Our Approach

Russell Enright, the founder of Anthony Russell Counseling, endorses the Two Factor Model of substance dependence. This Model theorizes that a percentage of persons are born at higher risk for developing substance dependence. When such predisposed individuals encounter stress, abuse, or a less than nurturing environment, and turn to alcohol or drugs, they have a reaction that is euphoric in nature and provides such a profound sense of relief from life’s stressors that they are driven to use more and more frequently. As time passes and the frequency and amount of alcohol or drugs used by the individual increases, the mid brain of the individual begins to associate the substance being used with survival. Once this association is solidified, the individual literally experiences a survival impulse to use. Health risks, consequences of using, will power and many other rational reasons that would stop the average person from using have no effect on the addicted individual. This model is often referred to as the bullet (the genetic predisposition) and the trigger (the life situation) model and is endorsed by many practitioners of substance abuse treatment. Compounding this process is an increased physical tolerance for the substance and a reduced physical effect of the substance within the individual. Over time, the individual must use the substance just to feel normal. This process exacerbates the use to survive association within the individual because of withdrawal. When the individual attempts to cut down on their use or stop using entirely, they experience stress which triggers the survival association to use. The individual’s will, failing health and relationships, and other debilitating effects of using are no match for the power of the survival based compulsion to use.