Understanding the effectiveness for narcotic abuse treatment

September 17, 2015

Understanding the effectiveness for narcotic abuse treatment: Dealing with the problem of narcotic abuse professionally

If you had the power of understanding the effectiveness for narcotic abuse treatment, you will not associate yourself with any kind of drugs in life.

We are privileged to have real addiction professional like doctor Dalal Akoury (MD) the founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center in our midst to help us go through the challenges of addiction and help us in the understanding the effectiveness for narcotic abuse treatment from all levels. We actually need to be safe from all the attacks of drugs and that is why doctor Dalal Akoury founded this facility (AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center) to primarily to make a difference in the lives of people who are struggling with addiction. To do this, her 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. It will also interest you to know that Dr. Akoury’s practice focuses on personalized medicine through healthy lifestyle choices that deal with primary prevention and underlying causes instead of patching up symptoms. And now that you are aware of where to find lasting and professional solutions to all your addiction complications, you may want to call her on Telephone number 843 213 1480 to schedule for an appointment with her so that all your concerns can be addressed professionally. In the meantime, let us focus our discussion to the topic of the day “understanding the effectiveness for narcotic abuse treatment” even as we progress into the discussion.

Understanding the effectiveness for narcotic abuse treatment: Intoxication

Intoxication is normally treated in cases of overdose and when severe respiratory depression occurs. Naltrexone, an opiate agonist drug, may be used to revive a person who has overdosed. It binds to opioid receptors in the brain and counteracts the effects of drugs like heroin, morphine, and codeine. Its side effects may include nausea and headache and it may be associated with liver toxicity. Like we had mentioned before, detoxification is normally the first step in treatment. Withdrawal may last from a couple of days to 2 weeks. Two drugs, methadone and clonidine, are applicable in this mode of treatment.

The primary role of methadone (a synthetic narcotic) is to reduce the discomfort of withdrawal and is normally administered in tapering doses until withdrawal ends. And because methadone is a narcotic its side effects are similar to the effects of heroin or morphine, however they have a slower onset, last longer, and are less severe. Also, respiratory depression can occur in high doses. And when it comes to clonidine which is an anti-hypertension medication, it affects the nervous system and can block the physical manifestations of withdrawal, like anxiety and irritability. Its most common side effects are dry mouth, dizziness, and drowsiness.

Understanding the effectiveness for narcotic abuse treatment: Dependence

This is very dangerous and must be overcome by abstinence. Drug counseling, self-help groups, half-way houses, and narcotics anonymous (similar to alcoholics anonymous) may instill in a user the behavioral and psychological changes necessary to break a drug habit. And remember that methadone maintenance is helpful when combined with these strategies. Tapering initially large doses of methadone can help people gradually overcome dependence. Methadone is abused and its use remains controversial. Still, long-term treatment plans (30 days to more than a year) can keep people away from street drugs, needles, and disease. They improve the quality of life for most people who attempt to recover.

Like in many parts of the world, we have over 11,000 drug treatment centers in the United States providing treatment for intoxication, withdrawal symptoms, and dependence. The objective of detoxification is abstinence. Under this arrangement staffs are trained in substance dependence, and most centers employ physicians. Therefore patients will have an option of either choosing an inpatient or an outpatient treatment program, depending on the severity of dependence, availability of facilities, insurance coverage, and other considerations. Some facilities specialize only in detoxification or long-term treatment; others provide both fast-acting devices to treat narcotic overdose

It will interest you to note that in April 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new hand-held auto-injector to reverse a potentially fatal opioid overdose. This device which is known as Evzio (naloxone hydrochloride injection) is designed for use by family members, caregivers, and non-medical first responders in cases of known or suspected overdose of heroin or a narcotic pain reliever. And according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Evzio will be available by prescription to friends and family members of people at increased risk for opioid overdose—those who are taking narcotic pain medications for a medical condition and those who are struggling with narcotic addiction. The easy-to-use device can be carried in a pocket, purse, or bag, or can be stored in a medicine cabinet at home. Once it is turned on, it gives verbal instructions for use and then directs the person administering the medication to call in case of emergency. A training device is included with the delivery device and family members and caregivers are instructed to become familiar with using the device before it is needed.

Understanding the effectiveness for narcotic abuse treatment: Signs of narcotic overdose

The signs may include decreased breathing/heart rate and loss of consciousness. Evzio delivers a single dose of naloxone into the muscle (intramuscular) or beneath the skin (subcutaneous) as an emergency treatment. Because the effects of narcotics can last longer than the effects of naloxone, and because naloxone can cause severe opioid withdrawal, it’s important to seek medical attention as quickly as possible. The following are some of the potential side effects of naloxone:

Nausea and vomiting
Profuse sweating
Cardiac arrest
Uncontrolled trembling/shaking
High blood pressure spikes
Increased heart rate
Seizures

Finally understanding the effectiveness for narcotic abuse treatment should not be taken lightly since it forms the basis of finding effective and lasting solutions to all addiction related problems globally. Therefore if you or anyone you know is struggling with any kind of addiction, you can be the bridge of hope to them by introducing them to the home of addiction experts (AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center) under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury today.

Understanding the effectiveness for narcotic abuse treatment: Dealing with the problem of narcotic abuse professionally

Necessities of identifying courses of narcotic abuse

September 17, 2015

Necessities of identifying courses of narcotic abuse: Diagnosis of Narcotic Abuse

Necessities of identifying courses of narcotic abuse will help you get out in the thickest of nicotine addiction

When addressing the necessities of identifying courses of narcotic abuse, it is very important that we appreciated that the whole process of diagnosing narcotic abuse and dependence is very complicated. This is so because users are not ignorant of the fact that their drug use activity is prohibited, illegitimate and illegal. Speaking to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury (MD) and founder of the facility, it is evident that physiologically, the user’s brain requires the drug as a substitute for endorphins, this often makes it very difficult for users to stop regardless of whether or not they recognize the problem. It is therefore possible that drug dependency in many situations may be discovered by friends or family members and even this will still have some challenges associated with stigma thereby causing the families to deny or avoid the problem. But addiction being what it is, in most cases with or without anyone speaking about it, somewhere along the way something in the life of the user will reveal his or her dependence. Difficulty at work; criminal activity (e.g., theft, forgery); prescription records gathered by insurance companies and doctors; withdrawal; or the discovery of an illness, like HIV infection, may uncover the problem.

Besides all these the physical signs of drug dependence, like injection marks on the skin, deterioration of nasal tissue from snorting and constricted or dilated pupils may be present. Therefore the process of ascertaining the truth may involve screening for the presence of narcotics in the body by carrying out laboratory tests, like urinalysis or hair analysis. However doctor Akoury registers that testing alone cannot determine the length of time that drugs have been used. In that case differential diagnosis may be necessary in cases where signs indicate nonnarcotic drug use or the presence of a medical condition. Like for instance benzodiazapine and barbiturate use can produce symptoms similar to narcotic intoxication and withdrawal. Hypoglycemia (low blood-sugar, fatigue), electrolyte imbalance, head or brain injury, and stroke can produce delirium and cause slurred speech, inability to concentrate, and impaired memory, which are also signs of intoxication.

Necessities of identifying courses of narcotic abuse: Narcotic Abuse Course

According to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, the exact age for drug use is not always very clear owing to the fact that the effects of narcotics can be felt even before birth, however socially the average age range of onset for drug use is 18 to 25. The most painful fact about narcotic use is that those who are using narcotic drugs be it within this rage or otherwise, usually progress the usage to drug dependency says doctor Dalal Akoury. She is also making emphasis that narcotic addiction may develop after medical treatment as well. Like for instance some users often become dependent on the euphoric effects of narcotics following surgery or long-term treatment for pain. It is likely possible that those risk factors for drug abuse are present in such individuals even before treatment.

Necessities of identifying courses of narcotic abuse: Complications of narcotic abuse

The necessities of identifying courses of abuse cannot be ignored at this point of time. We are living in a world that is saturated with serious infectious diseases like AIDS, hepatitis, and tuberculosis which may also develop during the course of drug dependency. And as a matter of facts in some (if not most) large, urban areas, it is estimated that up to 60 percent of those dependent on heroin are infected with the HIV. And besides that tracks, visible puncture scars, are caused by repeated injection especially with heroin and cocaine users. Experts are raising the red flag that scarring of the veins may lead to swellings this is because many users switch from the veins in the forearm to those in the feet, inside the thigh, or in the neck while others stop using veins and inject directly into the first layer of skin a practice that is commonly known as “skin-popping.” When this practice is done consistently over a period of time, it will eventually lead to the development of cellulitus which is an infection into connective tissue, and abscess, where cell death causes pus to collect beneath the skin. Round, healed scars are common signs of skin-popping.

Doctor Akoury reiterates that being addicted to drugs is not only health hazardous but also brings on board other complications that can really bring your life and that of your loved ones to a standstill. Take for example criminal activity that are associated with drug dependency like theft and forgery (of doctors’ signatures), as well as the transportation, sale, and production of illegal substances. All these can land users into serious problems with the law enforcer’s agencies thereby leading to the pillar or bread winner of the family being imprisoned. The trauma, stigma and discrimination that come with it may be unbearable to the family and more so the children in school. In spite of all these doctor Akoury says that all is not lost because the situation can be remedied by seeking for treatment in good time. She says that it is always very important that when you have noticed that you are struggling with any form of drug, immediate treatment must be sought. This way the effectiveness of your treatment will be less complicated since most of your body organs shall have not been affected by the scourge of addiction. Therefore for quick solution to your addiction problems to all kind of narcotics, schedule for an appointment with the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center for a thorough evaluation to be done with a view of starting you on the right king of treatment program the will deliver back your health to you for comfort and full enjoyment thereafter.

Necessities of identifying courses of narcotic abuse: Narcotic Abuse Prognosis

Finally it is important to note that the estimated death rate in those dependent on narcotics includes death by overdose as well as by murder associated with drug-related crime. From the various studies, it has been established that the death rate increases by 2 percent for every year of use and the translation of that is that those who have been using narcotics say for the past 10 years stand a 20 percent chance of drug-related death. In 2013, drug overdose deaths surpassed car crashes and the leading cause for injury death in the United States. This raises great concern on the urgency with which lasting solution must be sought. Don’t therefore weight until it is too late, take action now.

Necessities of identifying courses of narcotic abuse: Diagnosis of Narcotic Abuse

Drug addiction and the life of the baby

June 5, 2015

Drug addiction and the life of the baby: How do drugs affect my baby?

Drug addiction and the life of the baby. Pregnant women owes their unborn children the duty of care by keeping of substance abuse

For those pregnant women who are using drugs, there is no doubt that almost all drugs pass through the placenta to reach your baby and have some effect on them. It is important to note that drugs in your body will definitely reduce the amount of oxygen that can reach your baby. Early in pregnancy, some drugs may affect your baby’s development and as a result your baby may not grow as well as is expected in your uterus (womb). We all understand the significance of drug addiction and the life of the baby. This is not something that can be wished a way by all means. Talking to doctor Dalal Akoury we have realized that taking illegal drugs will cause problems later in your pregnancy, and as a matter of fact the use of such drugs can affect how well the placenta works. With the presence of drugs in the system, there is a risk that the placenta may come away from the side of your uterus, sometimes causing severe bleeding a process known as placental abruption. Placental abruption is a serious condition and, because of the bleeding it causes, it can be life-threatening for you and your baby. Your baby may have withdrawal symptoms if you were taking drugs regularly during your pregnancy which may necessitate that the baby stay in hospital for a while so that nurses and doctors can check him or her for signs of withdrawal and give the right treatment.

Drug addiction and the life of the baby: What if I took drugs before finding out I was pregnant?

The common concern for many women is that what happens to them and their unborn children if they were taking drugs before becoming pregnant! It is actually true that many people take drugs as part of their social life. Besides if you took a drug without realizing you were pregnant on a one-off occasion, then you don’t have to worry because it’s very unlikely that it will have any effect on your baby. However, if illegal drugs are part of your life and as a result of that you have become an addict, it will be very important that you seek for help immediately to improve the outlook for you and your baby says doctor Akoury.

Drug addiction and the life of the baby: Which drugs have which effects?

Besides the various questions that often cross many people’s minds, there are certain known facts about the effects of illegal drugs and such facts may include the following:

Cannabis (marijuana) – Cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug. Taking cannabis during pregnancy might make your baby unsettled and more easily startled after he is born. In the longer term, it could cause behavior and learning problems for your baby as he grows older. Remember that smoking cannabis also exposes your baby to the risks related to smoking. If you smoke, you are more likely to go into premature labour. There’s also a higher chance that your baby will be born with a low birth weight and other complications, and it increases the risk of cot death.

Speed (amphetamines) and crystal meth (methamphetamine) – For the benefit of your unborn child, it would be very proper for you to stop taking speed or crystal meth before you get pregnant or during and after pregnancy. If you have been using these drugs, you can still quit even when you are pregnant, but to be safe and this is very important, you should stop taking these drugs with medical help in a drug treatment program. This is so because stopping suddenly could be harmful for you and to your baby as well and could even cause miscarriage. Remember that taking speed or crystal meth can make the following more likely:

A complication where the placenta can’t carry enough oxygen and nutrients to your baby, called placental insufficiency
The placenta separating from your uterus (placental abruption)

These drugs can affect your baby’s growth in the uterus, making her smaller than expected for your stage of pregnancy and increasing the chance of premature birth.

Ecstasy – Doctor Akoury says that there’s a lot of concern about the long-term side-effects of taking ecstasy. Nonetheless more needs to be done to ascertain any effect it may have on your pregnancy or your baby. At the moment, there is very little evidence that this can cause any significant effect to either the mother or the baby. But all the same ecstasy may have an effect on your baby’s motor development (co-ordination and movement). But then again there is limited evidence that it could cause birth defects and a lot more research needs to be done to establish that.

Cocaine and crack cocaine – Taking cocaine or crack during pregnancy may increase your risk of having a miscarriage and of placental abruption later in pregnancy. Using cocaine while you are pregnant can slow down your baby’s growth in the uterus. It may also increase the risk of your baby having problems with learning and behavior when he is older.

Heroin and strong painkillers – Heroin has serious risks for your baby. The same kind of problems can happen if you are regularly using related painkillers (opioids) like morphine or Tramadol during pregnancy. You may not realize that you can become addicted to strong painkillers. But if you use heroin or other opioids, it is vital to get treatment as soon as it is practically possible. Trying to quit on your own could be dangerous for you and your baby. It could cause a miscarriage or premature birth, or your baby could be stillborn. The safest way to quit is with medical help, as part of a drug treatment program. And remember that during pregnancy, heroin and other opioids can slow down your baby’s growth and have an effect on how her brain grows. These drugs can also make it harder for your baby to breathe just after she is born.

One of the most serious problems for your baby is withdrawal symptoms when she is born. Your baby will need special care in hospital if she has withdrawal symptoms. As she grows older, your child may have behavioral problems. Experts are yet to establish the effects about growth and intelligence but there are indications that these may also cause some effects both for you and the baby. Finally your life and that of your baby are priceless. You may be finding it difficult to face your addiction problem and so you hide and suffer in silence. This will not help, doctor Akoury founded AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center with you in mind. We have a team of experienced professionals waiting to help you face this giant before you. All you need to do on your part is to schedule for an appointment with doctor Akoury and you will never regret making this decision.

Drug addiction and the life of the baby: How do drugs affect my baby?

Is there a Law to Govern Drug Abuse by Pregnant Women?

August 16, 2014

Drug Abuse By Pregnant Women

What does the law require?

drug abuse by pregnant women This new law does not affect men; it is among the few laws which affect a given gender, the females only. This law seeks to protect the newborns against the effects of drugs as result of abuse of these drugs by the mother while they are pregnant.

Among the drugs which triggered the enactment of this law were the heroine and heavy prescription drugs which the pregnant mothers abused and hence their effects depicted in the newborns. It was found that many of the newborns were born with dependency on the drug which the pregnant mother abused. This is what prompted the need to regulate the drug abuse by the pregnant mothers, with sight to protect the newborns from drug addiction.

Is this law in use anywhere in the world?

The law which criminalizes the use of drugs by a pregnant woman has not been embraced in many states of the world. The alternate laws have rarely been used to charge the women who cause harm on the newborn due to use of a certain drug while pregnant. Contrary to these countries, a country known as Tennessee has enacted a law which declares it a crime for any woman to use drugs while she is pregnant.

Drug abuse by pregnant women has been criminalized in Tennessee, and it remains to be seen whether more states will be following the suit. A bill signed into law by the Republican Governor of Tennessee Bill Haslam explicitly criminalizes drug abuse while pregnant. The law came into effect in July and will remain in effect until 1 July 2016. While other US states, such as Alabama and South Carolina, have used fetal harm laws to charge drug-using pregnant women, Tennessee is the first state to adopt this criminalization approach. The new law allows women to be criminally charged with an “assaultive offense for the illegal use of a narcotic drug while pregnant, if her child is born addicted to or harmed by the narcotic drug or for criminal homicide if her child dies as a result of her illegal use of a narcotic drug taken while pregnant”. Supporters of the new law say its aim is to protect babies but a coalition of medical, public health, women’s rights, and social justice groups worked to oppose the bill as it made its way through the Tennessee legislature: “Under the Obama administration, we’ve really tried to reframe drug policy not as a crime but as a public health-related issue, and that our response on the national level is that we not criminalize addiction”, Our national strategy is based on the fact that addiction is a disease. What’s important is that we create environments where we’re really diminishing the stigma and the barriers, particularly for pregnant women, who often have a lot of shame and guilt about their substance abuse disorders”.

Even after signing this bill into law, due to its controversy the Governor of Tennessee was quoted as saying, “I understand the concerns about this bill, and I will be monitoring the impact of the law and regular updates with the court system and health professionals,”

This law has already been put into use and some women have been charged for committing the crime of using heavy drugs while pregnant.

Does this law have any benefit?

Arguably, this law has benefits especially to the newborns. The law protects the newborn from effects of the heavy drugs which the pregnant mother may use. Research has shown that newborns can be born with dependency on the drugs which the mother abused during the pregnancy. This law seeks to reduce these chances of a child being born with dependency in a given drug.

Another advantage of this law is that it can help in the reduction of drug abuse and consequently addiction. Since pregnant mother will fear the course of the law due to the effects of the drugs they abuse during pregnancy. This will make such women to be willing to undergo recovery from drug addiction or stop taking drugs if not yet addicted. This temporal stoppage of taking of the drugs can cause the patient to permanently stop taking the addictive drugs.

drug abuse by pregnant women

What makes this law controversial?
This law has been controversial ever since it was a bill. The main problem with this law is that it focuses on the effect of the drugs on the newborn with a view that they were taken during the pregnancy period. The fact is that some people may be taking the drugs before the pregnancy and stop immediately they become pregnant but still pass the effects of the drugs to the newborn.

Another factor is that this law doesn’t respect the rights of drug addicts, who cannot be able to stop taking the drug during the pregnancy period. Even if they were to enter a recovery period during the pregnancy period, it is not possible to completely stop taking the drugs, since all the recovery programs emphasizes on gradual withdrawal from the drug, which is a process which can cover the entire pregnancy period before completely withdrawing from the drug.

Another controversy of this law is that it also talks about addiction from opioids which are prescription drugs which are likely to be prescribed to the pregnant women for pain killing. This aspect has attracted questioning of the law by doctors who claim that it is very likely that a pregnant woman will be prescribed opioids and thus the law would make the women charged for a mistake they cannot avoid.

Drug Abuse By Pregnant Women

Narcotics and Cancer Treatment

June 28, 2014

Narcotics Can Be Safely Used To Ease Pain in Cancer Patients

The use of narcotic drugs is a scare to all and any mention of this draws mixed reactions, probably due to the well-known life threatening side effects that users of such drugs are exposing themselves to. However, in certain scenarios you may have to depend on these drugs to at least reduce your pain. In this case the narcotics are used with medical intentions having to be administered by a doctor who knows the right dosage as over-dosing may produce horrible side effects. To cancer patients, the narcotics are a necessity they can never run away from as they are very effective in reducing the intensity of pain they suffer, while ailing or undergoing certain treatments (chemotherapy for example)

The pain relieving drugs that are non-narcotics in nature are available, and include; Tylenol, Celebrex and Advil. These drugs are very useful in cancer treatment. However, they can only be effectively used for mild pains but cannot help much in reducing the great pains that most cancer patients have to go through. For this case, narcotic drugs become the only option for these patients. A lot of patients though, are scared of addiction to these drugs and thus repel the idea of the usage on them. But, legal narcotic pain medication can be used safely to reduce the pain in cancer patients without the risk of addiction.

The narcotics used in pain medication are all related to morphine but may come in different forms. The effects of these narcotic pain medication drugs vary in different patients and the different forms also have different side effects. Some of these drugs include; hydromorphone, roxicodone, codeine and fentanyl. These forms are also different in strength and while will take mere seconds to ease the pain, some may take up to an hour to reduce the pain. The drugs may come in forms of tablet, liquid or even as a suspension.

There is a known risk associated with misuse of these drugs and so it is important that the complex combination of these drugs be done by an authorized medical personnel who will be able to reduce the negative side effects of these drugs on the patients’ health while maximize on their benefits. In case of any unexpected side effects the patient is advised to seek the intervention of the doctor as the patient may react differently to the drug as other patients who had undergone the same treatment.

The doctor should monitor the progress of a patient on treatment and see if the patient is doing better with the medication. If the patient is still experiencing the intense pain, then the doctor will give a different combination of these drugs that will be able to reduce the pain and give the patient comfort. This calls for cooperation between the cancer patient and the doctor so that the patient can benefit from the medication.

The patient may at times have to use two different drugs, especially when the pain is continuous and sometimes becomes unbearable. The patient may use a narcotic drug that takes less time to ease the pain while still using the long term pain medication that is subscribed to her by her doctor. In most cases the patient will be in control of the other drug that he will use at certain times when the pain is intense to give her slight breakthrough from the pain. The narcotics that are entirely controlled by patients should not have adverse effects on the patient even if they take them beyond the recommended doses.

Constipation

One of the discomforts that cancer patients on narcotic pain medication suffer most is constipation. It is therefore advisable that as you take narcotic pain medicines you should also take medicine that will help you evade constipation. If the constipation problem persist even after taking necessary measures, you should talk to your doctor about so that he may change your pain medicine for another that will least affect your bowel movements. It is also important that you avoid other relaxants when you are using narcotic pain medication. You should not take alcohol without discussing with your doctor as that may work against your medication.

There have been controversies about the use of narcotic drugs to control pain in cancer patients with many critics saying that the patient’s risks suffering an addiction. The truth however is when narcotic drugs are used as pain medication the doctors give required dosage that will not addict the patients. A patient is different from strict addict that may use the narcotic drugs to suppress depression or simply to get high. When used for medication the patient is not in control of the drug unlike in the case of a street addict who is in control of the amounts he takes. He can overindulge but a patient cannot since he uses the doctor’s subscription.

Affordability

The issue of affordability features when you want to choose the pain medication to use. Most of these narcotic pain medicines are quite expensive and are mostly paid for by insurance cover plans. If you do not have an insurance policy and you find your drug too expensive, it is advisable to tell your doctor so that he may find you a more affordable alternative that is also effective.

It is good to seek information about narcotic pain medication to cancer patients from experienced doctors so that you will know the best course of action to take in case you or your loved ones are victimized by this disease. For this purpose, Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) has availed detailed information about cancer treatments on her website. If you are not suffering from this disease but you are affected in one way or the other. Get in touch with Dr. Dalal Akoury so that you may learn much on cancer management and be of help to this generation.

Narcotics Can Be Safely Used To Ease Pain in Cancer Patients

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