Substance Abuse, Addictionology Specialists
SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Smoking, Food, Drugs
Addictionology
We provide the most comprehensive approach to the treatment of addictions and compulsive behaviors in the field today. Dr. Paz is our resident certified addictionologist. Based on an extensive intake evaluation, Dr. Paz will determine if our program is the most appropriate for the individual and will tailor a protocol specifically to meet their needs.
The conditions that we treat in this office are as follows:
- Smoking Cessation
- Substance abuse or dependency (alcohol, drugs, prescription medication)
- Drug Court Mandates
- Gambling/ Risk taking behavior
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorders
- Depression
- ADD and ADHD (children and adults)
Because all addictions have the same basic “fingerprint” in terms of brain chemistry, we use the Brain Reward Cascade model and the disease model of addiction in our treatment. Our treatment consists of the traditional methods of one on one counseling, 12-step programs (N.A., A.A., etc), and group therapy in addition to Auriculotherapy, Amino Acid Therapy and Torque Release Adjustments. These last three therapies when added to traditional treatment protocols has been proven through randomized clinical trials to increase success rates dramatically. It gives the addict a better chance to get clean and stay clean.
Auriculotherapy
Developed by Neurologists and Endorsed by the World Health Organization, Auricular therapy is a micro-current stimulation by an FDA approved hand held instrument applied to cranial nerves endpoints on the ear’s surface. This is used to stimulate the brain into manufacturing and activating “well-being” neurotransmitters such as endorphins and dopamine. The objective of Auricular Therapy is to reduce the cravings, and anxiety that drive a person to engage in self destructive or socially unacceptable behaviors. To be certified to treat patients with Auriculotherapy one must be a physician; a doctor of Medicine, Osteopathy, or Chiropractic licensed in his/her state for electro-stimulation modalities. Auriculotherapy is not acupuncture nor ear acupuncture and needles are not used. Auriculotherapy works directly to restore normal brain chemistry and facilitate healthy thoughts, behaviors and lifestyle.
Amino Acid Therapy and the Brain Reward Cascade
Brain Reward Cascade/Brain Reward Deficiency
What research has discovered is that there is something we all have as part of our brain function called the brain reward cascade. The brain reward cascade describes how brain chemicals called neurotransmitters like endorphins, are essential for a person to express happiness, calmness, and an overall state of well being. A deficiency in these brain chemicals can lead to depression, the five addictions which include alcohol, drugs, gambling, sex, and work, as well as, ADD/ADHD, overeating, smoking and/or obsessive-compulsive thoughts and behaviors. This deficiency is called the Brain Reward Deficiency Syndrome. Auriculotherapy treats the brain reward deficiency syndrome and allows many people to experience success in their efforts at being well when many previous attempts have failed.
As part of our treatment, we use specific amino acids to help regulate the chemicals in the brain naturally.
Scary Statistics:
- 50% of all traffic fatalities and 35% of all suicides are due to addiction. (National Center for Substance abuse and Treatment)
- 75% of first time drug offenders will be rearrested. (National Center for Substance abuse and Treatment)
- Obesity contributes to the death of 250,000 to 300,000 Americans a year.( National Center for Disease Control)
- 3.8 million schoolchildren in the United States are diagnosed with ADD/ADHD (American Academy of Pediatrics).
- At least 2 million of these children take the stimulant Ritalin whose side effects include depression and suicide. (American Academy of Pediatrics).
- 94-96% of compulsive gamblers return to gambling even after participating in a recovery program (Gambler’s Anonymous)
If you know someone who needs our help call us at: 954-436-6161
or EMail us at: info@floridanaturalhealthcare.com
