Altering Chemicals and Neurological Connections

When we ingest mind altering chemicals, it creates new neurological connections in the brain and strengthens existing ones.  Although the use of certain substances can create dependency, it is not necessarily due to the chemical make-up of the drug.  One of the reasons dependency happens is due to a learning process called classical conditioning that changes the way our brain recognizes stimulus.  Once this happens there are several tools we can use to mitigate the effects, one is spiritually integrated substance use treatment. 

Spiritual care, in all its forms, has a profoundly positive impact on people who are participating in substance use treatment.  The psychological goal of reducing anxiety and stress can be reached by adapting a humanistic approach. Providers who are honest with their display of compassion, lack of judgment, patience, and empathy build stronger relationships with those they serve.  Integration of meditation practices including mindfulness meditation, respiratory relaxation methods, and physical exercise, or prayer, combined with other treatment methods, can help participants have better recovery outcomes.

No one can be deliriously happy every minute. Acceptance of negative emotions is natural and healthy, as is finding pro social outlets for them. Collective cultures have better physical, emotional, and psychological health. Assuaging loneliness can be accomplished by group activities, including treatment, social model aftercare, peer recovery groups, and more. Being part of a group reduces the desire for chemicals to substitute for feelings of isolation. Integrative, cognitive/holistic approaches to substance abuse treatment, and building social supports, can have far reaching effects for the recovering person and those whose lives they touch.

Written by: Lisa Smith
tCADC, PRS, Outpatient Treatment Provider 

Because Life is All About Connections

Life Connections provides in-home Behavioral Health Intervention services, Therapy services, autism (ABA) services and Children’s Mental Health waiver services in our 13 office locations and approved schools across Iowa. Life Connections was founded in March of 2009 with the intent to serve the children and families of Cedar Rapids and surrounding cities.

Life Connections is a highly professional and caring counseling and behavioral health provider. We offer a wide array of services to treat mental health issues including Applied Behavior Analysis Services,  Behavioral Health Intervention Services, mental health therapy, school-based therapy programs, and substance use treatment.

For more information, please call 319-409-6922.

Resources:

• National Suicide Prevention Hotline 800-273-8255

• Crisis Text line text to 741741
• The Trevor Project – for LGBTQ+ young adult community 866-488-7386
• Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network 800-656-4673