It just might work—
an antidote to drug and alcohol addiction

By TOM KANE

DAMASCUS — Mort Malkin says he has developed a program that can help an addict kick the habit.

Malkin, a dental surgeon who now specializes in fitness, has had amazing success in helping people addicted to nicotine.

“I see no reason why this program would not work for drug and alcohol addicts,” Malkin said.

How exactly does it work for nicotine addiction? It works through a program of good nutrition and strong cardiovascular exercise, principally aerobic walking. It’s done with the help of the chemistry of the brain, he said.

A study by a team led by Dr. Eric Nestler of Yale University, found that frequent use of cocaine might lead to addiction by causing changes in the brain. Malkin says there is good evidence that his program of high level exercise and good nutrition could affect this kind of brain activity.

“When addicts of any substance are in the middle of their addiction, the levels of dopamine, a drug that is created in the brain, are very high, which makes the addict feel good, calm and happy,” he said. “That’s why they take the drug.”

But when the addict is trying to withdraw, the dopamine levels drop, sometimes markedly, making the addict feel miserable. “What my program does is keep the level of dopamine up during withdrawal, giving the addict added help in overcoming the addiction,” he said.

The changes in the brain chemistry cause the exerciser to have higher energy levels, elevated moods, resistance to depression, increased self esteem and improved attention span. Increased levels of serotonin and dopamine improve conceptual thought processes.

Malkin, who uses his scientific background in his research, has collected some impressive data that shows the relationship between dopamine levels, drug use and withdrawal.

Rehabilitation programs for certain kinds of drug like heroin and cocaine have success rates as low as 15 percent, he said. Alcohol is little better.

Malkin’s program is not for the faint of heart. “It’s a very intense program of walking in a certain way for long distances in order to get the rate to the desired level,” he said.

The walking can be done around a track, on country roads or on neighborhood streets. Successful walkers, whom he has trained, walk at a strong pace for at least 45 minutes three or four times a week.

Malkin has taken his anti-nicotine program into a number of prisons in Pennsylvania with great success, among them the State Corrections Institution at Waymart. The Wayne County Drug and Alcohol Commission, however, will not be able to incorporate his program into theirs. “We are restricted by the state to fund only approved programs,” said executive director Bonnie Tolerico. “The program looks very impressive but we are limited.”

Malkin currently is offering his aerobic walking training to members of the Delaware Valley football and soccer teams in Pike County, as well as a group of 60 adults and youths at DV. The group will meet once a week for nine weeks.