Sex addiction treatment possibilities and benefits

February 18, 2016

Sex addiction treatment possibilities and benefits: Free talk about sex to be safe

Sex addiction treatment is a serious necessity if one is to enjoy his/her sexual life.

Sex addiction treatment is the best thing you can do to your-self and be free from all the complications that come with it. This has not been a subject that people can talk about freely and publicly and because of this, many people have for a long time been suffering in silence. The good news about sharing in this topic of sex addiction treatment is that it can provide a sense of security and control to the victims who would otherwise feel powerless and timid over their urge to participating in an erratic sexual behavior says doctor Dalal Akoury MD, President and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center. From her over two decades of working experience in addiction related discipline, doctor Akoury is advising that sex is a precious gift we should be proud talking about. The secrecy in the discussions about matters touching on sexual activities is not working well for us and especially to those individuals with certain sexual challenges.

Therefore she urges that if anyone is having any sex related complications, they should not make it a secret. What is important is to get help and live your normal life. It is because of that desire of living your life to the fullest that made her establish AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center so that you and your loved ones can get solace. This is just one of the many facilities where you can help for all matters pertaining to sex addiction. Further to that, today there are so many different treatment programs available to assist you in your recovery. And according to the US National Library of Medicine, some of the best sex addiction treatment programs use proven strategies to help heal the emotional and physical complications that have derived from sex addiction and which were possibly underlying prior to the sexual addiction or which could potentially have even been a source of the addiction to begin with.

If you ever visit any health facility for treatment, you will realize that most sex addiction treatment programs are actually take the same approach with other proven strategies applicable in the treatment of other substance addictions or alcohol addiction. Like for instance the following applications are working well for sex addiction treatment; behavioral therapy, counseling, twelve step programs and any other similar methods of treatment for sex addiction that are common in all treatment centers offering sexual addiction treatment approach. And as a matter of fact, many would prefer to use similar methods of treatment since these addictions appear to function similarly in the brain.

Sex addiction treatment possibilities and benefits: What to look for in sex addiction treatment

You have just noticed that you have sex addiction problem and you are looking forth to getting the best treatment. This is the best thing you can do to address this problem head on. Therefore the next hurdle you need to pass in that of proper identification of where to get the best and effective treatment for yourself or for your loved ones who may be suffering from sexual addiction. Quality should be your priority and the following are some of the considerations you may want to interrogate before settling on any given facility for treatment:

Focused on sexual addiction treatment versus focused on general compulsivity – it is important to note that addicted individuals to sexual behaviors normally suffer from compulsive disorders or compulsive behaviors above and goes beyond sex. For this reason, it’s important to go for treatment program that will address both the sex addiction treatment and therapeutic focus on stopping compulsive behaviors rather than simply on providing treatment for the sexual addiction alone.

Staff experience with sexual addictions and compulsive behaviors – not every personnel is competent and equal to the task. You must therefore carry out proper due diligence to ensure that professionalism is prioritized in that facility.

Therapeutic approach – Is the program a twelve-step program or non-twelve-step? Is the program faith based or non-denominational? What are your preferences or the preferences of your loved one when it comes to faith based treatment or the lack thereof?

Couples therapy – If you are in a relationship, you’ll want to choose a sex addiction treatment program that provides a couples centered approach which allows you and your spouse a chance to work in therapy together on a more personal level without others being involved. This will be in addition to your own individual therapy and the group therapy that is provided.

Level of support provided for both yourself and your spouse as well as for other family members. Sex addiction can cause problems for your children, loved ones, significant others and your-self too so it’s important to seek help that will provide support on all levels for everyone involved.

Sex addiction treatment possibilities and benefits: Types of Sexual Addiction Treatment Programs

There are various types of sexual addiction treatment programs available to assist you and your loved ones in overcoming this very powerful disorder. Treatment will typically focus on the primary issues of getting the addict away from potentially harmful situations involving their compulsive sexual behaviors and providing treatment for the emotions that surround the disorder.

People who are addicted to sex will often feel ashamed, guilty and depressed as a result of their addiction and the hurt that they put their friends and family members through as a result of their addiction. These feelings can make the process of overcoming sexual addiction difficult because for the addict, the only thing that initially seems to help is to resort back to their compulsive sexual behaviors. With time in treatment and through therapy these feelings can be overcome and those suffering from sex addiction can effectively manage their symptoms.

Sex addiction treatment possibilities and benefits: Common sex addiction treatment

Like we had mentioned above, sex addiction treatment in most cases takes the same approach as treatment of alcoholism and other substance abuse. Therefore the following are some of the commonly known treatment approaches available:

12 step programs
Cognitive therapy
Behavioral therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Group therapy
Medication

Finally for an individual to be effectively treated and becomes free of the potential harmful sexual situations, it must be procedural and in the early stages of treatment just before the therapy and counseling is done, it is important that the patient get to learn how to refrain from compulsive sexual behaviors. This may necessitate that the patient take some time in an inpatient treatment setting. The essence of this is to allow for around-the-clock monitoring and prevents the chance of harmful sexual activity taking place in the early phases of treatment. In conclusion therefore, if you or anyone you know is struggling with sex addiction, you can schedule for an appointment with the experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center for and immediate treatment to be done.

Sex addiction treatment possibilities and benefits: Free talk about sex to be safe

Eating disorders problems and food addiction

February 18, 2016

Eating disorders problems that is associated with food addiction: Overeating to the point of obesity

Eating disorders problems are conditions that may be associated with food addiction and needs to be addressed before the problem escalates to serious complications

Eating disorders problems is becoming a serious concern to many people across the globe and while food is a basic need, when it is abused it brings with it weight related health complications which can be very chronic in nature. As things stand now, there are several types of eating disorders problems many families are struggling with including compulsive eating, anorexia nervosa and bulimia. In our previous article we dealt with compulsive eating and you can make reference to that on this link. However for the purpose of this article, we want to concentrate on anorexia nervosa and bulimia. Talking of weight related complications it is amazing how people respond to this situation. Available statistics indicate that people do overeat and this often escalates to the point of obesity, others ingest large quantities of food and then avoid its integration by vomiting and still others chose to go starve themselves in order to lose weight. All of these practices are considered to be addictive behaviors with no clear etiology.

Eating disorders problems that is associated with food addiction: Anorexia Nervosa

Experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center says that this addictive behavior (anorexia nervosa), causes people to start believing that they are too fat, even when they are of normal weight for their age and height. Under these circumstances, the individual feels that they must always be on diet and occasionally starve themselves to be slim and remain composed and beautiful. The implication of this practice is that once in it becomes so addictive that getting out becomes very difficult. Doctor Akoury reiterates that persons struggling with anorexia (Anorexics) will be emotionally disturbed and a lot of energy thinking of ways of avoid food and also to cover up their lack of eating. The cost of hiding some of this practice can be very disturbing thereby causing the victim even to wear bulky clothing, throw food away secretly and also engages in frequent exercises away from the view of people including in the middle of the night all in an attempt to burning up calories.

While the desire of the victim may be genuine the consequences may be very wanting because lack of eating and extreme diets. This then causes anorexics to be malnourished and also exhibit signs and symptoms of starvation. Other symptoms of anorexia may include cessation of menstruation, extreme thinness, edema (swelling in various parts of the body from electrolyte imbalance), thinning or falling hair, tooth decay, and dry skin from dehydration. Even with these symptoms they continue to compulsively lose weight to the point of emaciation and sometimes death. Along with losing weight, they are often obsessed with obtaining extremely low body fat composition. Even when they have lost weight to the point of emaciation, they view themselves as being fat.

Statistics indicate that most anorexics are of the female gender from white upper-middle-class families. They tend to be high achievers and to be compulsive in other aspects of their life such as schoolwork. As an example, they become extremely depressed if they do poorly on an exam. They have low self-esteem usually they often deny of not having a problem and are often depressed.

The problem of addiction is one which can be a serious thorn in people’s flesh. A lot is being done to contain the general problems of various types of addiction and doctor Dalal Akoury MD, President and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center is not left out. And in her effort to making a positive difference in people’s lives AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center is organizing their 2nd Annual Integrative Addiction Conference Workshops that adopt partnership and dialog among integrative Medical experts in a nurturing, empowering, motivating, cozy atmosphere. This conference venue will be at Austin Texas: Doubletree by Hilton Austin and it will be very helpful for you and your career; you’re free to register your attendance for the full-day workshops which will offer information personalized for your interest and are designed to ease you towards transformational growth. For further enquiries you can get in touch with us at 6505 Interstate Highway-35 North Austin, TX 78752 and out Phone contact is: 512-454-3737 Fax: 512-419-0102. You are most welcome to this year conference schedule for June this year.

Eating disorders problems that is associated with food addiction: Bulimia

The person who overeats or binges on food and then prevents absorption by purging (laxatives, vomiting, water pills, enemas etc.) is considered to have bulimia. In this obsessive behavior the person feels driven to consume food as well as to purge him/herself of it to prevent gaining weight. It is often associated with anorexia. Bulimia can occur with individuals who are of normal weight or even overweight. The bulimic person often plans and organizes the consumption of a large amount of food. The planning is often ritualistic and secretive. So great an amount of time and energy is spent thinking of food that it often interferes with an individual’s ability to function.

This behavior is usually cyclic in nature, with the person binging due to loneliness, depression, or boredom and then purging due to feelings of guilt about binging. Symptoms of bulimia include tooth decay, dehydration, constipation, weakness, lightheadedness, low blood potassium, cardiac arrhythmias, kidney damage, swelling of salivary glands, and irritated esophagus. The blood chemical imbalance can lead to heart attack. The individual is usually secretive about the behavior and may make numerous trips to the bathroom as the result of laxative abuse or desire to vomit.

Finally, just like it is with anorexics, bulimics is also common with white upper-middle-class females. Their involvement is always in line with cheerleading, performing arts, or gymnastics. This causes them to have low self-esteem and rely on the opinions of others to validate their self-worth. As things stand now, what causes bulimia is not known, however various theories, including emotional stress, need for relief from anger and depression, and pre-occupation with body size, have been suggested as possible causes. And just like with anorexia, bulimia may be related to a malfunctioning hypothalamus or a need to be in control of one’s environment.

Eating disorders problems that is associated with food addiction: Overeating to the point of obesity

Misfiring Sex Hormones Cause a Spiral Downward: Havoc on the Brain

February 18, 2016

The effects of misfiring sex hormones to the brain

The hormones regulating sexual response in humans are testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, oxytocin, and vasopressin. Testosterone is most prevalent in males and estrogen and progesterone in females. Oxytocin and vasopressin are present equally in both men and women.

Each hormone plays a specific function in sexual motivation and response. Testosterone encourages males to compete for the attention of females. Estrogen increases sexual motivation in women, and is most elevated during ovulation, while at the same time progesterone, which lowers female sexual motivation, is lower. Oxytocin is associated with sexual pleasure and is the hormone responsible for forming emotional bonds. Vasopressin levels are raised during arousal in males, and may contribute towards increased sexual motivation.

brain havoc When released at regular levels and at the correct times in response to ovulatory cycles or sexual stimulus, these hormones create the motivation for sexual reproduction and increase the pleasure response that it generates.

However, when these hormones are out of balance or secreted at the wrong time, they can have very adverse effects on one’s wellbeing.

Many women are aware of the link between hormones and mental health, having experienced it on a monthly basis in the form of PMS and mood swings in the time approaching the onset of her menstrual cycle. When the body undergoes puberty, the rising and falling hormone levels also result in mood swings, depression, irritability, and aggression. Pregnancy also releases a flood of hormones which affect mood and can in some women cause severe post-partum depression after giving birth. Menopause and menopausal symptoms of irritability, erratic behavior, changes in sex drive, brain fog, and hot flashes are also all the result of hormones being out of balance.

Although the mechanics of hormone-induced mental health issues are not fully understood, it would appear from the reactions that estrogen and progesterone, particularly, interact with the production and reception of serotonin and GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) neurotransmitters in the brain. The fluctuation of estrogen and progesterone around the time of menstruation causes PMS and also PMDD or premenstrual dysphoric disorder. PMDD manifests in severe depression and anxiety, as well as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). PMDD sufferers have been misdiagnosed as bi-polar or with any of some other psychological disorders, because of the havoc wreaked by their hormones on their brain chemistry.

One sufferer in Cornwall stated: “The most bizarre part is that as soon as I start bleeding it goes away. Literally 30 minutes or an hour later and I feel totally normal again. Like I’ve been in a fog for a week and then I just step out”. However, she says of the week to ten days before her period: “Smells are stronger, sounds are louder, things that don’t bother me normally become a major issue, I’m clumsy and accident prone, totally exhausted and emotional. As I get closer to my period all of that intensifies and gets coupled with an extreme self-loathing, sometimes even suicidal thoughts. I look in the mirror, and my whole face looks different, distorted and not myself. It sounds bonkers; it feels bonkers.”

This disorder affects approximately 5% of menstruating women, although the prevalence may be much higher but simply go unreported.

And women are not the only sufferers. Men who experience an excess of estrogen are prone to depression and mood swings as well. Too little testosterone will display in symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, loss of libido, and depression.

Check out our Integrative Addiction Conference 2016 being held in Austin, Texas

Tests and studies carried out in a Canadian ice hockey team yielded some results regarding the effect of testosterone on mood and mental health, and showed a direct correlation between testosterone levels and confidence and aggression. The research into the link between testosterone and competitiveness returns very mixed results depending on the baseline personality of the subject.

Excess testosterone is metabolized into estrogen, which in some men results in metal health issues which are often diagnosed as bi-polar disorder. Studies conducted on some such patients which included hormone replacement therapy instead of the bi-polar medication which they had been taking showed positive results in their behavior and mental health.

Testosterone has also been shown to have a causal effect on egocentric and anti-social behavior. Also, low testosterone levels in men have been found to have a detrimental effect on sleep patterns. Disrupted sleep can have many psychological and physiological consequences, including heart disease, diabetes, stroke, obesity, and depression.

Diagnosing and recognizing hormone-related disorders is the challenge. Very often this cause is overlooked and remains untreated. Regulating hormone levels in cases of mental health issues could present a long-term solution. Much research and study in this area are still necessary to fully understand and determine the link between the hormones and mental health.

The effect of hormones on mental health and wellbeing will be one of the topics under discussion at the upcoming Integrated Addiction Conference. Register online at http://regenerativepotential.com/integrativeaddictionconference/ for access to the forum and discussions and to attend the event.

Understanding GBSM: The Gut-Brain-Skin-Microbiota Axis

February 17, 2016

GBM Axis: Gut-Brain-Skin-Microbiota Axis – The Symphony of Survivorship vs Environment

The Gut-Brain-Skin-Microbiota Axis is just one of the fascinating (but often ignored) medical subjects that will be discussed at the upcoming Integrative Addiction Conference in Austin, Texas during August 2016. Should you be interested in finding out more about the GBSM or GBM Axis and its relation to physical, mental and emotional disease and addiction, be sure to book your space by following our link – http://regenerativepotential.com/integrativeaddictionconference/

A small list of some of the subject matter that will be discussed by leading experts in their fields, include

How gut changes the brain
Why addiction treatment requires gut treatment
Restoring the gut heals addiction
Gut neurotransmitters – connection and addiction
Reset gut microbiota – reset sanity
Brain-gut addiction

When our intestines are in perfect balance – the GBSM or GBM Axis, results in a symphony of beautiful balance and health that ensures our survival. But this symphony is deeply affected by our internal and external environments and how we react and relate to these on a moment-to-moment basis. The key to health therefore lies in our bacterial environment – primarily that of our intestines.

The-Gut-Brain-Skin-Microbiota Axis

Microbiota is the word used to refer to a community of bacteria. These communities encompass a myriad of bacteria and microscopic organisms in their various forms and capabilities, positive and negative that occupy every conceivable area within and around us. From the depths of the frozen tundra and oceans, to our deserts, swamps and rain forests, these microorganisms also live within and on their human hosts. They are so prolific that more than a thousand different varieties have been found in a single human sample. Their proliferation bears testimony to their adaptive and often symbiotic nature with humans and recent studies of genome sequencing indicate that we share up to a third of our genes with other life forms and some 37% with these bacterial communities.

Many of these bacteria share our bodies on a mutually beneficial basis. Pro- and prebiotics are an example of the “good” bacteria that occupy our gut space. These living organisms promote our health by metabolizing complex lipids and polysaccharides for optimal nutritional absorption. They protect our gut health by warding off harmful bacteria, neutralizing carcinogens, drugs, managing motility of our intestines and affecting our visceral perception (an internal understanding that operates independently of our consciousness level). These endosymbionts are also successful in working with the guts “nervous system” to provide feedback to the central nervous system. This feedback is crucial to maintaining balance within our system, including the development of our immunity. Once it was recognized that microbiota in our intestines played such a significant role in our health that included a sophisticated signaling process, the idea of the Gut-Brain-Skin-Microbiota Axis – or GBSM Axis was born.

Our health and survival are reliant on these powerful, yet infinitesimal life forms as they affect both vegetative and cognitive functions of our central nervous systems (CNS). The reverse is also true with the CNS affecting development and composition of these microbiota. This symbiotic relationship is so powerful that any imbalance of power in this environment can lead to the development of metabolic, emotional and mental diseases.

The importance of this GBSM Axis is emphasized by the results of recent studies that show how these bacterial communities affect our immune systems, higher cognitive function and socialization and social structures at a psychological level in relation to sexual behavior, our choice of a partner and our levels of social perception and more.

The super highway feedback system between gut microbiota and the CNS involves the immune, endocrine and neural pathways, thus forming the MGB Axis. When under extreme stress, our brains may influence the balance of gut bacteria through the hypothalamus-pituitary and adrenal glands – the HPA axis. This axis manages cortisol levels that affect immune cells on a local basis and systemically in the gut. The HPA axis regulates inflammatory responses to injuries from a neuronal perspective by producing catecholamine production. This feedback system leads to balance – or homeostasis. A disorder such as stress will therefore affect this balance and lead to allergic reactions, inflammatory disorders, disease and a predisposition to infection. Cortisol can also change intestinal permeability and barrier functionality and contribute to the imbalance of “good” bacteria. The reverse is also true where pre- and probiotics can change cytokine levels that may affect brain function. The afferent branch of the vagus nerve and regulation of systemic tryptophan, the precursor to the serotonin transmitter, are also both strongly involved in carrying messages of gut microbiota to the brain.

GBSM Axis

Studies conducted suggest that gut microbiota levels also have a strong effect on brain function in terms of anxiety, cognitive dysfunction, depression, emotions, motivation, memory formation, affective behaviors, decision making and emotional arousal. This is supported by studies conducted on the insular cortex and related networks in the brain.

Our intestines are an extensive network of neurons that are often referred to as our second brain. So intelligent is this system and so crucial is it to our health, but yet so often overlooked. It is little wonder that more research is being directed to the GBM Axis as a source of a vast majority of diseases that are thought to be related to stress. Our stress levels have a direct influence on the health of our gut environment that affect not only our physiological, but also our mental and emotional health and functions. This enteric nervous system has over 100 million neurons in the nine meters of its length that it is often referred to as a second brain. A “brain” that contains more neurons than either the spinal cord or the nervous system with 90% of the information transmitted by the vagus nerve involved in the relay of information from the gut to the brain – rather than the reverse. It behooves us then to find out more about its functioning to ensure that this environment remains a symphony of health as opposed to an environment of deadly disease or addiction.

Compulsive Overeating and food Addiction

February 17, 2016

Food Addiction and the consequences attached: The compulsive overeating

The compulsive overeating, excessive craving for and consumption of specific foods are way of life in this order

Even as we look at food addiction and the consequences attached to it, it is important to appreciate that food addiction is a term that is used to describe a pathological disorder; which may include, the compulsive overeating, excessive craving for and consumption of specific foods. Similarly to binge eating disorder, this condition is characterized by an abnormally large intake of food that can be very harmful to the individual consumer and this can result in compulsive overeating. We will look into details what it entails to have this behavior of compulsive overeating as we progress into the discussion. In the meantime, the concept of food addiction has long been for a long time been a subject of doubt with the main stream medical establishment. However, with the new developments and various researches being conducted, facts are coming out and for sure it has been established that the neurological similarities between food addiction and drug dependence is real. And besides that many experts are in agreement that food addiction is a major culprit behind binge eating disorder (BED).

As it is commonly known (compulsive overeating), food addiction like BED is grounded on an obsessive-compulsive relationship to food. According to the experts at Yale University, there research findings concluded that BED shares majority of its characteristics with addictive behaviors, including inability to take full control and consistent usage irrespective of knowledge of all the negative consequences attached to this behavior. Apart from that other experts have also noted some similarities between the effects of certain foods and narcotics. Like for instance over the years doctor Dalal Akoury who is the MD, President and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center has been concentrating on the comparison of fructose corn syrup to both heroin and cocaine because all these have been processed primarily to make them more potent concentrated substances capable of generating intense pleasure. Further still and according to other studies, it has actually been established that people who consume purified carbohydrates in the form of refined flours and simple sugars become habituated to their intense stimulation”. Doctor Akoury and other addiction experts assert that other concentrated foods, such as refined foods that contain white flour, have this same effect during their calorie-dense intensity.

Food Addiction and the consequences attached: The actual Compulsive consumer

Experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center alludes that just like it is with other addictive behavior, the compulsive eater will be obsessed with the object of the compulsion, like food for instance. Under these circumstances, the individual will develop a compulsive urge or craving to have a bite and will most of the time eat irrespective of whether they are hungry or not. This will often cause the victim to binge in secret, away from others for fear of being ridicule. And in the process they lose control over how much quantity of food they feed on progressively. Just for a better understanding, lest consider this illustration, under normal circumstances, a compulsive eater for example may consume a whole box of cookies when he/she intended to have just appease. Loneliness, anger, depression, insecurity, boredom and anxiety are considered the biggest triggers to this behavior. And though this behavior will be very evident, the victims will always find it more convenient to deny any act of overindulgent to eating.

Food Addiction and the consequences attached: Where obesity comes in

Compulsive overeating usually results in obesity. Nevertheless, experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center are registering that under normal circumstances the compulsive eater may not necessarily identifiable by their body size because as it is, there are many women who eat compulsively and at the same time they are also compulsive dieters. Meaning that, there is a clear distinction between being overweight and being obese. And that is to say that overweight is weighing more than one should for his or her body structure, height, and sex. But in all this, it is very important to note that, there is great possibility of someone being overweight and still be in good health. Take for example the athletes weight lifters and others who do muscle-producing exercise, they are often overweight but have a very low proportion of body fat. Individuals who are obese, however, are more than 30 percent over their ideal weight and have a high body fat content.

Obesity being a health condition, it can lead to serious health complications if medical remedies are not taken in good time. Like for instance, excessive body fat is associated with diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. It is also linked to varicose veins, problems in pregnancy, digestive disorders, arthritis, and respiratory disorders. And when the compulsive eater is a female and of course many are females. They will have very low self-image, a preoccupation with body size, feels a lack of control over her environment, feels depressed, and tends to turn anger inward. And as we had mentioned earlier, overeating is a way to alleviate boredom, stifle negative emotional feelings, calm down, relax, and feel comforted.

Though most obesity is considered to result from overeating due to psychological causes, some people are thought to have a physiological basis for their problem. One theory, the set point theory, suggests that people are born with different natural set points for a particular body weight in response to weight changes, metabolic or physical reactions occur to maintain the weight at which the body is “set.” This may in turn cause the person to eat more to maintain his/her set weight. If the person has a high set point, he/she will tend to be overweight or obese.

Finally the fat cell theory posits out that adipose tissue also known as fat cells can affect body weight by increasing either in number or size. It is thought that in childhood a greater number of fat cells than normal are produced because of overfeeding. In dieting, the fat cells become smaller but are not eliminated. The person appears to be of average weight. However, when the person does not diet but eats a normal amount of food, the many fat cells enlarge, thus causing them to again and eventually become overweight. Therefore if this concerns you and you want to get professional solutions, then take that phone and schedule for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury today and your life will never be the same again.

Category Archives: addiction