Heal the Addicted Brain
You Don’t Have to Live with Addiction




Heal the Addicted Brain
You Don’t Have to Live with Addiction
The information presented on this page is a general overview and is offered here as a comprehensive resource. At Ampelis Recovery, our programs are customized and tailored to the individual’s needs. Specific details below that cover treatment protocols may not reflect the protocols used for our clients.
If you would like to learn more about Ampelis Recovery and our customized programs for professional men, please do not hesitate to reach out.
WE WELCOME ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE: (801) 477-7493
ARTICLE CONTENTS
- Are You Ready for Your Recovery Journey?
- Brain Chemistry of Addiction
- Functional Medicine for Addiction
- Amino Acid Infusions
- Addiction Treatment with Ketamine
- Research on Ketamine’s Effectiveness
- Treating Addiction with Positive Psychology
- Learning Healthy Habits in Recovery
- Holistic Healing for Addiction
- Neuroplasticity and Rewiring the Brain
- How do Businesses Deal with Addiction?
Are You Ready for Your Recovery Journey?
When you struggle with an addiction you live in a constant state of denial.1 People in your life may be frustrated and confused about your actions. Some of these people may believe addiction is a choice; that you could simply choose to stop. This type of misinformation is a deterrent to addiction treatment and contributes to the low self-esteem and self-loathing that medical professionals see too often at the start of recovery.2
Acknowledging You Need Help
The first step on your recovery journey is your willingness to begin treatment.3 Many times, this requires a traumatic event to shock you into accepting there is a problem. The shocking event may be an auto accident, arrest, divorce, a nearly lethal overdose, or many other traumas. Ideally, you will acknowledge treatment is needed before experiencing any of these traumas.
Beginning Recovery
Once you have made the brave step to begin recovery, you must choose the right addiction treatment program. Do you need a residential or outpatient environment? Do you prefer a holistic or more traditional approach? What is important to you?
This article will explore how an advanced treatment program may treat your addiction and help you achieve sobriety. You do not have to resign yourself to being an “addict” for the rest of your life to recover. This article will also explore this revolutionary paradigm. First, let’s learn about your brain chemistry and addiction.
Learn More About Healing the Brain
- Holistic Approach
- Brain Chemistry
- Positive Psychology
Brain Chemistry of Addiction
Addiction is a curable disease of the brain. Modern treatments make it possible to stop addictive cravings, repair psychological trauma, create flourishing relationships, and provide a life full of meaning. But it takes the coordination of many different types of treatment to reach the cure.






How Does Your Brain Work?
The brain is an extraordinarily complex control center for all your body’s systems. The brain is made up of billions of neurons that organize and connect to form the circuits you need to survive.4






Communications in the Brain
Neurons send messages to each other by releasing neurotransmitters that cross a gap, or synapse, between them. The message causes the receiving cell to change and then different molecules recycle the neurotransmitter used to bridge the synapse.5 This is an extremely simplified explanation of one of nature’s most amazing systems.






How Does Drug Use Affect Neurotransmitters?
Drugs interfere with the neuron’s ability to send, receive, and process communication with neurotransmitters. Some drugs detrimentally activate neurons. Other drugs increase or decrease the number of neurotransmitters produced, flooding or starving your brain’s systems.
Your brain’s store of amino acids and neurotransmitters are impacted either way.






Medical Paradigms Used to Heal the Addicted Brain
There are many new medical paradigms that are used to heal the addicted brain. Some of these paradigms are:
- Functional Medicine Approach
- Amino Acids
- Ketamine Therapy
- Positive Psychology
- Healthy Habits
- Holistic Healing
- Neuroplasticity
The first part of healing we need to discuss is the clinical philosophy and approach needed to cure, rather than treat, your addiction. Functional medicine gives us a framework to begin.
Functional Medicine for Addiction
Functional medicine is rooted in recognizing that each disease or illness has many different causes.8 When functional medicine is biology-based, it explores things like low amino acids, poor nutrition, vitamin deficiencies, and more. But functional medicine can also account for mind-based causes like depression, stress, bad habits, and more.
The human experience is complex and is made up of many different influences – physical health, mental health, interpersonal connections, living conditions, and spirituality. Each of these elements is distinct but interrelated. Our physical health is affected by our thoughts, relationships, and spirituality. Physical exercise and diet affect your mind. The eight dimensions of wellness is a good roadmap for functional medicine.9
Treating Each Dimension of Wellness in Recovery
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines the eight dimensions of wellness as follows:10
- Emotional: Coping effectively with life and creating satisfying relationships
- Spiritual: Expanding your sense of purpose and meaning in life
- Intellectual: Recognizing creative abilities and finding ways to expand your knowledge and skills
- Physical: Recognizing your need for physical activity, diet, sleep, and nutrition
- Environmental: Good health by occupying pleasant, stimulating environments that support your well-being
- Financial: Satisfaction with your current and future financial situations
- Occupational: Personal satisfaction and enrichment derived from your work
- Social: Developing a sense of connection, belonging, and a well-developed support system
Why Are They All Important?
All of the aspects of your wellness are connected and impact each other. When one dimension suffers, other dimensions suffer. When you thrive in one area, other areas will also thrive. To be healthy, happy, and fulfilled, it is important to identify your wellness needs and work towards making sure that those needs are met. When in recovery, the entirety of your wellness must be taken care of so you can get the most out of your treatment. Addressing these areas together creates lasting healing.11 Brain functions can be restored, resulting in positive emotions and eliminated addictive cravings.
We now have a framework to explore modern treatment modalities. We will discuss amino acid infusions next.
Amino Acid Infusion to Add Building Blocks During Recovery
How Do Amino Acid’s Work in the Brain?
Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that send information to your body. Neurotransmitters produce different effects on your brain; some make you feel energized while others make you feel calm.12
When you eat proteins, they break down into amino acids during digestion, and these amino acids help neurons in your brain create neurotransmitters.13 The amino acids tyrosine and tryptophan are two amino acids that support the production of dopamine and serotonin, chemicals that control how you feel.
How Does Addiction Affect Your Brain’s Amino Acids?
Tyrosine and Dopamine
The amino acid tyrosine plays a critical role in the production of dopamine because enzymes in the body can turn tyrosine into dopamine.14 Dopamine is a pleasure molecule that is linked to the reward center of the brain. Activities that we find enjoyable, such as eating or spending time with friends, releases dopamine that creates a pleasurable and happy feeling. Our brain interprets that activity as a reward, making us want to repeat the activity to feel the positive effects of dopamine again.
Other things that operate in the same reward system are drugs, alcohol, and gambling; however, these activities tend to over-stimulate dopamine production. This causes an even greater feeling of pleasure that can’t be experienced through natural dopamine-releasing activities. When stopping the use of the addictive substance, withdrawal symptoms will begin as the high levels of dopamine come down, resulting in increased cravings.14
When seeking treatment for substance use, tyrosine, which can be found in high-protein food such as chicken, turkey, cheese, milk, nuts, and seeds, can help balance out dopamine levels that are left diminished when substance use ceases.14 Low levels of dopamine can result in a low mood, fatigue, and cravings for the substance. Eating more protein during recovery, and therefore having more amino acids in our bodies, can help regulate dopamine levels during detox and recovery.14
Tryptophan and Serotonin
Tryptophan is an amino acid that is a precursor to the production of serotonin.14 Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is responsible for feelings of happiness, optimism, regulation of mood, sleep, and appetite. Our mood, sleep schedule, and appetite are often thrown off balance by substance use disorders, which can be linked to lower serotonin levels. Low levels of serotonin are also linked to depression and other mental health disorders.
Just like tyrosine, tryptophan can be found in high-protein foods, which is why a healthy diet high in protein is recommended for people recovering from addiction. During withdrawal, low serotonin levels can contribute to low mood, sleep problems, lack of appetite, and cravings for sweet foods. Tryptophan, while not a cure for substance use or depression, can help to balance levels of serotonin and lessen symptoms of depression and withdrawal.
How Can an Amino Acid Infusion Help You Recover from Addiction?
Although more clinical evidence is needed, the use of amino acid infusions is an effective treatment for addiction.15 Because substance use disorders cause an imbalance among neurotransmitters, an amino acid infusion can help to restore the balance of neurotransmitters, restoring the brain to its normal state at a faster rate than simply changing your daily diet. This can help to reduce cravings and help alleviate the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms.16
One method of accelerating recovery is by detoxing with intravenous amino acid therapy, which includes a combination of amino acids, vitamins, and minerals injected straight into the bloodstream. They travel to the brain where they begin to balance neurotransmitters quickly. Intravenous amino acid therapy is typically completed in ten days. After that, you would continue with substance use treatment such as counseling, nutrition, exercise, etc.
Now that you replenished your amino acids, it is time for therapy to reach lasting sobriety. But there is an option that enhances the effectiveness of traditional therapy – ketamine-assisted psychotherapy.
How Does Ketamine Help the Brain Heal?
Ketamine is traditionally known as a party drug and as an anesthetic that has been used for soldiers since the Vietnam War. Ketamine was approved as a treatment for depression and other mental health disorders by the Food and Drug Administration in 2019.17 Unlike traditional antidepressants that affect one of the monoamine neurotransmitters (serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine), ketamine acts on glutamate, the most common chemical messenger in the brain.18
Using the Chemical Messenger Glutamate
Glutamate plays a role in the changes that synapses go through in response to experiences relating to learning and memory.17 Ketamine can help your brain to produce glutamate, which stimulates new neural connections in your brain. Strengthening these connections helps your brain regulate and process cognitive thoughts and emotions, impacting how you learn, remember, and respond to experiences.
Balancing Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
Glutamate also plays a role in producing and balancing gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is a calming neurotransmitter.18 High levels of glutamate and low levels of GABA can result in symptoms of anxiety. Low levels of both glutamate and GABA can result in symptoms of depression. Ketamine helps to regulate these levels and promote calmness.
Increasing Resilience to Stress
Ketamine can also help to reduce stress by increasing your body’s resilience. Stress can cause structural changes in the brain, which ketamine can counterbalance by promoting synaptic growth in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, regulating your behavior, mood, personality development, and memory.18
Ketamine’s Enhancement of Therapy Sessions
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is a new approach to traditional psychotherapy where ketamine is taken during an hour-long psychotherapy session. Using ketamine during a therapy session can help with temporary relief from mental health symptoms to make the therapy more productive and effective.
Low doses of ketamine can produce changes in consciousness, expand your awareness, and provide you with a fresh lens through which to view your life, worry, anxiety, and problems.19
Studies About Ketamine in Treatment
There are many ongoing studies of how ketamine improves a wide range of mental health problems. Ketamine’s effectiveness in treating depression is supported by many peer-reviewed studies, while studies supporting the use of ketamine for other conditions like addiction are now beginning to emerge.
Ketamine and Depression
A study conducted in 2019 of 25 men with severe depression showed that ketamine-assisted psychotherapy:
- Reduced depression
- Improved emotional attitudes
- Provided Positive changes in life values and purposes
- Gave insights into the meaning of life
- Increased level of spiritual development
- Supported a sober lifestyle
Each patient received six doses of ketamine over two weeks. Patients were assessed before receiving ketamine, an hour after their dosage, and one month after the final dosage. Results showed that there was a significant improvement in symptoms of anxiety and depression after the 2-week treatment and one month after the final treatment.20
Transcript
Find text in video
Ketamine and Substance Use Disorders
A 1997 study into the efficacy of ketamine treatment for a group of people with an alcohol use disorder showed promising results for ketamine treatment.21 A control group received conventional and standard methods of treatment for alcohol dependence whereas the other group received an intramuscular injection of ketamine. After a year, only 24% of the control group were still sober whereas 66% of the ketamine treatment group maintained sobriety.
- Only 24% of the Control Group Were Still Sober 24%
- 66% of the Ketamine Treatment Group Maintained Sobriety 66%
Knowing how ketamine can assist and enhance your addiction treatment therapy, let’s look at some forward-thinking takes on psychology that help recovery.
Positive Psychology in Recovery
What is Positive Psychology?
Positive psychology has been accurately defined as the following:
“[P]ositive psychology is a scientific approach to studying human thoughts, feelings, and behavior, with a focus on strengths instead of weaknesses, building the good in life instead of repairing the bad, and taking the lives of average people up to “great” instead of focusing solely on moving those who are struggling up to “normal.”22
For example, our positive psychology approach focuses on 10 Principles of Recovery:
- Accountability
- Purpose
- Hope
- Gratitude
- Spirituality
- Self-Worth
- Courage
- Forgiveness
- Service
- Integrity
We will focus our discussion of positive psychology in recovery with the concepts of resiliency and gratitude. Then we will move on to the concepts of self-love and positive reinforcement.
Building Resiliency to Help Recovery
The term ‘resilience’ comes from the Latin word ‘resilio,’ which means to bounce back.23 Resilience is the ability to recover from and push through adversity and difficulty, which is a huge aspect of the recovery process.
How Resiliency Helps in Recovery and Beyond
Resiliency can help in the recovery process to push through treatment even when it gets hard, or when it seems like it will never get better, or when you experience a relapse.
Resilience involves taking a step back, evaluating the situation, and moving forward from it rather than giving up. Building resiliency includes:
- Learning from the past, including successes and failures
- Accepting that change will happen and adapting to it
- Recognizing that having a strong support system is important during the recovery process
- Focusing on self-care
- Being grateful
Transcript
Find text in video
Healing from Addiction with Gratitude
Gratitude is the practice of being thankful for the things in your life and showing appreciation for them. Gratitude can be helpful in recovery because it involves a positive and optimistic mindset. Those who practice gratitude are not only more optimistic; they are also better at dealing with challenges, have more energy, feel more in control of their lives, think more clearly, experience less stress, and live longer.24 Suffering from substance use disorders can result in negative mindsets and negative patterns of thinking, which are detrimental to the healing process. Gratitude can help you break out of that negative cycle.
Loving Yourself in Recovery
For as long as addiction has been identified, there has been a stigma attached to it. Some people still falsely believe that addiction is a choice, and associate it with negative stereotypes like being lazy or a criminal.25
The reality is that substance use disorders can affect anyone.
Whether it is alcohol, drugs, or prescription medicine, no one is immune to substance use. For that reason, it is essential to try to remove the stigma from yourself and others who are struggling with substance use disorders.
Once the stigma is eliminated, you can see yourself as a valuable human being who is struggling with a medical condition. That mindset will increase your self-esteem and lead to the ultimate goal of loving yourself.
Positive Reinforcement for Self-Esteem
Self-esteem refers to your feelings of personal self-worth and value.26 People living with addiction tend to suffer from low self-esteem, as they start to believe that they don’t deserve to be happy and healthy. This is due to experiencing effects of depression and anxiety. Ways that you can focus on positive reinforcement to build up your self-esteem during recovery are:
Writing affirmations: affirmations are simple, positive statements you say or write about yourself
Forgive yourself for your past mistakes, try not to dwell, and move forward
Accept compliments and positivity from others
Do something kind for someone else every day; it will make you feel good
Know that you deserve to recover, and you are worthy of living a happy and healthy life, for yourself and your friends and family
Knowing your end goals is only one step in the healing process; you also need to learn how to reach them. That is where healthy habits assist with your recovery.
Learning Healthy Habits in Recovery
Healthy habits are actions you can learn that improve your life and positively impact your recovery journey. There are many different beliefs on how to learn healthy habits. We will discuss two of the main ways: SMART Goals and Tiny Habits.



SMART Goals
SMART is an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound, and is a way to set achievable goals.27 Planning exactly how you will achieve your goal makes you much more likely to succeed. When it comes to substance use treatment, setting small and achievable goals throughout recovery can help you stay motivated and feel as though you are succeeding in treatment. SMART goals can also be applied to all other aspects of life and the goals you want to achieve.28



The Concept of Tiny Habits
When trying to make changes to our habits and lifestyle, it can be overwhelming to think that we need to make big changes and drastically adjust our lives. This can often deter us from even trying to make changes because we think that we won’t be able to achieve such a change, which leads to disappointment and self-criticism. This is where the concept of tiny habits comes in.
According to BJ Fogg, a behavioral scientist at Stanford University and author of the book: Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything, a tiny habit is so simple and tiny as possible so that you have no excuse not to do it.29 For example, if you want to start reading, instead of thinking to yourself, I need to read a whole book, tell yourself you are going to read one paragraph.
This makes it so that even if you’re busy, or tired, or not feeling well, you can still accomplish your tiny task. The next step is to fit your tiny habit into your existing routine. For example, reading a paragraph before bed. The third step is to celebrate your tiny habit so that your brain associates a positive reward to the habit, which will help your tiny habit to become a new lifestyle habit.
We outlined how the eight dimensions of wellness impact your recovery early in the article. Now we will look specifically at three areas that are essential to holistic healing fitness, nutrition, and sleep.
Holistic Healing for Addiction
Physical Fitness During Recovery
Physical exercise is healthy for anyone but can particularly help with the treatment of substance use. For starters, it can help you create a healthy routine and something to structure your day around when balancing recovery and work.
Long-term fitness can also improve cardiovascular health, which lowers your risk of diabetes and cancer and stimulates the immune system.30 Research also shows that regular exercise can improve symptoms of depression and can increase the number of new nerve connections in your brain, which helps to heal the brain from addiction.31
When you exercise, your body releases chemicals called endorphins which reduce pain and trigger feelings of positivity. Regular exercise can also help improve sleep patterns and the quality of your sleep.32
How Do You Improve Physical Fitness in Recovery?
The key to improving your physical fitness during recovery is to start small. You don’t need to suddenly work out five times a week at a gym; even taking a short walk around the block a couple of times a week can make a difference; everyone starts from a different place.
Try to find something you like doing, whether that is walking, swimming, dancing, tennis, fitness classes, or yoga. Any activity where you take time out of your day to focus on movement will make a difference. The best addiction treatment programs will have you work with an exercise physiologist to learn which types of exercise are best for you.
Nutrition During Recovery
Addiction takes a toll on your nutritional health. Substance use often leads to poor nutritional health because many substances affect eating habits and digestive systems. Substances such as stimulants can suppress appetite and disrupt metabolic and neuroendocrine regulation, which leads to incorrect calorie consumption and reduced nutrient processing.33 Other substances may cause an increase in appetite and lead to weight gain, or unhealthy food choices. 34
Substance use also causes vitamin and mineral deficiencies, damage to vital organs and the nervous system, and an impaired immune system. These all contribute to long-term health problems, such as metabolic syndrome, diabetes, hypertension, weight problems, and eating disorders.35
How Proper Nutrition Fuels Your Body and Recovery
Proper nutrition, an overall healthy diet, and a healthy lifestyle help to restore physical and mental health during recovery. Carbohydrates, the body’s main source of energy, help your body and brain to function. Without adequate carbohydrates in your diet, your brain can’t function properly, your blood sugar levels become unstable, and neurotransmitters in the brain become disrupted.36 Carbohydrates also help to produce serotonin which makes us feel happy and optimistic, helps us to sleep, and helps to curb food cravings. Low levels of serotonin can result in depression, irritability, and sleep problems.
Overall, a healthy diet consisting of carbohydrates, amino acids, healthy fats (omega-3 fatty acid), vitamins and nutrients (iron, folate, B6 and B12), adequate hydration, less sugar, and lower levels of caffeine can have a significantly positive impact on physical and mental health, and can drastically support the treatment process.36
Yoga and Meditation During Recovery
Yoga and meditation have been shown to have positive effects on individuals who are in recovery. This is because yoga and meditation can help provide stress relief and help to regulate the stress response system.37 They can also help you observe your feelings and emotions without necessarily acting on them. This can be helpful when trying to resist drug or alcohol cravings. Because substance use can make you feel out of control, yoga and meditation are a way of taking control of your mind and finding more positive ways of thinking.
Sleep Hygiene for Recovery
Healthy sleep habits help you recover from addiction.
What Is Sleep Hygiene?
Sleep hygiene is the practice of having good sleeping habits. This includes:38
- Consistency going to bed at the same time every night and waking up at the same time every morning
- Making sure your room is quiet, dark and at a comfortable sleep temperature
- Not having electronic devices (smartphone, TVs, computers) in the bedroom at night
- Avoiding large meals, caffeine, and alcohol before bed
- Exercising during the day to help you fall asleep better at night
How Does Proper Sleep Help You Recover?
Substance use can drastically impact your sleep schedule, which can negatively affect your overall health. According to a study in the Journal of Addiction Medicine, insomnia occurs five times as much in those in early recovery as in the general population.39 Substance disorders can also contribute to circadian rhythm disorders, parasomnias, and sleep apnea. 39
Sleep is critical in recovery because sleep deprivation can lead to a low mood, impulsivity, irritability, and poor emotional regulation; which can increase the risk of relapse.40
Now that you are beginning to understand the importance of exercise, nutrition, and sleep, let’s learn about the brain’s powerful ability to work around any damage caused by substance use. That ability is known as neuroplasticity.
Neuroplasticity and Rewiring the Brain
Neuroplasticity is a newer buzzword that is used in medical treatment. Neuroplasticity helps you recover from addiction; here’s how.
The Concept of Neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to restructure itself by creating new neural connections throughout our lives.41 Neuroplasticity allows the neurons/nerve cells in the brain to change in reaction to injury and disease and to adjust their activity to accommodate new situations or changes in the environment.
Brain reorganization occurs when undamaged axons grow new nerve endings to reconnect neurons whose links were injured or severed.42 Healthy axons can also sprout new nerve endings and connect with other healthy nerve cells to form new neural pathways that can improve brain functioning. For example, if one area of the brain is damaged, the healthy parts can take over some of the functions of the damaged portion to compensate for the damage .42
How to Rewire Your Brain
Activities that take advantage of neuroplasticity to help rewire your brain are:


Play Games
Playing board games can help to teach your brain new skills. Board games can help with motor coordination, visual recognition, spatial navigation, memory, reaction time, decision making, problem-solving, and cooperation.43 Board games have experienced a renaissance recently, so there are many options to choose from. Here are examples of top-rated board games and the skills they help you build:
- Photosynthesis and Kodama are board games that help spatial awareness
- Pandemic and Mysterium help with cooperation, visual recognition, and problem-solving
- Azul and Sagrada teach motor coordination and decision making
- Galaxy Trucker and Telestrations require reaction time to succeed


Learn a New Language
Learning a new language helps increase grey matter density in the brain, which is associated with attention, memory, emotions, and motor skills.44 Learning a new language also increases white matter in the brain which helps with brain connectivity and communication between different brain regions. Learning a new language at any age can promote problem-solving and creative thinking skills, improved vocabulary, and reading comprehension.


Play Music
Music has multiple benefits: it can help improve our moods, increase our ability to learn new information, and help with concentration and focus.45 Music therapy has been shown to slow the decline of cognitive function in older populations. Research shows that music combined with art, dancing, gaming, exercise, listening helps promote neuroplasticity.45 Musicians also tend to have better memory, focus, concentration, motor coordination, and audio and visual perception.45


Exercise
We already discussed how exercise benefits your physical health, it also has numerous mental benefits. Exercise can help improve learning, memory, fine motor coordination, and brain connectivity.49 Physical exercise also increases blood flow and cell growth in the brain, which can help to reduce symptoms of depression.49


Counselling/Therapy
Psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, can help not only to rewire thinking patterns, but it also literally rewires our brains. A study conducted by psychologists at King’s College London found that connections between key regions in the brain became stronger after six months of CBT, and led to long-term improvements in symptoms.50
When looking at brain imaging from before and after CBT, brain scans showed increased brain activity and showed “heightened connections between the amygdala, the brain region involved in fear and threat processing, and the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for reasoning and thinking rationally.”50
You have now learned a pretty detailed framework for recovering from addiction. Now, let’s take a look at one segment of society that experiences high rates of addiction – high achievers.
Addiction and Successful Businesses
What is burnout? Does high-stress work lead to addiction? Is addiction treatment cost-effective for your employees? If you are a business relying on top professionals in your field, you will need to deal with addiction issues quickly, and your bottom line should encourage addiction treatment. First, we will discuss “Burnout Syndrome.”
Treating Burnout Syndromes
What Is Burnout?
Everyone experiences stress from time to time, but people in demanding careers can experience extreme stress and exhaustion to the point of burnout. According to the World Health Organization, burnout is classified as an occupation phenomenon and is included in the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11).51 Burnout is defined in ICD-11 as “a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by three dimensions:
- Feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion
- Increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job
- Reduced professional efficacy”51
Does Burnout Contribute to Addiction?
Burnout can contribute to addiction. One of the characteristics of burnout is feeling continuously exhausted. This is typically the result of high stress and a lack of sleep from over-working or sleep disturbances. Because of the high stress and exhaustion, individuals experiencing burnout may be more likely to turn to alcohol, illegal substances, or prescription medications, such as benzodiazepines, to combat the stress and to help fall asleep at night.52 Some may also turn to stimulants such as caffeine, cocaine, or amphetamines to stay awake and energized throughout the workday. This can lead to substance dependence that disrupts sleep and impacts health. 52
The Toll Work Stress Takes on Health
How Does Stress Affect High Earners?
Most people think that the more money you earn, the less stressed you are, and the less you earn, the more stressed you are financially. This is not necessarily true, however, research shows that people earning higher incomes tend to face higher levels of stress at work and don’t necessarily feel more satisfied with their work.53
A survey of 1,000 LinkedIn members employed in the U.S. found that people earning between $51,000 – $75,000 a year generally feel less stressed than those making over $200,000 a year, where nearly 70% said they feel stressed.53
Can Stress Lead to Addiction?
Just like burnout, stress can lead to addiction. Not everyone who experiences high levels of stress will end up with a substance use disorder. However, substances like alcohol, drugs, and prescription medications are abused to decrease stress, increase calmness and feelings of euphoria, and help sleep at night, or stay energized during the day. Substances can offer many effects that might seem helpful for people feeling stressed; however, there is a risk of addiction that comes with taking any substance.
Cost-Benefit of Addiction Treatment for Businesses
The Costs of Addiction on US Businesses
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse:
- Substance use costs the U.S. over $600 billion ever year54
- More than 20 million Americans struggle with substance use disorders and 16 million are heavy drinkers55
- More than 75% of these people are employed full-time55
- Employees who are heavy drinkers are about 33% less productive than their coworkers and cost their employers about $7,000 a year in lost productivity56
- Substance use costs American employers about $160 billion per year in accidents, lost productivity, and related problems56
- Employees who use substances are twice as likely compared with their co-workers to have been fired in the last year, changed employers more than three times in the last year, and missed two or more days of work in the past month due to their use56
- 75% of These People are employed full-time 75%
The Returns for Businesses That Encourage Addiction Treatment
When businesses invest in addiction treatment and encourage employees to seek help as they would for other health issues, they see:57
- Better overall employee health
- Lower healthcare costs over time
- Less absenteeism
- Improved job performance and efficiency
- Reduced costs associated with disability claims and workers’ compensation
- Fewer accidents
- Less corporate liability
High achievers are subject to increased stress and demanding work. If they end up with a substance abuse problem, it can disrupt your entire company. It pays to look after the wellness of your employees and encourage addiction treatment when necessary.57 Some treatment centers even allow the high achiever to work while in recovery. This creates an even bigger win for a company with a key employee struggling with addiction.
Conclusion
We have discussed many topics, theories, and issues in this article. While extensive, the information provided is just the tip of the iceberg when you are faced with addiction and starting your recovery journey. Don’t try to handle your addiction by yourself; let trained, passionate professionals at an addiction treatment center assist you. If you liked the sound of these advanced treatment techniques, be sure to ask prospective treatment centers if they offer these services.
Addiction can be cured; it just takes work, knowledge, the right support and a willingness to get better.
Resources
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/science-choice/201811/the-role-denial-in-addiction
- https://www.hazeldenbettyford.org/articles/addiction-self-im
- https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/tip35_final_508_compliant_-_02252020_0.pdf
- https://qbi.uq.edu.au/brain/brain-anatomy/what-neuron
- https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Life-and-Death-Neuron
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7903674/
- https://www.drugabuse.gov/international/abstracts/effects-acute-tyrosine-tryptophan-phenylalanine-depletion-treatment-cue-induced-alcohol-urging-in
- https://www.ifm.org/functional-medicine/what-is-functional-medicine/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5508938/
- https://store.samhsa.gov/product/SAMHSA-s-Wellness-Initiative-Wellness-Community-Power-Point-Presentation/sma16-4955
- https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/what-is-the-mind-body-connection
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7025515/
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/196279
- https://www.edgewoodhealthnetwork.com/blog/the-power-of-protein-in-addiction-recovery-part-2/#:~:text=Protein%20and%20Neurotransmitters&text=When%20we%20ingest%20proteins%2C%20they,feel%20the%20way%20we%20do
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4074362/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK209058/
- https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/behind-the-buzz-how-ketamine-changes-the-depressed-patients-brain/
- https://neuroscience.md/ketamine-assisted-psychotherapy-kap/
- https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/revisiting-hallucinogenic-potential-ketamine
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6767816/
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.01.017
- http://journal.existentialpsychology.org/index.php/ExPsy/article/view/196
- https://www.wordsense.eu/resilio/
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/compassion-matters/201511/the-healing-power-gratitude
- https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/fighting-back-against-the-stigma-of-addiction/
- https://positivepsychology.com/self-esteem/
- https://www.ucop.edu/local-human-resources/_files/performance-appraisal/How%20to%20write%20SMART%20Goals%20v2.pdf
- Ibid.
- https://www.npr.org/2020/02/25/809256398/tiny-habits-are-the-key-to-behavioral-change
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6557987/
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/exercise-is-an-all-natural-treatment-to-fight-depression
- https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/exercise-depression#1
- https://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/120914p44.shtml#:~:text=Substance%20abuse%20is%20known%20to,and%20changes%20in%20sleep%20patterns
- https://drugabuse.com/guides/substance-abuse-and-weight-change/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4411899/
- https://www.edgewoodhealthnetwork.com/blog/the-power-of-protein-in-addiction-recovery-part-2/#:~:text=Protein%20and%20Neurotransmitters&text=When%20we%20ingest%20proteins%2C%20they,feel%20the%20way%20we%20do
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3193654/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6289280/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2775419/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6122651/
- https://www.medicinenet.com/neuroplasticity/definition.htm
- http://www.columbia.edu/cu/record/archives/vol26/vol26_iss3/2603_Brain_Compensates.html
- https://www.healthline.com/health/rewiring-your-brain
- https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0226525
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3957486/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2804629/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6499159/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3222570/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3951958/
- https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/therapy-brain-changes_n_587e440ce4b07b9dd704c13b
- https://www.who.int/news/item/28-05-2019-burn-out-an-occupational-phenomenon-international-classification-of-diseases#:~:text=%E2%80%9CBurn%2Dout%20is%20a%20syndrome,related%20to%20one’s%20job%3B%20and
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK209050/
- https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/18/more-money-means-more-stress-says-new-study.html
- https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/frequently-asked-questions/drug-addiction-treatment-worth-its-cost
- https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/cbhsq-reports/NSDUHNationalFindingsReport2018/NSDUHNationalFindingsReport2018.pdf
- https://dwiresourcecenter.org/index.php/what-does-alcohol-drug-use-cost-your-business/
- https://www5.cbia.com/healthyconnections/article/save-your-company-money-by-assuring-access-to-substance-abuse-treatment
ARTICLE CONTENTS
- Are You Ready for Your Recovery Journey?
- Brain Chemistry of Addiction
- Functional Medicine for Addiction
- Amino Acid Infusions
- Addiction Treatment with Ketamine
- Research on Ketamine’s Effectiveness
- Treating Addiction with Positive Psychology
- Learning Healthy Habits in Recovery
- Holistic Healing for Addiction
- Neuroplasticity and Rewiring the Brain
- How do Businesses Deal with Addiction?


