Tag Archives: Washington State University

The Need For Addiction Healing Centers

March 19, 2015

Addiction Healing Centers-Restoration of the Mind, Body and Spirit to Treat Addiction

Addiction isn’t a new term that needs to be defined, however it is great to appreciate the fact addiction is a really broad subject. Though many people only relate addiction to drugs of pleasure, addiction to behaviors like sex, food and gambling are a part of us. Regrettably, most of the addicts we have today are addicted to harmful substances that therefore dictate that they be offered a whole person treatment. As known addiction to a drug isn’t only a problem in the sense of financial and behavioral aspects but rather on the damage that these substances do to our bodies. The most affected system in the body is the nervous system which is very crucial in coordination of messages that are sent from various parts of the system to initiate specific action that our daily lives revolve around. The brain and the rest of the nervous system especially the neurotransmitters are highly damaged after a long term use of certain drugs of pleasure. Due to this it is necessary that any attempt to treat addiction and restore the normal functions of the body should include therapies that aim at restoring the normal functioning of the neurotransmitters and the rest of the nervous system that might have been damaged by long term use of these drugs of abuse.

addiction healing centers

The severity of addiction will however determine the type of treatment that an addict is accorded, there are situations where a patient may suffer from a combination of drugs and behavioral addiction. There are also other co-occurring conditions that may work together to make the life of an individual addict miserable. Think of sex addiction, gambling addiction and alcohol addiction all in one brain! Can you imagine the magnitude of damage that such a person will suffer in the whole of his nervous system? Correcting such defects in the entire system of an addict will require multi-facet approach to ensure that the addict is completely healed and his health is restored. Treating the symptoms of addiction as most doctors do or other used to do may only serve as a momentary relief but will not help the patient to quit the use of drugs.

It is because of the gap that existed in the past, when all treatment options available for addicts only focused on treating the symptoms of addiction like depression that has been for a long time been addressed by giving ant-depressants. The antidepressants will work for a short time but the problem that lies deep in the malfunctioning neurotransmitter like dopamine and serotonin will remain unresolved.  To address these issues, several addiction healing centers have since been established to give the patients what they need most; whole-person healing. whole person healing is achieved through the practice of integrative medicine that may include both orthodox and traditional herbal medicine as well as dietary approaches to help not only quell the severity of the symptoms suffered by these addicts but also to help correct the damage that addiction to substance and other behaviors does to the brain and the entire nervous system. when the functions of the nervous system is restored, it can now be easy to help an addict to escape the bars of addiction as the body will be naturally fit to quell the craving for the substance of abuse.

Most addiction healing centers deal with addiction of forms as serious, chronic and potentially life-threatening disease that requires a full range of comprehensive, evidence-based addiction treatment services to completely manage and overcome once and for all but this requires full commitment and cooperation of the patient.

Restoration of the mind, body and spirit to treat addiction

Addiction Healing CentersThrough advances in the medical industry, there are several addiction healing centers that are now offering holistic approach to treatment of addiction victims. These approaches are geared towards Restoration of the mind, body and spirit because it is by this that addicts can achieve healing once and for all. The harmony of the human being is critical in healing of addiction this is because addiction interferes with the chemical composition of the brain which is the engine that drives the entire body. This leads to organs, cells and tissues being maimed hence can’t perform effectively. To achieve wellness of the mind, body and spirit, most addiction healing centers utilize several strategies such as proper nutrition, body cleansing or detoxification, exercise, yoga, tai chi, herbal medication, orthodox meditation, hobby exploration such as like dancing, hiking and even singing. All these are explored to achieve a balance in the body.

The advantage of seeking help from addiction healing centers is that they offer varied addiction healing approaches that may include; cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), 12-step philosophy, somatic therapies, nutritional counseling, psychiatric support, massage, yoga, Tai Chi, herbal therapies and adventure-based therapies that cater to all manner of addictions, both behavioral and substance related. These centers also have staffs who are vastly experienced in handling addiction cases. They can also customize treatment to suit every patient’s condition belief and preferences all in a bid to restore the mind the body and the spirit.

Finally, Behavioral addiction and drug addiction destroys wellness, therefore restoring health of mind, body, and spirit is essential in recovery. Dr. Dalal Akoury has done extensive work in addiction treatment and recovery. You may contact her to fix an appointment. Better still, you may visit us at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Centre in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and experience the best practices in holistic addiction healing and recovery.

Addiction Healing Centers-Restoration of the Mind, Body and Spirit to Treat Addiction

 

Related articles
Facebooktwitterpinterestlinkedin

IV Niacin Is a Safe Treatment for Addiction

March 16, 2015

IV Niacin Is a Safe Treatment for Addiction

Niacin also known as vitamin B3 has been used for a long time for treating myriads of diseases. However, the Niacin therapy has been used mostly for the treatment of depression and anxiety. Unfortunately, most of us have never heard of the potential emotional benefits of Niacin. Though the reason for secrecy surrounding vitamin therapy has a complicated and deep-rooted past, a simple explanation is that natural remedies are not supported by the U.S medical field and so this is a reason why the niacin therapy for treatment of addiction especially the withdrawal symptoms are not welcomed or well known in the United States. To many people living in the United States the only thing they know about niacin is that; having enough niacin or vitamin B3, in the body is important for general good health. As a treatment, higher amounts of niacin can improve cholesterol levels and lower cardiovascular risks. They only relate niacin to improvement of cholesterol levels hence mitigating on the effects of lower cholesterol levels. That is the bit that is known by many people around the world but the truth is there is more to niacin or vitamin B3 than just improvement of the cholesterol levels in the body. Researchers have found out that intravenous niacin can be used for treatment of addiction related complications such as depression and anxiety that are common withdrawal symptoms of many drugs.

History of Niacin use in fighting depression and anxiety

IV NiacinDepression and anxiety are some of the most severe symptoms that most addicts have to grapple with. It is because of depression that most addicts find it hard to quit using their drugs of abuse. Whenever an addict tries to stop using the drugs they will face depression and this will make them sink in to drug use to find escapade. History has proved that niacin is effective in fighting depression. The founder of AA, Bill Wilson who had been struggling with chronic depression found relief when he become a part of a study which involved use of niacin as a cure for depression. The study was led by psychiatrists Humphrey Osmond and Abram Hoffer. It was done in the late fifties and that success marked a good publicity for the use of niacin in treatment of depression. After his success, Bill gave niacin use unwavering support and published many articles detailing his experiences with depression and how he got cure in niacin. These can be found in his book titled “Pass it on”.

Despite this success in the fifties there has been few prescription of niacin to patients, this owing to the myth that niacin use is dangerous catapulted by  patients had taken the Niacin to clear their system of Cocaine in order to pass drug tests but instead experienced serious reactions with higher doses of the niacin. In spite of all this, a handful of enlightened doctors have been using niacin to treat their patients suffering from chronic depression. It is quite unfortunate that even with proven effectiveness in treatment of chronic depression and other illnesses the use of vitamin therapy places doctors at a risk since in the United Sates prescribing a nutritional therapy or vitamin therapy is against the law.

Treating Drug withdrawal symptoms; Depression and Anxiety Naturally

IV NiacinNiacin not only treats depression, but has also been shown to aid with sleeping problems, addiction, arthritis, schizophrenia, and high cholesterol. When a person has been using the drugs of pleasure for a long time they affect the balance of the brain chemicals. In most cases long term use of drugs causes depletion of niacin and its deficiency is first evident in brain-related symptoms of poor concentration, difficulty focusing, and attention deficit disorders. Niacin contains NAD which is important for energy production, so shortage of niacin leads to energy shortage which if lasts long enough, brain neurons cannot synthesize neurotransmitters. When this occurs, the molecules of consciousness such as serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline are affected. Anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance and other mood changes can then arise. These are not good for addicts as they may trigger them to use drugs as escapade. Therefore having an IV niacin therapy will help in supplementing NAD in the body.  This will not only increase the production of energy but will also increase the level of NADH which is critical for enzymatic action. The IV Niacin goes straight to receptors in the brain and so is not digested in the stomach. NAD is also metabolic co-enzyme and is charged with the important job of structuring, repairing, and remodeling every cell in the body that are destroyed by the long term drug use.

Depression and anxiety are not the only problems associated with drugs but are some of the most severe effects of long term drug use and so should be taken seriously. Niacin therapy helps with treatment of depression induced by drug addiction however be sure to find help from a qualified medical doctor.

And finally, we at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center are committed to finding the best treatment for addicts. We have qualified doctors who will see to it that every addict is helped to break the bond of addiction and enjoy life of freedom. Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) is committed to availing help to every patient. Call on her at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for help.

IV Niacin Is a Safe Treatment for Addiction

Related articles
Facebooktwitterpinterestlinkedin

Motivational Interview So Important In Addiction Treatment

March 15, 2015

Crucial Stages of Motivational Interview as Part of Addiction Treatment

Addiction is a multifaceted issue that also needs to be given a multifaceted approach in treatment without which treating addiction will be a fallacy. There is required input and cooperation of the patient 100 percent. He has to have the will to quit using the drugs he is using; you can never force an addict to quit using a drug he has become addicted to. It also needs patience of both the doctor and the patient so that the addict will be able to completely recover from all the adverse effects of addiction especially during withdrawal. One of the ways through which an urge to quit using drugs can be imparted into an addict is through motivational interview. Motivational interview is often referred to as motivational therapy and us done by a motivational therapist. The main aim of the motivational therapist is to help the patient see the side effects that he is suffering as a result of the use of the abusive drug and help create a desire to quit using the drug in the addict. He will not try to victimize the addict or to oppose his views but uses the power of empathy to instill the desire to quit the use of the abusive drug into the addict.

Motivational Interview

For any motivational interview to be effective there is need of full cooperation from the addict. There is also need of input of an experienced motivational therapist to place the will to change from the use of drug abuse into the mind of the addict. The addict is the center of focus in motivational interview, he is the one who has to make the decision of whether to quit using the drugs or not. The motivational therapist is just there to help him make this decision by giving him a better option in quitting but he can’t decide for the addict, the addict has to own the decision to quit and that is when he is bound to succeed. In a journalistic point of view it appears that both the addict and the therapists are very crucial parties to this type of treatment because as much as the therapist may be good at his work. He may bear initial fruits in planting the desire to quit using the drugs in the mind of the addict but the addict must make the step of quitting the use of the drug.

Here are some crucial stages that the addict will be taken through by the help of the motivational therapist

  • Pre-contemplation
  • Contemplation
  • Preparation
  • Action
  • Maintenance and relapse

For effectiveness these stages should be followed in sequence, however if an addict may fall beck he should be encouraged to continue from where appropriate.

Pre-contemplation

This is the first stage in which the thought of changing has not even got into the mind of the addict. In most instances the drug users are in denial and they do not consider themselves as the right audience to the advice being offered. Here the will to change is not close even to the addict and it requires an input of an expert motivational therapist to let the drug addict see the need to overcome the addiction. During this stage, addicts do not consider change. They may not believe that their behavior is a problem or that it will negatively affect them or they may be resigned to their unhealthy behavior because of previous failed efforts and no longer believe that they have control over addiction. At this stage the therapist must be careful not be seen as opposing the lifestyle of the addict but as an empathizer who has placed his foot right in the moccasins of the addict. Here the therapist’s main goal is harmer the desire to quit using the drugs of abuse in the patient’s mind.

Contemplation Stage

At contemplation stage, patients are unsure about changing. They are weighing the benefits they get from the use of the drug against the benefits they will receive after quitting its use. At this stage the patients tries to look into the reasons why they can’t stop the use of the drug. Giving up an enjoyed behavior causes them to feel a sense of loss despite the perceived gain.  This is the stage where the patient needs the help of the motivational speaker most as he gets in conflict with himself. He is torn between stopping the use of the drug and continuing using it. He must know the advantages and disadvantages of quitting the drug use. The therapist will be of help in letting the addict choose wisely.

Preparation Stage

Motivational InterviewDuring the preparation stage, patients prepare to make a specific change. To test the waters of the new world, the addict may try using the drugs in lower doses and tests his body reaction to the deprivation. The therapist helps the patient to stay true to its course since the outcome of these experiments may make the addict to give up on the goal of quitting the drug use.

Action Stage

The action stage is the stage that needs more of the patient’s contribution to be successful. Many patients may fail once but with the help of the therapist they may get up and continue fighting addiction.  Every effort that the patient puts forward must be appreciated by the therapist as this gives the addict the morale to continue.

Maintenance and Relapse Prevention

Every motivational therapist would want his patient to reach this stage. However the addict may go through the initial stages many times before fully landing on this stage. Change is not always easy to deal with and any discouragement from the therapists over the addicts’ occasional slip may thwart his hopes of ever overcoming addiction and hence he may give up.

Finally, the need to quit using drugs of abuse is crucial in motivational interview; the therapist has to instill this in the addict failure to which the interview will bear no success. All the same addiction is a jail that many are chained but the need for liberation is the very reason for our existence. Here at AWAREmed we are dedicated to finding the best solutions to addiction and dependence on substances. Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) is always in the mood of helping any patient to be addiction free. Do not hesitate to call on her for help in managing any sort of chronic pain or any type of addiction as well as other diseases.

Crucial Stages of Motivational Interview as Part of Addiction Treatment

Related articles
Facebooktwitterpinterestlinkedin

Estrogen Imbalances Impacting on Addiction

March 10, 2015

The Effect of Estrogen Imbalances in the Disease of Addiction

Hormonal fluctuations affect women more adversely than men. The hormone estrogen plays crucial functions in the life of a woman and its supply should not be interrupted. However as a woman is aging the ovaries stop producing this hormone leading to a fall in the level of this hormone. When the level of the estrogen hormone has floored the duties of this hormone will be unattended to leading to myriads of health problems affecting women. Among other problems a woman will experience the following problems when the level of estrogen falls; vaginal dryness, irritability, low sex drive, mood swings, hot flashes and urgency of urination. Pellet implants have been used to treat migraine and menstrual headaches and have been found effective in dealing with menopause symptoms.

According to an article published in the Holy Hormones journal, Female hormones are potent modulators of brain chemicals, neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine.  the article reports that when a woman receives the bio-identical hormonal replacement therapy it does not only help with its anti-aging effects but also improves the general quality of life in women as it helps in preventing depression, anxiety and insomnia disorders all of which cause subsequent addiction.

Estrogen Imbalance

Hormonal imbalances cause drug craving

An investigation done at  Florida Detox & Wellness Institute on all hormonal and brain chemical imbalance that can cause drug and alcohol craving it was proved that  many female patients develop addiction issues because of midlife changes in estrogen and progesterone production.  The Institute opines that the reason why these findings have gone undetected is because most addiction treatment centers do not routinely examine the hormones involved in the pituitary-adrenal-ovarian axis.

The involvement of estrogen hormone imbalances in addiction calls for a more integrated treatment to addiction. As opposed to treating only the visible symptoms of addiction, there is need for doctors to integrate spiritual counseling and modern brain science so that the imbalances in the brain chemicals can be corrected making the treatment whole. By evaluating the possible imbalance in the brain and correcting the imbalances by bio-identical hormone therapy, the electrical activity in the brain is balanced and this nullifies the chances of a patient attempting self-medication with drugs of pleasure and alcohol. Clinical studies done at Florida Detox & Wellness Institute have indicated that addicted patients will use drugs and alcohol either to stimulate under-active brain regions or to relax over-active brain systems. The unusual electrical activity in the addicted patient’s brain is typically caused by inherited or acquired biochemical and hormonal deficiencies.

The changes on estrogen levels in midlife causes hormonal imbalance in women and therefore for there to be a successful treatment of an addict there has to be an accurate diagnosis which is based on evaluation of neurotransmitter and hormonal and brain scan research.  By normalizing the underlying biochemical and electrical imbalance drug and alcohol craving can be stopped. There is also need to identify the specific brain chemical and hormonal deficiencies as this will allow for more effective diagnosis of the root cause of the patient’s craving, thus eliminating alcohol and drug addictions.

Addictions that are common in the middle age population can be eliminated by correcting hormonal imbalances.  As women approach menopause the decline in estrogen takes charge however the decline in progesterone hormone normally begins eight years earlier before estrogen begins to decline. It is important to note that the decline in hormones is a gradual process. The drop in levels of progesterone hormone in women will result in such experiences as anxiety and insomnia. Other clinical studies that were done at the Florida Detox & Wellness Institute have shown that the progesterone decline phenomenon is a common etiology of alcohol and drug abuse, which causes over 40 percent of our addicted middle age females.

The biochemical explanation for the increased anxiety experienced by midlife females is that suboptimal progesterone levels occurring in the presence of normal estradiol levels cause an increase in brain electrical activity. Progesterone essentially is a brain relaxing hormone because it converts to another hormone, allopregnanolone. This metabolite of progesterone, allopregnanolone, activates the same relaxing nerve receptor, the GABA-A receptor, as does Valium, Xanax and alcohol.

Estrogen ImbalanceThere is need for balance between the GABA activity and the estradiol production in the body. When there is a loss in GABA activity as a result of dropping progesterone levels a person will develop excess electrical activity in both, their central and peripheral nervous system. This phenomenon occurs because estradiol enhances the excitatory brain chemicals, dopamine and histamine. Their excitatory effect on brain electricity should be counter balanced with the GABA effect of progesterone. The new onset progesterone deficient middle aged female experiences newfound anxiety and insomnia that frequently precipitates the need for relaxing medication which ultimately causes subsequent addiction issues.

Women who have low levels of progesterone hormone will begin using alcohol and other drugs to relax their brain. When this happens, alcohol, just like Valium will activates the GABA-A receptor. This will make them drink more of alcohol increasing the units they take as time goes by as the wine will cease to be just a drink to her but a medication.

The effect of estrogen progesterone imbalance as well as other brain chemicals in causing addiction has been proved beyond any reasonable doubt and it is therefore very important for every addiction patient to ask for hormonal evaluation and restoration when receiving any addiction treatment.

Finally, if you are battling with addiction and is interested in the long lasting, effective addiction treatment therapy please call 843-213-1480 or contact Dr. Dalal Akoury is an experienced doctor who will be able to help you.

The Effect of Estrogen Imbalances in the Disease of Addiction

 

Related articles
Facebooktwitterpinterestlinkedin

Ketogenic Diet and Cancer

August 1, 2014

The Role of Calorie Restriction, Amino Acid Restriction, Carbohydrate Restriction And The Ketogenic Diet

It is good to appreciate this fact; just like any other normal, healthy body cell, cancer cells also need reliable supply of nutrients to keep living. The best cancer cure that can kill the cancerous cells without affecting the normal cells would be to starve them. Basing our arguments on past research works that have investigated how the cancer cell survives it will be easier to alter diets to ensure that their best sources of nutrients are cut. However in the past it was never easy to starve the cancerous cells while ensuring that the normal healthy cells are well supplied with the nutrients as well as oxygen that are needed in metabolism by the healthy cells. The researchers have tried all experiments to find ways of killing the cancer cells by starving them while leaving the nutrient supplies to the healthy cells unaffected. One of the findings that may help this approach work is that cancer cells depend entirely on glucose to survive. The healthy body cells however can find other sources of nutrients in case the glucose supply is interrupted. Because of this loophole plus others, cancer doctors have developed dietary manipulations that can help in curbing cancer and increase survival rates to those battling with cancer.

Some of the dietary manipulations have proved to be very effective in fighting cancer while others are still not well understood. The researchers are still working on other dietary approaches to cancer treatment and we can only hope that sooner or later we will be able to treat cancer more safely with these dietary approaches. Some of the dietary manipulations that are popularly used in cancer treatment include;

Ketogenic Diet and cancer

A ketogenic diet features high quality proteins and healthy fats while it eliminates all but non-starchy vegetable carbohydrates. The logic behind the ketogenic diet is that: since cancer cells need glucose to survive and the carbohydrates turn to glucose in the body, reducing the amount of carbohydrates in your body starves the cancer cells. Just like cancer cells, the healthy cells rely on glucose but are flexible enough to turn to ketone bodies for energy unlike the cancer cells that suffer defects that deny them this flexibility to turn to ketone sources of energy. This is a loophole that has been used by doctors to kill the cancer cell without affecting the healthy cells.

The ketogenic diet also minimizes the mTOR pathway that enhances cell proliferation. This diet that restricts all starchy vegetable carbohydrates but advocates for healthy fats and high quality is a better way to kill the cancer cells and should be adopted by anybody not only to treat cancer but as a daily feeding lifestyle as it is an ideal fat burning diet.

Dr. Dalal Akoury is one of the sought after integrative cancer doctors that can help in personalizing even the dietary manipulations to suit you cancer therapy. She has personalized ketogenic cancer treatment for many cancer patients and you may consider seeking her for the same.

Calorie restriction and cancer

Cancer patients who have reduced their calories intake respond better to treatment and are mostly victorious in their fight against cancer. This is a fact that has been supported by many research findings. When calories consumption is reduced, expression of certain proteins that foster cancer cells survival will be inhibited. Basically eating calories results in the calories being broken down to provide energy for building of proteins so when calorie intake is restricted there will be slowed rate of metabolism and the functions of  most proteins will be inhibited. The researchers have also found out that reducing calories intake will help in minimizing over expression of Mcl-1 which is the protein linked to formation and growth of cancer cells.

As I have said glucose is the sole energy for cancer that if restricted then the cancer cells will be starved to death. In this approach sugar is replaced by another energy source; fat, which will help healthy cells but leave the cancer cells with no energy source to keep living. The cancerous cells lack the flexibility to feed on fat as with the healthy cells hence they will starve to death in absence of glucose.

Amino acid restriction and cancer

Amino acids are vital building blocks in our bodies and the cancerous cells are dependent on the amino acids for growth. Two of the amino acids these are phenylalanine and tyrosine have an ability to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Most cancer cells are dependent on these two amino acids but melanomas, breast cancer and prostate cancer are greatly affected by restriction of these two amino acids. When the amino acids are restricted the growth of cancer cells is inhibited greatly. Restriction of amino acids has also induced apoptosis on many cancer cells. A research that was led by Dr. Meadows who is the Director of the Cancer Prevention & Research Center at Washington State University showed that amino acid restriction can be a very valid alternative cancer treatment.

Carbohydrate Restriction and cancer

DietCarbohydrates are a major source of glucose and the cancer cells solely depend on the glucose for their survival. The cancer cells need more of the glucose than the healthy cells. When there are lots of carbohydrates in the diet the cancer cells are poised to grow and spread even faster. Since the cancer cells can only survive on the glucose when the carbohydrates are restricted they will not find enough glucose to feed on and will therefore starve to death. The normal cells are able to adapt to other sources of energy like fats in the body.

Dr. Dalal Akoury has been helpful to many cancer patients by availing personalized treatment. He has vast experience in integrative cancer treatment and will use this experience to get the best cancer treatment that will not leave you with severe side effects. Call on her for consultations.

The Role of Calorie Restriction, Amino Acid Restriction, Carbohydrate Restriction And The Ketogenic Diet

 

Related articles
Facebooktwitterpinterestlinkedin

  • Recent Posts

  • Blog Categories