Treatment for drug addiction in Switzerland

Thanks to cooperation with one of the world's best rehabilitation centers in the world, CorSwiss organizes drug addiction treatment in Switzerland using modern and effective methods. Our partner, the Kusnacht Practice , has extensive experience in working with drug addiction at any stage. This exclusive center provides the most favorable conditions for recovery, and also guarantees complete confidentiality.

Many people don't understand why some individuals become addicted or how drugs alter the brain, contributing to the development of compulsive drug use. They may mistakenly view drug abuse and addiction as social problems and may consider those who use drugs to be morally weak.

Thanks to scientific advancements, we now know much more about how drugs affect individuals. We also know that drug addiction is treatable. With the right treatment, individuals struggling with addiction can quit using drugs and go on to lead productive lives without returning to drug use.

A common misconception is that addicts should be able to quit using drugs if they simply want to. However, people often underestimate the complex nature of addiction—it's a disease that changes the brain. This means that quitting drug use is not simply a matter of willpower. From a medical perspective, this applies equally to addiction to street drugs, prescription medications, or alcohol.

Understanding the causes of drug addiction

It is important to recognize that addiction, whether related to eating disorders or substance abuse, results from a combination of physical, psychological, biochemical, genetic, and social factors. In the treatment of addiction in Switzerland, our goal is to identify the underlying causes of the dependency and to restore healthy self-perception and coping mechanisms so that our clients can lead normal lives.

Our first step in treating eating disorders is to stop such behavior. During treatment, we employ psychotherapeutic methods to understand why our clients resort to disordered eating as an adaptation strategy.

We place a primary emphasis on biochemical restoration. It is impossible to control an eating disorder if a deficiency of certain neurochemical substances is the root cause of the condition. This is often a missing link in many treatment programs. If the neurochemical balance is not restored, most patients, upon leaving treatment centers, are at high risk of relapse due to anxiety, depression, insomnia, and the desire to revert to previous behaviors.

Subsequently, when using DPDG and other psychotherapeutic approaches, we work on the fundamental psychological causes of the illness. Self-work and additional treatment methods that we use help reduce stress and maintain it at a low level. Addiction treatment in Switzerland includes techniques such as self-hypnosis, the butterfly DPDG technique, clinical monitoring, yoga, meditation, acupuncture, reflexology, massage, and aromatherapy.

We assist our clients in working through the 12-step program and facilitate their participation in support groups. Our family program includes an individualized treatment plan for each family member, which may involve treatment for one or several family members who are undergoing their own treatment program during the client's treatment period.

An intensive aftercare program for the client and their family (when necessary) involves daily phone calls during the critical initial period, monthly client visits to the clinic, and subsequent quarterly visits by clinic staff during the first year, gradually reducing the frequency of visits by the end of the second year.

What is drug addiction?

Addiction to street drugs and prescription medications is a chronic brain disease that compels individuals to seek and use drugs despite harmful consequences for themselves and those around them. Addiction is considered a brain disease because it leads to structural and functional changes in the brain.

While most people's initial decision to use drugs is voluntary, over time, the brain changes resulting from repeated drug use can affect a person's self-control and ability to make rational decisions. At the same time, the brain sends intense impulses to seek drugs.

The brain changes make it very challenging for an addict to quit using drugs. Addiction is a progressive disease, meaning that if a person continues to use drugs or alcohol, their condition does not improve; it only worsens. Fortunately, research-based therapeutic approaches exist to help people resist the powerful destructive impact of addiction and regain control over their lives.

Just like chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma, or heart conditions, addiction can be successfully treated. However, relapses are not uncommon, and individuals may return to destructive patterns of behavior. A relapse does not indicate failure; it simply means that treatment needs to be reinstated or adjusted, or that alternative methods are required to regain control. Kusnacht Clinic identifies and treats the root causes of drug addiction, significantly reducing the risk of relapse.

Why do some people become addicted and others don't?

None of the factors can predict whether an individual will become addicted. The risk of addiction depends on an individual's biological makeup, genetics, social environment, age, and stage of development. The more risk factors a person is exposed to, the higher the likelihood that drug use may lead to addiction. For example:

1. BIOLOGY AND GENETICS: Genes with which a person is born, combined with the influence of the environment, determine approximately half of a person's susceptibility to various addictions. Additionally, gender, ethnicity, and the presence of other mental disorders can increase the risk of drug use and addiction.
2. ENVIRONMENT: A person's environment includes various influences, ranging from family and friends to socioeconomic status and overall quality of life. Factors such as peer pressure, physical and sexual violence, or stress can significantly impact the role drugs play in an individual's life.
3. DEVELOPMENT: Genetic and environmental factors influence critical stages of a person's life development, affecting susceptibility to addiction. Adolescents face a dual challenge. While drug use at any age can lead to addiction, the earlier drug use begins, the more likely it is to escalate into more serious abuse.

Since a teenager's brain is still developing in areas that control decision-making, judgment, and self-control, they are particularly prone to risky behavior, including experimenting with drugs. If you are concerned that you or someone you know may be struggling with addiction, please reach out to us.

Treatment for cocaine addiction

Due to cocaine's tendency to induce narcotic dependence and rapid habituation, many "cocaine enthusiasts" develop addiction fairly quickly.

Regular use of cocaine or the consumption of high doses can lead to irritability, restlessness, and paranoia. Cocaine use can result in a pronounced paranoid psychosis, during which a person loses touch with reality and may experience hallucinations.

Abusing cocaine can be associated with significant medical complications. Some of the most common ones include effects on the cardiovascular system, including disturbances in heart rhythm and heart attacks; respiratory issues such as chest pain and respiratory failure; neurological effects like strokes, seizures, and headaches; as well as gastrointestinal complications, including abdominal pain and nausea.

Given the characteristics of this drug, the most effective way to treat cocaine addiction focuses on the physical and psychological harm it causes, such as the craving for use, anxiety, and depression.

Treatment of heroin addiction and other opioid addiction

In the West, most treatment methods for opioid addiction (heroin, morphine, codeine, oxycodone, etc.) include substitute maintenance therapy and harm reduction programs. Substitute medications for opioid addiction typically include methadone, LAAM, and buprenorphine. An individual addicted to heroin replaces one addiction with another, never addressing the root causes of addiction, thereby maintaining their active state of illness.

The use of opioid substances leads to tolerance and dependence. Increasingly higher doses are required to achieve the desired effect, and quitting the drug becomes increasingly challenging due to growing dependence. As with any form of addiction, heroin users invest more and more time and energy in obtaining and using the drug, making it their primary focus in life. Drugs literally change their behavior and thinking.

Physical dependence is proportionate to escalating drug doses. The body becomes accustomed to the narcotic substance, and when its quantity decreases, withdrawal symptoms occur, which can start within a few hours after the last drug use.

Withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, cold sweats, goosebumps, and more. The peak of withdrawal typically occurs between 24 and 48 hours after the last heroin dose, and these symptoms generally subside after about a week. However, some individuals may experience persistent withdrawal symptoms for several months.

The treatment of marijuana addiction

Prolonged use of marijuana and hashish can lead to addiction in some individuals. If they use drugs compulsively, they often become a disruption in their family, school, work, leisure, and such use increasingly leads to accidents in the workplace and while driving.

About 15% of people seeking treatment in addiction treatment centers in the United States list marijuana as their primary drug of abuse. There is a worrisome trend of increasing numbers of cannabis users experiencing cannabinoid/paranoid psychosis. This is believed to be due to the increasing THC content in the marijuana currently being used.

Despite propaganda claiming otherwise, marijuana does indeed cause addiction, which is proven by certain signs and symptoms. Along with a physical craving for more of the drug, chronic marijuana users can experience difficulties during withdrawal due to the emergence of withdrawal symptoms.

People attempting to quit smoking marijuana may experience irritability, insomnia, and restlessness. During psychological testing, they exhibit increased aggression, peaking about a week after their last use.

Some adverse health effects associated with marijuana can be related to the fact that THC reduces the immune system's ability to fight off infectious diseases and cancer. Laboratory experiments where animal and human cells were exposed to THC or other components of marijuana have shown that typical disease-fighting responses were weakened in many of the body's major types of immune cells.

Treatment of medication dependence

Weaning should occur under medical supervision. There are 3 main classes of drugs that lead to addiction:

1. Opioids, which are most commonly used to treat pain, such as codeine, oxycodone (OxyContin® and Percocet®), and morphine (Kadian® and Avinza®).
2. Central Nervous System (CNS) depressants, which are used to treat anxiety disorders and sleep disorders, including benzodiazepines (Valium and Xanax), non-benzodiazepine sedatives (Ambien® and Ananxyl®), and barbiturates (Mebaral and Nembutal).
3. Stimulants, prescribed for conditions like narcolepsy, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and obesity, such as dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine® and Adderall®) and methylphenidate (Ritalin® and Concerta®).

Each of these classes of medications requires a specific detoxification plan, which is the first step in the successful treatment of clients with medication dependencies. If these medications are abruptly discontinued, individuals often experience withdrawal symptoms as their bodies no longer receive the chemicals they have become accustomed to. For instance, in the case of stimulants like amphetamines, withdrawal symptoms may include fatigue and even prolonged periods of sleep. Individuals discontinuing benzodiazepines no longer experience the sedative effects and may become irritable or even experience seizures.

The brain attempts to avoid these feelings by convincing the body that it needs these substances. This craving is why discontinuing the use of medication can be very challenging. In some cases, when individuals are deprived of a particular medication for an extended period, they may experience seizures that could be fatal. This is why we treat clients with medication dependencies through 24-hour medical care under the supervision of our clinical director.

We treat the whole person: body, mind and soul

1. 1. Our main goal is to identify and treat the underlying causes of addiction, including physical, psychological, biochemical, and social factors.
   2. Upon arrival, we direct our clients to our partner clinic (Mannedorf Hospital), where they are under the care of our chief physicians and clinical directors for 2 to 7 days to safely detoxify from the substances they have been using. We ensure that clients do not experience seizures or discomfort related to withdrawal symptoms.
   3. During their hospitalization, clients undergo a comprehensive medical examination, including all necessary biochemical tests and psychiatric assessments. At the same time, an addiction specialist conducts consultations related to physical dependence, provides their assessment, and our orthomolecular medicine specialist conducts biochemical testing and assesses the client's lifestyle.
   4. Based on the results of these examinations, we develop a detailed treatment plan, which typically takes 1 to 3 months.
   5. The treatment for the underlying causes of drug addiction involves developing an individual composition of essential nutrients and amino acids to normalize any identified deficiencies, determined through biochemistry and neurochemistry analysis.

Treatment for drug addiction in Switzerland | Conditions

1. 1. Following this, you are accommodated in luxurious apartments or another agreed-upon place of residence, where you will be the sole client.
   2. Medications are prescribed only as a last resort when the symptoms are severe and do not respond to biochemical restoration and other forms of therapy. Our goal is to cleanse the patients' bodies of drugs and, equally importantly, without their side effects.
   3. When possible, we invite the most important members of the client's family to participate in a 2-day family therapy program during their treatment. While this is not mandatory, we strongly recommend it. Family members learn more about the disorders affecting their loved ones. This therapy can lead to family members deciding to seek treatment for their own issues related to dysfunctional behavior and pain.

Post-treatment support

1. Post-treatment support is crucial for long-term recovery. While it is relatively easy for clients to remain abstinent in a clinical setting, they need to stay abstinent and continue their recovery after returning home. To address this challenge, we have a post-treatment support program that may include the work of a mentor or psychotherapist who returns home with the client to support their reintegration into their normal home environment, family, work, school, and friends. Additionally, the psychotherapist helps the client adapt their lifestyle to the recovery program. Other elements of the program may involve daily phone or Skype calls during the initial critical period, visits to the Kusnacht clinic (or home visits by one of our medical team members) initially on a monthly basis, and later on a quarterly basis during the first year, gradually reducing in frequency by the end of the second year. Post-treatment support can last from a few days to two years, and when combined with 12-Step support groups, significantly increases the likelihood of long-term recovery.

Individualized Approach:

To meet the specific needs of each client, Kusnacht Practice provides individualized drug addiction treatment in Switzerland. We treat clients on a personal basis, not in groups. This means our entire clinical team (including doctors, psychiatrists, psychotherapists, counselors, and dietitians), as well as our complementary therapy team (comprising experts in yoga, acupuncture, reflexology, massage therapists, and personal trainers), work with only one client and their family. We delve deep into the symptoms to understand the function of addictive behavior in the client's life. After identifying the root causes of the client's disorder, we treat them using evidence-based interventions.

Unique and effective approach

We work with clients to help them regain control over their symptoms, recover from trauma, and develop the necessary skills to break free from addictive behavior and thinking in their daily lives. We use medication only as a last resort. Treatment may include some or all of the following components:

1. Freedom from the influence of the drug(s) to which our client is addicted. All procedures are carried out under medical supervision.
2. Detoxification aims to rid the body of toxins that have accumulated from the environment, food, water, and medications. To achieve this goal, various methods are employed, all under medical supervision.
3. Laboratory analyses are conducted to determine the biochemical and neurochemical imbalances of each client. Based on these results, we generate a computer-generated formula of micronutrients and amino acids to restore the biochemical and neurochemical balance. This formula is as unique as the client's fingerprints. The laboratory data is also used to determine the menu prepared by the client's personal chef to maximize the restoration of biochemical and neurochemical processes.
4. Psychotherapy is used to identify and treat the underlying psychological issues that led to addiction and other mental, personality, social, or family problems identified in the treatment plan. Psychotherapy may include:

• Cognitive treatment methods
• Clinical hypnotherapy / trance work
• Mindfulness practice
• Somatic experiences
• EMDR to remove triggers and stressors
• Positive psychology
• Family therapy

5. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) - the use of magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to alleviate symptoms of depression.
6. My Brain SolutionsTM Therapy - scientifically developed computer exercises aimed at improving attention, memory, flexibility, reducing stress, and promoting positivity.
7. Drug addiction treatment in Switzerland | Additional Methods

• Yoga
• Meditation
• Individual training
• Acupuncture
• Art and music therapy
• Reflexology
• Massage
• Satori chair sessions
• Alpha-Stim sessions for pain reduction, anxiety, depression, or insomnia
• Use of the SPA at the Dolder Grand Hotel

8. Diet and Lifestyle Tips
9. An intensive psycho-educational program, including readings on relevant topics for each client and family member participating in the treatment program.
10. Completing some or all steps of the 12-Step program.
11. Attending group support meetings.
12. Spiritual counseling.
13. Two-day Family Therapy program.
14. Providing an intensive program of post-treatment support for the client and their family, which often includes a mentor returning home with the client to help them adjust to their new life.