It makes sense to us that stress and addiction go hand-in-hand, but how are they really related? There is more than a decade of research available that demonstrates that changes in the synapses of the brain’s reward center relate to addiction behavior. Certainly, most of us who have worked in the addiction field for any length of time have witnessed the strong correlation between stress and an individual’s risk for addiction and relapse. So what is really happening in the body that makes stress such a precursor for addiction and relapse? Read more →
This study provides support for the use of an Amino-Acid based IV Drip Detox for successful “Cold Turkey” withdrawal from drugs and alcohol:
Amino acid-based nutritional supplementation facilitates abrupt cessation (“Stopping Cold Turkey”) of substance use by addiction patients: Reduction of withdrawal symptoms with minimal abuse potential
AUTHOR BLOCK *S. L. BROOM1, S. OWEN2, P. NORRIS3, R. MESTAYER3, C. GRACE3, G. SHEN4, W. HITT5;
1Dept Psychol, William Carey Univ., Hattiesburg, MS; 2Ctr. for Wellness, Gulfport, MS; 3Equipoise Wellness Ctr., Gulfport, MS; 4GSIPO, San Diego, CA; 5William Hitt Ctr., Tijuana, Mexico
Amino-Acid Based IV Drip Detox
The use of amino acid-based IV drip detox type nutritional therapies for supplementing the nutritional needs of substance abuse patients has increased steadily with countless anecdotes of success, but there is a lack of statistical data on the efficacy and safety (e.g. abuse potential) of these therapies in chemical dependency patients.
Methods: A specific therapy called the NTR System™ is arguably the most recognizable and reputable therapy of this type in the addiction field[1]. This pilot study retrospectively examined the therapeutic benefits and unwanted rewarding properties of the NTR System™ in a group of 40 patients. The patients were adult males and females with addictions to drugs including opiates, psychostimulants, alcohol, and benzodiazepines.
The NTR System™ treatments comprised IV infusions of amino acid-based nutrients for 10 consecutive days ranging from 5 to 10 hours daily. Dose and time parameters were individualized to the patients’ specific addiction histories based on prescribed NTR System™ protocols. Self-reported ratings (1-10 Scale) of cravings, stress, depression, and anxiety, as well as measures of reward (joy, motivation, libido), were collected on Day 1 (before starting treatment), throughout treatment, and on Day 10 (after completion of treatment).
Findings: 1) All patients were able to achieve an abrupt cessation of their use of abused substances starting immediately prior to the 10-day treatment. 2) Self-reported ratings showed that patients experienced a continually increasing alleviation of the adverse consequences associated with psychological and physiological withdrawal throughout the treatment. Specifically, patients reported significantly reduced cravings ratings and the alleviation of several other adverse effects associated with substance withdrawal, including, stress, depression, and anxiety. 3) Patients reported a slight but not statistically significant increase in the measures of reward (joy, motivation, and libido ratings), indicating minimal or no abuse potential. The findings appeared to be most robust in individuals seeking treatment for opiate abuse.
Discussion: These data suggest that NTR System™ possesses a high therapeutic potential with minimal abuse potential for supplementing the nutritional needs of substance abuse patients. In particular, the NTR system™ provides nutritive support that may be particularly useful for patients attempting to stop using abruptly (“cold turkey”) or in relapse settings.
[1] The NeuroTransmission Restoration System™ (NTR System™) is a nutritional therapy comprised of amino acids & vitamins, and has been used on thousands of patients since 1988.
Behavioral Health Center (BHC) Journal recently hosted an interview panel with four patients who successfully underwent ExecuCare ARC’s Neurotransmitter Restoration (NTR) to fight addiction.
“Proponents of NTR say it detoxifies as it restores the brain’s receptors and balances the brain’s chemistry. The idea is that because the body is getting what it needs naturally, NTR safely detoxifies the body, while minimizing post acute withdrawal symptoms, significantly reducing cravings, anxiety and depression; normalizing stress levels; and restoring a sense of well-being and clarity of mind. This natural treatment involves 10 days of outpatient therapy and is administered intravenously by a licensed, registered nurse under a doctor’s supervision. Dr. Hitt [Inventor of NTR] says studies have shown that by addressing the physical form of the disease first with NTR, a person is better prepared to make the behavioral, social and psychological changes necessary to progress toward the next phases of recovery.” (BHC Journal)
“Does it work? BHC spoke to a panel of four people who experienced the NTR program at ExecuCare and asked them that very question. In the Q&A that follows, you’ll meet four very unique people with a variety of situations who tell their stories of recovery. Maureen is an RN who specializes in nutrition. She’ll tell you about her college-age son who was dependent on alcohol and oxycodone and sought care at ExecuCare. You’ll meet Steve, a corporate executive from Wall Street who was addicted to alcohol and found that it was disrupting his life. Next, you’ll hear from Keeley. She has a masters degree in psychology works at a large hospital in Atlanta in the behavioral health field. She saw firsthand the anguish patients went through in detox. And when she became addiction to pain medicine that treated her rheumatoid arthritis, she sought treatment at ExecuCare to minimize the impact of detox. Finally, you’ll get to know Brian. Brian lost his job at a major recruiting firm because of his addiction to opiates. He was prescribed Suboxone to get off the opiates and became addicted to that medication.” (BHC Journal)
In the videos below, Mike Sanders, founder of ExecuCare Addiction Recovery Center, talks about Neurotransmitter Restoration (NTR). Mike used Neurotransmitter Restoration to overcome his own addictions.
Despite the fact that he drank and took Oxycontin up until a few hours before beginning NTR, Mike began feeling the positive results of the treatment within the first three days. He lost his craving for drugs and alcohol almost immediately and successfully completed the 10-day protocol. His withdrawal experience was like a very mild case of the flu.
Mike’s clarity of mind improved tremendously and his physical health returned steadily with the assistance of a monthly booster at the clinic. He was amazed at how quickly and effectively this little-known treatment method worked, and he was motivated to share it with others. As a successful business owner and leader in the community, Mike also understood the unique needs of business professionals and their desire to avoid the sometimes negative repercussions associated with more traditional treatments.
What is Neurotransmitter Restoration (NTR)?
[wpvideo TWZ6oUUR]How was NTR developed?
[wpvideo BZKo1JKR]What happens after the 10 days with NTR?
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ExecuCare Addiction Recovery Center utilizes a Neurotransmitter Restoration (NTR) protocol. The NTR protocol helps an individual discontinue the use of drugs and alcohol by minimizing withdrawal symptoms, significantly reducing cravings, anxiety and depression, normalizing stress levels, and restoring a sense of well-being and clarity of mind. NTR is an all-natural, medical nutritional protocol (amino acids) administered by an IV over a 10-day, outpatient period. By bathing the neuronal cells in an optimal, nutritional environment, NTR repairs the damaged receptor sites and accelerates the healing process.
If you have any questions about Neurotransmitter Restoration (NTR), please email Contact@ExecuCareARC.com or call 770-817-0711.
