Announcement
This article will educate readers on the synergistic benefits of combining Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy with traditional alcohol addiction treatments for improved mental health and recovery outcomes.
Introduction
TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) therapy is a non-invasive form of treatment that utilizes magnetic stimulation to reach specific areas of the brain. This can improve blood flow to inactive areas of the brain and change neural connections. Doing so can help provide treatment for several mental health conditions including addiction.
Alcohol addiction comes with several complications, primarily its subsequent impact on mental health. The more an individual struggles with alcoholism, the more likely their brain chemistry is to change. This change in brain chemistry leads to the development of secondary mental health disorders, most commonly depression and anxiety.
There is a strong relationship between alcohol addiction and mental health disorders, not just because alcohol can lead to the subsequent development of mental health disorders but because people who have issues like depression or anxiety are more likely to self-medicate with alcohol. Thankfully, transcranial magnetic stimulation offers a way to improve the outcome of any treatment you undergo, whether or not you use a professional treatment center.
Combining TMS and Alcohol Treatment
Some current literature indicates that the use of TMS on the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex was insufficient to produce statistically significant changes to mood or cravings in those with alcohol dependence. However, more work has focused on the use of TMS and alcohol treatment where co-occurring disorders are concerned, which has shown significant adjustments to executive function and other symptoms.
So, what impact does this have on recovery?
The rationale for using TMS in alcohol addiction treatment
Firstly, before considering the use of TMS alcohol treatment, it’s important to understand what dual diagnosis is. Dual diagnosis refers to the treatment of co-occurring disorders. It is sometimes referred to as a co-occurring treatment plan.
As the name suggests, this situation is where two conditions exist at the same time, one of which is a form of substance abuse, and the other is another form of mental health disorder.
One of the biggest overlaps for those who seek care is alcoholism and depression. The reason behind this can be multifold, but one of the main reasons is that people with diagnosed or undiagnosed depression tend to self-medicate with alcohol.
How TMS can complement traditional alcohol treatment methods
As such, the rationale for alcohol and TMS treatment at the same time is that TMS can be very useful in treating co-occurring mental health disorders, particularly depression or anxiety. This makes it an effective way to simultaneously manage factors that contribute to or exacerbate alcohol addiction.
Several studies have confirmed the efficacy of transcranial magnetic stimulation as it relates to the treatment of depression or anxiety, two of the most common symptoms experienced even in those without co-occurring disorders who are in recovery. By providing a non-invasive resource to target these common symptoms, individuals are not only more likely to complete their recovery program but also have a higher chance of postponing or avoiding relapse.
Can you drink alcohol during TMS therapy?
So what happens if you are undergoing regular TMS therapy for something else and you are considering alcohol? Can you drink alcohol while doing TMS?
There are potential risks and contraindications of drinking alcohol during TMS treatment.
Neurotransmitter Interference
Firstly, can you drink alcohol during TMS therapy? Yes, but it won’t help you. In fact, it might hurt you. The biggest way it hurts you is to change the levels of neurotransmitters in your brain. When you drink alcohol, you alter the levels of things like serotonin and dopamine, both of which are crucial for mood regulation.
During your regular sessions, TMS therapy normalizes the levels of dopamine and serotonin, but drinking alcohol counteracts your adjustments, which can interfere with the efficacy of your therapy.
Plasticity
Secondly, drinking alcohol during TMS treatment can interfere with the brain’s plasticity. One of the purposes behind TMS therapy is to build new neural connections where they have been damaged or broken. This is what helps to resolve symptoms of things like co-occurring depression or anxiety. However, alcohol consumption can make it difficult for this process to be achieved, interfering with how effectively the brain can grow new neurons.
Cognition
Another reason that you should abstain from drinking alcohol while undergoing TMS therapy is that it interferes with your cognitive function, which can be very detrimental if you are trying to utilize things like therapy. When your cognition doesn’t function properly, it can be harder to recall coping mechanisms or to apply strategies to help you with triggers.
Tangentially, alcohol is a depressant, depressing your central nervous system. This will work against not only your ability to utilize coping skills from therapy but also the efficacy of TMS.
Recommendations for patients undergoing TMS therapy
If you are undergoing TMS therapy, regardless of whether it is part of TMS alcohol treatment, it is best to abstain from alcohol while you are undergoing care. These treatment plans are not particularly lengthy, and the sessions can be completed within a few weeks.
Going a few weeks without alcohol can significantly improve not only your general health but the outcomes you achieve with your treatment plan.
Benefits of Integrating TMS with Alcohol Treatment Programs
That said, if you are struggling with alcohol consumption, particularly with co-occurring mental health disorders, there are several benefits of integrating alcohol and TMS treatment programs.
Enhanced effectiveness in reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms
The first is that some clients can experience enhanced efficacy when it comes to reducing withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
Improvement in mental health outcomes
The second, and perhaps more clinically supported, is that there are significant improvements in mental health outcomes as a result of TMS and alcohol treatment combinations. When you combine these two programs, you are more likely to successfully deal with things like depression and anxiety, which goes a long way toward counteracting two of the biggest contributors to things like poor mental health after treatment and relapse.
Long-term benefits and relapse prevention
Transcranial magnetic stimulation is uniquely positioned to offer opportunities for long-term benefits and relapse prevention because it is a non-invasive procedure that can substantially change neural connections in the brain. There are no contraindications nor are there limitations in terms of what it can be combined with.
This means that it can be used regularly, year after year, to prevent relapse as you move through long-term sobriety.
Conclusion
Overall, there are several benefits to combining TMS and alcohol treatment. If you are struggling with alcoholism, seek professional advice to get a personalized treatment plan. Integrated plans that combine holistic programs like transcranial magnetic stimulation and other non-invasive therapies can provide significantly better results, especially when it comes to long-term relapse prevention.