Category Archives: 10 day drug detox

Addiction

Disturbing heroin addiction realities

Disturbing heroin addiction

Disturbing heroin addiction realities requires all of us embrace healthy lifestyle for the whole family

Disturbing heroin addiction realities: Understanding the drug as it is

Having discussed the question how do I know if I have a heroin problem in the previous article, we want to take time and discuss the remaining three in this article to appreciate the effects of heroin addiction and treatment. Again we are going to be relying on the expert opinions from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury’s care. Dr. Akoury is also the founder of the facility and has been in the medical practice for well over two decades making her to be one of the most experienced medical doctors when it comes to drug addiction and other areas of concern.

 

  1. How Do I Know if I Have a Heroin Problem?
  2. What is Heroin and how is it Used?
  3. Effects of Heroin Use
  4. Treatment for Heroin and Opiate Addiction

What is heroin and how is it used?

Heroin is an illegal, semi-synthetic drug processed from morphine, a substance extracted from the opium poppy. It is used as a recreational drug for the intense feelings of relaxation and euphoria it induces. Heroin is typically sold as a white or brownish powder or as a black, sticky substance known as “black tar heroin.” Most street heroin is “cut” with other drugs or with substances such as sugar or starch. Heroin can also be cut with poisons like strychnine.

Heroin is usually dissolved and injected, or the powder is snorted or smoked. All forms of heroin are psychologically and physically addictive, and a tolerance to the drug builds quickly. IV or intramuscular heroin use poses special problems because of the potential for transmitting infectious diseases. Over the past decade, researchers have observed a shift in heroin use patterns, from injection to snorting and smoking. With this shift comes an even more diverse group of users.

Disturbing heroin addiction realities: Effects of heroin use

Short-Term Effects: Soon after administration, heroin crosses the blood-brain barrier. Users report feelings a surge of intense pleasure (a “rush”). This is usually accompanied by a warm flushing of the skin, dry mouth, and a heavy feeling in the extremities. Nausea, vomiting, and severe itching may also occur. After the initial effects, the heroin user will typically be drowsy for several hours. Mental function is clouded by heroin’s effect on the central nervous system. Cardiac function slows. Breathing also slows sometimes to the point of death. The following are some of the short term heroin effects:

  • Euphoria
  • Depressed respiration
  • Flushed skin
  • Clouded mental functioning/sedation
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Suppression of pain
  • Infectious diseases

Long-Term Effects: One of the most harmful long-term effects of heroin abuse is addiction itself. Addiction is a chronic disease, characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite negative consequences, and by changes in the brain. Heroin also produces profound degrees of tolerance and physical dependence, which contributes heavily to abuse. Painful withdrawal symptoms occur if use is reduced abruptly. The following are some of the long term effects of heroin:

  • Addiction
  • Problems with the heart, liver and kidneys
  • Overdose Risk
  • Infectious diseases, for example, HIV/AIDS and hepatitis
  • Collapsed veins
  • Abscesses (at injection sites)
  • Arthritis and other rheumatological problems
  • Infection of heart lining and valves
  • Depressed lung function

We will be discussing the last bit of treatment in the next posting and you don’t want to miss that. In the meantime, you can schedule for an appointment with doctor Akoury should you have any concern about this discussion or any relating to any kind of addiction.

Disturbing heroin addiction realities: Understanding the drug as it is

 

Facebooktwitterpinterestlinkedin
heroin addiction

Heroin treatment solution and opiate addiction

Heroin treatment solution

Heroin treatment solution and opiate addiction begins with detoxification effectiveness

Heroin treatment solution and opiate addiction

When one has come to terms with the addictive nature of these substances, the next point would be finding solution. Like for example when heroin is the problem, then heroin treatment solution become necessary. And for better understanding, doctor Dalal Akoury MD president and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center share with us the heroin treatment solutions as follows.

Detoxification/”Detox”

The primary objective of detoxification is to relieve withdrawal symptoms, stabilize participants and prepare them for longer-term treatment. Symptoms of withdrawal most of which peak between 24-48 hours after the last use include: restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes with goose bumps and uncontrollable leg movements. Medications like Subutex may be used to minimize withdrawal symptoms.

Residential Drug Rehab

This is a situation where residential treatment participants come to live in a safe, supervised setting for 30 days or more. Normally the intention of residential rehab is to create an environment where patients are able to remain focus to the assignment of recovering from their addiction. Some of the services offered may include drug education both individual and group counseling, family counseling and making referrals by way of making introduction to community-based self-help groups & referrals to community resources.

Therapeutic Communities

Research published by The National Institute On Drug Abuse states that one of the most effective drug-free treatments are the therapeutic community (TC) programs lasting 3 to 6 months. TC programs are residential, with participants and therapists living together. The program length gives participants the time they need to stabilize from their drug use and to develop new, healthy behaviors and support networks.

Outpatient Treatment

More intensive treatments may be followed by outpatient treatment regular structured therapeutic groups and individual counseling several days a week, usually for several months. Outpatient participants have stabilized in terms of their drug use, and are appropriate for a level of care that isn’t monitored or structured 24/7.

Community-Based Self-Help Groups

Group like Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous, along with non-12 step based programs, are designed to help addicts attain long-term abstinence. Group members gain new tools and support networks to deal with their addictions.

Maintenance Programs

Some heroin addicts do not find complete abstinence feasible. In these cases, a maintenance approach providing a small dose of medication so individuals can function without going into withdrawal is employed. The use of methadone, buprenorphine (Subutex) and levomethadyl has been found to most effective in the maintenance programs.

Finally the duty of managing heroin addiction must be done collectively and not to be left to the government authorities alone. All of us are affected and we all have a duty to perform. When doctor Akoury made the decision to form a medical center whose main objective is to transform each individual’s life through increasing awareness about health and wellness and by empowering individuals to find their own inner healing power, she was guided by this common fact of collective responsibility. Dr. Akoury’s practice focuses on personalized medicine through healthy lifestyle choices that deal with primary prevention and underlying causes instead of patching up symptoms. This makes her one of the best professionals you can rely on with your addiction problem. You can reach her on call to schedule for an appointment with her for the commencement of your addiction treatment.

Heroin treatment solution and opiate addiction

 

 

 

 

Facebooktwitterpinterestlinkedin
banner1

Detoxification therapies healing techniques

detoxification therapies

Detoxification therapies healing techniques are best done in Inpatient rehab care centers

Detoxification therapies healing techniques

Detoxification therapies applies a variety of healing techniques after a diagnosis is made. The first step is to eliminate a patient’s exposure to all toxic or allergenic substances. These include heavy metals, chemicals, radiation (from x-rays, power lines, cell phones, computer screens, and microwaves), smog, polluted water, foods, drugs, caffeine, alcohol, perfume, excess noise, and stress. If mercury poisoning has been determined, the patient will be advised to have mercury fillings from the teeth removed, preferably by a holistic dentist. Besides that doctor Akoury registers that during the detox process several activities take place which may include the following:

  • Specific treatments are used to stimulate and assist the body’s detoxification process. Dietary change is immediately enacted, eliminating allergic and unhealthy foods, and emphasizing foods that assist detoxification and support healing.
  • Detoxification diets are generally low in fat, high in fiber, and vegetarian with a raw food emphasis. Processed foods, alcohol, and caffeine are avoided.
  • Nutritional supplements such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, amino acids, and essential fatty acids are often prescribed.
  • Spirulina is a sea alga that is frequently given to assist in eliminating heavy metals.
  • Lipotropic agents are certain vitamins and nutrients that promote the flow of bile and fat from the liver.
  • Many herbal supplements are used in detoxification therapies as well. Milk thistle extract, called silymarin, is one of the more potent herbs for detoxifying the liver.
  • Naturopathy, Ayurvedic medicine, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) recommend numerous herbal formulas for detoxification and immune strengthening. If infections or parasites have been found, these are treated with herbal formulas and, in difficult cases, antibiotics.
  • For toxic bowel syndrome and digestive tract disorders, herbal laxatives and high fiber foods such as psyllium seeds may be given to cleanse the digestive tract and promote elimination.
  • Colonics are used to cleanse the lower intestines. Digestive enzymes are prescribed to improve digestion, and acidophilus and other friendly bacteria are reintroduced into the system with nutritional supplements.

Chelation therapy is used by detoxification specialists to rid the body of heavy metals. These are particular substances that bind to heavy metals and speed their elimination.

Sweating therapies can also detoxify the body because the skin is a major organ of elimination. Sweating helps release those toxins that are stored in the subcutaneous (under the skin) fat cells. Saunas, therapeutic baths, and exercise are some of these treatments. Body therapies may also be prescribed, including massage therapy, acupressure, shiatsu, manual lymph drainage, and polarity therapy. These body therapies seek to improve circulatory and structural problems, reduce stress, and promote healing responses in the body. Mind/body therapies such as psychotherapy, counseling, and stress management techniques may be used to heal the psychological components of illness and to help patients overcome their negative patterns contributing to illness.

Detoxification therapies healing techniques: Side effects

Finally according to the experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, doctor Dalal Akoury MD, says that during the detoxification process, patients may experience side effects of fatigue, malaise, aches and pains, emotional duress, acne, headaches, allergies, and symptoms of colds and flu. This should not worry you much as they are often seen as part of the healing process. Sometimes these reactions are also referred to us healing crises, which are caused by temporarily increased levels of toxins in the body due to elimination and cleansing. If you have further concerns you may want to share with doctor Akoury, you can call today on telephone number 843 213 1480 for a one on one deliberations.

Detoxification therapies healing techniques

 

 

 

Facebooktwitterpinterestlinkedin
hypnotherapy

High cholesterol and high blood pressure effects

High cholesterol

burning high cholesterol to reduce the effects of high blood pressure effects

High cholesterol and high blood pressure effects: The heart related complications

The heart is one of the organs of the body that is very sensitive and plays very vital role in the body. A healthy heart is an indication that other organs which depends on its proper functionality are actually operating well. However the heart is very vulnerable to several attacks that hinder its abilities to function as is expected. Some of the attackers may include high blood pressure and high cholesterol among many others. For the purpose of this article, we want to center our discussion on the effects of high blood pressure and cholesterol. We spoke to doctor Dalal Akoury about these two factors and she is sharing with us some of the known effects of this tow to the heart. High blood pressure isn’t usually something that you can feel or notice, but if you have it you’re more likely to develop coronary heart disease or have a stroke says doctor Akoury. The best way of ascertaining whether you have high blood pressure is to have it measured. Doctor Akoury says that it is very important that people should get to know their blood pressure. It is very unhealthy to wait until you are sick for you to visit your doctor to determine your blood pressure. In fact health professionals recommends that people of 40 years and above should get their blood pressure taken periodically as part of health check up to assess their risk for getting cardiovascular disease.

High cholesterol effects: Blood pressure and High blood pressure

One may wonder if there is any different between blood pressure and high blood pressure. If you are wondering then you are at the right place and in a moment you are finding out the difference. Blood pressure is the pressure or force of blood in your arteries the vessels that is charged with transporting the blood from the heart to the brain and to the rest of the body. For this role to be effectively done, the body needs adequate pressure or force to push the assignment successfully throughout the body systems. The pressure of the blood flowing through your arteries is regulated with your heart beats (in other words they change as your heart beats). The pressure in your arteries will be at its highest when your heart is contracting and pumping blood around your body and lowest as it relaxes while it fills with blood before pumping again.

That explains what blood pressure is, nonetheless high blood pressure also known as hypertension means that there is no fluctuation in the blood pressure. The blood pressure remains at a certain high point than it is recommended. Expert says that high blood pressure is not something that you can feel or notice easily. Nonetheless if this is not addressed in good time, it can cause an enlargement on your heart making your heart to be less effective in pumping the blood to the various parts of the body. This is what in many cases result in a condition known as heart failure.

High cholesterol and high blood pressure effects: The heart related complications

 

Facebooktwitterpinterestlinkedin
Addiction

Stabilizing brain health for efficient addiction treatment

Stabilizing brain health

Stabilizing brain health for efficient addiction treatment.

Stabilizing brain health for efficient addiction treatment: Treatment is all in the mind

In the past few posted articles we have been talking about treatment of drug addiction and particularly heroin. It has become clear that the cost has been steadily on the increase and this to some point has been a hindrance for effective treatment. However in this article, we want to look at the efficient way of overcoming drug addiction not necessarily heroin but in a wider spectrum. The experts have pointed out that when one is struggling with drug addiction, attainment of sobriety may appear to be dwindling to the extent of giving up on hope of ever recovering or meeting your treatment objectives. That is normal and nearly all addicts will have the same feeling but the truth is that addiction recovery is within reach. It may not matter how hopeless your situation may seems to be. Doctor Akoury says that change is possible with the right treatment and support which are tailored to addressing the root cause of your addiction. She says that once you have started, don’t give up even if you’ve tried and failed before. The road to recovery is never a walk on a straight path. There will be good times and bad ones full of bumps, pitfalls, and setbacks. However by examining the problem and thinking about change, you’re already on your way to total recovery if you could adopt the following strategies.

Stabilizing brain health for efficient addiction treatment: Making a firm decision to change

Just like we had indicated in our previous article that for many people struggling with addiction the biggest and toughest step towards addiction recovery is the very first step of making a decision to change. It’s normal to feel conflicted about giving up your drug of choice, even when you realize it’s causing problems in your life. Change is never easy and committing to sobriety involves changing many things including:

  • The way you deal with stress
  • Who you allow in your life
  • What you do in your free time
  • How you think about yourself

Certainly all these will trouble your mind, and among the things that will be disturbing would be whether you’re really ready for all that change or if you have what it takes to quit. Take courage if this concerns you because you are not alone everyone goes through the same process. Remember that recovering from addiction is a long process, one that requires time, commitment, motivation, and support. But in all these your willingness to get help is the most important first step. Now having made that step the next step is to seek for help from the experts who can address your problems effectively. It may interest you to note that doctor Dalal Akoury MD and also the founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center is once such professional who can help you with all your addiction related concerns. All you need to do is to schedule for an appointment with her today and your health will be restored in a very dignified way.

Stabilizing brain health for efficient addiction treatment: Treatment is all in the mind

Facebooktwitterpinterestlinkedin