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Medical detox is a necessity to all drug addicts

October 19, 2015

Why medical detox is necessary to addicts: What is medical detox and why do i need it?

Why medical detox is necessary to addicts

Why medical detox is necessary to addicts

When one is taking any given drug or alcohol into his or her body, the body is bound to react in different ways which may bring about both mental effects and physiological adaptations by the body in the process. The administration of the drugs or alcohol stimulates reactions in the body that were formerly produced by other natural substances. And with time if these reactions continue, the body will begin to produce less of the natural substances and hence rely more and more on the alcohol or drugs. Because all of us have different metabolisms and different DNA, the amount of time before these changes occur varies widely and that brings us to the focus question on this article which is “why medical detox is necessary to addict.” Progressively once a person has become dependent or addicted, they will have withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking the drugs or alcohol in that regard, they are likely going to experience some mild to severe discomfort and pain when they attempt to stop taking the drug or drinking alcohol abruptly.

According to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, it is possible that in some cases, the person can just stop abruptly and for sure when this happens, there is bound to be some level of pain and discomfort. However, in cases where someone is drinking alcohol or taking many types of prescription drugs, ceasing to take the drug or to just stop drinking alcohol can cause serious medical problems which can also be very life-threatening if not addressed in good time. Professionally doctor Akoury is registering that if a person is dependent or addicted to opioids like OxyContin, Vicodin, Percocet, oxycodone or methadone or to other opiates like heroin, the withdrawal may not be life-threatening, but nevertheless the available statistics gives a very painful pointers like for instance, the U.S. government has given their estimates to a shocking revelation that up to 95% of the people who try to stop taking these opioids on their own often fail to complete their withdrawal. Therefore to address the safety issue and the discomfort or pain issues of drug and alcohol withdrawal, many people are turning to medical detox facilities like AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center. And doctor Akoury is saying that for instance internally we are currently receiving so many clients with different addiction problems daily coming for help which we are professionally delivering to them. You can also become part of this solution if you are struggling with any kind of addiction by scheduling for an appointment with her today.

Why medical detox is necessary to addicts: Medical detox

Detox is the short form for detoxification and it is the removing of toxins which are poisons or harmful things from the body which includes drugs and alcohol. Medical detox therefore means that the detoxification process is done professionally under the supervision of a qualified medical expert. However, the product of a successful medical detox is not the total elimination of all the toxins from the body or the elimination of any cravings for the drug or alcohol. The product of a successful medical detox is that the person, in a more comfortable way, no longer has any medical risks caused by no longer taking the drug or drinking alcohol. With this done the person will then be ready to go into a rehab facility and if he was just dependent then he can return to his life.

Why medical detox is necessary to addicts: Protocol

A medical detox should follow a proven detox protocol which is a detailed plan of a scientific or medical experiment, treatment, or procedure. The best medical protocols are not like a recipe for a cake. A good cake recipe can be followed exactly and should produce the same cake each time. But because all of us have different metabolisms, DNA and current health situations, unlike the cake recipe, a properly designed medical detox protocol is not followed exactly for each patient. Therefore a good medical detox protocol is a guide that contains alternative procedures if the patient reacts differently than other patients. A good medical detox protocol does not have one size fits all procedures, but instead it provides procedures to ensure that each patient is most comfortably and safely detoxed from the substances of abuse. Like for example says doctor Akoury, the standard medical protocol for an alcoholic utilizes a drug that is given to eliminate the seizure risk. Once the person is no longer a seizure risk, the person should be given less of the drug each day until they are no longer taking the drug. This is called a taper. Because of our DNA, metabolism and current health differences, some people will be able to taper off the drug faster than others. The speed of the taper should be adjusted for each person.

In addition, a person withdrawing from alcohol or an opioid is normally very dehydrated, and a good medical detox protocol will address this. They are normally vitamin and mineral depleted, and a good medical detox protocol will also address this. They may experience other withdrawal symptoms that will make their detox very uncomfortable if not handled.

Why medical detox is necessary to addicts: Outpatient solutions

An example of an outpatient detox is when a person sees a doctor in his office as a patient, and the doctor supervises their detox and prescribes any drugs that are needed. The person goes home and visits the doctor regularly during their detox. Because the person is not under medical care for 24 hours a day, the doctor must be very cautious, thus the detox can take many weeks or even months. Unfortunately, it is often the case that the person will have some uncomfortable sensations and not complete the withdrawal. In other cases, a person can become dependent or addicted to the drugs used to assist the person’s detox and they have gone from a problem with one substance to a problem with another.

Why medical detox is necessary to addicts: Inpatient solutions

Patients check into inpatient medical detox facilities and stay in the facility until they complete their detox. Even though some facilities bill themselves as medical detox facilities but only provide lodging it is important to note that a medical detox facility, must ensure that all clients under inpatient solution be put under medical supervision for 24 hours daily for the period of treatment. The patient must be given medical drugs or natural products to assist in their withdrawal. The good news here is that because the patient is under the care of medical personnel around the clock, the detox can go much faster and it is normal for people to complete their withdrawal from alcohol or other drugs in just a fortnight. Finally if you need help contact doctor Dalal Akoury today and experience the difference.

Why medical detox is necessary to addicts: What is medical detox and why do i need it?

 

 

 

 

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Coping with challenges associated with addiction treatment

August 24, 2015

Coping with challenges associated with addiction treatment: Intelligent ways of containing drug addiction professionally

Coping with challenges associated with addiction treatment

Coping with challenges associated with addiction treatment can be very difficult if you chose to face it on your own however with support from experts and loved ones the burden becomes much easier to bear.

If you have been with us on this very informative journey of delivery health information concerning our health, you must be aware that drug addiction is very dangerous and both socially, physically and psychologically to everyone. It has no boundaries and does not care whom to affect, when and how to attack. From the previous article we have intensively dealt with several mechanisms, pathways, intelligent and mart ways of dealing with complications that come with drug addiction. You can make reference to those articles but for the purpose of this article we want to focus our discussion on the topic “coping with challenges associated with addiction treatment and recovery process.” We therefore want to invite you to stay with us on the link as we engage the services of doctor Dalal Akoury a veteran addiction expert of over two decades to shade more light on the strategies of coping with challenges associated with addiction treatment in our societies.

Coping with challenges associated with addiction treatment: Coping with drug cravings

Experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center a facility founded by Doctor Dalal Akoury are in agreement that sometimes craving cannot be avoided in certain circumstances and therefore in such time it is necessary to find coping ways to the problem. The following are some of the ways you can adopt to cope with cravings:

Get involved in some distracting activity – Distracting activities like reading, a hobby, going to a movie, exercising (jogging, biking) are some of the good examples that can be very effective in helping containing the escalation of substance abuse. This is so because ordinarily once you get interested in something else, you’ll find the urges go away. Another effective response to a drug craving is eating however when implementing this careful attention must be taken of ensuring that you eat a lot of junk food which are likely to add you more stress and inches to your waistline.

Sharing the problem with others – There is a lot of benefits is sharing problems and like it is always said that a problem shared is half solved, it therefore means that talking to your friends or family members about craving when it occurs is indeed seeking for solutions. Talking about cravings and urges can be very helpful in pinpointing the source of the craving. Also, talking about craving often helps to discharge and relieve the feeling and will help restore honesty in your relationship. Craving is nothing to feel bad about.

Urge surf – Many people try to cope with their urges by gritting their teeth and toughing it out. But some are just too strong to ignore. When this happens, it can be useful to stay with the urge until it passes. This technique is called urge surfing. Imagine yourself as a surfer who will ride the wave of your drug craving, staying on top of it until it crests, breaks, and turns into less powerful, foamy surf.

Challenge and change your thoughts – When experiencing a craving, many people have a tendency to remember only the positive effects of the drug and forget the negative consequences. Therefore, you may find it helpful to remind yourself that you really won’t feel better if you use and that you stand to lose a lot. Sometimes it is helpful to have these benefits and consequences listed on a small card that you keep with you for reference purposes.

Coping with challenges associated with addiction treatment: Build a meaningful drug free life

You can support your drug treatment and protect yourself from relapse by having activities and interests that provide meaning to your life. It’s important to be involved in things that you enjoy and make you feel needed. When your life is filled with rewarding activities and a sense of purpose, your addiction will lose its appeal.

Pick up a new hobby – Do things that challenge your creativity and spark your imagination, something you’ve always wanted to try.

Adopt a pet – Yes, pets are a responsibility, but caring for an animal makes you feel loved and needed. Pets can also get you out of the house for exercise.

Get involved in your community – Replace your addiction with drug-free groups and activities. Volunteer, become active in your church or faith community, or join a local club or neighborhood group.

Set meaningful goals – Having goals to work toward and something to look forward to can be powerful antidotes to drug addiction. It doesn’t matter what the goals are whether they involve your career, your personal life, or your health, just ensure that they are important to you.

Look after your health – Regular exercise, adequate sleep, and healthy eating habits help you keep your energy levels up and your stress levels down. When you feel good, drugs are much less of a temptation. The more you can do to stay healthy, the easier it will be to stay sober.

Coping with challenges associated with addiction treatment: Don’t let relapse keep you down

Relapse is a common part of the recovery process from drug addiction. While relapse is understandably frustrating and discouraging, it can also be an opportunity to learn from your mistakes and correct your treatment course.

What causes relapse? – Various “triggers” can put people at risk of relapsing into old patterns of substance use. Causes of relapse can differ for each person. Some common ones include:

  • negative emotional states (such as anger, sadness, trauma or stress)
  • physical discomfort (such as withdrawal symptoms or physical pain)
  • positive emotional states (wanting to feel even better)
  • testing personal control (“I can have just one drink”)
  • strong temptations or urges (cravings to use)
  • conflict with others (such as an argument with a spouse or partner)
  • social pressures to use (situations where it seems as though everyone else is drinking or using other drugs)
  • good times with others (such as having fun with friends or family)

Finally doctor Akoury says that the most important thing to remember is that relapse doesn’t mean treatment failure. Therefore instead of giving up, it is important that you get back on the wagon as quickly as you can. Call your sponsor, talk to your therapist, go to a meeting, or schedule an appointment with your doctor. When you’re sober again and out of danger, look at what triggered the relapse, what went wrong, and what you could have done differently. You can choose to get back on the path to recovery and use the experience to strengthen your commitment.

Coping with challenges associated with addiction treatment: Intelligent ways of containing drug addiction professionally

 

 

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Effects of drug addiction on our social fabric

August 6, 2015

Effects of drug addiction on our social fabric: Possible remedies discussed

Effects of drug addiction on our social fabric

Effects of drug addiction on our social fabric are real and heartening. It may not matter how the drug is administered into the body, the consequences remain the same.

The already delicate nature of our social fabric is consistently receiving undue pressure from the illicit use of drugs and the pain is growing day by day. Experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center have time and again reported that the problem of addiction is not only a problem of the individual addict. And therefore besides the known health damage effects, alcohol addiction and drug addiction have an extremely negative social aspect. And that is why we want to focus our discussion on the effects of drug addiction on our social fabric with a view of finding lasting solutions to this enormous problem. To start us off doctor Akoury a veteran expert in addiction confirms that the problem of substance abuse has serious negative impact on such aspects of social life including:

  • Marriage and interpersonal relationships
  • Extended family relationships
  • Education and development
  • Professional activities and employment
  • Financial issues and growth
  • Law-abiding and order in the society

The list above is a mirror of what areas of our social health that is greatly affected by the indulgence in drugs and alcohol abuse. Let us take some time to analyze what is likely to happen in these categories of our social life.

Effects of drug addiction on our social fabric: Marriage and interpersonal relationship

Marriage is very sensitive in every community and any negative effect to it has its way of spilling out to the community. Drug addiction is one way through which this can take place and that is why it is very imperative that we all make all the necessary efforts to protect our marriages. Take for example if one or both partners in marriage are struggling with alcohol and drug abuse there is no doubt that this will impact negatively to this marriage. The introduction of misuse of drugs in marriages will come with very devastating changes like for instance, if your partner was previously a very committed and dedicated to his or her marriage or was easy going, kind, supportive person drugs is likely to change all these good characters into agony, secretive, cruel, arrogant, explosive egoist prone to frequent mood swings from deep apathy to inexplicable joy and aggressiveness thereby distorting the once known harmony in the family.

For the purpose of good health and peace, doctor Dalal Akoury suggest that this can be corrected by making some positive adjustments and compromises where is necessary. Consistent communication with an addict is incredibly hard not only to strangers, but also to close relatives, spouses. The situation becomes even more complicated when children are involved because for children to see either or both of their parents under constant influence of drugs can be extremely traumatizing and devastating for their tender ages. The significance of this will no doubt leave negative imprint on the formation of their future psyche.

Besides that it is very common that drug addicts will always spend a lot and in most cases extravagantly in financing their habits. The result of this is that the family will start seeing some financial problems which may have not been there before the problem of addiction came in and as time lapses, this problem becomes apparent. Before you know it the problem escalates and multiplies into constant financial problems, numerous debts, problems with employment by the freak behavior with frequent violent outburst and paranoia, unwillingness to work, repeated problems with the law – and you will get the ready recipe for almost inevitable divorce. It is very sad that all these changes in personality occur to people who are not the aggressive psychopaths or complete egoists by their nature, but who become ones as a result of drug and alcohol addiction. At this point drugs or alcohol is all they can see, think and do because it has become the meaning and part of their life. Everything else has little importance, or generally regarded as an obstacle to achieving their main goal which is the acquisition of drugs or alcohol.

Effects of drug addiction on our social fabric: Alcohol and drug abuse affects everyone in the family 

The families of the victims of drug abuse, especially children, are ashamed of their behavior. They are constantly worried about what their neighbors and friends may think about them and in many cases they don’t know how to solve the situation. Initially in the introduction part of addiction, the drug addict’s relatives surround one with care, trying to show him their love, support, trying to enable him to recognize the problem, the need for treatment and make him do the first step to recovery. However, quite often after making several unsuccessful attempts to persuade them to enroll into a recovery program to no avail, many at time this support fades off and the people they need the most gives up on them and sometimes it can come to the extreme where the victim is expel  from the family. Nonetheless doctor Akoury says that that even though in some few selected instances members of the family may chose isolation, professionally isolation doesn’t solve the problem. According to her family support deprivation will leave the addict alone to face his addiction and thus makes the vicious circle closed and the truth is that this is a collective responsibility and getting out of this hell without the help, support and love from the family is impossible.

Effects of drug addiction on our social fabric: Education and employment effects

The prevalence of drug addiction is no doubt escalating to the amazement of many. What is even worrying the most is that the age bracket of those young people getting into drugs is ever increasing? Unless something is done drastically management of addiction may become very difficult. Socially education is very basic and without it there is no hope for a better society tomorrow. Therefore, when discussing the subject addiction in relation to education and employment our young ones come to the fore front. Like for instance a teenager or a young adult with his unformed psyche and immature volitional mechanisms, it will be very difficult to resist the temptation to indulge into smoking, drinking alcohol or to taking drugs. The desire to be part of the “circle”, to try the forbidden fruit, “to be like an adult” can quickly lead to addiction.

As a parent you may not be aware of the signs of addiction more so when you have done your part well in bringing up the children. But it is very important that you have these facts together. Antisocial or irrational behavior, unexplained poor school or college attendance, larceny reports, as well as, poor performance, reduced concentration, lack of motivation for continuing education can be some of the signs of using the drugs. Remember that in many instances expulsion from school, college, university is always as a result of the abuse of substances so whenever this happen, be very watchful and take action immediately should you notice any sign of drug abuse. Finally take note that drugs destroy professional skills. Therefore to protect your investment in your children’s education schedule for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury today to get further insights on the best possible ways to go about the emergence of drug addiction in our children today.

Effects of drug addiction on our social fabric: Possible remedies discussed

 

 

 

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Understanding the three stages of drug addiction

August 6, 2015

Understanding the three stages of drug addiction: The three significant stages of drug addiction

Understanding the three stages of drug addiction

Understanding the three stages of drug addiction is very key to unlocking the social problem of drug abuse in our societies

If somebody was to tell you that you are addicted to certain drug would you agree with him? And if you would what would be your facts in other words how do you know that you are addicted to drugs? These are some of the questions we want to address even as we focus on our topic of the day “understanding the three stages of drug addiction”. From the experts and psychologist point of view drug addiction is a disease characterized by both physical and psychological health impairments. It can also be defined as a pattern of substance use leading to significant impairment in physical and mental functioning. In whichever way you look at it there will be some level of physical and psychological impairment in the process a factor which doctor Dalal Akoury concurs that is the most significant problem in addiction. For our understanding of the problem, doctor Dalal Akoury is going to share with us the three stages of drug addiction as follows:

Understanding the three stages of drug addiction: The first stage of drug addiction

At the introduction levels of addiction the psychological dependence on the drugs (stage of Preoccupation or Anticipation), is characterized by the following symptoms:

The constant craving for the drug – An overwhelming desire to use the drug of choice to relieve the state of psycho-emotional stress preoccupies the user despite the other responsibilities and events in his/her life.

The altered psyche – Nervousness, frequent mood swings, depression, irritability, agitation, aggressiveness, difficulty with concentration are the common signs of progressively developing addiction.

Understanding the three stages of drug addiction: Second stage and symptoms of drug addiction 

Is the stage of intoxication? – This stage is characterized by the further worsening the above mentioned symptoms of drug addiction and appearing the new ones

The growing tolerance – The longer the drugs are introduced into the body the larger amounts of drugs are necessary to continue experiencing the same euphoric effects. The increased doses of the drug (binging) push the effects of intoxication to a dangerous level.

The emergence of withdrawal syndrome – Uncomfortable, very disruptive, physical and mental condition that happen when the body is sharply deprived of the psychoactive substances that it is used to getting. The clinical picture of withdrawal syndrome varies and mostly depends on the type of the using substance. The most common symptoms of drug addiction and opioid withdrawal include the constant, deep, exhausting pain in muscles and bones all over the body, sensation of almost unbearable inner cold, frequent cold-and-hot flashes, shivering, sneezing, watery eyes, sweating, cramps in stomach area, lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, restless legs, increased nervousness and irritability, sleep disorders, insomnia, and many more. 

The negative and persistent changes in personality – It will interest you to note that at this stage there will be increased emotional sensitivity, explosiveness, frequent mood swings, narrowing of vital interests, aggressiveness, apathy, impaired memory and intelligence, tendency to depression, dishonesty, permanent conflicts at work and home, problems with the law.

Understanding the three stages of drug addiction: Drug dependence symptoms in third stage

Third stage of drug dependence is the stage of Physical, Mental and Social Degradation.

  • Presence of irreversible pathological changes in the internal organs and systems of the  body (liver failure due to toxicity and viral hepatitis, toxic encephalopathy, immune system disorders, AIDS, etc.).
  • Development of dementia and other drug related mental disorders. The chronic use of certain drugs
  • Currently available evidence indicates that heavy, long-term drug consumption is likely to have a negative impact on cognitive function.  Longer-term smoking of marijuana is associated with increased risk of intellectual deterioration and possibly schizophrenia and dementia.
  • The chronic use of benzodiazepines and psycho-stimulants also leads to increased risk of cognitive impairment.  For example, 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine, (MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy), produces the long-term deficit in serotonin function in the brain, resulting in  mental disorders such as depression and anxiety.
  • Chronic drug abuse by adolescents during formative years is a particular concern because it interferes with normal socialization and cognitive development and thus frequently contributes to the development of mental disorders.
  • Social degradation by drug dependence: Like for instance the loss of marriage, family; spoiled interpersonal relationships; degradation in professional skills and activities and as a result the problems with employment and financial issues; problems with law-abiding.
Understanding the three stages of drug addiction: Consequences and effects of drug addiction and alcoholism

Consequences and effects of drug addiction and alcoholism have both medical and social effects.

Health effects of drug addiction and alcohol abuse – The most obvious negative effects of drug addiction or alcohol abuse is deterioration in physical and mental state of an addict.

Understanding the three stages of drug addiction: Effects of drug abuse on the brain

It will interest you to note that different type of drugs causes particular and quite specific effects of chronic drug intoxication:

Effects of drug abuse on the brain in case of untreated drug and alcohol abuse is irreversible condition that leads to progressive deterioration of personality. Degradation begins with memory loss, inability to concentrate and further shows up in reduced physical and mental activity, in a tendency to fruitless fantasies, excessive irritability and sleep disorders. The normal human emotions, desires, interests, work skills gradually fade and meaning of life gets limited to searching for drugs. Untreated addiction undoubtedly ends up in irreversible dementia.

Mental disorders in case of a drug abuse are varied and accompany all its forms. The most common characteristic of mental disorder is psychosis, which may occur either shortly after using the drug or during the withdrawal. Acute psychosis is characterized by a pronounce  anxiety,  kind of panic attack, paranoia, consciousness disorders up to the visual, auditory and tactile hallucinations and delusions. Often such states result in committing suicide. Use of improvised and counterfeit drugs presents particular danger to life and health of a drug addict. Chronic drug users look physically exhausted. They have distinctive appearance: pallor, poor skin elasticity, feverish bright eyes, dry nails, hair loss, they are underweight.  Addicts look much older than their physiological age. All male drug addicts sooner or later develop impotence, as well as female addicts develop frigidity. Negatively affected by drugs and alcohol germ cells often result in the birth of weak and sick children with different congenital defects. Pregnancy in case of active drug use runs hard, with complications and high chances of miscarriage and preterm birth. After birth such children are growing poorly, lagging behind in their physical and mental development. They often get sick. Children whose mothers were on drugs during pregnancy are already born addicted to drugs with all ensuing consequences.

Finally take note that all drugs without any exception destroy the brain in the first place and you need not to get to the second one so long as you are using a drug the first one is sufficient. Doctor Akoury concludes that even if you smoke marijuana which is considered the weakest of all drugs occasionally, you are already initiating the irreversible effects of drug abuse on the brain which manifest in weakening attention, reduced memory capacity, in forming the typical for the drug addicts thinking and behavior patterns, which are very well shown in numerous drug addicts jokes and “freaky films” with their peculiar flat sense of humor. The stronger the drug the worse their effects therefore for the purpose of your good health understanding the three stages of drug addiction is very important. And with that done if you are suffering from any form of addiction, you now have an opportunity to correct it by scheduling for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury today for the commencement of your recovery process today.

Understanding the three stages of drug addiction: The three significant stages of drug addiction

 

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How addiction changes the brains communication pathways

July 18, 2015

How addiction changes the brains communication pathways: Neuronal plasticity

How addiction changes the brains communication pathways

it is a pity  how addiction changes the brains communication pathways is directly causing many a lot of suffering both physically and psychologically.

It is very interesting to study some of the things that cause problems in your life and particularly in your health. For quite some times now we have been studying the brain and how it is affected by various substances. In we deed mentioned something about the brain’s electro-chemical communication system stating that it is a communication system that sends information through a vast network of interconnecting neurons. By and by the brain begins to develop a preferred or standard pathway to send signals between neurons (neural pathways). Experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury MD and founder of the facility can now confirm that in the past it was believed that the brain’s neural pathways will be completely formed by the time we reached adulthood. Nonetheless the recent scientific findings have established that this is a continuous process and in fact the human brain continues to create new neurons and form neural pathways throughout our entire lifespan. That is why neurons are seen as dynamic cells that are constantly adapting to changing circumstances. It therefore means that if an injury or damages happens to an individual’s brain (such as a stroke or injury) the neurons will make new communication route around the damaged area. Scientifically doctor Akoury says that this ability of recreation of neurons is known as neuronal plasticity. Nevertheless we want to focus on the response the question of the discussion that “how addiction changes the brains communication pathways”.

Doctor Akoury says that neuroplasticity is responsible for the regulation of our learning processes and this enables us to adapt to our surroundings conveniently. To better understand neuroplasticity let us consider using this illustration. The brain forms neural pathways in a way that is similar to the formation of a demarcated hiking pathway. The more we travel a path, the faster, easier, and more familiar that path becomes. As the routine continues it becomes more visible, smoother, and easier to travel on. It therefore becomes a preferred route for many. This is also how neural pathways are formed. With time the brain forms familiar neural pathways which then become habitual routes. And in the event that the familiar route is blocked the brain responds swiftly by forming a new route around the blockage. And from the illustration, suppose you walk through the bush each day to visit a friend. You use the same trail each time and one day as you travel along your familiar path, you discover a huge tree has fallen over. It’s blocking your passage. You will need to forge a new path to go around the tree. At first, this new path will be narrow, difficult, and slow. It might even be uncomfortable. However with time, it will become a well-worn, comfortable path. It will be just as easy as the original path.

How addiction changes the brains communication pathways: Substance abuse chemically altered the brain’s operations

New neural pathways are formed as addiction develops. This is because addiction chemically altered the brain’s communication system. When you take that drug away, the brain must again form new neural pathways. Just as when we had to forge a new trail in the bush, this is initially uncomfortable. Neuroplasticity explains why the initial period of recovery is difficult and uncomfortable. But we know from our hiking trail example, this difficulty is only temporary. According to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center this information is very helpful to know when attempting recovery. We can be successful if we preserve through this brief, uncomfortable period. Remember, it was difficult and uncomfortable to forge a new pathway around a fallen tree. The same is true for the initial period of recovery. It can be difficult and uncomfortable while these new neural pathways are forming. As long as the recovering person does not give up during this initial period of discomfort, new neural pathways will form that support recovery. These new pathways will become more established and better developed over time. As they do, recovery becomes easier and more comfortable.

How addiction changes the brains communication pathways: The effects of addictive substances on the brain

By now I believe that from the emphasis we have made about the adaptive and the dynamic qualities of our brains ensure our survival, you are somewhere as far as keeping the brain healthy is concern. The next point I want to raise on how addiction changes the brains communication pathways may be quite unfortunate. Why do I say so, it is because the brain’s ability to be so adaptive is also at the root of addiction. Doctor Akoury says that the brain has the ability to adapt not only to the harmless substances and activities but also to the strong effects of addictive drugs and activities. And when it does, there will be damaging changes happening in the brain regions which are associated with reward including the memory and emotion, decision-making and stress regulations. These changes to our brain make the repeated use of addictive substances or activities very compelling. The good news is that our brains’ neuroplasticity allows us to correct these changes! Therefore, although addiction leads to structural changes in the brain, we are capable of learning new coping skills. The brain’s plasticity allows these new coping skills to be imprinted.

Finally we will be discussing these structural changes in the next series of articles and we want to urge you not to go away but to stay with us on the link and where possible invite a friend too. In the meantime having such powerful information about the most sensitive organ in your body the brain is very helpful in keeping you healthy. I am saying so because when you know, you will not do things that will cause herm to your health, and if you have already caused an injury, then you can take measures to remedy the situation by scheduling for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury to professionally take your through the recovery treatment process today.

How addiction changes the brains communication pathways: Neuronal plasticity

 

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