Tag Archives: Medical cannabis

Understanding Chemical Abuse and Dependence

September 11, 2015

Understanding Chemical Abuse and Dependence: What is Addiction Treatment?

Understanding Chemical Abuse and Dependence

Understanding Chemical Abuse and Dependence as a significant way of protecting your heath from all the chronic complications that come as a result of these substance and chemical abuse.

Understanding chemical abuse and dependence is very key in unlocking the stalemate that comes with all kinds of addiction complications. It is true that so many people these days are not using alcohol or other drugs instead they are trying the use of chemicals in order to achieve their desired goals. In the process some will rarely experience any negative consequences while others will. However, many people and this is very common, drink or use drugs problematically and disorderly thereby landing themselves in serious health and social problems. According to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury, those who use chemicals and experience negative consequences are scientifically known as “chemical abusers.” Some of these people are able to stop abusing by modifying their own behavior and using community supports, allowing them to eliminate the negative consequences. However for those who are unable to effectively modify their behavior and whose use continues to be problematic, formal treatment interventions are recommended says doctor Akoury.

Chemical dependence is a complex disease. It is often characterized by compulsive which may be very difficult to manage. Take for instance the problem of uncontrollable – craving, seeking and use that persist even in the face of extremely negative consequences. This disorder is a chronic condition with a high probability of relapse; it affects both the physical and mental health of the dependent individual. It also negatively affects interpersonal relationships with family members, relatives and friends of the addicted person. As such, the disease results in both physical and behavioral manifestations.

The addiction and resultant compulsion for alcohol or drugs can take over the individual’s life, leading to a wide range of dysfunctional behaviors that interfere with the family, workplace and broader community interactions. The problem is further magnified with the fact that most chemical dependent live in denial and fail to admit that they have a problem. They may show poor judgment, lack impulse control, and show marked mood swings. Persons with addiction can become preoccupied with alcohol or drugs and can be extremely careful in protecting their supply. Glamorizing the use of chemicals along with joyous memories of being “high” is also frequently associated with addiction.

The expert at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center are very categorical that people get into addiction for various specific reasons that are very unique to those individuals. Besides that it is also important to note that addiction is a chronic and progressive medical condition with genetic, physical and behavioral components. It is closely associated to other chronic medical conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and asthma, all of which can be treated effectively says doctor Dalal Akoury.

Understanding Chemical Abuse and Dependence: Treatment of addictive disorders

Because chemical dependence is a complex disorder, effective treatment requires interventions that address the physical health, mental health, and interpersonal relationships of the affected individual. Therefore, the treatment process must be comprehensive and address the multiple and complex needs of addicted individuals and their families. Essential elements of comprehensive treatment for addictive disorders consist of many components, some of which should be employed for every person and some only for certain individuals. To the extent possible, the individual’s family should be engaged in part of the treatment process. The components we are making refence about are all available at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center and they include the following:

  • Detoxification and medical management of withdrawal symptoms;
  • A comprehensive evaluation of the nature of use, and strengths and needs of the individual which results in a diagnosis;
  • An individualized treatment plan which is developed with the patient and is modified as the individual progresses;
  • Pharmacological therapy, when appropriate;
  • Monitoring of continued abstinence from alcohol and other substances;
  • Vocational and educational assistance;
  • Cognitive and behavioral therapy;
  • Clinical case management;
  • Continuing care;
  • Self-help or peer support as a complement to professional treatment.

Doctor Akoury reiterates that for effective result to be realized, the evaluation, diagnosis and resulting treatment plan must be developed by qualified and experienced professionals in the addiction field and must address the multiple aspects of the disease. Although addiction treatment provider need not provide all services directly, quality care then demands that services be planned for and provided through referral linkages with other appropriately qualified providers.

The treatment delivery process assures that all necessary and available services are delivered to address individuals’ needs relating to addiction. Other issues that may be addressed in a comprehensive treatment process, in addition to addiction management, include physical health, mental health, strengthening the family, legal, and financial, child care, housing, parenting, transportation, education, prevocational and work readiness. A quality process must include the availability of longer-term supports to sustain recovery and prevent relapse. Quality treatment also addresses public health concerns commonly associated with alcohol and substance abuse, including sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), hepatitis, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. Further, many providers now integrate treatment for nicotine dependence into chemical dependence programs.

The process of treatment begins with educating the individual and his or her family about the disease of addiction and assuring that each individual recognizes the signs and symptoms of the disease in his or her own life. Motivational enhancement may be the first step since many patients may not accept that their addiction is not normal. Teaching the individual to both recognize the triggers of relapse and use preventive responses to these triggers is critical during the treatment process. The outcome of appropriate, comprehensive treatment should strive toward helping the persons receiving services to accomplish the following:

  • Understand the relevant issues associated with the disease as it affects their lives and the lives of those around them;
  • Understand the physical impact of chemicals and the implications of addiction on brain functioning;
  • Learn and practice the mechanisms, attitudes, skills and behaviors necessary to sustain the positive effects of treatment;
  • Develop the capacity or potential to practice normal life activities with responsibility;
  • Recognize the personal signs, symptoms, circumstances, and triggers of relapse and know how to respond;
  • Develop and sustain a social support network that will foster and reinforce ongoing recovery.

Finally with all these teachings done the individual patient must always keep in close touch with their physicians during and after the treatment process. Therefore if you are considering this worthy course and you are at cross road not knowing who to turn to for professional help, doctor Dalal Akoury’s office is ever open for you and you can schedule for an appointment with her so that you can have all your concerns professionally addressed.

Understanding Chemical Abuse and Dependence: What is Addiction Treatment?

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Pain Addiction Continuum

October 2, 2014

Pain Addiction Continuum and How To Deal With It

Pain AddictionPain management is an important part of treatment especially in situations where the patient is to go through intense like during chemotherapy for cancer patients or after going through surgery.  Nobody will like to have intense pain maim him for even the least amount of time. People like to be happy and avoid anything that may bring them pain. However in some instances there has to be pain for a much serious health problem to be solved. To manage pain certain drugs are used that helps you to endure the pain, unfortunately most of these are addictive and so as you are using them to manage pain you are at risk of addiction. Opiates are the mostly used drugs in pain management and they work well in ensuring that your pain is moderated if not done away with completely. However effective they are these drugs are very rewarding and before you know it the body may be adapted to these drugs so much that you will feel like you need to take them every time and increase the dosage over a time. Due to their rewarding nature they can be easily abused and a treatment that once began on the right foot may end up being another nightmare in a person’s life hence there is need for actions to be taken to help patients not to be addicted to this pain drugs.

Now back to the point pain and addiction may occur as a continuum or just two different entities. Here we see how pain addiction continuum occurs and how to deal with it. When the drugs are given for pain management you will be using them for just that for quite a time without feeling the intense craving for them. But as time goes by and you are still using them you will begin to have craving for these drugs not only to use them within the specified dosage but you may begging to desire mega doses which is now addiction so pain addiction continuum is rather the changes that takes place in your body demanding for more of the drug and hence dependence on these drugs. The use of opiates in pain management may work well for some people while for others it may not and their treatment may work better if they stopped using the opiates therefore it is important to work with experts in this field who will know when to use and when to stop using these opiates to avoid the dangers of addiction that may come with them. This means that the treatment must have a clear exit strategy from the opiates to help the patient overcome the cravings for more of the pain drugs.

Pain management demands that the doctor must be able to assess the patient well that is before issuing a prescription and during the course of treatment. The doctor should improve patient care by bio psychosocial model assessment of   the patient’s past and even present aberrant if any of such exist. All this will help the doctor decide on how best to prescribe the drugs in dosages that will reduce risks to addiction. Today the doctors are aware that pain management drugs poise a great threat to addiction in patients unlike in the past when it was thought that if a patient did not have a history of drug abuse disorder. The risk  of getting addicted to the opiates used in pain management is higher and this fallacy and past belief that it had low chances of inducing addiction in patients with no history of substance use disorder has never served this industry. It is quite fortunate that avenues are now opening as the doctors are slowly waking up to the reality of pain addiction continuum and proper exit strategies are being developed to help the cancer patients to evade addiction. The addiction that arises from use of opiates in pain management may be caused by many factors but the biggest culprit is poor management of chronic pain.

Poorly managed chronic pain

Now that we have learnt that there is risk of addition from the use of pain management drugs like the opiates it is better to exercise better management of chronic pain. Today chronic pain is one of the nightmares that many people are fighting every day. These people can use anything given to them to kill that pain without thinking twice and this shows how vulnerable they are. It therefore calls for professionalism in dealing with these people and doctors must find better ways to manage chronic pain in a way that reduces their risk to addiction.

In the past pain had been poorly manage owing to such beliefs that I have discussed above. Patients were put on opiate drugs to kill pain without assessing them and this often led to serious health problems since every patient is unique owing to the fact that they have different history relating to the substance use disorder. There is also need to explore other ways of pain management methods as opposed to singly using the opiates in pain management. Some of the natural pain management methods that work better are discussed here.

Proliferative therapies for pain (Natural)

Prolozone™ Therapy– Dr. Frank Shallenberger pioneered this type of proliferative therapy, Prolozone therapy uses ozone, a naturally occurring form of oxygen with powerful regenerative capacity owing to its extra oxygen atom. It works by increasing oxygen circulation and delivery into the damaged areas. This helps in strengthening ligaments and tendons as well as in rebuilding cartilage in the treated joint.

Prolotherapy– this therapy was pioneered by Former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. C. Everett Koop who had used it successfully to treat his chronic back pain. It is the oldest and most widely used form of proliferative therapy that has been used since the 1930’s.it involves injecting a natural substance such as dextrose to purposefully provoke mild localized inflammation. This increases the blood supply and flow of nutrients to the area, and the body responds by regenerating the damaged structures.

Pain addictionPlatelet Rich Plasma Injection (PRP) Therapy -involves the use of the body’s own platelets for treatment of pain. It involves drawing a small amount of blood that is centrifuged to separate out the plasma this creates blood that is concentrated in platelets. The high concentration of platelets in the plasma is rich in bioactive proteins and growth factors that can accelerate tissue repair and regeneration. Today this therapy is become more popular with athletes.

Here at AWAREmed we are dedicated to finding the best solutions to chronic illnesses and that is why Dr.Dalal Akoury (MD) is always in the forefront advocating for integrative medicine since it is only through integrative medicine that a person can be healed wholly. Do not hesitate to call on her for help in managing any sort of chronic pain as well as other diseases.

Pain Addiction Continuum and How To Deal With It

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Medicinal Marijuana Can be Replaced

August 14, 2014

Natural Alternatives To Smoking Medicinal Marijuana

What is medicinal marijuana?

This is marijuana that in not different from the one that people recreationally smoke, apart from being an illegal weed in many parts of the world. The only difference is that this marijuana is taken for medicinal value and it is prescribed by doctors. In states where medicinal marijuana is allowed, patients who are found suitable for the type of medication involving medicinal marijuana, it is prescribed to them and they are given a card that permit them to buy the product from authorized dealers. Some of the licenses allow the patient to even grow a controlled amount of marijuana for their personal use.

The main reason why medicinal marijuana may be prescribed to a patient is for pain killing purposes. This medication has been mainly used for people with cancer or those living with HIV/AIDS. In this case, it has been used to treat vomiting and reduce nausea and also in the treatment of pain and muscle spasticity.

Can medicinal marijuana be harmful?

There has not been clarity in the long term effects of medicinal marijuana, but there have been concerns such as loss in memory and cognition problems, the risk for the patient becoming dependent and also the risk of children accessing the medicinal marijuana and taking it by mistake.

Medinal marijuana

Just like we had earlier mentioned in the definition of medicinal marijuana, is worthy noting that medicinal marijuana is not different from the “weed” that is illegal almost all over the world, (Cannabis) and the one with known addiction effects on the users. Just like any other medicinal drug also, it is important to note that the abuse of the drug may have more harm than benefits. Marijuana is a known addictive substance and a habit forming. Thus is the patient continues to use the substance over time, resistance may develop leading to increased dosage amount and consequently leading to addiction. When the person becomes addicted, the situation meant to be cured by the medicinal marijuana will even look more complicated since apart from its treatment, the addiction that has resulted must also be addressed.

Are there better alternatives to medicinal marijuana?

The alternative of medicinal marijuana which can prove beneficial is the one that produces similar medicinal value to the medicinal marijuana and leaving no side effects at the same time. This medication focuses on the treatment of pain particularly since it is the main reason why medicinal marijuana is prescribed to the patients. The main alternatives for medicinal marijuana are the herbal, supplement and nutritional treatments.

The natural alternatives to medicinal marijuana

medicinal marijuanaThe natural alternative to smoking medicinal marijuana focuses on what causes the symptoms which medicinal marijuana seeks to address. It therefore uses natural methods of addressing the symptoms through herbs, supplements or nutrition.

The herbal, nutritional & Supplements alternatives to medicinal marijuana

Someone will wonder whether marijuana is not a herb, and why we should use other herbs but not marijuana! The reason why we will consider some other herbs as better options to medicinal marijuana is because these other herbs are considered to have no negative effects to the patient, they are non-addictive, and above all they are legal all over the world. The following are some of the common herbs which can be alternatives to medicinal marijuana:-

  • Willow bark – this is a herb that has been used in different cultures to reduce pain, fever and inflammation. This herb is a very strong medication in the treatment of pain and it is commonly used in treatment all over the world. One of the advantages of this herb over cannabis is that it is non-addictive and has no side effects. For more information on this medication, visit or call awaremednetwork.com
  • Turmeric – this is one of the most powerful known medications for inflammation. This herb is known for its ability to cure arthritis, gout, autoimmune disease, sciatic and other inflammatory conditions. This medication is non-addictive and hence a good alternative to medicinal marijuana.
  • Skullcap – this is a common herb especially in northern America. It has been used for over 200 years to date, in the treatment for allergies, inflammation, painkilling, chronic pain, and even for cancer treatment. It can be used for painkilling for people living with HIV/AIDS and cancer and this makes it a good alternative to medicinal marijuana.
  • Magnesium – this is a nutrient which is very important in human body. It is used in treatment of pain in muscles and nerves. Magnesium has been proven to have capability to balance the brain chemical known as NMDA that is responsible for pain transmission in the nervous system. Deficiency in magnesium is a common cause for and pain amplifier. To controls pain by use of magnesium, it can be taken as a supplement or through nutrition. Foods which are rich in magnesium are recommended. Some of the foods rich in magnesium include:- Dark leafy greens especially Spinach, nuts and seeds, fish, beans and Lentils, low fat diary among many others.
  • SAMe – this is a popular dietary supplement required in the treatment of depression and osteoarthritis. SAMe itself, is a compound which is naturally found in every human cell in the body. In is known for its role as anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent. It can therefore be used in the treatment of pain, relieving stiffness, reducing joint swelling among other health benefits. For more details on how this treatment works, call or visit awaremednetwork.com
  • Vitamin D – this vitamin is known to be very essential in the human body, and its deficiency may lead to chronic illnesses like chronic pain. This nutrient can be obtained as a supplement or from diets.

Are you struggling with medicinal marijuana treatment? Or are you experiencing endless pains and now you want a treatment that has no side effects? Awaremed.com is your solution. Call us today and get your solution to the problem.

Natural Alternatives To Smoking Medicinal Marijuana

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Cannabis and Cancer

August 12, 2014

Safe Use of Cannabis In Cancer Treatment

CannabisNature has always given the best of cancer treatments that are often safe to the users. Integrative cancer doctors, cancer researchers and other nutritionists have recommended the use of natures given herbs and fruits to help in cancer treatment as they are free from chemicals that may cause collateral damage. Most greens are packed with antioxidants that are useful in fighting cancer. Most of the greens are also very good in boosting the immune system and help in fighting disease causing pathogens. Some of the proposed cancer treatment alternatives are not very welcomed by many states and even the cancer patients are afraid to try them. But cancer is a disease that can render anyone helpless and even ready to try the formidable. Use of narcotics in cancer treatments has been met with lots of controversy. It is not only narcotics that have been met with controversy in cancer treatments but even the safe use of marijuana in cancer treatment has been attracting lots of controversy. This is because in most federal states the use of marijuana has been prohibited- even for medical purposes.

Marijuana also known as Cannabis sativa is plant that grows widely in warm tropical climates. This plant has been used in the past for its medicinal value. Due to its ready market and wide use for non medical purposes, this plant has been produced in large scale for commercial purposes. There are 66 biologically active components of marijuana that has been identified by doctors. These are called cannabinoids. However the most noted component as potent is known as the delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol often shortened as THC. The potency of this delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol has been discovered to be useful in fighting cancer.

However potent these components are, there has been lots of problems with research on marijuana as the legislators classified marijuana as a narcotic drug denying access to marijuana even for medicinal purpose. This restriction came in 1970 thereby barring reasonable research to be done on the medicinal abilities of this plant.

The use of marijuana in cancer treatment began long ago even before most states allowed it to be used strictly for medicinal purposes. In a research that was done by Harvard Medical School in 1991discovered that nearly 50 percent of doctors in the United States recommended cannabis sativa to their cancer patients as a means of easing their pain and to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and other conventional cancer therapies.

Use marijuana in cancer treatment got a thumb up after the favorable review of the Institute of medicine that stated that marijuana can be used effectively as an alternative to conventional cancer treatments. . The review reasoned that in some cancer patients that are already experiencing such side effects as nausea and vomiting swallowing pills becomes a problem thereby making it hard to continue with medication.

The release of the Institute of Medicine report seemingly opened ways for many research works to be published on the effectiveness of marijuana as an alternative cancer treatment. A review of clinical studies that was conducted in several states in 2001 found out that in 768 cancer patients marijuana was very effective anti-emetic in chemotherapy. Other studies that have also been done on the effectiveness of cannabis as cancer treatment found that the biologically active components in marijuana helped in preventing nausea, vomiting and pain in cancer patients. These studies also found that it helped improved the appetite of cancer patients.

Through numerous laboratory tests, scientists have been able to prove the tumor-fighting properties of cannabinoids. Researchers have discovered that the cannabinoids inhibit growth of tumors in animal models by modulating key cell-signaling pathways. However there have never been tests on humans. The researchers also reported that the cannabinoids are very well tolerated by the patients and their use do not produce the life threatening side effects that conventional cancer treatments are known for.

Today several studies have revealed that the active components of marijuana inhibit the growth of cancer cells and promote apoptosis; which is the programmed cell death in tumors. These components are able to accomplish all this by inhibiting angiogenesis. Without angiogenesis it becomes impossible for cancer metastasis. Researchers also noticed that unlike the haphazard chemotherapy that works by producing toxic free radicals, the active marijuana components work better by targeting the cancerous cells thereby evading the grave side effects.

Possible Danger

Cannabis is a drug that when used without observation of a qualified doctor can result in serious health problems. Smoking cannabis can result in such problems as irritating throat while increased exposure to such smoke can result in development of many cancers. To avoid the danger of smoke other ingestion methods such as capsules, food products and tinctures should be used.

CannabisMarijuana also increases the rate of heart beat which may beckon other diseases. Other complications that may arise from unsafe use of cannabis include; mental confusion, lack of concentration, anxiety, paranoia, panic, fear of loss of control, alienation or detachment, dry mouth, and reddened eyes. Excessive use of marijuana may also cause loss of memory and other grave complications. It is therefore advisable that no patient should try using marijuana as an alternative cancer treatment without the help of a doctor.

Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) is an experienced integrative cancer doctor that has helped many cancer patients in their fight against the disease. She has worked hard not only in treating the disease but also in availing informational support to cancer patients at Awaremed which has become a place called home for many cancer patients. Call on her now and get help on cancer.

Safe Use of Cannabis In Cancer Treatment

 

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