Getting the High without the Drugs or Alcohol

Getting the High without the Drugs or Alcohol

Published August 2018

A person gets addicted to feeling good, so they use anything they can to find that state.  If you or a loved one is addicted to something, it is essential to realize that you are really addicted to the feeling that substances bring.  Addiction is a condition that allows someone to ignore negative consequences which are caused by substance abuse in search of the rewarding effects that these drugs have.  It may involve the use of substances such as alcohol, inhalants, nicotine, cocaine, opioids, gambling, sex, and technology.  Scientific research provides evidence that all addictive behaviors share a neurobiological feature involving the neurotransmitter dopamine.  This chemical plays a major role in feelings of pleasure and signals motivation and desire.

People that are seeking these pleasurable feelings can find alternative ways to feel the same “high” that they get from dopamine, in ways that do not coincide with the negative consequences of the addictive vices.  There are dopamine-triggering foods that can be beneficial to your health.  The next time you get a craving for alcohol or feel compelled to grab a digital device, try eating one of these delicious treats instead:

1. Our bodies create dopamine through protein that contains amino acids, such as beef, chicken, turkey, pork, and fish.
2. Natural produce such as bananas, apples, and berries can release dopamine. Avocados, nuts, beans, seeds, beets, and artichokes are all examples of produce that work.
3. Cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, yogurt, and milk are made from dairy products that convert to amino acids. Other cheeses and dark chocolate are also good in moderation.

Passages Recovery Center is fully aware that you can increase your dopamine through these healthier food options, which are being served at every meal.  In fact, people who come to Passages start feeling good about a week or two into treatment and it only increases from there.  People find other alternatives to feeling “high” in life that do not require substances.