THE ADDICT'S BRAIN

I have to agree with holly2006 drugs for me are just a symptom of the disease of addiction, The only time that i could stay clean for a lenghth of time was thru working a 12 step program I have tried some psycotropic meds from my theripist so I know that they have helped but some of the side affects did not sit well with my trade.I do pray that some more effective meds will become available but for now I will stick with what works, a solid 12 step program......

Addiction is way more than just the using of a substance in general. Yes these drugs may help with the initial detox and getting clean or sober but the long term of staying that way is having to learn a new way of life, thinking,how you deal with situations, ect. There is more to an addiction than just stopping. I am an addict and I always will be BUT with 8 years clean I can honestly say that had it not been for the 12 steps I would have gone back out after a few months. So I don't totally disagree about the use of a drug to get off of drugs but it should be part of a program of recovery not just a quick fix. I stopped using every time I ran out so I knew I could quit it was the stay quit that was hard!!! And that is what the 12 steps teaches you. I had used drugs most of my life from the age of 12 so I had to learn how to live with out the drugs. That was something new. I'm glad I did though. Life is wonderful....