Red Light Therapy for Addiction - Accelerating Healing and Supporting Sobriety

Introduction to Red Light Therapy for Addiction

Addiction is a long-term disease that impacts mental and physical health. Any person can become dependent on a substance or an activity that causes pleasant sensations. Though harmful, no one may be able to abstain from using the substance or performing the activity, and such addiction can cause extreme damage. People with severe addiction usually experiment with many methods, but it is not straightforward.

Luckily, science has been proposing several types of rehabilitation to aid in recovery. Red light therapy can now also be utilized as an add-on treatment for addiction. Red light therapy is a non-invasive and safe procedure that pacifies the physical outbursts of addiction as well as mental well-being.

You see, addiction impacts the brain and the body, commonly resulting in chemical imbalances, stress, sleep disorders, and mood swings. Red light therapy alleviates these problems by lowering inflammation, increasing blood flow, activating key behavioral hormones, and boosting cellular energy production.

Although red light therapy is not a substitute for professional drug treatment, it may be used as an adjunct to counseling, medication-assisted therapies, and lifestyle modification. We will see in this blog how red light therapy in addiction enhances physical and emotional health, and in what way the treatment can be utilized to improve overall quality of life.

What Is Addiction: Causes, Symptoms, and Types

Addiction is a neuropsychological disorder in which there exists an uncontrollable and overwhelming urge to consume a drug or pursue a behavior that is enjoyable, even though it is harmful. Addiction can alter the activity of the brain, particularly in regions of the brain related to stress management, pleasure, and self-regulation. Addiction creates extreme dependence over time, and a person can no longer control. This can have implications for physical and mental health, as everyday tasks like walking, running, or doing household work may not be easy. Mood is most impacted, and the person is unable to stop themselves from taking the drug or doing the act.

The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) defines addiction as a brain disease that is chronic, as the brain chemistry is altered because of addiction. Hence, addicted people feel cut off from the world around them.

Types of Addiction

Addiction occurs in two primary types: substance addiction and behavioral addiction.

Substance Addiction

Drug addiction occurs through the use of substances like nicotine, opioids, alcohol, or medication.

Behavioral Addiction

It encompasses participation in activities like gambling, gaming, social media, shopping, or other obsessive behaviors.

Causes of Addiction

Addiction may be caused by a combination of environmental, genetic, psychological, and social reasons. Some potential causes are:

Genetic Predisposition

Those who have a family history of addiction are more prone to develop the disorder.

Mental Health Disorders

Depression, trauma, and stress are a few disorders that may encourage a person to turn to substances or habits that yield temporary pleasure, and hence, this is one of the main reasons for addiction.

Environmental Causes

Excessive social pressure, stressful surroundings, or premature exposure to drugs or other addictive materials are also key causes of addiction.

Signs of Addiction

• Addiction has the following signs:

• Desires or cravings to use the substance or engage in the behavior strongly

• Loss of control over frequency or amount

• Leaving school, work, or domestic duty

• Withdrawal symptoms like irritability, anxiety, or physical discomfort

How Red Light Therapy Supports Addiction Recovery

The combination of red light therapy during the recovery period from addiction can enhance the quality of life for an individual to a great extent. The process of recovering from addiction is usually characterized by significant mental and physical instability, thus making the recovery process unbearable. Red light therapy can reduce these symptoms, and it becomes easier to recover. 

Addiction results in chemical imbalances within the brain, causing stress, anxiety, depression, mood swings, and intense craving. Red light therapy, or low-level laser therapy, or photobiomodulation, is something that can treat both physical and mental conditions. RLT activates the mitochondrial function of nerve cells and other cells within the body. Activating the mitochondria makes them release more energy as ATP. The higher ATP enables cells to repair, regenerate, and function properly. Through this, RLT controls cellular function.

RLT also promotes the release of dopamine and serotonin, two mood and mental health hormones. Red light therapy also corrects physical problems at the time of recovery by improving circulation, diminishing swelling, and soothing pain. Enhanced circulation enables cells to take in more oxygen and nutrients while eliminating waste and toxic substances.

Red light therapy also induces relaxation and enhances sleep quality. By facilitating both mind and body, RLT could help increase resilience, decrease relapse risk, and enhance quality of life throughout the recovery process.

Scientific Evidence and Research on Red Light Therapy

Research overwhelmingly favors the application of red light therapy during addiction rehabilitation. Research and testimony have indicated that red light therapy can decrease depression, stress, and anxiety among those in the process of being treated for addiction. Research also confirms that red light therapy aids in physical health by stimulating cell healing, improving the flow of blood, and eliminating inflammation.

Clinical Studies Evaluating Red Light Therapy in Addiction Recovery

Study 1: Exploring the Impact of Red Light Therapy on Addiction Recovery: Clinical Findings on Mental Health and Cravings.

Objective

The research sought to assess whether transcranial photobiomodulation therapy (tPBMT), red light therapy, might decrease anxiety, depression, and opioid craving among patients on methadone maintenance treatment (MMT).

Results

The research involved two cohorts of patients with the same age and gender composition. Both groups had the same levels of depression, anxiety, and craving before the treatment. Post-treatment, the tPBMT group had significantly lower depression, anxiety, and opioid craving when compared to the control group receiving sham treatment. These effects were still evident at one-month and three-month follow-ups.

Conclusion

tPBMT safely decreased anxiety, depression, and opioid cravings among MMT patients. The beneficial effects persisted for a minimum of three months, indicating that red light therapy may be used as an adjunctive treatment for recovery from addiction.

Study 2: Brain PBM Therapy Supporting Recovery from Drug and Alcohol Addiction.

Objective

The review aimed to synthesize the available evidence on brain photobiomodulation (PBM) treatment by red to near-infrared (NIR) light with an emphasis on its potential to enable recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. It sought to examine how PBM enhances brain function, suppresses cravings, and mitigates mental health complications related to substance use.

Results

Brain PBM treatment activates mitochondria, increasing ATP synthesis and molecular pathways favoring neuroprotection, anti-inflammation, neurogenesis, and synaptogenesis. It restores drug- and alcohol-damaged brain areas and enhances mood, lessens anxiety, and decreases cravings. PBM increases cerebral blood flow, antioxidant defenses, and general brain energy metabolism.

Various light delivery techniques—transcranial, intracranial, intranasal, and oral—have been experimented with. Though easier to use, non-invasive transcranial PBM, intranasal, or intracranial will be needed for deeper brain areas where addiction has occurred. Multiple delivery methods together have resulted in more effective subcortical access to reward, motivation, and addiction circuits. 

Conclusion

Brain PBM treatment holds potential as an adjunct therapy for alcohol and drug addiction. In aiding brain repair, diminishing cravings, and promoting mental health, PBM can bolster recovery results. Optimal light parameters and delivery techniques are needed for it to be effective, and integration of methods might enhance benefits for more deep-seated brain areas affected by substance use.

Study 3: Unilateral Transcranial Photobiomodulation Therapy for Reducing Opioid Cravings and Use in Opioid Use Disorder.

Objective

The research sought to establish whether unilateral transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM), as an application of red light therapy, can diminish opioid craving and opioid consumption in people with opioid use disorder (OUD). Treatment was administered to the more hemispheric emotional valence (HEV) brain hemisphere, which was assumed to impact anxiety and craving.

Results

The trial was conducted on 39 subjects, 19 of whom were administered active tPBM and 20 of whom were given a sham treatment. The active tPBM group had a large effect size, a significant reduction in opioid cravings as compared to the sham group. On and off buprenorphine, subjects improved. The active group also reported a significant reduction in opioid use compared to the control group. Both groups had no adverse effects.

Conclusion

Single transcranial photobiomodulation of the superior HEV hemisphere significantly reduced opioid cravings and use in OUD patients. The intervention was safe, efficacious, and showed effects independent of buprenorphine treatment, indicating that it may be a valuable adjunctive modality for addiction treatment.

Choosing the Right Red Light Therapy Device for Addiction Recovery

Key Features to Look for in an Effective Addiction Support Device

To incorporate red light therapy into your recovery plan for addiction, it is necessary to invest in the best equipment. There are some devices available in the market that can be purchased but lack the ability to trigger the healing process of the body, and might not be able to provide the required benefits in recovery. While purchasing a device, make sure it has the following specifications:

Wavelength Range

It should output red light between approximately 610, 630, 633, 650, and 660 nm, and near-infrared light between approximately 810, 830, 850, 904, and 1064 nm. The wavelengths are advantageous for the inflammation-reducing process, for enhancing circulation, for energizing energy production, and for upholding mental and physical well-being.

Adequate Power Irradiance

The device must be able to produce sufficient power irradiance so that the light can penetrate into deep tissues. 

Scientific Evidence and FDA Approval

The device must either be FDA-approved or evidence-based, proving that it has undergone testing to ensure safety, functionality, and efficacy, and is safe for home use.

Light Source

The device must be LED-based because LEDs by themselves can supply the right level of red and near-infrared light. Halogen or incandescent bulbs will not work.

User-Friendly Features

The device must include user-friendly features like variable intensity, portability, and hands-free use. These render it simple and convenient to use red light therapy.

Total Spectrum Devices: Customized Red Light Therapy for Addiction Support

Overview of the Total Spectrum Series for Enhancing Brain Function in Recovery

A clever move would be to buy from a reputable company like RLT Home. RLT Home produces a lineup of excellent, well-crafted red light therapy units. Their units send the same spectrum of red and near-infrared light needed to effectively reduce inflammation, improve blood flow, and have a positive impact on mental and physical well-being. They are FDA-approved and even carry certifications like CE and RoHS, which ensure safety and efficacy. They deliver sufficient power and also carry good-quality LEDs, which allow for the right spectrum of light to pass through deep into tissues.

With a quality device, you are guaranteed to receive the full effects of red light therapy during recovery from addiction. A good device also aids in ensuring the process is easy and relaxing, hence you can always adhere to the sessions and impact your mental and physical health accordingly.

Determining the Right Dosage: Frequency, Session Length, and Distance for Effective Addiction Support

You can use red light therapy safely at home by following the instructions of the manufacturer. Proper management of the correct dosage, frequency, and timing of sessions is very important. For the treatment of addiction recovery, red light therapy could be given 3–5 times a day for 10–20 minutes each session. The correct distance between the device and the area of treatment must be maintained to avoid overheating.

Conclusion: Is Red Light Therapy Effective for Addiction?

In short, you may use red light therapy as part of an addiction recovery plan. Red light therapy is a great treatment that addresses the physical and emotional well-being in the wild ride of addiction recovery. It accomplishes this by causing cells to produce more energy, decreasing inflammation, enhancing circulation, and healing tissues. In order to benefit the most from it, there are appropriate usage guidelines in terms of session timing, frequency, and separation distance from the target area that must be followed, utilizing a high-quality machine, for instance, those provided by RLT Home.

FAQs: Addressing Common Questions

What is the best way to overcome addiction?

The best way to overcome addiction is to engage in positive activities and seek guidance from professionals, such as therapists or counselors, while following a structured recovery plan. Support from family, friends, or support groups is essential. Building healthy habits and coping strategies helps prevent relapse.

Is there a cure for addiction?

There is no single cure for addiction, but it can be effectively treated and managed. You can seek help from professionals, and during this therapy, you can use red light therapy to improve both physical and mental well-being.

How to get rid of a person's addiction?

If you need to assist someone struggling with addiction, you need to urge them to receive professional help from therapy, counseling, or rehabilitation facilities. Offer a good support network with patience, compassion, and regular encouragement.