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Doctor David A. Arneson, NMD
Adjunct professor at Southwest College for Naturopathic Medicine, treating drug and alcohol addictions in Pheonix, Arizona.
Visit Dr. Arneson's homepage: www.thesourcenmc.wordpress.com
I have been recovering myself for more than 22 years, primarily from alcohol. Looking back at the journey, and my clinical experience, treating alcoholics and drug addicts (over the last 8 years), I can say one thing with confidence – this is a body/mind/spirit disease. In fact, in the majority of cases, the clinician will come to the determination that this is little about drugs and alcohol, and more about the need for the patients to anesthetize themselves from life in general. All the research in the world trying to find genetic determinants for alcoholism and, for that matter, drug addiction, have never determined a genetic cause per se, and never will. There is no gene in the human being that determines we are “doomed" to drink/drug our lives into oblivion. Unique genetics, life stressors, family and social stressors, improper nutritional intake and other factors affect biochemistry/neurochemistry. Depression and anxiety are the two most common symptoms early in recovery, and may exist before the first drink. Yet, it defies logic that as a profession we can treat most cases of alcoholism/drug addiction with Prozac or a multi-drug regime, and expect to find resolution of the diseases of dependency.
However, an idea put forth by Terry Neher, DDS, CCDCIII, in an article entitled “Neuronutrient Therapy: A Study in Stabilizing the Stress of Recovery" (1993, p. 31), states our position clearly:
“If we demand behavioral change from our patients without allowing them to bring their brain chemistry into more positive balance, we simply set them up for failure."
Treatments for Drug and Alcohol Addiction
We all have a unique purpose. We believe individuals have the ability to heal their spirits, become whole and balanced, and manage their addictions to drugs and alcohol in right supportive environment. Our holistic, naturopathic, and medical therapies are aimed at promptly correcting severe nutritional imbalances, which contribute to prolonged and challenging patterns of withdrawal and addiction, often resulting in relapse. By properly replenishing and rebuilding the body's nutritional biochemistry, we can renew energy and clear the mind so our client’s can understand and process life issues that may contribute to personal defeat and patterns of negative behavior.
EMOTIONAL LEVEL: Recovery is accomplished through the recognition and guidance toward higher self-esteem and feelings of self worth. We understand that alcohol and drugs are not the root cause of addiction. We work with our clients to identify and treat the real issues while promoting emotional healing.
MENTAL LEVEL: Recovery is accomplished through individual and group counseling, participation in regular 12-step groups, and recreational activities--all of which allow the individual to discover and uproot the underlying issues that are driving their addiction process.
PHYSICAL LEVEL: Because the use of alcohol and other drugs depletes the body of vital nutrients, our program begins with the use of intravenous and oral nutritional supplementation and delicious healthy meals. This process, when combined with an exercise regimen, effectively restores the physical health and vitality of the body, allowing the true healing process begin.
SOCIAL LEVEL: Recovery is accomplished through our focused program of life skills, tools and lifestyle rebalancing. Our program provides the development and tools for success regarding goals, boundary skills, and enjoyment through a drug and alcohol free lifestyle.
SPIRITUAL LEVEL: Recovery is accomplished through facilitating the individual's connection to their own spirituality which, when achieved, grounds the individual in a reality of themselves and their relationship with their environment such that the need to use drugs or alcohol is nonexistent.
Curriculum Vitae
David Arneson was born on September 22, 1949 in Sidney, Montana. He graduated from Philomath High School in Philomath, Oregon in 1967. He entered the U. S. Army in 1968 and was honorably discharged in 1970. After his Army service, he went to Oregon State University for one year where he majored in Liberal Studies. In 1971 he moved to El Paso and worked for several years in the customer service industry. In 1976 he started his own contracting business to which he sold majority interest in 1992 and the remaining limited interest in 1996. In 1988 he took the opportunity to return to school and entered the University of Texas at El Paso where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1992 with a double major in Biology and Psychology, graduating with Honors. From 1994 to 1996, he continued his education at the University of Texas at El Paso and the El Paso Community College. In 1994 he received the necessary training to be certified by the American Board of Hypnotherapy in clinical and regression hypnotherapy. In 1996 he entered into his medical training at the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine where he received his Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine in August 2000. From 1988, he has worked in both the volunteer and employee capacity in the field of addiction, as well as with the seriously mentally ill, working extensively with both adult and adolescent populations. Since October of 2000, to July 2002, he served in the capacity of Clinical/Medical Director at the Naturopathic Detox Program, a non-profit 14-28 day residential naturopathic drug and alcohol detoxification facility. Presently, he is Medical Director of The River Source Naturopathic Detox and Treatment Program in Mesa, Arizona. He is currently a part time Clinical Instructor of Naturopathic Medicine at the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences where he supervises and trains student doctors in clinical settings. He also maintains a private practice, focusing on treatment of alcoholism, drug dependency, and chronic disease. His date of sobriety is April 5th 1986.