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The Relationship between Heroin Abuse and Depression

The Relationship between Heroin Abuse and Depression: Exposing the Health complication they represent

The Relationship between Heroin Abuse and Depression

The Relationship between Heroin Abuse and Depression is very evident with various kinds of addiction like heroin and other drugs

It is without any doubt that all drug users and not necessarily heroin addicts are all suffering from depression and addiction. These two elements are of the same characteristic when it comes to substance abuse. Our focus in this article is going to be looking at the relationship between heroin abuse and depression. This drug heroin is a very powerful opiate capable of making alterations to the user’s brain chemistry and thereby causing mood changes, suicidal behavior, psychological dependence and addiction. It is currently estimated that up to half of all opiate users have at one time experienced depression in their lives. Anyone suffering from any kind of addiction heroin included will be going through what is known as dual diagnosis should it be discovered that they are also suffering from depression. With this condition, doctor Akoury says that chances of long term recovery would be very slim.

From her over two decades of experience doctor Akoury says that not unless the user is treated for both conditions, it is likely that he or she will relapse soon after rehab. It is important to note that in numerous instances, majority of depressed heroin user fail to get treatment. Nonetheless, according to findings from the clinical studies depression and substance abuse are treated simultaneously and when this is done, the depressive symptoms often improve. This has further been confirmed by Biological Psychiatry registering that opiate addicts who go through residential rehab or methadone maintenance treatment have significant improvement in their depression.

Therefore the key to treating heroin abuse and depression successfully is to identify both conditions early in the recovery process. Intensive neuropsychological assessment can reveal the signs of co-occurring psychiatric disorders like depression. Once mental illness has been identified, treatment must address both depression and heroin addiction to be successful.

The Relationship between Heroin Abuse and Depression: How Heroin Affects the Psyche

You must have known that heroin is a synthetic drug produced from morphine, a potent analgesic that comes from the opium poppy. Heroin exerts its effects by binding with receptor cells in the brain that respond to opiates. When injected, snorted or smoked heroin can converts into morphine in the brain, where it slows down neurological activity and induces a state of sedation.

For many users, a heroin high produces a rush of euphoria and a sense of profound relaxation. But the National Alliance on Mental Illness states that in people with psychiatric disorders, the side effects of heroin are more likely to be negative. For someone with depression, heroin may seem like an antidote to hopelessness, sadness and guilt.

The psychosocial effects of heroin can also contribute to depression. Heroin is highly debilitating, and users often experience job loss, relationship conflicts, legal problems and financial troubles.

The physical consequences of heroin use including respiratory illness, blood-borne diseases, muscular weakness and vascular damage can also cause severe emotional distress.

Because the brain adjusts quickly to the effects of heroin, physical and psychological dependence develop rapidly. The National Institute on Drug Abuse states that nearly one-fourth (23 percent) of individuals who use heroin will eventually reach the point of addiction. Once addiction sets in, use of the drug becomes compulsive and uncontrollable in spite of the devastating effects of abuse. All of these factors can intensify feelings of hopelessness, despair and self-loathing: the hallmarks of depression.

The Relationship between Heroin Abuse and Depression: Factors Associated with Depression

Uncovering the causes of depression is one of the most challenging aspects of recovery for heroin users. Depression is much more than a low mood. It is a incapacitating mental illness that can lead to isolation, job loss, broken relationships, poor physical health and an increased risk of suicide. Depression can arise from a number of sources, including:

Treating a Dual Diagnosis of heroin addiction and depression is especially difficult if the individual is still under the influence of the drug. Many of the symptoms of opiate addiction fatigue, self-isolation, poor concentration and weight loss can resemble the symptoms of major depressive disorder.

According to a study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence followed 615 heroin users in various stages of treatment or non-treatment. In the study it was established that a quarter of the subjects were currently experiencing a major depressive episode. While about twenty-six percent of the individuals in treatment had a lifetime history of depression and 16 percent of those who weren’t in treatment had been depressed. In the treatment group, a significant number of clients were also diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. Others were living with a life-altering physical disability. In many of these cases, heroin was used as a maladaptive way to numb physical or psychological pain.

In long-term heroin users, it can be nearly impossible to determine whether depression led to addiction or the other way round. A comprehensive treatment plan must give equal attention to both conditions.

The Relationship between Heroin Abuse and Depression: Depression and Heroin Withdrawal

In the journey to recovery among many addicts, relapse is often very common among many heroin users who try to quit this highly addictive drug. The unpleasant side effects of heroin withdrawal can drive even the most determined individuals back to the drug. Heroin withdrawal usually isn’t life-threatening, however, heavy users may have dangerous seizures if they try to quit without medical supervision.

Finally physical symptoms of heroin withdrawal can feel like a severe case of the flu, but for many users, the psychological side effects are even harder to tolerate. In the first few days, weeks or even months after quitting heroin, users may feel extremely depressed. Once the brain comes to rely on the euphoric rush of a heroin high, the pleasures of everyday life may seem meaningless in comparison. A condition called anhedonia, or lack of pleasure, often develops in recovering heroin addicts. One of the primary goals of treatment is to help the addict find peace, hope and joy in a drug-free life.

The Relationship between Heroin Abuse and Depression: Exposing the Health complication they represent

 

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Keeping our children safe from the Effects of Obesity

Keeping our children safe from the Effects of Obesity: The life of our children must come first

Keeping our children safe from the Effects of Obesity

Keeping our children safe from the Effects of Obesity is very important in breaking the vicious cycle.

If I may ask “why is it so difficult to keep off obesity and overweight even with the knowledge of consequences that come with it? This is the million dollar question which if we can respond to then the solution will be good health thereafter. The prevalence of obesity is a common phenomenon which has no respect for any one. The old and the young are both at risk of being overweight and any complications that come with it. Therefore to reduce the magnitude of the problem, we want to start from the beginning by making effort in keeping our children safe from the effects of obesity. Doctor Akoury founded a health facility known as AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center where all problems relating to overweight and obesity of all ages is professionally addressed. And because we want to focus on the children, it would be prudent that if you have a child who is showing signs of being overweight or is already struggling with the problem, then this is an opportunity for you to meek your break through with the experts.  You may want to schedule for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury today for you and your child to experience the good health that comes with healthy weight.

Ordinarily one may argue that as the children weight increases they are simply growing up and ignore the possibility of overweight and obesity settling in. I totally agree with you that, children needs to grow and part of the growth is increase in weight, however there is a limit to that. When that limit is exceeded and the children become obese, the child will be at risk of all the health problems associated with being obese. While it is known that the limits for overweight and obesity in adult is 25 and 30 respectively according to the BMI formula, this is not always the case.  Therefore if you want to be part of the team who are focusing on keeping our children safe from the effects of obesity, then you must talk to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the professional leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury today.

In view of the magnitude of the problem and especially when children are the subject matter, doctor Akoury felt that something needs to be done professionally and immediately. This guided her into making the decision to create a medical center whose main objective is to transform each individual’s life through increasing awareness about health and wellness and by empowering individuals to find their own inner healing power. Doctor Akoury practices focuses on personalized medicine through healthy lifestyle choices that deal with primary prevention and underlying causes instead of patching up symptoms. In her care you and your children will get the best in weight loss and permanently kick out the obesity pandemic. I encourage you that even as we continue with the discussion, you can schedule for an appointment with her and get started. In the meantime let us address some of the worries many people are having about the two conditions overweight and obesity in children.

Keeping our children safe from the Effects of Obesity: Losing weight in children

Losing weight must never be done in unreasonably high speed. It must be a gradual process not just for children but for everyone. Rapid weight loss may come with come unhealthy consequences and therefore when considering losing weight, it is always very important that you create time and consult with a weight loss specialist. Like I have already stated weight loss in children is different from the adults. Ideally when dealing with children who are expected to be growing still, doctor Akoury recommends that the prudent thing to do would be maintaining the current weigh at its level. As a parent it would be necessary to observe the growth and development of your children very closely and ensure that if there is any increment in weight, then it must be proportionately slower than their height gain.

Keeping our children safe from the Effects of Obesity: Treating childhood overweight or obese

  • It is all about making positive changes in your children’s lifestyle. This is the core treatment option recommended by all experts and regulatory bodies.
  • Preferably changes targeting the involvement of the whole family are best.
  • Other family members who are overweight may also benefit at the same time.
  • Remember that as a parent you act as an important role model for your child and you can help them to stay healthy.
  • The two main lifestyle changes that are advised are for your child to eat more healthily and do plenty of physical activity.
  • Small, gradual changes may be best. Your child will then be more likely to stick to these changes with time.

Parents have a duty to ensure that they impact on their children positively in all ways. These changes should be observed in all stages of the child’s life and a proper follow up mechanism should be put in place to ensure that the same is practiced away from home either in schools or when you go out for family gatherings and holidays. But most importantly is the encouragement you give to the children and appreciation when they excel in a given assignment.

Keeping our children safe from the Effects of Obesity: Healthily Eating

  • Overweight children should be encouraged to eat more healthily and to reduce the total number of calories that they eat.
  • Parents should to take the responsibility for making changes to their children’s diet, more so when such children are under the age of 12.
  • It is equally important to involve the child as much as possible and to listen to their ideas and preferences when deciding what changes to make to the food that they eat.
  • It may also be advisable to keep a record of what your children feed on.
Keeping our children safe from the Effects of Obesity: Prevention of childhood Obesity

The best thing to do in the life of your children is to protect them from any kind of danger. Obesity is dangerous and can be fatal if not addressed decisively. How best can you shield your children from becoming obese? The perfect way is to prevent it from happening. This must begin from the beginning. That is to that at the time of perceiving getting a child in one or two years, you must start planning for that expected child when the time come. There are several causes of childhood obesity and all of them can be avoided if the right thing is done early. For instance you must ensure that what you eat is healthy at all times. You must equally live a very active life where you keep fit by exercising periodically. Drugs are not an option for you going forward, keep off drugs of all kinds. It is very unhealthy not just because you are planning to have a baby, but drugs are health hazardous for everyone.

Keeping our children safe from the Effects of Obesity: The life of our children must come first

 

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