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Understanding Addiction
An Interview with Dr. Yakov Marshak
SB - Doctor, please explain why a drug or
an alcohol addict does not stop using or
drinking, even after some of his friends
have already died from substance abuse?
To understand how this vicious cycle of addiction
works, try to hold your breath for one minute.
The psychological and physical discomfort will increase,
becoming intolerable in the end. You will
take a deep breath and experience a distinct sense
of relief.
The addict functions in a similar manner. Ultimately,
he will surrender to a drug of his choice.
SB - What is a cause of pathological dependency?
I think that a drug addiction is the extension of what
I call “natural addictions”. Breathing, satisfaction of
hunger and thirst, sex drive are all examples of our
“natural addictions”. All these behaviors have their
own cycles. If we begin to suppress them, we will
suffer progressively and at the moment of resuming
their use, we will rapidly transit from the state
of sharp discomfort to the state of well-being.
SB - How is dependency formed?
Drugs rapidly change the state of emotional discomfort
to the state of euphoria. This sensation is
imprinted into our emotional instinctive memory
on the unconscious level as a feeling of great and
unconditional love. It is interesting to note that
this feeling of love that has been “stamped” in the
brain is impossible to erase. From that moment,
his whole life is dedicated to a single goal – use of
the drug, everything else in the world is converted
into a source to fulfill this objective. Addict’s priorities
are altered and all emotions are exploited as a
tool to obtain drugs.
SB - Doctor, can an addict be trusted?
You can’t trust a person who is acting-out a part in
the script which he has created with the ultimate
goal to get drugs. The addict's mind is much more
motivated than the mind of a sober individual;
therefore it has to work a great deal harder. Addicts
are creative, witty, and at times are ingenious in
reaching their objective.
SB - Is it true that addicts have no willpower?
To the contrary, their willpower toward "reaching
goal" is untamable. Our willpower is controlled
by reward system - an organ in the brain which
governs our life and forms our behavior. It makes
our thinking bough rational and adequate. On the
other hand, when this system is damaged by drugs,
it issues commands that destroy addict’s own life,
while using all of his abilities to that end. In order
to heal an addict we need to "fix" his organ of mood
regulation.
SB - What kind of treatment do you consider
to be the most effective?
Unfortunately, techniques like aversion therapy,
hypnosis, and even brain surgery can not effectively
restore addict's mood regulation. At our
clinic we practices the use of the principally new,
patented method for restoration of the mood regulation
system. We teach a patient special exercises
and skills which restore his ability to live a life of
happiness and well-being. The method is called the
"Brain Building and Mind Reconstruction.” This
technique normalizes the mood and corrects the
character of our patient.
SB - What can family members do if there
is an addict in the family?
It is essential to choose a reliable and comprehensive
treatment program. Then, without losing a
single day, begin to fight for his life. Sadly, it can be
very short for the drug users.
SB - What can be done if an addict refuses
to be treated?
You must decline to assist in his suicide. Give an
addict a choice: either he goes into treatment with
your absolute support, or he will be denied any assistance
from you - including food, money, and the
roof over his head… until he comes to his senses.
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Physician founded and directed since 1997, SkinStore.com offers the best in skin care, beauty inspired and scientifically innovative - more than 200 brands from around the world ranging from natural products to those developed by leading dermatologists. Found only in luxury spas, finer stores and doctor’s offices, they offer over 5,000 different products at competitive prices. It is the country’s leading internet retailer of specialized skin care products and was recently listed in Inc. Magazine as one of the fastest growing businesses in America in 2006.
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