Since 1989, Dr. M.K. (Khal) El-Yousef and the caring staff at Fairwinds Treatment Center have worked tirelessly to treat patients suffering from drug addiction, alcohol abuse and eating disorders, puting them back on the path to healthy and fulfilling lives. What sets Fairwinds apart from most other addiction treatment centers is Dr. El-Yousef's unique dual diagnosis approach, a specialized methodology that combines clinical treatment with therapeutic counseling to identify and address the mental and emotional triggers of substance abuse. Treatment plans that only target the physical reasons for addiction are almost always doomed to fail. By working to resolve the underlying psychological factors that go hand-in-hand with these diseases, our patients can strive for a long-lasting recovery.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center (GUMC) have been investigating common brain characteristics among teens who abuse alcohol, in the hopes of finding those shared risk factors that could help determine whether someone may have an increased likelihood of developing an addiction. According to new findings released by the GUMC team, teens at risk of abusing alcohol exhibit the following traits:
- Higher inclination toward being impulsive
- Increased levels of sugar consumption
- Low levels of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA, which acts as a key building block for healthy brain development
- Weakened connections in vital regions of the brain.
"What this study is attempting to do is identify the differences in the brains of adolescents who go on to misuse alcohol and other drugs," John VanMeter, an associate professor of neurology at GUMC and director of the Center for Functional and Molecular Imaging, told his peers at this year's Society for Neuroscience gathering in Washington, D.C. "If we know what is different, we may be able to develop strategies that can prevent the behavior."
If you have a loved one struggling with alcohol abuse, consult with Fairwinds Treatment Center, one of the best alcohol treatment centers in the country, for a plan and path to recovery.
