The brain chemistry of addiction is one reason its so important to offer in-patient treatment for people who seek help from chemical dependency, according to the Western Montana Mental Health Center.

The brain works on a reward system, and it becomes conditioned to substances such as opiates and alcohol, said Tammera Nauts, a licensed clinical social worker and licensed addictions counselor with the Mental Health Center. The substances end up doing for the brain what it used to do for itself, and the chemicals in the brain of an addicted person change.

A lot of addiction is the drive to avoid withdrawal, the discomfort of withdrawal, Nauts said.

So she said in-patient around the clock care is critical for people trying to break their chemical dependency. The brain is wired to seek reward, and medical professionals can help patients find other behaviors to satisfy their cravings. Not without sustained intervention is the cycle broken, she said.

Alcoholism is a disease; genetics contribute 40 percent to 50 percent of the time, and exposure contributes 50 percent to 60 percent of the time, according to the Mental Health Center.

The Missoula Recovery Center will treat people who have addiction and those who have addiction along with a mental illness.

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Brain chemistry creates need for in-patient treatment