The factors involved in Drug addiction are many and there are many schools of thought regarding the proper method to relieve addicts of their cravings, compulsive behaviors and the physical obstacles to recovery.   

 It is known that long term use of drugs can cause actual structural changes in the physiology and that these changes can lead to relapse after relapse.   This leads to the theory that all addiction is physical and puts it in the category of a disease.  Some say an incurable disease.   

 But even a Heroin addict who has been using for years can recover and live drug-free for life.    Alcoholics can “go on the wagon” and stay away from drinking for years, without relapse.  

 Another take on this is that drug abuse is a conscious choice that the addict makes on a daily basis.  It is nearly unthinkable that an individual would willfully choose to live the life of a Cocaine addict or someone using crystal meth on a daily basis, even on an hourly basis.   Yet many people do, and this leads to the ostracizing of users; the proof is right on the streets.  This is the belief that addiction is purely mental.  

 At the Narconon Drug Detox & Rehab program we know that addiction is actually a combination of physical and mental changes the user has gone through.   Any attempts to reverse the addiction process must address both sides.

This is why at Narconon, we deal with the physical AND the mental aspects of addiction.  Only in this way can the former user be stably off drugs; free to feel and act without the constant reminders of addiction and free to start rebuilding their life.  

Mr. Tony Bylsma, a Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor and Executive Director of Narconon Drug Prevention & Education, has since 1980 educated many thousands of students on the dangers of drugs. In addition he has years of experience in rehabilitating drug addicts. He can be reached at 1-888-966-3784.