Turningpoint Clinic

Treatment for Neurotransmitter Restoration

The Treatment Process

For a 10-day period, varying hours per day, the patient receives individually formulated intravenous amino acids and vitamins under the supervision of a trained medical staff. This process re-balances neurotransmitters in the brain. At the end of treatment, the patient is no longer physically addicted to any substances and physical cravings are either absent or greatly reduced. With this increased clarity of mind, the patience can resume a life free of substance abuse and its ruinous medical, inter-personal, and legal consequences.

NTR RESTORES CLARITY OF MIND

How does this work?
The brain is composed of billions of nerve cells, called neurons. Brain activity is the interaction of neurons as they communicate with one another. Neurons do not actually touch one another; instead they are separated by a small gap called a synapse. Activity within a neuron is electrical, however electrical activity cannot cross the synapse. When one neuron wants to signal another, it releases a number of neurotransmitter chemical molecules into the synapse
For each type of neurotransmitter, the receiving neuron has specific receptor sites on the surface. As neurotransmitter molecules bind to a receptor site, the process causes electrical activity in the receptor neuron. The receiving neuron then releases the neurotransmitter molecules so that the sending neuron can absorb them from the synapse in the process called re-uptake, stopping the communication
How do we feel pleasure?
The presence of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, in the synapses of the reward centers of the brain is directly related to every feeling of pleasure we experience, from eating good food to falling in love. Other neurotransmitters mediate other emotions and attitudes.
How do addictive substances work?
The brain naturally produces the neurotransmitters mentioned above. But there are external substances that can mimic the activity of natural neurotransmitters. After they are ingested (swallowed, smoked, inhaled) they travel to the brain through the blood stream where they flood the synapse and bind to the same receptor sites as the natural substances. However, there is not enough re-uptake activity to neutralize them quickly. so the neurotransmitter activity (and pleasurable feeling) lasts too long.
How do people become addicted?
As people continue to use these substances, the body reduces the number of receptor sites. In the absence of external substances, the body experiences a neurotransmitter deficit. Addicts begin by taking drugs to feel high, and then they end up taking them in order to not feel low. Although dopamine is the main neurotransmitter of pleasure, addiction can also affect other neurotransmitters. NTR repairs them all
What is a withdrawal?
When a chemically dependent person is denied access to a substance that s/he is addicted, the addicted brain goes into a frenzy and manifests itself in the physical symptoms of withdrawal. These symptoms may be life threatening and may induce agitation, hallucinations, intestinal upsets, severe muscular aches, etc. After withdrawal, the body may be completely free of the addicting substance, yet neurotransmitters of the brain are still not in balance. This may lead to physical feelings of craving, an almost overwhelming desire to use the substance again.
What is Neurotransmitter Restoration (NTR)?
The physical condition of being addicted means that the brain is just not working correctly because brain neurotransmitters have been thrown out of balance. NTR is the process that brings them back into balance
NTR is a 10-day outpatient process. It uses intravenous vitamins and individually formulated all-natural amino acids (the building blocks of neurotransmitters) to assist the patient through the comfortable withdrawal and greatly reduce or eliminate physical cravings. Specially trained nurses, under the supervision of a physician, administer each treatment.
What is the treatment process?
Treatment takes a 10-day period, of varying hours per day. A "Patient Questionnaire" and blood tests provide a medical historical substance abuse picture of the patient. The physician reviews the results and develops a "treatment plan," tailored to the specific needs to the patient.
Each morning of the treatment, a nurse inserts an IV line. The client relaxes in a lounge chair while amino acid solutions are slowly infused through the vein. Almost immediately, the uncomfortable feelings of withdrawal and craving subside and remain at bay. About the fourth day patients typically report feelings of amazing mental clarity.
During treatment, some patients report mild flu-like symptoms (stomach upset, diarrhea, etc.) during the first twenty-four hours while others report none at all. The severe physical symptoms of withdrawal are banished; however, the full ten days are required to complete the treatment and minimize or eliminate physical cravings. Note that the psychological cravings, thinking about using, as well as associating drugs with specific places, sights, and actions may still be present.
During the day, the patient may watch television, read, eat, and even doze. At the end of the day's treatment, the IV is removed and the patient leaves the outpatient facility.
What about multiple addictions?
Based on accurately complete Patient Questionnaire, NTR can simultaneously treat addiction to any combination of prescribed or illicit substances, including drugs, alcohol, and nicotine.
Can the patient ever resume use?
No. If the patient uses any mood altering substances after treatment is complete, the brain's chemical balances will be altered and physical cravings will return.
After treatment, is normal life possible?
After treatment the patient is no longer physically addicted and may certainly resume a normal life; however an addicted person will typically not have been leading a normal life for some time. In order to rejoin the world successfully, a variety of after care coping strategies can be helpful. we will be happy to refer to any of the following:
AA, NA, and/or other 12-step program
Individual psychotherapy
Group psychotherapy
Family psychotherapy
Nutrition programs
Exercise programs
Affinity and other social groups
Is the treatment safe?
Yes, it is completely safe. Licensed nurses work under the supervision of a licensed physician who approves a customized Treatment Plan and reviews progress. The intravenous solutions are made from ingredients that occur naturally in the body and are prepared by a compounding pharmacy. Only FDA approved ingredients of the highest purity are used.
How was NTR developed?
Dr. William Hitt, award winning physician and pioneering scientist, developed NTR, in the mid 1980's after a lifetime of research involving amino acids. He completed his research in Mexico at the invitation of the Mexican Government and the support of the World Health Organization.
In the initial clinical application, approximately three thousand clients were treated using NTR with a documented recovery rate three years after treatment of seventy percent. Since that time, many thousands more have been successfully treated.
Who is Dr. Hitt?
Dr. William Hitt is a Doctor of Medicine Surgery and is an international member of both Canadian Psychiatric Association and the American Psychiatric Association. He is also licensed to practice in Mexico. Dr. Hitt is a member of the Mexican delegation headed by Dr. Velasco Suarez of the International Physician for the Prevention of Nuclear War in 1985. The organization was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Dr. Hitt received the Leeuwenhook award for microscopic cytology and the Eli Lilly award as a co-worker with the Server Group in the study of Mycoplasma. Dr. Hitt was Director of Medical Research at Baltimore Biological Laboratories (Baltimore, MD) and Cappell Laboratories (West Chester, PA). Since 1982 he has been researching the medical treatment of chemical dependency principally dealing with brain neuroreceptor imbalances.
Who can become addicted?
Anyone can become addicted if s/he overuses powerful, mood-altering substances; however, there is a growing body of evidence to indicate that certain people are greater at risk for becoming addicted. Statistically speaking, a spectrum of problems (alcoholism, drug addiction, tobacco addiction, etc.) tends to occur together, rather than being independent variables. There may be a genetic basis for a propensity to become addicted.