Recently, we discussed the use of the pain relief treatment TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation).

TENS involves using electrodes to zap electricity to the skin. Proponents of the treatment claim that the electric current in TENS stimulates nerves and affects the spinal cord, which could end painful sensations.

While still being researched, if successful, this treatment could be useful to many users. So many people struggle with chronic pain but cannot use drug-based treatment due to addiction or prefer not to use drugs for other reasons. TENS could provide the nondrug care they are seeking.

Using electricity to treat conditions is nothing new, of course. Electroconvulsive therapy (also known as ECT or electroshock therapy) is a controversial form of psychological treatment. During this procedure, medical professionals anesthetize their patients and pass electric currents through their brains. This process creates intentional seizures.

Proponents of the treatment claim that ECT “resets” the brain. One famous practitioner of this treatment was the late actress and writer Carrie Fisher, who underwent ECT to treat her bipolar disorder and discussed her illness and treatment in the 2011 book Shockaholic.

While ECT might sound frightening and even extreme, Fisher claimed that the the treatment worked for her and swore by the results. She also discussed how she used drugs and alcohol to treat her bipolar disorder. This type of self-medication is common among people who suffer from bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety.

It is so common, in fact, that many people with such conditions develop addictions. The presence of both a mental disorder and drug or abuse is known as a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder. Professionals at rehab facilities know that treating both conditions increases the odds of recovery, since it doesn’t allow one condition to influence the other.

This is not to say ECT is the right treatment for everyone. One single specific treatment doesn’t work for everyone. Drugs and alcohol affect different people in different ways, so it stands to reason that the treatments for abusing those substances won’t work the same way for everyone. Good rehabs and professionals recognize this and plan their treatments around the uniqueness of their patients.