Emotional Pain / Soul Pain

We know very well that patients self-medicate their emotional pain with drugs and alcohol. In Dr. Sponaugle’s family workshop, he teaches patients the intricacies of BRAIN CHEMISTRY AND ADDICTION.

He actually demonstrates PET brain scan studies from the National Institute of Drug Addiction  that reveal how our pleasure center “drops out” when we experience negative events like losing a loved one or going through a divorce.

This pleasure center drop out makes your brain “feel more normal” on any drug including alcohol that temporarily activates your dopamine driven pleasure center. Alcohol, Oxycontin like pain medication, Cocaine, Marijuana and Nicotine all stimulate a temporary release of dopamine from brain storage units.

The “dopamine hit” numbs the pain for a short while. We find that many patients self-medicate their emotional pain with drugs and alcohol for this reason. When we optimize the dopamine activity in the pleasure center with safe medication, the patient no longer needs to use dopaminergic drugs that cause brain damage and addiction.

This emotional pain is often the result of a traumatic childhood or a broken relationship. Drug and alcohol detox is only the first step in setting you free of your addiction. We can also optimize your brain chemistry and subsequently, your brain function. This will enhance the effect of counseling and expedite your healing. God’s plan for you is not to be unhappy and a slave to drugs or alcohol.

We can help. Call now to talk with one of our patient coordinators.

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