit.

These two situations are intrically linked, the one feeding the other, and both must be recognized and dealt with before a person can fully free himself or herself from the addiction.

Biochemical Aspects of Addiction

The addict can “just say no” a thousand times, but it only takes saying “yes” one time to start the cycle of addiction again.

Several decades ago, L. Ron Hubbard discovered the biochemical aspect of drug addiction. This biochemical breakthrough has led to the most successful approach to rehabilitation in existence.

In essence, when a person uses drugs over a period of time, the body becomes unable to completely eliminate all traces of them. The traces that remain are stored in the fatty tissues. Called "drug Metabolites", these traces re-enter the system and trigger cravings for the drug along with the "Biochemical Personality" traits that are a non-optimum way of life.

Drug Metabolites Are Stored in Fat

Left unhandled, these manifestations will haunt a person for years even if they have sobered up. Left untreated, they can trigger a serious Relapse.

These unresolved symptoms and manifestations, whether physical or mental in origin, create an underlying low-level type of stress which cannot be completely ignored by the addict. The addict can “just say no” a thousand times, but it only takes him saying “yes” one time to start the cycle of addiction again.

Drug Residues Remain in Fatty Tissues

Drugs are broken down in the liver into substances called metabolites. Although removed rapidly from the blood stream, metabolites can become trapped in the fatty tissues. The one thing in common—and the problem that needs to be addressed—is that these drug residues remain trapped for years.

Tissues in our bodies that are high in fats are turned over very slowly. When they are turned over, the stored drug metabolites are released into the blood stream and reactivate the same brain centers as if the person actually took the drug. The former addict now experiences restimulation of a drug episode (or “flashback”) and subsequent drug Craving. This is common in the months after an addict quits and can continue to occur for years, even decades.

The Cycle of Quitting, Withdrawal, Craving and Relapse

Why Can't the Addict Stop?

When the addict initially tries to quit, cells in the brain that have become used to large amounts of these metabolites are now forced to deal with much decreased amounts. Even as the withdrawal symptoms subside, the brain “demands” that the addict give it more of the drug. This is called drug craving.

Craving is an extremely powerful urge and can cause a person to create all kinds of “reasons” they should begin using drugs again. He is now trapped in an endless cycle of trying to quit, craving, relapse and fear of withdrawal.

Eventually, the brain cells will again become used to having lowered drug metabolites. But, because deposits of drug metabolites release back into the bloodstream from fatty tissues for years, craving and relapse remain a cause for concern.

Left unhandled, the presence of metabolites even in microscopic amounts cause the brain to react as if the addict had again actually taken the drug and can set up craving and relapse even after years of sobriety.

Handling the Drug Metabolites

The Narconon Rehabilitation Program utilizes a combination of exercise, induced sweating in a sauna, and nutritional supplements to eliminate the traces of drugs, or metabolites, stored in the fatty tissue.

No drugs of any kind are part of the Narconon Rehabilitation Program, such as "addiction substitute drugs" like Methadone.

The results of this phase of the program are:

Reduction or elimination of drug and Alcohol cravings.

Reduction or elimination of many symptoms associated with drug addiction and alcoholism. These can include depression, irritability, and fatigue.

Ability to think more clearly.

Improved memory and attention span.

Increased energy.

Increased sense of well being.

Enthusiasm toward life.

Handling the "Biochemical Personality"

This "Biochemical Personality" includes such characteristics as:

Mood swings, unreliable emotions.

Unable to finish projects.

Unexpressed resentment and secret hatreds.

Dishonesty -- lies to family, friends, employers.

Withdraws from those who love him, isolates self.

May appear chronically depressed.

May begin stealing from family and friends.

After successfully eliminating drug traces from the body, the Narconon Rehabilitation Program moves through a series of specialized study courses that complement and expand on each other to help the addict recognize the old addiction life-style and thought processes. These unique cognitive and objective therapies are followed by life skills training, delivered in easily understood phases.

The program is complete when the former addict recognizes and accepts responsibility for old habit patterns and "reasons why". The person's relationships with and understanding of himself, his family, friends and environment are fully examined and rehabilitated.

On the person's own self-determinism, and with no physical or mental "hooks" into past cravings and behavior, he or she is no longer an addict and has regained his or her own true nature.

As so many program graudates say, "The future is once again accessible, and anything is possible."

Toll Free: 888-9NO-DRUGS or 888-966-3784

Definitions of Terms Used

Term	Description
Addiction	Strong physiological, emotional and/or psychological dependence on a substance such as alcohol or drugs that has progressed beyond voluntary control. For more on addiction see the section Addiction Information in this website.
Alcohol	Refers to ethyl alcohol or ethanol.
Craving	A powerful, often uncontrollable desire for drugs.
Drug	Any substance, other than food, that changes the function or structure of the body or mind when ingested. Drugs essentially are poisons. The degree they are taken determines the effect. A small amount acts as a stimulant. A greater amount acts as a sedative. A larger amount acts as a poison and can kill one dead. This is true of any drug. Each has a different amount at which it gives those results.
Metabolites	The products that result when enzymes in the body break things down or alter them to produce energy or eliminate them.
Methadone	A long-lasting synthetic opiate used to treat cancer pain and heroin addiction.
Narconon	A non-religious, non-profit drug rehabilitation program using technology developed by author L. Ron Hubbard. The Narconon program was originally organized in Arizona State Prison in 1966 by William Benitez, an inmate who was himself a drug addict. He applyed basic principles regarding self awareness and self assurance contained in books by L. Ron Hubbard and, by doing so, completely cured his own addiction to heroin. Mr Benitez then went on to help twenty other inmates do the same. Today there are Narconon centers in 45 countries.
Relapse	In drug abuse, relapse is the resumption of drug use after trying to stop taking drugs. Relapse is a common occurrence in many chronic disorders, including addiction, that require behavioral adjustments to treat effectively.
Withdrawal	Symptoms that occur after chronic use of a drug is reduced or stopped.

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Why Can't the Addict Stop?

Toll Free: 888-9NO-DRUGS or 888-966-3784

© 2004 Narconon of Oklahoma, Inc. All rights reserved.

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