Rachel, 42, had gone to six alcohol addiction treatment programs and failed every one of them. She really wanted to follow the programs and quit drinking, but she was so impulsive she couldn’t stop herself if she was around alcohol. When she had her brain scanned using technology called SPECT, it revealed abnormal activity in an area called the prefrontal cortex (PFC), which is involved in impulse control. It’s like the brain’s brake, making you stop before engaging in risky or unhealthy activities.
After seeing her SPECT brain scan, Rachel remembered that as a child she was kicked in the head by a horse. Because of this, the part of her brain that was supposed to keep her behavior in check wasn’t working right. If the underlying problem with her PFC wasn’t addressed, she would never be able to follow any recovery program. With treatment to improve her PFC function, Rachel was finally able to stick with a program and stop drinking.
Here are 10 ways SPECT brain scans can help you understand and treat addictions.
1. Brain scans don’t lie.
SPECT brain scans can clearly show toxic exposure from drugs and alcohol. These addictive substances negatively impact areas of the brain that play an important role in your ability to live your best life. To see the effects of drugs and alcohol on the brain, look at the following poster, which hangs in over 100,000 schools, prisons, and therapist’s offices around the world.
2. Revealing the effects of everyday drugs.
Brain imaging shows that substances like marijuana (now legal in some states), nicotine, caffeine, and even too much sugar compromise brain function.
3. Brain imaging reveals there is more than one type of addiction.
One of the most important things brain imaging shows is that addiction is not a single or simple disorder. There are 6 types of brain patterns associated with addiction, and each type requires individualized treatment. The 6 types of addiction are:
Type 1: Compulsive Addicts
Type 2: Impulsive Addicts
Type 3: Impulsive-Compulsive Addicts
Type 4: Sad of Emotional Addicts
Type 5: Anxious Addicts
Type 6: Temporal Lobe Addicts
4. SPECT brain scans reduce shame and stigma.
If you’re like most people who struggle with substance abuse, you probably think it is all your fault or that you are a bad person. Brain imaging helps erase these untrue and unhelpful thoughts. When you see that addiction is a brain disorder, it helps lift the stigma that typically comes with addiction.
5. Brain scans help break denial.
Addicts are usually the last one to admit that they have a problem. Take Chase, for example. At 18, he was drinking and using OxyContin, coke, meth, and more, but he didn’t think he had a problem. His mother eventually took him in for a brain scan, which revealed a very toxic brain. When Chase saw his brain scans, it hit him hard. Even though he didn’t think the drugs and drinking were a problem, he couldn’t deny the damage he saw in his scans. That was what he needed to finally get clean and sober.
6. Seeing your brain scan helps your family understand better.
Parents of substance abusers often feel like it’s their fault, or they blame each other for their child’s addiction. Seeing that addiction is a brain disorder eliminates these feelings and helps the entire family get focused on helping the substance abuser heal their brain.
7. Brain imaging reveals co-morbid conditions.
It is common for people with addictions to suffer from other issues, such as depression, anxiety, ADD/ADHD, bipolar disorder, or head injuries (like Rachel, who was kicked in the head by a horse). In order to heal from addiction, these other issues also need to be addressed.
8. Seeing your brain motivates you to follow a treatment plan.
For many people, like Chase, seeing how toxic their brain looks is one of the greatest motivators for treatment. When they understand that it is their brain health that is the key to having success at school, at work, and in relationships, it increases that motivation.
9. Follow your progress.
Seeing before-and-after SPECT brain scans is the best way to objectively know when an addiction treatment plan is working effectively or when it should be adjusted to promote faster healing.
10. SPECT scans give you hope.
The before-and-after scans of substance abusers show some of the greatest improvements in brain health. When you see these, it gives you hope that no matter what you are addicted to—drugs, alcohol, smoking, or even overeating—your brain can recover too.
At Amen Clinics, we use SPECT brain imaging as part of a comprehensive evaluation to help people of all ages heal from all types of addictions. We use an integrated brain-body approach to treatment that includes biological, psychological, social, and spiritual elements to identify areas of your life—or a family member’s life—that can be optimized. To learn more, call 888-288-9834 to talk to a specialist today or schedule a visit.
Hi!
Where can i get one of those posters with the various brain pictures? I work at a high school in Special Ed and would love to be able to put it up in the classroom.
Thanks!
Jeannette
Comment by Jeannette Bovert — May 17, 2019 @ 8:38 AM
Hello Jeannette, thank you for reaching out! Here is a link to purchase the poster: https://www.brainmdhealth.com/which-brain-do-you-want-poster-large.
Comment by Amen Clinics — May 17, 2019 @ 9:46 AM
Do you reccomend anywhere in phx az to get scanned?
Comment by Ronda — May 17, 2019 @ 2:02 PM
Im weaning down and off Cymbalta.Ive been on this med for 12 years.Ive tried going off it 1 time some years ago to end up having severe brain zaps and dizziness and house swimming in my brain,vertigo.Yesterday i went from 60 mgs to 50 and im wondering how long in between taperings i should go.Should i go 3 months? I dont want to have the terrible side affects ive had from the fast tapering i have done in the past.Thank you for any info you can give me! Chari Turner.
Comment by chari turner — May 19, 2019 @ 3:09 PM
Where can we go for a brain spect living in New Orleans and Baton Rouge. After studying Dr. Amen’s approach to mental health and brain health for years our son 28 suffers from mental illness and addictions. He is finally asking for help and seems to be more ready than ever. My husband has Alzheimer’s (88) and I am carrying both. Perhaps a family plan might be best for all of us. So what would I have to do to get things moving. Travel is a bit difficult with my husband, but we will do what we have to. Help. You may be an answer to prayers. Thanks. Charlene S.
Comment by Charlene Smuck — May 26, 2019 @ 8:23 PM
Hello Charlene, thank you for reaching out. A Care Coordinator will contact you via email. We can certainly recommend a practice closer to you if you’re unable to travel to an Amen Clinics location. We also offer a Family First Discount Plan (https://amenclinics.com/family-discount-plan/). We look forward to speaking with you.
Comment by Amen Clinics — May 29, 2019 @ 7:21 AM
Is there a place in San Diego to get scanned?
Comment by Gloria Matthew — June 7, 2019 @ 7:24 AM
Hello Gloria, we don’t have a location in San Diego at this time. We do have three locations in CA-Costa Mesa, Encino, and Walnut Creek. You can find the full list of our current locations here: https://amenclinics.com/locations/.
Comment by Amen Clinics — June 7, 2019 @ 2:25 PM
Do you have a clinic in Guadalajara Mexico?I am currently living in Ajijic
jalisco Mexico.
Where is the closest place I can get a
Brain spect.
Comment by Trudi Kraus — June 7, 2019 @ 8:21 PM
Hello Trudi, thank you for reaching out. We have 2 locations in Southern California that would be the closest to you. One in Costa Mesa: https://amenclinics.com/locations/orange-county/, and one in Encino: https://amenclinics.com/locations/los-angeles/. We’d be happy to reach out to you with more information.
Comment by Amen Clinics — June 10, 2019 @ 3:19 PM
Do you have a location in Arkansas
Comment by Christy Ellis — June 15, 2019 @ 9:57 PM
Hello Christy, we don’t have a clinic currently in Arkansas. We have 8 locations: https://amenclinics.com/locations/.
Comment by Amen Clinics — June 17, 2019 @ 3:16 PM
Hello,
I’m looking to have this done, but I don’t know exactly what to ask for or where I can find a place that does it. I’m located in Wichita Kansas.
Comment by Lisha — August 17, 2019 @ 11:42 AM
Do u accept Medicaid
Comment by Nina Lashay Shumake — January 21, 2022 @ 12:37 PM
Hello Nina, thank you for reaching out. Reimbursement by insurance companies varies according to your plan. Amen Clinics, Inc. does not bill insurance. At the end of the evaluation, patients are given a “walk-out statement” containing applicable diagnosis and billing codes, which can then be submitted to insurance companies for possible out-of-network reimbursement. For more information, please contact our Care Coordinators: https://amenclinics.com/schedule-visit/.
Comment by Amen Clinics — January 26, 2022 @ 9:26 AM
How does this imaging differ from brain mapping? Also, do you perform and recommend neurofeedback to treat addiction and other TBI issues?
Comment by Patty Hutchens — February 17, 2022 @ 10:00 AM
I live an hour from Toronto, Ontario. Do you have any Canadian clinics, or have future plans for same?
Comment by Janice (Janice Bock) — February 18, 2022 @ 7:37 AM
I live in Central Canada. Does your company have a SPECT office in Canada?
Thank you
Comment by Robert Diduck — February 18, 2022 @ 8:32 AM
Hello Robert, thank you for reaching out. Amen Clinics currently has 9 locations (all in the US): https://amenclinics.com/locations/. For more information about scheduling, please contact our Care Coordinators: https://amenclinics.com/schedule-visit/.
Comment by Amen Clinics — February 18, 2022 @ 11:58 AM
Hello Janice, thank you for reaching out. Amen Clinics currently has 9 locations (all in the US): https://amenclinics.com/locations/. For more information about scheduling, please contact our Care Coordinators: https://amenclinics.com/schedule-visit/.
Comment by Amen Clinics — February 18, 2022 @ 11:58 AM
Hello Patty, thank you for reaching out. For more information about Brain SPECT Imaging, please refer to our website: https://amenclinics.com/approach/why-spect/. For more information about the various services provided by the Amen Clinics, please refer to this page on our website: https://amenclinics.com/services/
Comment by Amen Clinics — February 18, 2022 @ 3:39 PM
Would you recommend a brain scan to be done on a person with Down Syndrome who is 40yrs ?
Comment by Leonor — February 19, 2022 @ 5:32 AM
Do you have brain scans of addicted patients that are going through recovery? In Patient to Intensive Out Patient to a step down program?
Comment by Dan — May 20, 2022 @ 9:53 AM
Hello Dan, thank you for reaching out. Here are more images on our website related to specific conditions and SPECT outcomes. There is a category for Addiction subtypes near the bottom: https://amenclinics.com/gallery/. Additionally here is another page of our site for reference: https://amenclinics.com/conditions/drugs-and-alcohol-addiction/.
Comment by Amen Clinics — May 23, 2022 @ 3:55 PM
Hello. Where can I find one of your centers in South Florida? Do I need a medical referral and what medical insurance do you accept?
Thank you.
Comment by Jessica Rodriguez — June 2, 2022 @ 7:42 PM
Hello Jessica, thank you for reaching out. We do have a clinic in Hollywood, FL: https://amenclinics.com/locations/miami-ft-lauderdale-metro-area/. For information regarding insurance, reimbursement, cost and financing options, please contact our Care Coordinators: https://amenclinics.com/schedule-visit/.
Comment by Amen Clinics — June 3, 2022 @ 8:29 AM
Excellent goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff prrevious tto
and you're just too wonderful. I really like what you have acquired here, certainly like what you are stating and the way inn which you saay it.
You make it entertaining and you still care for
to keep it sensible. I can not wait to read much mre
from you. This iss actually a wonderful
web site.
Comment by Hair transplant before-after — November 23, 2023 @ 2:06 AM
Hi to every body, it's my first pay a quick visit of thjis blog; this
web site contains awesome and genuinely excellent information designed for readers.
Comment by random number generator wheel — November 25, 2023 @ 11:59 AM
Excellent post. Keep writing such kind of information on your site.
Im really impressed by your site.
Hey there, You've performed a fantastic job. I will definitely digg it and individually suggest to my friends.
I am confident they'll be benefited from this site.
Comment by Turkey hair transplant clinic — November 27, 2023 @ 1:52 AM
Thasnks for the good writeup. It if truth be topd
used to be a amusement account it. Glance complex to more introdsuced
agreeable from you! By the way, howw can we keep up a correspondence?
Comment by ev dekorasyonu — November 29, 2023 @ 12:51 PM
You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be actually something that I think
I would never understand. It seems too compolex and extremely
broad for me. I'm looking forward for your next post, I'll try
to geet the hang of it!
Comment by import produse promotionale — December 1, 2023 @ 10:38 AM