Addiction- a conduct seen as a kind of mental disorder or a disease of the brain by various scientific researches. Every individual is in some form or another, prompted to a repeated exposure to an addictive stimulus, a personal desire in searching for uncertain. An excessive exposure to this kind of addictive stimuli, irrespective of the source of the addiction, could turn to destructive, rather that constructive, such as but not limited to; food craving, workaholism, intense sexual intercourse, gambling, smoking, alcoholism, drugs, cocaine, nicotine, etc. The term addiction is frequently misused to refer to other compulsive behaviors or disorders. Any form of toxic substance is destructive for it is associated with long-term complications. Conversely, some other forms of addiction could be constructive; such as high-thrill cultural, social or sport activities- engagement in welfare and social activities, workaholism, aerobic exercise, fishing, hiking, golfing, television watching, internet and social media activities, etc.; for, they are perceived as being essentially positive, desirable, and pleasurable. They lead individuals in the prevention of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder.

Any excessive use of these activities results in repeated release of high amounts of dopamine, which in turn affects the reward pathway directly through heightened receptor activation, could turn from constructive to destructive, in the same path of toxic substances.

For the past ten years in the studies of Haqua Revitalize™ Therapy, otherwise called as Hot Aqua Therapy, or Aqua Calidum Therapy, a new form of Addiction Therapy; has been found to be the Essential Fuels of the Brain in revitalizing productive neuroplasticity in the brain, and eradicating vicious addictive behaviors. These Essential Fuels are branded as the FEEL’s – The Four Essential Fuels of Life. The Feel’s are the basis of all changes in the physical structure of the brain.

No two-crisis situations are the same. They vary by family, individual, and relationship. They can encompass complex family dynamics, emotional distress, anger issues, and entitlements and often involve substance abuse.

Many times these crisis situations involve:

• A destructive family member

• Addiction or drug abuse

• Unhealthy relationships

• Marriage that is on the rocks

• A grown child or teen refusing to adapt to life’s challenges

Most importantly, they are starting to spiral. It’s time to get help. One thing they all have in common: well-meaning individuals such as yourself feel hopeless, frustrated, and trapped. You feel like you’ve done everything you can to remedy the situation, but things aren’t changing.

Or they are getting worse. Crisis coaching helps you and your loved ones get back on track. I step into a high-stress situation in order to help get everyone unstuck. This involves an intensive look at your current situation and all the factors involved.

My goal is to equip you and your loved ones with the tools, support, and direction to move forward. Unlike traditional counseling, this is not a long-term endeavor. I work with you until we have successfully navigated your current situation and you are confident in your abilities to go forward.

My Approach

Crisis coaching is an in-depth, no nonsense method to quickly assessing your crisis situation and charting a path to move forward.

On the surface SMART Recovery, with its self-empowering approach, and AA (Alcoholics Anonymous), with its powerlessness approach, appear to be opposites.  SMART’s slogan is “Discover the Power of Choice.” AA’s first step is “We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.”

However, recent findings suggest that SMART and AA, as well as LifeRing and Women for Sobriety, are similarly effective (Atkins & Hawdon, 2007; Zemore, et al., under review). Further, these groups may work by the same mechanisms of behavior change (MOBC). Specifically for AA: “While AA’s original main text (‘the Big Book’, 1939) purports that recovery is achieved through quasi-religious/spiritual means (‘spiritual awakening’), findings from studies on MOBC suggest this may be true only for a minority of participants with high addiction severity. AA’s beneficial effects seem to be carried predominantly by social, cognitive and affective mechanisms” (Kelly, 2017). Although MOBC studies are not yet conducted for other groups, all groups may work in the same manner, just as common factors may primarily account for the effectiveness of individual psychotherapy (Norcross & Lambert, 2011). Specifically for AA: “Overall, AA confers benefit through multiple mechanisms simultaneously but, in particular, through facilitating adaptive social network changes and, by boosting social and negative affect, abstinence self-efficacy” (Kelly, 2017).

Disseminating knowledge about common group factors, while clarifying differences in each group’s manner of operation (e.g., the differences between how SMART and AA meetings are conducted) may improve the functioning of all groups, increase mutual respect, increase collective attendance, and improve outcomes.  Future research may identify factors that predict client preference for a particular group. Communities that lack a full range of mutual help groups might engage in affirmative action to establish them.

Community estimates from 2000 indicate over 40% of Americans over age 12 have used an illicit drug in their lifetime with 3.1 million having been in treatment for substance use disorders.  Over nine percent of the total population met criteria for substance use disorders.  Of those with SUDs 53-76% have a comorbid mood or anxiety disorder, personality disorder or eating disorder. Nationwide, approximately 20-30% of all individuals with anorexia nervosa and 40-70% of bulimics have co-morbid substance use disorders.  For binge eating disorder, substance use disorders are a significant co-occurring diagnosis. Up to one-third of female patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) may have undiagnosed eating disorders (ED).  At any given time, 30% of women receiving treatment for substance use disorders may also have a serious eating disorder.

Substance use disorders and eating disorders share many components and characteristics including genetic predisposition for addictions, a history of trauma and attachment disorders and changes in the dopamine reward centers in the brain (reward deficiency syndrome or RDS).  This element of cross-addiction speaks to the fact that, while substance use disorders may begin as part of a primary eating disorder (i.e. the use of stimulants to lose weight), for many individuals, there may be common etiological factors, including family history of SUD, trauma and major depression that promote the development and maintenance of both SUD and ED.

Integrative medicine is an important tool in addressing the brain chemistry and nutritional deficits associated with both ED and SUD.   As well, it is uniquely able to address the dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (hyperactivity of the stress response) and to provide limbic therapies for trauma that is common to both and which puts clients at high risk for relapse.