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

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

Alcohol the substance of Early Death

August 12, 2014

Alcohol the substance of Early Death – Drug Addiction

The display in alcohol shops are very glittering but the effects of alcohol content in them is very fatal. Do i say it is the business of death!

The title of this article should not scare you in any way because it is not a fiction in any way. Alcohol is not only the number one addictive substance but also number one killer. It is leading because it does not only kill its abusers but also very innocent people who have never tasted alcohol in their entire life time. The magnitude of alcohol effects are so real and many that researchers have had difficult time determining exactly what are the consequences of drinking this substance which has been associated with earlier death. The health complications associated with alcohol consumption include heart attack, diabetes, heart failure and stroke or lung disease. Therefore those who drink regularly are subjecting their life into several risks including:

People who drink regularly have a higher rate of death from injury, accidents or violence triggered by alcohol consumption.
Alcohol overdose may lead to death. The danger is so particular with young people in the adolescence stage of life. Young people may want to impress their peers with their ability to drink alcohol, the feelings of belonging motivates them into taking alcohol even though they may not be able to gauge its effects. However it is important to note that alcohol overdose doesn’t only occur from any one heavy drinking incident, but may also occur from a constant infusion of alcohol in the bloodstream.
Severe withdrawal and delirium tremens. Delirium tremens occurs in about 5% of alcoholics. It includes progressively severe withdrawal symptoms and altered mental states and in some cases, it can be fatal.
Frequent, heavy alcohol use directly harms many areas in the body and produce dangerous health conditions like liver damage, pancreatitis, anemia, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, nerve damage, and erectile dysfunction.
Alcohol abusers who need surgery have an increased risk of postoperative complications, including infections, bleeding, insufficient heart and lung functions, and problems with wound healing. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms after surgery may impose further stress on the patient and hinder recuperation.

Alcohol the substance of Early Death – The Effects of Hangover

Although not traditionally thought of as a medical problem, hangovers have significant consequences that include changes in liver function, hormonal balance, and mental functioning and an increased risk for depression and cardiac events.
Hangovers can impair job performance, increasing the risk for mistakes and accidents.
Hangovers are generally more common in light-to-moderate drinkers than heavy and chronic drinkers, suggesting that binge drinking can be as threatening as chronic drinking.
Any man who drinks more than five drinks or any woman who has more than three drinks at one time is at risk for a hangover.

Alcohol the substance of Early Death – Accidents, Suicide, and Murder

Majority of deaths on our roads are facilitated by drink driving giving alcohol lead role in accidents, suicide, and crime therefore:

Alcohol plays a major role in more than half of all automobile fatalities across the globe.
Alcohol-related automobile accidents are the leading causes of death in young people.
When it comes to alcohol we do not have favorable limits for safe drinking because two drinks can impair the ability to drive and even one drink may double the risk of injury, and more than four drinks increase the risk by 11 times therefore the only safe way is not drinking at all.
Alcoholism is the primary diagnosis in a quarter of all people who commit suicide.
Alcohol is implicated in over half of all murder cases, with this ratio of one to one you can only desire to stop drinking.

Alcohol the substance of Early Death – Domestic Violence

If you have been to the alcoholic residence, you may have notice the elusiveness of peace and poor or no communication, conflicts and suspicion. The members of such households are not independent and expressive than non-alcoholic households or even recovering alcoholic parents. Domestic violence is a common consequence of alcohol abuse.

Effect on Women – women often are the victims of domestic violence, they incur serious injuries from their male partners who are abusing alcohol

Effect on Children – alcoholism in parents also increases the risk for violent behavior and abuse toward children. Children of alcoholic parents tend to do worse academically than others, have a higher incidence of depression, anxiety, and stress and lower self-esteem than their peers. In addition to their own inherited risk for later alcoholism, many children of alcoholics have serious coping problems that may last their entire life. Adult children of alcoholic parents are at higher risk for divorce and for psychiatric symptoms.

Alcohol the substance of Early Death – Other Addictions

Recent studies are finding some relationship between genetic factors in alcohol and nicotine addiction relationship which may explain partially why alcoholics are often smokers. Alcohol consumption combine with smoking can be life threatening some studies have established that people who are alcohol-dependent and also smoke at the same time are more likely to die of smoking-related illnesses than alcohol-related conditions. Abuse of other drugs is also common among alcoholics. For more you can make reference in our previous article mixing alcohol with other drugs-dual diagnosis

Alcohol the substance of Early Death – Liver Disorders

Alcoholic Hepatitis and Cirrhosis – Alcohol is absorbed in the small intestine and passes directly into the liver, where it becomes the preferred energy source thereby endangering the functions of the liver where alcohol is converted to toxic chemicals like acetaldehyde, which trigger the production of immune factors called cytokines when these appears in large amounts they can cause inflammation and tissue injury. Even moderate alcohol intake can produce pain in the upper right quarter of the abdomen — a possible symptom of liver involvement. In many cases, such symptoms may be an indication of fatty liver or alcohol hepatitis, which are reversible liver conditions. Many alcohol consumers often drink on an empty stomach this increases the risk for liver damage.

Hepatitis B and C – People with alcoholism may have lifestyles that put them at higher risk for hepatitis B and C. Chronic forms of viral hepatitis pose risks for cirrhosis and liver cancer, and alcoholism significantly increases these risks. People with alcoholism should be immunized against hepatitis B. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C. the dangers of not having a vaccine can only mean that if you are alcoholic then more health problems. You can recover from all these by visiting AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center. This facility is founded by doctor Dalal Akoury is well known for her commitment in eradicating addiction and other related health complications. She is an expert of several decades and administers treatment efficiently and naturally by focusing on Neuroendocrine Restoration (NER) to reinstate normality through realization of the oneness of Spirit, Mind, and Body, Unifying the threesome into ONE. The unity of these elements will be the much needed breakthrough for your addiction problem.

Alcohol the substance of Early Death – Drug Addiction

Treatment for Alcoholism

August 11, 2014

Treatment for Alcoholism – Drug Addiction

Alcoholism treatment can be done in various ways. group therapy and support from family and friends is also very essential

It has been established that alcohol is one of the most addictive and abused substance the world over and the most surprising point is that despite its known dangers to human life, it is not listed among the illegal drugs thereby allowing its consumption freely. All the efforts the authorities are putting in place to put control to the usage of alcohol has not yielded much because today alcohol still remains the number one abused drug globally. Because of the magnitude of health complications associated with alcohol consumption, we will be discussing in our subsequent articles about various effects of alcohol to human life but for the purpose of this article we will look at the possible treatment available to those who have been considered to be alcoholics. There are many medical options for treating alcohol use disorders which generally depends partly on the intensity and the duration of the patient has been drinking. The treatment options may include:

Behavioral therapy like individual sessions with a health professional and support groups
Medications

In administering treatment for alcoholism your doctor will do a brief intervention to help the patient to reduce or stop their drinking. During this process your doctor will give you an action plan for working on your drinking. The action plan may include:

Keeping a daily diary of how much alcohol you consume
Setting targeted goals for your drinking
If you’ve reached alcoholism stage then anti-craving or aversion medication may be recommended.

Treatment for Alcoholism – Overall Treatment Goals

The ultimate goal for goal for alcoholism treatment is to secure patients total abstinence. When this is achieved it offers a better survival rates, mental health and sound marriages. Patients who attain this often become good and responsible parents, employees or employers compared to those who keeps relapsing. Achieving this may not be an easy task and therefore the patient will need to avoid high-risk situations and interchange the addictive patterns with much more useful and satisfying activities and behaviors. Many professionals may choose to treat alcoholism as chronic disease where patients will be expected to accept relapse even as they purpose for a long remission period as possible. Every step taken is an achievement because even very small reduction of alcohol intake is significant enough to lower the risk for alcohol-related medical problems.

It is highly regarded that achieving total abstinence and a voiding high risk situations are the optimal goals for alcoholics. This should also be supplemented by involving family members and friends by way of educating them on how to offer social support to the addicts. When it is approached from different directions like that then some level of success will be achieved.

Treatment for Alcoholism – Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment

Inpatient Treatment – this is usually a reserved for patients whose conditions of alcoholism places them in danger normally this is done in a general or psychiatric hospital or in any other facility dedicated to treatment of alcohol and other substance abuse. Factors that indicate a need for this type of treatment include:

Coexisting medical or psychiatric disorder
Delirium tremens (a neurological condition associated with withdrawal that involves uncontrollable trembling, sweating, anxiety, and hallucinations or other symptoms of psychosis)
Potential harm to self or others
Failure to respond to conservative treatments
Disruptive home environment

A typical inpatient regimen may include the following stages:

A physical and psychiatric work-up for any physical or mental disorders
Detoxification – this phase involves initiating abstinence, managing withdrawal symptoms and complications, and ensuring that the patient remains in treatment
On-going treatment with medications in some cases
Psychotherapy, usually cognitive behavioral therapy
An introduction to AA

Some studies have established better success rates with inpatient treatment of patients with alcoholism. However resent studies strongly suggest that alcoholism can be effectively treated in outpatient settings as opposed to the inpatient.

Outpatient Treatment – People with mild-to-moderate withdrawal symptoms are usually treated as outpatients. Basically treatments methods are similar to those in inpatient situations and may include:

Psychotherapy or counseling
Medications that target brain chemicals involved in addiction
Social support groups such as AA
Cognitive therapies
Involvement of family and other significant people in patient’s life

The current approach to outpatient treatment uses medical management a disease management approach that is used for chronic illnesses such as diabetes. With medical management, patients receive regular 20-minute sessions with a health care provider. The provider monitors the patient’s medical condition, medication, and alcohol consumption.

After-Care and Work Therapy – this kind of care uses services to help maintain sobriety. For example, in some cities, sober-living houses provide residences for people who are trying to stay sober. They do not offer formal treatment services, but the people living there offer each other support and maintain an abstinent environment.

The treatment of alcoholism is a process that involves many stages and serious commitment to the recovery process. When an addict makes the first and most important step of seeking for help the journey will be along one and a difficult one for that matter. Like indicated earlier treatment process may be complicated and fall back or relapsing may be the order of the day. But in all this you must take courage because you have chosen a worthy course for your life and that of people around you. Seeking for professional help along the way would be a good idea. For instance you may visit AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center a medical facility established by doctor Dalal Akoury who is a medical doctor of over two decades of practice. Doctor Akoury has been helping many people overcome their addiction problems across the state and the world over in the most natural and efficient way. Your addiction condition will be professionally handled in her care while focusing on Neuroendocrine Restoration (NER) to reinstate normality through realization of the oneness of Spirit, Mind, and Body, Unifying the threesome into ONE and you will have your life back and live it to the fullest.

Treatment for Alcoholism – Drug Addiction

Drug Addiction and Suicide

August 11, 2014

Drug Addiction and Suicide – Addiction’s Hidden Risks

Drug addiction is an indicator to suicide. It brings depression and painful stress that can only result in suicide, seek for help before it is too late

I love life and I strongly believe that you do too. Each person has his or her own peculiar reasons of being a live and there are so many set objectives that we want to accomplish while still alive. These objectives are either set to us by people around us or our own desired goals but the bottom line is that we have them. We may not be able to achieve these objectives if we are not sober in our minds. To be sober we must all desire to stay away from all kind of drugs and drug related activities or influences. We must make all efforts to ensure that our neighborhood is safe and free from any kind of substance abuse. Our children must be brought up morally sound and any element of depression avoided by all means. Doing this should be a collective responsibility to everyone because the consequences of drugs are fatal and suicidal. Therefore anyone who cares about an addict will have several concerns. For instance:

The fear of getting serious accident and other body injuries
The fear of losing a loved one
The fear of drug overdose
The fear of committing suicide

These are weighty concerns but for the purpose of this article we will dwell more on the suicide as a consequence emanating from drug abuse. To start us off suicide is a well-known risk for those suffering from mental health problems requiring special medical attention in the assessment and treatment of addiction. You must take keen attention on depression and other mood disorders because these are the primary indicators of risk factors for suicide. Besides this alcohol and general drug abuse are also influential in triggering suicide. As a matter of fact studies have established that alcoholism is a strong indicator even without being depressed and those suffering from drug use disorders are said to be about six times likely to commit suicide than the population not using drugs.

Drug abuse does not only increase the likelihood that a person will take his or her own life, but it is also used as a means for committing suicide. Statistics indicate that for every three people dying from suicide one will be as a result of drug influence and specifically opiates such as oxycodone or heroin, or alcohol. Poisoning is another leading method used in suicide deaths again drugs make up to 75 percent of suicide deaths due to poisoning.

Drug Addiction and Suicide –When Hope Runs Out

Have you ever wondered why suicide is the tragic fate of so many people struggling with addiction? There are a few possible explanations which may include the following:

When under the influence of drugs or alcohol, people may lose inhibitions and take risks they would not do when sober.
Many people abuse drugs or alcohol in an attempt to relieve the symptoms of depression, anxiety or other mental health conditions.
The rate of major depression is two to four times higher among addicts than the general population.

Although drugs may seem to help in the short term, they exacerbate problems over time. When attempting to stop using drugs, people may feel overwhelmed by the return of painful emotions that they had been medicating with drugs. They may also be clear-headed enough to carry out suicidal thoughts and plans. Transitions, such as entering or leaving treatment, relapse, and death, divorce or other major life changes, can be especially vulnerable times.

Abusing drugs, especially depressants such as alcohol or sedatives, can also trigger symptoms of depression, increasing the risk of suicide. As the consequences of addiction pile up, from legal problems and damaged relationships to financial ruin and job loss, individuals may lose all hope that things can get better and for some the feeling of impossibilities may take center stage where victims only see two possible ways of relief i.e. getting back into drugs use or death.

Drug Addiction and Suicide – Treatment and Prevention

The best way of solving the problem of suicide is to prevent it from taking place however treatment will be very fundamental if you are already deep into drugs. It is estimated that about 45% of suicide patients are those suffering from untreated drug abuse disorders. This great number is due to several factors like stigma. Many people often fail to seek for help because of the stigma besides luck of proper training in suicide prevention. It is important that individuals suffering from drug addiction owns up early and seek for immediate recovery process. This will go a long way in containing the situation and suicide can be prevented as a result of treatment.

There are very few primary care physicians trained to help identify and prevent suicide nonetheless the few in administering treatment must not shy away from establishing the genesis of the problem by asking turf questions that would not otherwise be asked. Such questions will be helpful is addressing suicidal ideation even when the patient is struggling or has in the past struggled with addiction, depression or other mental health disorders. It is important that someone ask the difficult question like;

Whether the patient has ever considered or attempted suicide
Whether they are currently think about or intend to commit suicide.

The patients need to be shown love and let them know that they are not alone and that they are cared for. Impacting the spirit of hope in them is very vital this can be a collaborative effort between them and their loved ones to help create a lasting recovery plan that guarantees their safety and then addressing the underlying issues in trust by a trusted health provider.

Drug Addiction and Suicide – Threats

We worry about the addicts in our lives for good reason. They are at high risk of death by a number of causes including:

Diseases
Accident
Suicide

Suicide prevention requires a multifaceted approach, but it all hinges on the person reaching out for help and effective treatment being available when they take that brave step of turning away from their behaviors. Finally a decision to seek for help is the best thing you can do for yourself. You may want to seek for expert opinion at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under Doctor Akoury’s care. Doctor Akoury is a medical professional with several decades of experience and together with her team of experienced experts they will focus on Neuroendocrine Restoration (NER) to reinstate normality through realization of the oneness of Spirit, Mind, and Body, Unifying the threesome into ONE

Drug Addiction and Suicide – Addiction’s Hidden Risks

Category Archives: Women Health