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Most importantly, these EEG abnormalities appear in the children of alcoholics, prior to their use of alcohol. These findings, coupled with the emerging body of genetic and psychopharmacological research surrounding deficits in the reward cascade systems strongly supports the disease concept of alcoholism, and the necessity for continuing abstinence from drugs and alcohol. Indeed, we are dealing with what becomes a deadly, progressive, neurobiological disease.
We are also seeing several patterns beyond the classic "alpha-theta poor" EEG described by Peniston and others. We see distinct EEG patterns in head injuries, in adult ADHD patients, and in those with dissociative disorders, all of whom may be using alcohol or other drugs for slightly different reasons and with somewhat different effects. People with ADHD have high levels of alpha and theta activity. When they have a few drinks, their judgement may be relatively more impaired than people with normal alpha/theta levels. Our experience is that these are "binge" drinkers, more than the chronic, daily high use alcoholics, who tend to have very low alpha/theta...
Modifying Brain Activity to Modify the Urge. Eugene Peniston, Ph.D., working at the Fort Lyons VA Hospital looked at these kind of descriptive research findings on alcoholism and put them together with research showing that EEG patterns can be modified through training. Dr. Peniston worked with severe, late stage chronic alcoholics who had multiple failed treatments in their past. He trained them over a period of a month, twice a day, to create alpha and theta activity, to voluntarily alter their EEG patterns in ways that would be predicted to make up for their apparent genetic deficit. Training takes place inpatient over the period of one month. Alpha and theta rhythms are learned and enhanced, resulting in the creation of a mellow, calm state the addict has previously not been able to access without drugs. Alcohol rejection scenarios and self-instruction to lose the urge to drink are done during deeply relaxed, deeply aware states entered with the help of EEG biofeedback.
We have also had success outpatient using neurotherapy to help prevent relapse in persons who are able to maintain periods of sobriety. Strong commitment and solid support is necessary.
The basic prerequisite is a strong desire to be abstinent. A willingness to follow-up with continuing participation in support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous is also desirable. We are very interested in offering this treatment component to people who've tried, tried again and failed to be able to maintain their sobriety. The treatment appears to be useful even for the episodic alcohol abuser. The treatment is also excellent for people who maintain a "white knuckles" sobriety.
Positive Responses from the Chemical Dependency Community. We have been very excited about the positive and supportive reactions we have had from the chemical dependency treatment community and in the human services field generally. We also have received endorsements for this effort from local, state and federal officials in government and in the Minnesota as well as U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Most importantly, we have a growing list of patients who've been treated with neurotherapy as part of our comprehensive CD treatment program. We have been very warmly received by our Native American community. The neurotherapy experience appears very conducive to and consistent with traditional Indian spirituality. Over and over again, we keep hearing "I've lost the urge to drink."
We see this approach as completely consistent with the 12 Step principles and with other healing traditions emphasizing spirituality. In fact, we believe that for those individuals who have not been able to sustain the rigorous honesty, commitment and spirituality that the 12 Step approach requires, the adjunct of neurotherapy may make these things possible. The presence of alpha\theta activity in human brains in fact indicates that the ego has been let go, that the doors to the unconscious and to the transpersonal spiritual world are opened. The EEG neurotherapy training does nothing more than function as a very precise "sign post" to the trainee, telling you instantly when you are a little further toward a state of genuine "letting go," a state of peace. We cannot create or induce truly spiritual experience, but we believe we can help teach a person to create the physiological state from which spiritual experiences may spring. Not everyone needs this therapy, but for those who have not and cannot maintain sobriety in the face of their addiction, it can be a way.
The uniform effect we have seen can only be described as a personal transformation. Normalization of the EEG appears to correlate with widespread renewal of the whole person. The term self actualization comes to mind when we hear our clients describe not just losing the urge to drink, but becoming newly assertive and excited about life. Intellectual skills appear to sharpen with reported improvements in memory, concentration and understanding. Needless to say, we are very excited and very awed about the changes we are helping create in these lives.
