Intravenous (IV) Therapy/ Oral Supplementation

Many years ago, it was believed that addictions resulted from lack of willpower and that failure to control one's addictive behavior was a sign of weak character.

We now know, after decades of scientific research, that these beliefs are wrong. Ultimately, addiction is a disorder of the brain; specifically, the brain's "reward centers," brain chemicals called neurotransmitters and the enzymes that control them.

There are at least three factors that appear to cause addictions: genetics, stress and chronic substance abuse. The genetically predisposed individual is born with an imbalance of neurotransmitters. Long-term stress reduces the body's ability to produce neurotransmitters. With chronic substance abuse, the brain actually stops producing essential neurotransmitters. These factors produce a deficiency that results in a disturbance of brain chemical signals. In turn, this causes physical and mental symptoms including cravings, depression, anxiety and compulsive behavior.

Scientists now agree that five neurotransmitters' pathways are involved as agents in changing cell function in the reward area and subsequent behavior. Addictive substances reduce the amount and availability of these neurotransmitters-they include: dopamine (a key substance for reward); GABA (a substance related to anxiety); norepinephrine (a substance related to depression); enkephalins (a substance related to craving); and serotonin (a substance related to sleep).

Horizons of Hope uses a proven neuronutrient supplementation regimen to treat addiction that restores deficient neurotransmitters by providing the body with special combinations of precursor amino acids, vitamins and minerals. These include L-tyrosine, DL-phenylalanine, L-Glycine, L-Leucine, L-methionine, L-glutamine and B-complex vitamins, and an important trace metal, Chromium Picolinate, which assists in increasing natural L-tryptophan buildup in the brain to help restore serotonin. These nutrients are delivered intravenously and orally. The benefit to our clients is less severity of abstinence symptoms, faster recovery, and reduced potential for relapse.

Why Intravenous?

The use of intravenous nutrient therapy delivers amino acids, vitamins, minerals and trace elements directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive tract where most orally administered supplements are lost due to poor absorption. IV therapy also creates higher than normal blood levels of specified nutrients, which have scientifically been proven effective in the treatment of addiction-related conditions. Once specific tests and assessments are carried out, customized protocols are designed for each individual.

Combinations of these same amino acids, which are administered intravenously, are taken orally each day by our clients to ensure that the proper levels of neurotransmitters are produced and maintained.