The Top 2 major causes of relapse are neurotransmitter deficiencies and low blood sugar, according to Christina Veselak, a pioneer in the field of neuro-nutrient therapy for addiction and mental illness. Luckily, by “feeding the addicted brain” the right foods and supplements, a recently sober person can lower or completely banish drug and alcohol cravings.
About Christina Veselak
Christina T. Veselak is the founder and director of the Academy for Addiction and Mental Health Nutrition and runs Garden Gate Counseling & Consulting.
Christina has been a licensed psychotherapist for over 30 years, and specializes in individual counseling, addiction recovery and Mental Health Nutrition.
She has also consulted for supplement companies, IV detox programs, and residential addiction treatment, helping them integrate nutritional approaches into their programs.
She is an experienced public speaker and has presented at conferences and trainings around the country.
Christina is also a founding member and former Executive Director of the Alliance for Addiction Solutions, a non-profit organization that promotes the use of nutritional and other natural modalities to support repair of the addicted brain.
Christina is committed to staying abreast of the rapidly growing science of orthomolecular psychiatry and functional nutrition and biochemistry for mental health and presenting it to the general public and professionals in the fields of addiction recovery & mental health therapy.
About the Academy for Addiction and Mental Health Nutrition
The Academy for Addiction & Mental Health Nutrition believes that addictions, as well as many mental health issues, are driven by imbalances in the brain.
A stable, well-functioning and well-nourished brain is required for clients to effectively address the emotional, psychological, social and spiritual issues, which impact their lives and need to be worked through for a successful recovery.
They teach clinicians, treatment providers and health/recovery coaches how to reduce relapse and improve the quality of recovery by using amino acid nutrient therapy and diet to effectively address the biochemical aspects of addiction and mood/behavioral disorders.
The Academy for Addiction and Mental Health Nutrition was created to meet this need.
Their belief is that many of these issues can be effectively resolved without the use of medication, simply by accurately feeding the starving brain and identifying and addressing the underlying biochemical drivers of these disorders.
Products and Services
The Academy provides cutting-edge, in-depth on-line and live education and consultation services for the purpose of thoroughly training mental health treatment professionals and addiction counselors in the skills necessary to identify and effectively address the biochemical aspects of client symptoms through nutrient interventions.
Here are the main topics discussed in this episode:
- Christina Veselak’s professional background, training, schooling, and certifications
- How Christina didn’t want anything to do with the field of addiction treatment but ended up in the field regardless; then totally falling in love with it
- How Christina began working with Julia Ross and became a fellow pioneer in the biochemical and holistic recovery model of treatment
- The “Three Legs of the Recovery Stool”
- The two main causes of drug and alcohol relapse
- How to “feed the addicted brain” (which is a starving brain) to reduce or eliminate cravings and relapse
- Importance of nutrition for recovery
- Importance of quality protein in adequate amounts and frequencies to rebuild natural production of neurotransmitters and to prevent low blood sugar (which are major craving and relapse triggers that traditional treatment programs and 12-step fellowships are unaware of and thus don’t address)
- Brain-targeted relapse prevention strategy and tactics
- Amino acid therapy for Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS), addiction, and recovery
- L-glutamine benefits for hypoglycemia, blood sugar, gut repair, cravings, mood, and more
- Practical and simple tips for restoring optimal brain health during PAWS and to prevent cravings and relapse
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Academy for Addiction and Mental Health Nutrition
- Garden Gate Counseling, Consulting, and Relapse Prevention Coaching
- Certified Recovery Nutrition Coach Training Courses and Curriculum
- Julia Ross Cures
- Alliance for Addiction Solutions
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