Bespoke Treatment
Why a one-size-fits-all treatment program will not work?
Though they may be addicted to the same substances no two individuals are the same as they each have a unique genetic makeup, culture, religion, education psychological and emotional profiles, addiction and relapse history. Hence a standard treatment program will not work for most individuals and this explains the high relapse rate of most traditional rehab programs.
Some 50 years back, treating addictions was a standard procedure with a one- size- fits -all approach, and the addict was labelled as a person with a lack of will power. No wonder the relapse rate was very high, and once addicted the chances of a 100 pc recovery was a very unlikely outcome.
While many patients may feel safe and de-addicted in the secure artificial milieu of a Rehab facility once released into the big wild world, they plunge again into their insecurities and existential stress, and start using again.
Neuroscience- the missing piece of the Jigsaw puzzle
Nowadays our knowledge concerning addiction has taken a quantum leap. We have learned so much from new behavioural theories based on Neuroscience, brain imaging techniques and Geneticists have decoded the human DNA and saw that certain genes determined specific imbalance in our brain chemistry which accounted for radical changes in our behaviour, temperament, personality and addictive behaviour. Like a big jigsaw puzzle, the missing central piece had been found.
From this revolutionary insight came a ground breaking paradigm which has shifted the outcome of treatment to an almost 90% success rate:
A genetic flaw causes specific imbalances in our brain chemistry. We function normally until we encounter some stressful situations which then upset our brain chemistry. This will reflect itself as bad feelings, mood alterations, irrational behaviour and cravings for certain substances which open the gates to…. Addiction.
The good news is that doctors have developed the right pharmaceuticals that can stabilise the biochemical imbalance in the brain in a relatively short time- thus making detox a safe, relatively painless and quick procedure tailor-made to each patient’s addictive profile. The patient is thus more prepared to engage into a personalised recovery program based on counselling, behavioural and other Talk therapies in a very relaxed and receptive mode.
This personalised treatment approach avoids a long rehab program with cravings, irritability, mood and sleep disorders and difficulty to focus and maintain motivation.
The doctor –patient partnership- the key to a successful Rehab
Doctors diagnose and treat their patients’ condition with skill, knowledge and expertise gathered over many years of practice without being judgemental. Patients in return give their doctors truthful personal histories, admit to their diseases and have taken the commitment to embark on a journey to change their lifestyles and mindset that contributed to their illness in the very first place.
Hence successful treatment outcome depends on the 2 partners playing their full role in the healing process. If you suffer from an infection, you can’t expect to get better if you stay in bed but refuse to take the antibiotics that your doctor has prescribed for you.
In the same way, if you are an addict but refuse to medically treat your brain chemistry or change your lifestyle and behaviour then you will most likely carry on with your addiction no matter how good your doctor may be.
But if you follow your treatment well, with a mindset to effect change from your previous behaviour and lifestyle then success is practically guaranteed under this new paradigm.
At Les Mariannes, we have developed a very close bond between our clients and treatment team of doctors, psychologists, counsellors and therapists, so that you will feel at the center of their attention at all times. If you prefer some therapies more than others, we are here to listen and work out a personalised program that will benefit you. You don’t have to feel pressurised into joining sessions that you feel are not beneficial to you. Together we shall design the most effective program for each client.
