A body, left to its own devices, manages pretty well.
Breathing, digestion, circulation, and metabolism are all nicely orchestrated with only the minimal input from the inhabitant of said body. A little food, a little water, a little oxygen, and the body is good to go.
Physical or Mental Addictions
As Byron Katie says in A Mind at Home with Itself: Bodies don’t crave, don’t want, don’t know, don’t care, don’t love, don’t hate, and don’t get hungry or thirsty. The body only reflects what the mind attaches to. There are no physical addictions, only mental ones. (Bold added by me.)
Consider this when you are making the decision to stop using addictive substances such as alcohol, benzodiazepines, or opioids such as Dilaudid®, oxycodone (Percocent®, Oxycontin), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), fentanyl, poppy seed tea, methadone, heroin, or even the many iterations of buprenorphine (Suboxone, Zubsolv®, Bunavail®).
Having worked with our patients at the Coleman Institute for over ten years, I can say that with rare exception the source of addiction is thoughts such as:
- My family doesn’t understand me
- My mother wasn’t there for me
- My wife (husband) doesn’t appreciate me
- I am worthless
- The world would be better off without me
- My boss is a jerk
- I’ve screwed it up beyond repair
- It’s not fair
and variations on these themes.
Using Opioids, Alcohol, or Benzos to Block Emotion
See the thread that ties all these together? These are all thoughts that people are believing and then acting upon these thoughts by using substances to shut down the feelings and emotions generated by this kind of thinking.
Addiction is Mental and Physical
And although the body will obviously become physically dependent with continued opioid use, the real way to stay off these drugs for the rest of your graced time on the planet is to recognize that these addictions start in the mind. Learning how to live peacefully with the mind and its constant stream of thoughts is the difference between enjoying the amazing opportunity we have to be alive versus a white-knuckled kind of experience of gripping onto the rest of your life with fear and terror of what may come next.
Emotional Numbness to Mental Awareness
Living life without substances allows the body to experience natural endorphin responses. These responses come from eating good food, playing with our children, or enjoying nature. When substances are used to numb the body from physical or emotional pain, a person loses out on the pure joys of life as well. This can lead to isolation and a loss of community. These factors become harder and harder for someone to get back to the longer they don’t address their substance use disorder.
Keep Your Life On Track With Out Outpatient Rapid Detox
Outpatient detox allows someone to not spend any more time than necessary to get back to living life in the present and to the fullest. Many have been suffering from their substance use disorder for prolonged periods of time. When the motivation strikes to stop using, rapid detox can complement this energy well; It can aid in giving the confidence to stick to their recovery.
The Coleman Method for Detox
For over twenty years, the Coleman Institute has specialized in safely, comfortably, compassionately, and economically, getting people off substances such as every variety of opioid, benzodiazepine and alcohol. We have a unique outpatient detox, which allows family members to stay with their loved one, with daily visits to our facilities.
We have offices all over the country, and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Virginia’s HMO and PPO insurance plans recently began covering treatment programs in our Richmond, Virginia office that include detoxification (aka withdrawal management) and six months of naltrexone therapy and case management. We are also actively working to expand coverage with other insurers.
If you are ready to embrace physical and mental freedom, I encourage you to call and find out more about our detox programs. The very first step is to safely get off the substances. The exciting exploration of becoming at home with your own mind then becomes the adventure of your lifetime.
Joan R. Shepherd, FNP
