The iconic American author and philosopher William James famously said, “Success or failure depends more upon attitude than upon capacity, successful men act as though they have accomplished or are enjoying something. Soon, it becomes a reality. Act, look, and feel successful, conduct yourself accordingly, and you will be amazed at the positive results.” This is what recovery is all about – forward momentum and taking the next right action. However, one must first admit that they need help. If you are currently struggling with mixing stimulants and alcohol, don’t fret. There is help and there is hope. The key is taking the first step and reaching out.
Better Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)
Most people have heard the terms alcohol addiction, alcoholism, and alcohol use disorder (AUD), but what exactly are they? According to the peer-reviewed thesis Alcohol Use Disorder: Screening, Evaluation, and Management, by Doctors Nehring, Chen, and Freeman, “Alcohol is the most commonly used substance in the United States, with 84% of people 18 and older reporting lifetime use, according to data from the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Alcohol use exists along a spectrum from low risk to alcohol use disorder (AUD). The intervening category, known as risky drinking, includes heavy drinking as well as binge drinking. AUD is a chronic disease with significant medical, social, and psychological implications for the patient.”
Millions of people struggle with AUD. AUD is one of the most common diseases in the world, and, yes, it is a disease. It is important not to stigmatize it as some type of moral failing or “choice.” No, addiction is now widely agreed upon as a chronic disease by most recovery specialists and addiction professionals. It is more like other chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease, because without some type of professional intervention, it will almost always get worse, rarely better. The same is true with stimulant addiction.
Better Understanding Stimulant Addiction
Stimulant addiction can be highly devastating and damaging to an individual’s way of life. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “A stimulant use disorder changes a person’s brain in two major ways. One is neurotoxic (by affecting brain processes such as memory, learning, and other cognitive functions). The other way is by triggering the addiction process, such as by acting on the brain’s reward system or through the development of craving.”
There are also many different types of stimulant addictions. One of the most common is cocaine addiction. It can be severely disruptive to both the body and the brain. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “Use of cocaine can induce long-term changes in the brain. Animal studies show that cocaine exposure can cause significant neuroadaptations in neurons that release the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. Animals chronically exposed to cocaine demonstrate profound changes in glutamate neurotransmission – including how much is released and the level of receptor proteins – in the reward pathway, particularly the nucleus acumens.”
Many people with stimulant addiction also struggle with the use of methamphetamines, which can create a vicious cycle of devastating destruction. According to NIDA, “Methamphetamine’s short-term effects typically include feelings of euphoria and increased alertness and energy. It can also cause serious negative health effects, including paranoia, anxiety, rapid heart rate, irregular heartbeat, stroke, or even death. Long-term use may lead to insomnia, memory loss, the development of a substance use disorder, and other health problems.” Mixing any of these stimulants with alcohol can be very dangerous, and it is more common than many people may think.
The Dangers of Mixing Stimulants and Alcohol
The reality is that mixing stimulants and alcohol is more dangerous than using either substance on its own. According to the Journal of Addiction Research & Therapy, “It is noteworthy that drugs of abuse have been shown to alter central brain reward circuitry, which can lead addicts to increase their alcohol intake for reward effects. Alcohol use with other drugs of abuse has been reported to hinder decision making, thinking, and neurocognitive capabilities. Moreover, recent studies confirmed that alcohol and other drugs of abuse are usually found in the blood of deceased or seriously injured drivers involved in traffic accidents caused by psychomotor function impairment.”
It is also true that mixing stimulants and alcohol can cause much more damage to those around the individual, especially family and close friends. This is also why addiction is referred to as a “family disease.” It is like a tornado that destroys everyone and everything in its path, again, especially the family. However, the good news is that the family also has a unique ability to get a loved one the help they need. However, they must first be able to spot the signs and symptoms of mixing stimulants and alcohol.
The Symptoms of Mixing Stimulants and Alcohol
Of course, the signs and symptoms of mixing stimulants and alcohol are always going to vary based on the individual. However, one can look out for many universal signs and symptoms. The following are just a few of those signs and symptoms:
- Isolating away from family and close friends
- Experiencing trouble at work or school
- Not being able to stop drinking or using stimulants once started
- Losing interest in activities once enjoyed
- Having trouble with sleep cycles, including sleeping too much and not sleeping enough
- Experiencing physical ailments such as headaches, body aches, and gastrointestinal problems (like constipation)
- Feeling anxious, nervous, or overly “stressed out”
- Having feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and helplessness
- Loss of appetite and a lack of care regarding physical appearance and well-being
- Exhibiting excessive mood swings
- Causing harm to oneself or others
- Having suicidal ideations
Now, people can often minimize addiction or even falsely categorize it as that previously mentioned “choice.” However, as one can see, these signs and symptoms are significant and can be deadly. This is why reaching out for professional help sooner rather than later is critical. Doing so could mean the difference between short-term side effects and long-term consequences. The good news is that there is a solution for treating co-occurring stimulant addiction and AUD.
How to Treat Co-Occurring Stimulant Addiction and AUD at the Cellular Level
Treating addiction at the cellular level is all about getting to the underlying root/core causes of addiction. A lot more goes on under the surface than when someone simply takes a stimulant or a drink. It is about the thinking as much as it is about the drinking (if not more).
It is also important to treat an individual with addiction like, well, an individual. There are too many recovery centers that only offer overarching “one-note” recovery plans that think nothing of the individual.
Here at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab™, we know that this type of recovery rarely works. Just as no one’s addiction is exactly the same, their recovery shouldn’t be either. It is also true that recovery must be comprehensive, which means taking a multi-angled approach.
Treating Co-Occurring Disorders With a Multi-Angled Approach
The multi-angled approach is all about utilizing all of the means, methods, and modalities that have been proven to help with addiction. This includes stimulant addiction and AUD.
These modalities reside in the realm of evidence-based psychotherapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), experiential therapies like nature immersion therapy and surf therapy, and holistic healing methods like yoga therapy and mindfulness meditation.
Treating Co-Occurring Stimulant Addiction and AUD With ‘Evidence-Based’ Modalities
There are many evidence-based psychotherapies that can help individuals recover at the cellular level. Perhaps no more important is CBT for recovery. CBT can be particularly effective because it gets to the underlying issues of addiction, as previously mentioned.
CBT also offers a myriad of other benefits. According to the peer-reviewed journal Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation, “Robust evidence suggests the efficacy of classical/traditional CBT compared to minimal and usual care control conditions. CBT combined with another evidence-based treatment, such as Motivational Interviewing, Contingency Management, or pharmacotherapy, is also efficacious compared to minimal and usual care control conditions, but no form of CBT consistently demonstrates efficacy compared to other empirically-supported modalities. CBT and integrative forms of CBT have potential for flexible application, such as use in a digital format.” Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy can also be highly effective for treating stimulant addiction and AUD.
EMDR can be particularly helpful for individuals with addiction who also struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder, which is more common than many people may think. According to the peer-reviewed journal Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience, “Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, or EMDR, is a type of psychotherapy geared toward mitigating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. EMDR is an eight-step treatment modality that aims to distance patients with PTSD from the negative self-conception that can develop following traumatic events, while affirming and installing positive self-assessments. This is achieved by leading the patient through bilateral stimulation while talking through their traumatic memories and negative feelings, eventually introducing positive statements to replace the negative ones.”
Treating Co-Occurring Stimulant Addiction and AUD With Experiential Therapies
Experiential therapies can also be highly beneficial for treating stimulant addiction and AUD. This includes nature-based therapies like nature immersion therapy and creativity-focused therapies like art therapy.
Nature immersion therapy offers a vast array of benefits for those struggling with addiction. According to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, “Overall, natural environments can have a positive impact on health and well-being. Being outdoors in nature can be, in general, health-promoting. Furthermore, being outdoors can stimulate all the senses, increase the feeling of freedom, and have a positive effect on the immune system. Moreover, light and air can increase reflection and self-regulation for patients with depression.” Art therapy can also help with co-occurring mental health issues.
Now, art therapy is for anyone who wants to express themselves, and you don’t have to be an artist to partake. According to the peer-reviewed journal Cureus, “Art therapy is used most commonly to treat mental illnesses and can aid in controlling manifestations correlated with psychosocially challenging behaviours, slowing cognitive decline, and enhancing the quality of life. [It] can help people express themselves more freely, improve their mental health, and improve interpersonal relationships. The basis of art therapy is established on the idea that people can recover and feel better via artistic expression.” Holistic healing methods can also help you express yourself in recovery.
Treating Co-Occurring Stimulant Addiction and AUD With Holistic Healing Methods
Holistic healing methods (like yoga and meditation) can be highly beneficial for recovery and getting one ready to reconnect with family in recovery. According to yogi and spiritual leader B.K.S. Iyengar, “As animals, we walk the earth; as bearers of divine essence, we are among the stars; as human beings, we are caught in the middle, seeking to reconcile the paradox of how to make our way upon earth while striving for something more permanent and more profound.” This is what holistic modalities are all about.
Holistic healing has many benefits. Of course, these benefits are going to vary depending on many circumstances, but there are many common benefits. The following are just a few of the benefits of holistic practices:
- Improved breathing
- Better strength and posture
- Finding a better sense of mental balance and clarity
- Helping one connect with others and heal relationships
- Increased positivity and wellness
- A greater focus on mindfulness
- Creates empathy
- Acquiring a better sense of self
- Connects individuals with new, relatable people
- Encourages spirituality
- Reduces anxiety and depression
- Can help individuals who struggle with suicidal ideations
As one can see, these benefits are vast and varied. These modalities also work very well with other types of treatment, making them even more valuable to individuals mixing stimulants and alcohol who are seeking a more comprehensive treatment plan. The key is finding the right types of treatments that work together and sticking to them. Holistic methods also work well with 12-Step recovery.
Treating Co-Occurring Stimulant Addiction and AUD With 12-Step Recovery
Utilizing the Twelve Steps of recovery can be highly beneficial for recovery at the cellular level. This is primarily because it helps people connect with others who have similar experiences. It is also a great way to avoid a potential relapse. It is specifically discussed in the primary text of 12-Step recovery (commonly referred to as the Big Book). The Big Book states, “Practical experience shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking [and using] as intensive work with other [people in recovery]. It works when other activities fail…. You can help when no one else can.”
12-Step recovery also involves working with a sponsor. This can be critical because it offers a relationship in which one can feel safe when they are feeling stressed or triggered. Rather than drinking or using, one can utilize a safe space to express oneself until those cognitions and emotions pass. It also gives you an essential purpose in life. After all, recovery is all about sharing your unique ability to save another person from the vicious cycle of addiction. You are a literal lifesaver!
Healing at the Cellular Level With Exclusive Hawaii Rehab™
Here at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab™, we believe in long-term success over short-term “fixes.” This is why all of our recovery plans are individualized and comprehensive, with a focus on the future. This is how we can help you truly heal at the cellular level.
William James also famously wrote, “Action seems to follow feeling, but really action and feeling go together; and by regulating the action, which is under the more direct control of the will, we can indirectly regulate the feeling, which is not.” Yes, recovery is all about taking the next right action toward living a life beyond your wildest dreams.
If you are struggling with mixing alcohol and stimulants and are sick and tired of being sick and tired, the time to recover is now. You can do this! We can help.
Many people use stimulants and alcohol, and the negative effects can be devastating. These negative effects are significantly compounded when they are mixed. It can be highly beneficial to know those negative effects as well as how to heal at the cellular level. The good news is that there is a solution. If you feel like you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, mental illness, or both, we can help get you on the right road to recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. For more information about stimulant addiction and alcohol use disorder (AUD), please reach out to Exclusive Hawaii Rehab™ today at (808) 775-0200.
