Addictions
By addiction, we mean the presence of a constant urge to use psychoactive substances or to engage in certain behaviors, even if they have a negative impact on health.
What is it?
Substance addiction: The most well-known (and socially accepted) psychoactive drugs are alcohol and tobacco. People use drugs for 2 reasons: First, to feel good and, second, not to feel bad. The second group is most at risk of addiction because they take alcohol or other substances as self-treatment for anxiety, depression, personality disorders, ADHD, etc.
Also behavioral addictions have been receiving more and more attention recently, especially after gambling addiction was included in the DSM-5 in 2013. This immediately drew attention to other behavioral addictions such as gaming addiction, internet addiction, sex addiction,...
Food addiction is a separate form of addiction.
The addictive product is actually a drug, namely fatty and sugar-rich foods, so it does not fall into the group of pure behavioral addictions. But because fat and sugar are not psychoactive substances, food addiction does not belong in the substance addiction group either. However, high-fat and sugar-rich foods provide the same physiological response in the “reward areas” in the brain in these people as psychoactive drugs have in others.
The biggest problem with addiction is relapse.
Up to 85% of alcohol addicts relapse for 3 reasons: Craving, Stress, Cues. This “urge” or “craving” is an essential part of addiction. It is the driving force behind the addiction.
Craving is the intense “feeling of hunger” that people with an addiction struggle with when they are unable to meet their cravings.
fMRI and EEG studies have shown that this “craving sensation” can be linked to abnormal brain activity in brain areas such as the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC), nucleus accumbens (NAcc), posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and the pregenual anterior cingulate cortex (pGAcc).
How to treat
Since 'craving' is a clearly detectable physiological process in the brain, neuromodulation of the brain regions involved, such as the anterior cingulate cortex, may influence this abnormal function.
This makes cravings for the addictive factor (alcohol, food, tobacco, gambling, internet, sex,...) less intense and the chance that the quitting process will be easier.
A recently published study shows that in people with a food addiction, the intense desire to eat decreases up to 1 month after treatment with HD TPNs. Further research and optimization of this treatment may improve and prolong the effect.
In addition to neuromodulation treatment, it is necessary to be accompanied by a psychologist or a psychiatrist. Neuromodulation will influence the physiological process of “craving”.
The psychologist or psychiatrist will help to find out how they got into the situation of addiction and help prevent them from falling into the addiction trap again.
Other conditions that we treat
Auditory and vestibular disorders
These disorders are related to hearing and balance and can have a major impact on your daily life.
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Neurological and cognitive disorders
These disorders affect brain function, which can lead to problems with attention, memory, and motor skills.
Mental and emotional disorders
Mental illness can be deeply rooted in neurobiological dysfunctions.
Chronic Pain and Fatigue Syndromes
Chronic pain and fatigue are often difficult to treat with conventional methods, especially when there is no obvious physical cause.
Fatigue syndromes and sleep disorders
Sleep and energy management are essential for brain function. Problems in these areas can lead to severe tiredness and difficulty concentrating.
Headache and facial pain disorders
Headaches and facial pain can result from complex neurological processes.
Ready to take the first step?
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