Breaking the Habit
Addressing addictions with Dr. Elissa Mendenhall, ND
I work with a variety of addictions, from alcohol to tobacco to opiate and behavior addictions.
As a naturopathic doctor, my main devotion as a healer is to cure. No more, no less. To cure means to permanently transform the state of a person’s being so that no further treatment is needed.
This is the primary goal of my work with addiction recovery.
Addictions have roots in upbringing, family, genetics, biochemistry, and social environment. My treatments are highly individualized, and aim to address all of these causes.
As “my patient,” you are always in the driver’s seat. We are on this journey together. Honesty, transparency, and integrity are central values in my practice. A deep healing relationship is not possible without these elements present in the healing relationship.
I am happy to work in conjunction with other wellness practitioners, such as counselors, medical doctors, and other naturopathic physicians.
Brain Chemistry and Willpower
Addictions are not all about self-control, willpower, or character strength. Nutritional deficiencies, lifestyle factors, diet, and environment are major contributors in addictions, and directly affect neurotransmitters. Achieving a harmonious biochemistry is essential for a longstanding addiction treatment. Once a patient starts to feel normal and healthy without the use of a substance, abstinence becomes more possible.
Family Heritage of Addiction
We observe that addiction and mental health issues are often handed down from generation to generation. This link has been established with alcoholism and Native Americans, and can be seen in any family tree disturbed by mental illness. Perhaps you have seen it in your own family. Some people are simply more sensitive to the world they inhabit.
Constitutional homeopathy can provide some support for people with genetic predispositions. In homeopathy, these genetic imprints passed from generation to generation are called “miasms.” The right homeopathic prescription can dramatically alter a person’s relationship with their miasm.
There is also research that supports specific genetic metabolic illnesses which can be tested for and addressed using nutritional therapy. Some examples are the MTHFR gene (methelenetetraydrofolate reductase gene) and pyroluria. If you have a strong family history or mental health issues and/or depression, these genetic issues might be affecting you.
Stress Management and Biofeedback
Poorly-managed stress can trigger addictions. Stress contributes to all sorts of unwellness symptoms, from physical problems to mood imbalances to insomnia. All of these contribute to difficulty with breaking the cycle of addiction, too. Stress management is an important part to most addiction treatment programs.
Many people use their habits to self-medicate stress. I can teach you how to reduce and moderate your response to stress using easy, fun, and health-supporting techniques like biofeedback and breathing techniques.
Many people use their habits to self-medicate stress. I can teach you how to reduce and moderate your response to stress using easy, fun, and health-supporting techniques like biofeedback and breathing techniques.
Everybody has sources of stress in their lives. The difference is how each of us live with it. Biofeedback is helpful in learning how to identify and transform stress in your life into a positive, powerful force. It’s an educational tool that shows you how you are responding to stress, and how effective your stress management techniques are, in the moment that you are experiencing them.
The Process of Transformation
On the road to recovery, something magical usually happens. For every person, it's different. I believe that in order to make a recovery program work for the long term, we must discover and fulfill a deeper meaning in our lives. Some call this spiritual work. Others call it the discovery of what makes your heart sing. Whatever it may be, this is often a key to making a long-term commitment to yourself, life and wellness. This is sometimes the most difficult, and the most rewarding, part of the journey.
Resources:
Addiction information and resources online.
Network for non-drug approaches to mental health.
Dr. Elissa Mendenhall, ND
Naturopathic Physician
Portland, Oregon
Regenerate
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