Alcoholic Relapse

August 14, 2014

Alcoholic Relapse – Social and Emotional Causes

In treating drug addiction relapse will be a common occurrence. Alcoholic relapsing need not to give up as this is normal and will be over-come with time.

Relapse is a common occurrence in management of various addictions. When a recovering patient relapses several times they may get discouraged but this is generally not an indication of treatment failure but just a confirmation that some progress is being made and more needs to be done in the same line. The truth is over 80% of people treated for alcoholism relapse not just during treatment but even after years of abstinence. Patients and their caregivers should understand that relapses of alcoholism are analogous to recurrent flare-ups of chronic physical diseases. Factors that place a person at high risk for relapse include:

Frustration and anger
Social pressure
Internal temptation

Mental and Emotional Stress – Alcohol blocks out emotional pain and is often perceived as a loyal friend when human relationships fail. It is also associated with freedom and with a loss of inhibition that offsets the tedium of daily routines. When the alcoholic tries to quit drinking, the brain seeks to restore what it perceives to be its equilibrium. The brain responds with depression, anxiety, and stress (the emotional equivalents of physical pain), which are produced by brain chemical imbalances. These negative moods continue to tempt alcoholics to return to drinking long after physical withdrawal symptoms have abated.

Codependency – Many aspects of the ex-drinker’s relationships change when drinking stops, making it difficult to remain abstinent:

One of the most difficult problems that occur is being around other people who are able to drink socially without danger of addiction. A sense of isolation, a loss of enjoyment, and the ex-drinker’s belief that pity, not respect, is guiding a friend’s attitude can lead to loneliness, low self-esteem, and a strong desire to drink again.
Friends may not easily accept the sober, perhaps more subdued, ex-drinker. Close friends and even intimate partners may have difficulty in changing their responses to this newly sober person and, even worse, may encourage a return to drinking.
To preserve marriages, spouses of alcoholics often build their own self-images on surviving or handling their mates’ difficult behavior and then discover that they find it difficult to adjust to new roles and behaviors.

In order to maintain abstinence, the ex-drinker may need to separate from these enablers. Close friends and family members can find help in understanding and dealing with these issues through social groups.

Social and Cultural Pressures – The media has become a powerful communication tool for the pleasures of drinking in advertising and programming. The medical benefits of light-to-moderate drinking are frequently publicized, giving ex-drinkers the false excuse of returning to alcohol for their health.

Risk Factors

It is amazing that even with obvious health risk of alcohol people are still very much into drinking. It has become a global problem with the west taking the lead in alcohol abuse. America for example is struggling with this problem of alcohol abuse with most under age getting into drinking habit. Most American adults drink at levels that put them at risk for alcohol dependence and alcohol-related problems. Let us therefore look at some of the risk factors for alcohol dependence may include:

Age

Drinking in Adolescence – we all know that alcohol consumption is very unhealthy in all dimensions, the risks of alcohol use gets more complicated depending on when one begins taking alcohol and the duration of usage. For instance anyone who begins drinking in adolescence is at risk for developing alcoholism. The earlier a person begins drinking, the greater the risk and so young people at highest risk for early drinking are those with a history of abuse, family violence, depression, and stressful life events. People with a family history of alcoholism are also more likely to begin drinking before the age of 20 and to become alcoholic. Such adolescent drinkers are also more apt to underestimate the effects of drinking and to make judgment errors, such as going on binges or driving after drinking, than young drinkers without a family history of alcoholism.

Drinking in the Elderly Population – Although alcoholism usually develops in early adulthood the elderly are not safe either. They are also affected though in a different way for example those who maintain the same drinking patterns as they age can easily develop alcohol dependency without realizing it. It will take a fewer drinks to become intoxicated, and older organs can be damaged by smaller amounts of alcohol than those of younger people. Besides all these, many medications prescribed for older people interact adversely with alcohol.

Gender

Majority of alcohol users are men though the women population drinking is also rising by the day. Studies suggest that women are more vulnerable than men to many of the long-term consequences of alcoholism. For example, women are more likely than men to develop alcoholic hepatitis and to die from cirrhosis, and again they are more vulnerable to the brain cell damage caused by alcohol.

History of Abuse

The load of individuals past life style will have great significance in the present. Those brought up by alcoholic parents have a higher risk for substance abuse later in life. In one study, 72% of women and 27% of men with substance abuse disorders reported physical or sexual abuse or both. They also had worse response to treatment than those without such a history.

Psychiatric and Behavioral Disorders

Psychiatric Disorders – Severely depressed or anxious people are at high risk for alcoholism, smoking, and other forms of addiction. Likewise, a large proportion of alcohol-dependent people suffer from an accompanying psychiatric or substance abuse disorder. Either anxiety or depression may increase the risk for self-medication with alcohol. Depression is the most common psychiatric problem in people with alcoholism or substance abuse. Alcohol abuse is very common in patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

Long-term alcoholism itself may cause chemical changes that produce anxiety and depression. It is not always clear, then, whether people with emotional disorders are self-medicating with alcohol, or whether alcohol itself is producing mood swings.

In conclusion, I believe you’re up to date with the social aspects of alcohol use. In our introduction we illustrated how relapse is a common happening addiction treatment and probably this is your area of concern and I want to offer you an opportunity to get over it. This is not something you can go through on your own, you will need the opinion of experts in this line and Dr. Dalal Akoury who is also the founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center is the person you need right now. She is offering her exclusive NER Recovery Treatment to every addicted patients in the most natural and professional way. Choosing to call doctor Akoury is the best thing you can do to help you overcome your addiction problems and get your life back in real time.

Alcoholic Relapse – Social and Emotional Causes

Understanding Addiction as it is

August 13, 2014

Understanding Addiction as it is – Drug Addiction

If only we can understand addiction as it is we would not do things that subject our health in to greater risk

There is nothing that happens without it roots, for example we all have our roots where we came from, who our parents, grandparents etc. are and so when we want to talk about us we are able to locate the roots and get into the story, in the same way the problem of addiction can also be understood from its known roots before we can talk of administering treatment. Understanding addiction will include looking at various triggers for an addiction and why some people appear to be more susceptible than others. In spite of what people say stopping an addiction is such an uphill task and many people do not understand why or how other people become addicted to drugs. It is often erroneously assumed that those who abuse drugs lack moral principles or willpower and they could stop using drugs if they want to simply by choosing to change their behavior.

The truth is that drug addiction is a complex and very complicated disease. Stopping abusing any substance is such an uphill task that takes more than good intentions or strong will. It is important to know that drugs changes the brain in ways that foster compulsive drug abuse. Nonetheless we are today luck that advancement in technology has simplified more about how drugs work in the brain and we are also aware that drug addiction can be successfully treated to help people stop abusing drugs and lead productive lives.

However before commencement of addiction treatment it is to comprehend what an addiction really is and the various factors which lead to the addiction. We can do this by looking at various triggers for an addiction and why some people appear to be more susceptible than others. Therefore:

What Is Drug Addiction?

Addiction is a chronic problem, often relapsing brain disease that causes compulsive drug seeking and use despite all known harmful consequences to the addicted persons and to people around them. When we are opting for drugs in most cases it is never done forcefully. The new user get in drugs on a willing basis, the problem that follows could be devastating in the sense that the alterations that take place in the brain over a period of time influences the addicts ability to practice self-control and hinder their will to resist intense impulses to take drugs.

Like I said we are today much more informed of the availability of treatment procedures tailored to help people counter addiction’s powerful disruptive effects. Several studies have also established that mixing addiction treatment medications with behavioral therapy is one of the best ways to ensure success for most patients. Treatment methods that are tailored to each patient’s drug abuse patterns and any co-occurring medical, psychiatric, and social problems can lead to sustained recovery and a life free of drug abuse. It is important noting that during treatment process just like any other chronic disease patients can relapse and begin abusing drugs again, when this happen, it does not indicate failure of treatment but rather it indicates that treatment should be:

Reinstated
Adjusted or that
An alternative treatment is needed to help the individual regain control and recover.

What Happens to Your Brain When You Take Drugs?

Drugs contain chemicals that tap into the brain’s communication system and disrupt the way nerve cells normally send, receive, and process information. There are at least two ways that drugs cause this disruption it can either happen by:

Imitating the brain’s natural chemical messengers and
Over-stimulating the “reward circuit” of the brain

Some drugs (e.g., marijuana and heroin) have a similar structure to chemical messengers called neurotransmitters, which are naturally produced by the brain. This similarity allows the drugs to confuse the brain’s receptors and activate nerve cells to send abnormal messages.

Other drugs, such as cocaine or methamphetamine, can cause the nerve cells to release abnormally large amounts of natural neurotransmitters (mainly dopamine) or to prevent the normal recycling of these brain chemicals, which is needed to shut off the signaling between neurons. The result is a brain awash in dopamine, a neurotransmitter present in brain regions that control movement, emotion, motivation, and feelings of pleasure.

The overstimulation of this reward system, which normally responds to natural behaviors linked to survival (eating, spending time with loved ones, etc.), produces euphoric effects in response to psychoactive drugs. This reaction sets in motion a reinforcing pattern that “teaches” people to repeat the rewarding behavior of abusing drugs.

As a person continues to abuse drugs, the brain get used to the irresistible surges in dopamine by producing less dopamine or by reducing the number of dopamine receptors in the reward circuit. The result is a lessening of dopamine’s impact on the reward circuit, which reduces the abuser’s ability to enjoy not only the drugs but also other events in life that previously brought pleasure. This decrease compels the addicted person to keep abusing drugs in an attempt to bring the dopamine function back to normal, but now larger amounts of the drug are required to achieve the same dopamine high an effect known as tolerance.

Long-term abuse causes changes in other brain chemical systems and circuits as well. Glutamate is a neurotransmitter that influences the reward circuit and the ability to learn. When the optimal concentration of glutamate is altered by drug abuse, the brain attempts to compensate, which can impair cognitive function. Brain imaging studies of drug-addicted individuals show changes in areas of the brain that are critical to judgment, decision making, learning and memory, and behavior control. Together, these changes can drive an abuser to seek out and take drugs compulsively despite adverse, even devastating consequences that is the nature of addiction.

Why Do Some People Become Addicted While Others Do Not?

No single factor can predict whether a person will become addicted to drugs. Risk for addiction is influenced by a combination of factors that include individual biology, social environment, and age or stage of development. The more risk factors an individual has, the greater the chance that taking drugs can lead to addiction. For example:

Biology – The genes that people are born with—in combination with environmental influences—account for about half of their addiction vulnerability. Additionally, gender, ethnicity, and the presence of other mental disorders may influence risk for drug abuse and addiction.
Environment – A person’s environment includes many different influences, from family and friends to socioeconomic status and quality of life in general. Factors such as peer pressure, physical and sexual abuse, stress, and quality of parenting can greatly influence the occurrence of drug abuse and the escalation to addiction in a person’s life.
Development – Genetic and environmental factors interact with critical developmental stages in a person’s life to affect addiction vulnerability. Although taking drugs at any age can lead to addiction, the earlier that drug use begins, the more likely it will progress to more serious abuse, which poses a special challenge to adolescents. Because areas in their brains that govern decision making, judgment, and self-control are still developing, adolescents may be especially prone to risk-taking behaviors, including trying drugs of abuse.

Prevention Is the Key

Drug addiction is a preventable disease. Research findings indicate that prevention programs involving social networks like families, schools, communities, and the media are effective in reducing drug abuse. Although many events and cultural factors affect drug abuse trends, when youths perceive drug abuse as harmful, they reduce their drug taking. Therefore it is important to bring in experts like Dr. Dalal Akoury who is also the founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center where she is offering her exclusive NER Recovery Treatment to everyone including other physicians and health care professionals through training, clinical apprenticeships, webinars and seminars. Finally besides what we get from doctor Akoury the general public needs also to be educated and in this area a collective effort from Teachers, parents, medical and public health professionals will be very essential in creating awareness that drug addiction can be prevented if one never abuses drugs.

Understanding Addiction as it is – Drug Addiction

General effects of Alcohol

August 13, 2014

General effects of Alcohol – Drug Addiction

Whatever the stage of alcohol addiction you’re in there is help and all is not lost. All you need to do is to reach out for it and your alcoholic state will be reversed

It all begins with an introductory simple sip which appears to be very harmless as it is taken then the simplicity gains momentum from the influence of your friends and it is no longer a simple sip but a simple drink and because you want to fit in and be counted, you join in the club of belonging. You are now accepted and you feel well placed and can be counted among your peers. However in doing all these you have just started the journey of health problems and complications which will also start in almost the same way you got into alcohol consumption. Health complications will also start in very simple ways and as you continue drinking they graduated from one level to another. My dear reader alcohol consumption is not good for your health. Don’t listen to what is called responsible drinking. There is nothing like that when it comes to addictive substance like alcohol. The effects of alcohol are very costly and complicated if you are not drinking please stay that way and if you are drinking already then you need to make that bold decision and stop what you call responsible drinking and move to responsible healthy living. Why am I saying all this, let us interrogate some of the effects of alcohol for better understanding of the magnitude.

Heart Disease and Stroke

When people drink moderately there is the possibility of some element of improvement of health by reduction of certain risk factors like increasing HDL i.e. good cholesterol levels. This is only minimal and it is subject to consuming like one or two units of alcohol daily. It is important to understand that this does not in any way indicate that drinking alcohol unilaterally reduce cardiovascular risk because excessive consumption will definitely affect your health negatively. Alcohol being a toxic substance has the ability to damage the heart muscles making heart disease to be the leading cause of death among alcoholics. Alcohol abuse increases levels of triglycerides (unhealthy fats) and increases the risks for high blood pressure, heart failure, and stroke. In addition, the extra calories in alcohol can contribute to obesity, a major risk factor for many heart problems. You can read more in our obesity segment.

Cancer

Alcohol abuse and dependence may increase the risk for certain type of cancers like mouth, throat, esophageal, gastrointestinal, liver, and colorectal, cancers. When it comes to some of these risks there is no safe limits and the dangers are realistic even with very minimal consumption having adverse effects on breast cancer. It is therefore important that alcohol consumption be avoided in totality for attainment of good health.

Effects on the Lungs

Pneumonia – Over time, chronic alcoholism can cause severe reductions in white blood cells, which increase the risk for community-acquired pneumonia i.e. pneumonia acquired outside of hospitals or nursing homes. When patients are inebriated they are also at risk for aspiration of mucus from the airways, causing pneumonia. Patients who abuse alcoholism have a greater risk for developing severe pneumonia. It is therefore advisable that patients with alcohol dependence receive an annual pneumococcal pneumonia vaccination and so when you start seeing signs like high fever, cough, and stabbing chest pains you must consult with your doctor immediately.

Skin, Muscle, and Bone Disorders

Severe alcoholism is associated with osteoporosis i.e. loss of bone density, muscular deterioration, skin sores, and itching. Women often seem to face a higher risk than men for damage to muscles, including muscles of the heart, from the toxic effects of alcohol.

Reproduction and Fetal Development

Sexual Function and Fertility – Alcoholism increases levels of the female hormone estrogen and reduces levels of the male hormone testosterone, factors that possibly contribute to erectile dysfunction and enlarged breasts in men, and infertility in women. Such changes may also be responsible for the higher risks for absent periods and abnormal uterine bleeding in women with alcoholism.

Drinking during Pregnancy and Effects on the Infant – there is no safe drinking when it comes to pregnant mothers. That which you call moderate amounts of alcohol is more than enough to cause damaging effects on the development of the fetus in several ways like low birth weight and an increased risk for miscarriage. High amounts can cause fetal alcohol syndrome a condition that can cause mental and growth retardation. Although there is no specific amount of alcohol intake, the risk of developing the syndrome is increased depending on the time of alcohol exposure during pregnancy, a pattern of drinking (four or more drinks per occasion), and how often alcohol consumption occurs.

Effect on Weight and Diabetes

Moderate alcohol consumption may help protect the hearts of adults with type 2 diabetes. Heavy drinking, however, is associated with obesity, which is a risk factor for this form of diabetes. In addition, alcohol can cause hypoglycemia, a drop in blood sugar, which is especially dangerous for people with diabetes who are taking insulin. Intoxicated diabetics may not be able to recognize symptoms of hypoglycemia.

Effect on Central and Peripheral Nervous System and Mental Functioning

Drinking too much alcohol can cause immediate mild neurologic problems in anyone life including insomnia and headache. Long-term alcohol use can physically affect the brain. Depending on length and severity of alcohol abuse, neurologic damage may not be permanent, and abstinence nearly always leads to eventual recovery of normal mental function.

Effect on Mental Functioning – Recent high alcohol use (within the last 3 months) is associated with some loss of verbal memory and slower reaction times. Over time, chronic alcohol abuse can impair so-called “executive functions,” which include:

Problem solving
Mental flexibility
Short-term memory and
Attention.

These problems are usually mild to moderate and can last for weeks or even years after a person quit drinking. In fact, such persistent problems in judgment are possibly one reason for the difficulty in quitting. Alcoholic patients who have co-existing psychiatric or neurologic problems are at particular risk for mental confusion and depression.

Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies

People with alcoholism should be sure to take vitamin and mineral supplements. Even apparently well-nourished people with alcoholism may be deficient in important nutrients. Luck of vitamin B pose particular health risks in alcoholics. Other vitamin and mineral deficiencies, however, can also cause widespread health problems. The bottom line is that good and proper diet needs to be adhered to at all times.

Folate Deficiencies – Alcohol interferes with the metabolism of folate, a very important B vitamin, called folic acid when used as a supplement. Folate deficiencies can cause severe anemia. Deficiencies during pregnancy can lead to birth defects in the infant.

Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome – Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a serious consequence of severe thiamin (vitamin B1) deficiency in alcoholism. Symptoms of this syndrome include severe loss of balance, confusion, and memory loss. Eventually, it can result in permanent brain damage and death. Once the syndrome develops, oral supplements have no effect, and only adequate and rapid intravenous vitamin B1 can help rescue this serious condition.

Peripheral Neuropathy – Vitamin B12 deficiencies can also lead to peripheral neuropathy, a condition that causes pain, tingling, and other abnormal sensations in the arms and legs.

We have listed a number of health conditions critically affected by alcohol consumption and from our introduction, by now you must have realizes how gradual alcohol ruins peoples live. That is why doctor Akoury founded this facility (AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center) to professionally offer the much needed addiction treatment to all addicts. Under Doctor Akoury’s care and her able and experience team you will be treated in the best possible way which will not only be natural but also focus on Neuroendocrine Restoration (NER) to reinstate normality through realization of the oneness of Spirit, Mind, and Body, Unifying the threesome into ONE.

General effects of Alcohol – Drug Addiction

Herbal Remedies to Fight Addiction

August 13, 2014

Embracing Herbal Remedies For Addiction

What Is Herbal Remedy?

It is also known as herbal medication. It is a medication system based on the plants or extracts from plants. These plants or extracts have been used for many years by different cultures and they are still in use. The herbal medicine has been preferred by many due to the fact that it has little or no residual effects and they have flexibility in the mode in which they are administered.

Why is herbal medicine considered helpful in addiction recovery?

When a person becomes addicted, he/she may be left with decreased immunity, sometimes a shot nervous system and even a badly damaged spirit. The herbal medicine seeks to address the problem of addictions by using herbs which can:

Be able to address the mind/body system damages or alterations
Perform the task of Detoxifying the body from the addictive substance (in this case using blood-cleansing herb)
Effectively neutralize the stress response as well as strengthening the adrenal glands
Effectively Promote feelings of relaxation and keep you from tense moods.
Reduce the levels of anxiety `
Be able to promote good digestion and absorption

Which herbal medication is helpful in addiction recovery?

The process of recovering from addiction is complex. The understanding of the addiction causation is vital for the process to be successful. This knowledge helps when one wants to assess the damage which may have been caused by the addiction and hence be able to address it.

In this article, we are looking at the various herbs which can help you in the process of recovering, by combating the symptoms of the addiction and cooling down the craving for the addictive substance. The following are some herbs which have proven effective in the whole process or some point of the recovery process.

Passiflora or passion flower: passion flower is a perennial vine which has been used for medicinal value for many years. It is particularly very useful in the recovery from addiction. It works by increasing the activity of the GABA system in the brain. It works similarly to another compound known as benzodiazepines, but unlike it, passion flower medicine doesn’t cause addiction. This medication is commonly used to treat the opiate drugs withdrawal effects since it has capacity to calm the jittery and agitated nervous system. Additionally, this medication can be used for treatment of anxiety, insomnia, asthma, the menopause related symptoms, ADHD, Pains, high blood pressure, seizure, just to mention a few. Passion Flower is considered most effective when administered combined with Valerian and other nerviness.

Herbal Remedies

Scullcap This is a broad spectrum nervine tonic. The herb has been successfully used the treatment in the cases of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and headaches. Scullcap is one of the preferred herbs used in the easing of withdrawal symptoms during the recovery period. Scullcap naturally contains large amounts of flavonoids which act as anti-inflammatory agents. This is a property which is useful in the recovery period.
Rhodiola: This fabulous herb is important in the process of addiction recovery, due to its ability to stimulate serotonin and dopamine production. These chemicals are very important in our bodies and they should be maintained in the correct levels. Rhodiola herbs maintain the levels of these chemical at the right levels.
St John’s Wort : St John’s wort is a very special herb used for drug detoxification. When used in the recovery process, it serves two useful purposes: the first purpose is that it stimulates serotonin production helping depression and insomnia and then secondly it’s a powerful detoxifier of drugs from the liver hence preventing liver damage.
Valerian : this is yet another strong nervine. The extracts from this herb have been used for centuries especially in Europe to resolve cases of insomnia, nervous disorders, anxiety and depression. For patients who have a history of cocaine and/or alcohol, this is a useful herb when it comes to recovery. It can also be used to treat people with nervous disorders.
Chamomile: This herb is commonly used for mild relaxation as well as in improving the digestion. It is made up from two compounds, azulene and guaiazulene. These two compounds have shown to stimulate growth of liver tissue in rats during experimentations. This herb may be very helpful when prepared as a homeopathic remedy.
Milk Thistle. This herb is very useful when the addiction had caused severe damage on the liver. The herb has depicted remarkable healing properties for the liver. A recent research done in Europe has shown that it is effective in treating diseases such as cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis, and alcohol induced fatty liver. The extracts of Milk Thistle have hepato-protective properties, which is the property helpful in protecting the liver cells from damage by environmental and internal toxins. This herb can be administered in variety of form, either as a liquid extract, tablet, or capsule.

Herbal Remedies

Dandelion : This herb is very common in Europe and it is known to be an excellent liver detoxifier and mild diuretic. It improves the liver’s health by increasing the flow of bile and encouraging both the transformation and transportation of nutrients. It has been used in many areas of the world historically to treat liver disorders, arthritis and gout.

These are not the only herbs which can be used in the recovery process, there are a more good number of herbs being used to facilitate addiction recovery. The appropriate herbs for your recovery will be prescribed to you by a professional. The worldwide site which has proven professionals who can help you recover from any addiction is the awaremednetwork.com. If you need help on recovery you just need to call or visit awaremed wellness and resource center.

Embracing Herbal Remedies For Addiction

Specific Treatment for Alcoholism

August 12, 2014

Specific Treatment for Alcoholism – Severe Symptoms of Alcoholism

When it get to this you can only be treated. Alcoholism is a disease and a dangerous one for that matter. seek for help all is not lost.

Dealing with alcoholism is one of the most frustrating health conditions for families. It pains the most for families watching their loved ones suffer and get ruined because of alcohol. As a society we have a duty to help contain the endless problem of alcoholism. When it sets foot in one’s life the whole society will feel the impact her about if a significant number is affected directly in the same society? It will be unbearable, that is why we must take our rightful places in our neighborhood to give our contribution however little it may be it will go a long way in helping someone get better. Treatment is very fundamental and the earlier the better. We have discussed in the previous article the general treatment for alcoholism, but in this article we are going to be interrogating very specific treatments for specific severe symptoms of alcoholism and therefore I want to welcome you once again to remain focus on the link for detailed useful information about this problem at hand.

Treating Delirium Tremens – it is important that you get to know certain symptom in good time for early treatment precaution. Delirium tremens is a significant symptom requiring an immediate attention when sported, therefore individuals with this symptom must seek for treatment which should involve intravenous administration of ant-anxiety medications immediately and where necessary restraints should be applied to prevent injury to the patients and people around them.

Treating Seizures – seizures are usually self-limited and treated with a benzodiazepine. Intravenous phenytoin (Dilantin) along with a benzodiazepine may be used in patients who have a history of seizures, who have epilepsy, or in those with ongoing seizures. Because phenytoin may lower blood pressure, the patient’s heart should be monitored consistently during treatment.

Psychosis – for hallucinations or extremely aggressive behavior, antipsychotic drugs like haloperidol (Haldol), may be administered. Korsakoff’s psychosis (Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome) is caused by severe vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiencies, which cannot be replaced orally. Rapid and immediate injection of the B vitamin thiamin is necessary.

Specific Treatment for Alcoholism – Psychotherapy and Behavioral Methods

Standard forms of therapy for alcoholism include:

Cognitive-behavioral therapy
Combined behavioral intervention
Interactional group psychotherapy based on the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) 12-step program

Specific Treatment for Alcoholism – Interactional Group Psychotherapy (Alcoholics Anonymous)

AA’s 12-step approach to recovery includes a spiritual component that might deter people who lack religious convictions. AA emphasizes that the “higher power” component of its program need not refer to any specific belief system. Associated membership programs also offer help for family members and friends of alcoholics. The application of AA’s 12 steps provides relevant support network involving group meetings periodically across the world. The following are the magic steps according to AA.

Specific Treatment for Alcoholism – The 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous

We admit we were powerless over alcohol — that our lives have become unmanageable.
We have come to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
We have made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God, as we understand what this Power is.
We have made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
We have admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
We are entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
We have humbly asked God to remove our shortcomings.
We have made a list of all persons we had harmed and have become willing to make amends to them all.
We have made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
We have continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
We have sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understand what this higher Power is, praying only for knowledge of God’s will for us and the power to carry that out.
Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we have tried to carry this message to alcoholics and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

Specific Treatment for Alcoholism – Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

This method is based on structured skills and be suitable for people with severe alcoholism. Under this method patients are given assignments meant to help them advance their willpower to cope with basic living situations including controlling their behaviors and changing their way of thinking about drinking. These can be done in the following approaches:

Patients will be encouraged to write a brief history of their drinking experiences and illustrate what they consider to be risky situations.
They are then assigned activities to help them cope when exposed to “cues” (places or circumstances that trigger their desire to drink).
Patients may also be given tasks that are designed to replace drinking. An interesting and successful example of such a program was one that enlisted patients in a softball team. This gave them the opportunity to practice coping skills, develop supportive relationships, and engage in healthy alternative activities.

CBT may be especially effective when used in combination with opioid antagonists, such as naltrexone. CBT that addresses alcoholism and depression also may be an important treatment for patients with both conditions.

Specific Treatment for Alcoholism – Combined Behavioral Intervention

As the name suggests this is a collection of various counseling techniques meant to motivate alcoholics to consider turning away from their drinking habits. The various elements could for instance be derived from psychotherapy treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational enhancement therapy, and 12-step programs. This will help the addicts to understand the mechanisms for not taking alcohol purposely to achieve and maintain total abstinence.

Specific Treatment for Alcoholism – Behavioral Therapies for Partners

Treatment for alcoholism will not be successful if only direct victims are treated. Those who are also suffering from the effects of alcoholism also needs to be involved in the behavioral approaches to help them understand and cope with their recovering alcoholic partners. Where children are involved then it will be necessary that both parents participate in couple based therapy instead of just administering treatment to the parents with alcoholism.

Specific Treatment for Alcoholism – Treating Sleep Disturbances

It is common knowledge that majority of alcoholics also suffer from sleep disorders that may last for months or even years. This condition must be arrested in good time and the following are some of the available therapies; sleep hygiene, bright light therapy, meditation, relaxation methods, and other nondrug approaches. We have been talking about treatment all through and now I want to introduce to you experts who will be of great help to you in matters like this. Doctor Dalal Akoury is an experience medical doctor of several decades of practice. She founded AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center where together with her team of experts they are offering addiction treatment to patients globally in the most natural ways. They are doing this by focusing on Neuroendocrine Restoration (NER) to reinstate normality through realization of the oneness of Spirit, Mind, and Body, Unifying the threesome into ONE. Being in the care of doctor Akoury is all you need to turn around your life completely.

Specific Treatment for Alcoholism – Severe Symptoms of Alcoholism

Category Archives: addiction