Fairwinds Treatment Center has been working to heal patients suffering from drug addiction ever since it was founded in 1989. Dr. M.K. (Khal) El-Yousef had a vision of a holistic treatment method when he began the center, and his pioneering dual diagnosis methodology has since been widely celebrated. Dr. El-Yousef's dual diagnosis approach involves treating not only the physical causes and symptoms of drug addiction but also the underlying mental, emotional and psychological underpinnings of this disease.
A PhD student recently discovered that the development of drug addiction hinges on the levels of serotonin that the body produces during the first drug use. Serotonin is responsible for maintaining a person's mood balance. The researcher found that the higher a person's serotonin levels naturally were just before the time of their first drug experience, the less likely that person was to develop a problem with chronic substance abuse.
This finding suggests the theory that serotonin could have anti-addiction properties that may be useful someday in addiction prevention pharmacotherapies. It does appear, however, that after repeated drug use the positive effects of serotonin decrease and dopamine then takes control of drug effects.
If you believe you or a family member is suffering from addiction or substance abuse problems, contact Fairwinds today to begin receiving the proper drug addiction treatment. Fairwinds offers detoxification, inpatient, residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient and regular outpatient care, all aimed toward long-term, physical, mental and spiritual recovery. The professional staff at Fairwinds understands that addiction affects not just an individual, but also a family and a community.That's why we pledge to strengthen society by strengthening the family first, beginning with the power of a single healed individual.
