Category Archives: best-addiction-treatment-education

Herbal Remedies to Fight Addiction

August 13, 2014

Embracing Herbal Remedies For Addiction

What Is Herbal Remedy?

It is also known as herbal medication. It is a medication system based on the plants or extracts from plants. These plants or extracts have been used for many years by different cultures and they are still in use. The herbal medicine has been preferred by many due to the fact that it has little or no residual effects and they have flexibility in the mode in which they are administered.

Why is herbal medicine considered helpful in addiction recovery?

When a person becomes addicted, he/she may be left with decreased immunity, sometimes a shot nervous system and even a badly damaged spirit. The herbal medicine seeks to address the problem of addictions by using herbs which can:

  • Be able to address the mind/body system damages or alterations
  • Perform the task of Detoxifying the body from the addictive substance (in this case using blood-cleansing herb)
  • Effectively neutralize the stress response as well as strengthening the adrenal glands
  • Effectively Promote feelings of relaxation and keep you from tense moods.
  • Reduce the levels of anxiety `
  • Be able to promote good digestion and absorption

Which herbal medication is helpful in addiction recovery?

The process of recovering from addiction is complex. The understanding of the addiction causation is vital for the process to be successful. This knowledge helps when one wants to assess the damage which may have been caused by the addiction and hence be able to address it.

In this article, we are looking at the various herbs which can help you in the process of recovering, by combating the symptoms of the addiction and cooling down the craving for the addictive substance. The following are some herbs which have proven effective in the whole process or some point of the recovery process.

  • Passiflora or passion flower: passion flower is a perennial vine which has been used for medicinal value for many years. It is particularly very useful in the recovery from addiction. It works by increasing the activity of the GABA system in the brain. It works similarly to another compound known as benzodiazepines, but unlike it, passion flower medicine doesn’t cause addiction. This medication is commonly used to treat the opiate drugs withdrawal effects since it has capacity to calm the jittery and agitated nervous system. Additionally, this medication can be used for treatment of anxiety, insomnia, asthma, the menopause related symptoms, ADHD, Pains, high blood pressure, seizure, just to mention a few. Passion Flower is considered most effective when administered combined with Valerian and other nerviness.

Herbal Remedies

  • Scullcap This is a broad spectrum nervine tonic. The herb has been successfully used the treatment in the cases of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and headaches. Scullcap is one of the preferred herbs used in the easing of withdrawal symptoms during the recovery period. Scullcap naturally contains large amounts of flavonoids which act as anti-inflammatory agents. This is a property which is useful in the recovery period.
  • Rhodiola: This fabulous herb is important in the process of addiction recovery, due to its ability to stimulate serotonin and dopamine production. These chemicals are very important in our bodies and they should be maintained in the correct levels. Rhodiola herbs maintain the levels of these chemical at the right levels.
  • St John’s Wort : St John’s wort is a very special herb used for drug detoxification. When used in the recovery process, it serves two useful purposes: the first purpose is that it stimulates serotonin production helping depression and insomnia and then secondly it’s a powerful detoxifier of drugs from the liver hence preventing liver damage.
  • Valerian : this is yet another strong nervine. The extracts from this herb have been used for centuries especially in Europe to resolve cases of insomnia, nervous disorders, anxiety and depression. For patients who have a history of cocaine and/or alcohol, this is a useful herb when it comes to recovery. It can also be used to treat people with nervous disorders.
  • Chamomile: This herb is commonly used for mild relaxation as well as in improving the digestion. It is made up from two compounds, azulene and guaiazulene. These two compounds have shown to stimulate growth of liver tissue in rats during experimentations. This herb may be very helpful when prepared as a homeopathic remedy.
  • Milk Thistle. This herb is very useful when the addiction had caused severe damage on the liver. The herb has depicted remarkable healing properties for the liver. A recent research done in Europe has shown that it is effective in treating diseases such as cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis, and alcohol induced fatty liver. The extracts of Milk Thistle have hepato-protective properties, which is the property helpful in protecting the liver cells from damage by environmental and internal toxins. This herb can be administered in variety of form, either as a liquid extract, tablet, or capsule.

Herbal Remedies

  • Dandelion : This herb is very common in Europe and it is known to be an excellent liver detoxifier and mild diuretic. It improves the liver’s health by increasing the flow of bile and encouraging both the transformation and transportation of nutrients. It has been used in many areas of the world historically to treat liver disorders, arthritis and gout.

These are not the only herbs which can be used in the recovery process, there are a more good number of herbs being used to facilitate addiction recovery. The appropriate herbs for your recovery will be prescribed to you by a professional. The worldwide site which has proven professionals who can help you recover from any addiction is the awaremednetwork.com. If you need help on recovery you just need to call or visit awaremed wellness and resource center.

Embracing Herbal Remedies For Addiction

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Are there any Remedies for Serotonin Disturbances And Addiction Treatment?

August 12, 2014

Natural Remedies For Serotonin Disturbances And Addiction Treatment

What is serotonin?

This is a chemical which acts as a neurotransmitter. It helps in relays of signals from one region of the brain to the other. Serotonin is normally created from a biochemical conversion process in which it combines tryptophan, a protein component, with tryptophan hydroxylase which is a chemical reactor. When combined together they form 55-hydroxyltryptamine (5-HT), the substance which is also referred to as serotonin. This compound is sometimes considered to be a hormone, though looking at its functionality it actually reassembles a neurotransmitter.

Where does serotonin originate?

Serotonin is normally manufactured in the brain and in the intestines. It can be found in platelets and the central nervous system though majority of them are found in the gastrointestinal tract. It is important to note that serotonin cannot cross the blood-brain barriers and hence the serotonin that is used in the brain must be produced from within the brain.

serotonin syndrome

Serotonin is believed to be an important chemical that plays role in the body psychological functions such as mood and social behavior, sleep, memory, sexual desire among many others.

What causes serotonin syndrome?

This is a potentially serious drug interaction which occurs due to excessive accumulation of serotonin in the brain. This condition usually occurs when a given medication is started or increased. In most cases it occurs when two medications are taken together.

Normally, serotonin is produced by mind to help in regulation of activities such as digestion, blood flow, breathing and body temperatures. Medication that is normally prescribed to the addicted persons especially those intended to treat depression, pains, headache etc. if taken together they have been proven to cause this condition. Due to these side effects, we need to use more friendly methods in the treatment of addiction as well as when restoring serotonin.

What are the natural remedies for serotonin syndrome?

The natural ways of increasing the levels of serotonin and hence causing balance and treating the symptoms of serotonin can be achieved naturally by use of supplements. There are a number of supplements which through researches have been proven to work effectively in the increasing of serotonin levels in the body. Let’s now look at some of these supplements:-

  • 5-HTP – our bodies manufactures 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) from tryptophan and then converts it into serotonin. A supplement of this compound can be taken directly into the body in the form of 5-HTP. This supplement is absorbed into the body easily and is able to cross the blood-brain barriers unlike serotonin, and where after crossing the barriers it gets converted into serotonin. 5-HTP has been confirmed clinically to have stronger serotonin support than the other related compound, (L-tryptophan). It can therefore be very effective in the treatment of sleep disorders, depression as well as eating and panic disorders.

How is it taken? This supplement works best when taken while the stomach is empty between 3:00 – 4:00pm and again during bedtime. The dose should be started at low, preferably at 50mg and then gradually increased with time, until the point that is most appropriate.

  • L-Tryptophan – this is an amino acid which is required by the body in the process of synthesizing serotonin. Conversion of L-tryptophan to serotonin is a two-step process and in the process, 5-HTP is synthesized as an intermediate step. When L-tryptophan is used as a supplement, it enhances the synthesis of serotonin and also increases the levels of serotonin in the body. This supplement is generally considered to be gentle on the body than 5-HTP. It has been therefore used in the treatment of un-depressed, healthy people to be able to process information in a more positive way.

serotonin syndrome

How is it administered? Since this is a more light supplement than 5-HTP, its dosage is higher than that of 5-HTP. For optimum dosage, 3000 to 6000mg of the supplement is recommended per day. Just like with 5-HTP, the supplement best works when taken while the stomach is empty and thus it should be taken when one has not taken food for the previous one or two hours. The dosage can be incremented but this change must be gradual starting from a low dose.

  • SAM-e – this refers to S-edenosyl methionine, which is produced from amino acids. It is present in all the body cells and it is an essential component in many reactions. One of these reactions in which it is required is in the synthesis of serotonin. This supplement has been used for over 30years in the treatment of depression.
  • Saint John’s Wort – this is a natural medication which is obtained from an extract of the plant know as Saint John’s Wort. The extracts of this plant are known to exert their anti-depressant actions through inhibition of the reuptake of serotonin as well as norepinephrine and dopamine. This makes more of neurotransmitters available in the brain. This play an important role in the well-being of the person.

How is it administered? Just like the other supplements it works better when taken with the stomach empty. The optimal dosage rate per day is 600 – 1200mg, of the standardized herbal extract which contains around 0.3% hypericin.

Natural Remedies For Serotonin Disturbances And Addiction Treatment

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Giving Your Mitochondrial Health a boost by IV NAD

August 11, 2014

Restoring Mitochondrial Health by IV NAD

What are mitochondria?

They are membrane bound organelles which are found in most of the cells (eukaryotic cells) that make up living things. They are also sometimes termed to as the powerhouses.

Why are mitochondria vital in our bodies?

Mitochondrial HealthAs we have just mentioned, mitochondria are also referred to as powerhouse due to the functions that they do in our bodies. Their main work is to generate the energy that our body cells require in order to execute their jobs. One of such cells which need a lot of energy is the brain cells. The brain cells are responsible for the communication to all the other parts of the body and thus these mitochondria must be transported along the cells.

Mitochondria generate chemical energy similarly to the one we normally get from batteries. This energy which is generated by the mitochondria in the form of chemical is referred to as Adenosine Triphosphate or simply ATP. This is an energy currency that every ling thing cell can use and this is what makes it possible for us to be kept alive.

What are mitochondrial diseases?

These are diseases which result from the failure of mitochondria. As we already know, mitochondria are responsible for supplying energy to the cells. Mitochondria themselves are present in all the cells except in the red blood cells. They produce about 90 of the energy that the cells use. In the case when the mitochondria fails to work, then the energy that the cells get decline and consequently cell injury or even cell death follow. If the process occurs all over the body, then the whole system fails and the life of the person in which it is happening becomes threatened.

These mitochondrial diseases commonly cause damage on critical organs such as the brain, heart, skeletal muscles, kidney and sometimes the respiratory system.

Symptoms of a mitochondrial disease watch out for

The symptoms of a mitochondrial disease vary depending with the cells that are affected. Generally they may include the following:-

  • There may be loss in motor control
  • Muscle weakness and pain may also be another symptom
  • Visual or hearing impairment, especially if their system cells are the ones affected.
  • Gastro-intestinal disorders & Swallowing difficulties may be evident when the respiratory cells are affected.
  • Another symptom of mitochondrial disease is poor growth, since for growth to occur, cell multiplication must occur and it is a process that requires a lot of energy.
  • The victim may also become diabetic
  • Cardiac disease
  • Liver disease
  • Respiratory infection
  • Seizure among many other symptoms.

Which principle is used in mitochondrial restoration?

Mitochondrial HealthMitochondrial restoration is a natural process that seeks to restore the various body organs which have been previously cellularly affected to their normal working state. The mitochondrial restoration targets the organs that have been affected by the decline in energy supply and hence whose functional capacity has been also been affected and then restores its functional state.

Mitochondrial treatment involves measures that restore cells to their normal working condition by ensuring they get the energy necessary for them to function. These measures involve ensuring that there are sufficient mitochondria in the body and they are working correctly. Therefore, the treatment seeks to eliminate the cause of mitochondrial failure which had previously occurred.

Why is IV NAD preferred in mitochondrial restoration treatment?

What is NAD? NAD refers to Nicotinamide adenine Dinucleotide, which is a metabolic co-enzyme responsible for every aspect of life. There are basically two classes of these co-enzymes, digestive and metabolic enzymes. NAD treatment bases on the metabolic enzyme, as this enzymes are responsible for restructuring, repair and remodeling of the cells. The metabolic enzyme provide an advantage in that they operate in every cell, every organ and every cell. NAD is essential in the production of ATP, which is the basic energy molecule in our bodies.

Advantage of IV NAD therapy in mitochondrial health restoration

As we have seen, mitochondria are very important since they are responsible for the production of energy that the cells use. When the cells do not get enough energy due to failure in mitochondria, this is a death threatening disease since it may cause all the cells to fail in their function and consequently failure in the entire systems which may pose the patient to death.

If the situation of energy deficiency occurs as a result of mitochondrial failure, this situation needs to be addressed as soon as possible. Prescription can be given to the patient in response to the situation, but this method has limitations. Some of the medications that are administered to mitochondrial failure patient are known to be habit forming and may cause dependency. This makes the patient rely on the medication on daily life and in case of withdrawal; withdrawal symptoms and craving for the drugs may follow.

IV NAD therapy is a treatment that is natural and is based on the principle that, “body has ability to heal on itself as long as the necessary conditions are maintained.” This means that even after the therapy is administered to the patient, there cannot be addiction to the drug. Another advantage is that the therapy generally contributes to the well-being of a person by ensuring the mitochondria are working correctly as well as the NAD co-enzymes.

Restoring Mitochondrial Health by IV NAD

 

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Natural Food Alternative to Adderall Treatment

August 10, 2014

Natural Food Alternative to Adderall Treatment

What is Adderall?

AdderallThis is a medication that combines amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. These are chemicals which stimulate the central nervous system by affecting the chemicals in the brain and nerves that contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control.

This medication is used in the treatment of narcolepsy and also attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It also in some instances unofficially been used to treat obesity, severe depression and sleep related disorders.

Is Adderall friendly to my body?

Despite the fact that Adderall gives a medicinal value, it may cause more harm to you than benefit, especially when you abuse it. As we had earlier mentioned, Adderall works by affecting the brain and nervous system chemicals and causing stimulation. This stimulating effect can be habit forming and hence making the drug addictive and patients resulting dependent on the drug. This medication also has side effects which may make it difficult for some people to use it for medication.

Which side effects can Adderall have?

The side effects of this medication are arguably many and they vary from one person to the other. There are also side effects which are common and others that are rare. It is advisable that whenever you are using this medication and you find that you are have any of these side effects, you should stop taking the medication and report to your doctor as soon as possible.

Some of the rare side effects may include:-

  • Burning effect and pain when one is urinating
  • The heartbeats are high and irregular
  • Un usual talking and feeling of extreme happiness or sometimes sadness
  • Hallucination or tremor feelings
  • Unusual erection, which may be painful or lasts for long which may be up to 4 hours.

Apart from these rare side effects, there are some others which have been commonly reported from the users of the drug. These may include:-

  • Prolonged dryness in mouth
  • Nausea or loss in appetite and sometimes stomach pain.
  • The person may face sleeping problems (insomnia)
  • Irregular headache, weakness and dizziness, especially shortly after the medication is administered.

Nutritional Alternative To Adderall Treatment

The main reason why a doctor will prescribe an Adderall treatment is because there will be need to increase the level of neurotransmitters in the brain. As we have seen above, one of the likely prescriptions that the doctor may give is the Adderall treatment. Unfortunately, this medication has very many side effects and it is a habit forming and hence it can cause dependency or addiction.

A better alternative is to use a medication which addresses these symptoms while leaving little or no side effects at all. The medications that have proven to qualify this point are the herbal and nutritional treatments. In this case, let’s look at how nutrition can be a good alternative to cure the symptoms of similar to those cured by Adderall.

Choline

This is a vitamin B for ADD which is soluble in water and must be consumed with the foods that we eat for our bodies to remain healthy. This vitamin is essential in our bodies as it act as a precursor in the production of neurotransmitter acetylcholine which is highly involved in the functioning of the brain.

Which are the foods which contain this Vitamin for add choline?

Researches have shown that as we grow older, the general capacity of our bodies to output choline declines and at the same time, some other factors can also contribute to this decline. This eventually results to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or sometimes narcolepsy. It is advisable therefore to eat foods that contain choline to increase the production of acetylcholine and hence improve our brain power and mental focus.

Apart from boosting the brain effects of the foods rich in vitamin for add choline; they also have numerous health benefits which includes; allowing the cells to keep functioning properly, prevention of buildup of harmful chemical in the blood known as homocysteine which is associated with osteoporosis and cardiac diseases. Finally they allow nerves communication with muscles.

Adderall Treatment

These foods rich in vitamin for add choline include: –

  • Cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and also broccoli.
  • Peanuts
  • Soybeans
  • Black and kidney beans
  • Eggs can also be another goods source of this nutrient, especially the egg York.

Sugar And Its Side Effects

Researches have been done to find out whether sugar has any effects in our bodies. The recent researches have shown that sugar is a “new tobacco”, worse than many addictive drugs we know and a secrete killer! It is argued according to the research done by Dr. Mark Hyman et al, that sugar is over eight times more addictive than cocaine.

The negative effects of sugar may include; addiction, non-alcoholic liver disease, diabete, belly fat among many other negative effects.

Foods Rich In Tyrosine, L-Phenylalanine And Tryptophan

These are amino acids also known as Aromatic amino acids. They are essential nutrients and they should be present in our diets. They are known to be precursors of neurotransmitter which is an essential chemical in our brains.

Some of the foods rich in these nutrients are:- meat, fish, soy proteins, eggs, vegetables, fruits just to mention a few.

Natural Food Alternative to Adderall Treatment

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Manage Addiction: Drug Addiction Withdrawal Diet

August 10, 2014

Drug Addiction Withdrawal Diet

What is a withdrawal diet?

A withdrawal diet refers to a program of food(s) which have been devised to counter the effects caused by the addictive drugs in the addict’s body. The nutritional values of the foods form the basis on which the diets are chosen from. These foods provide the body with ingredients which it requires to fight the effects of the drug such as craving for the drug and side effects during the period of recovering from addiction. Another important role of the diet should be to help heal the damaged parts of the body or organs.

Before a diet is devised to help in recovery from addiction, there is need to first understand the substance which is causing the addiction. This will help to assess the harm it is likely to cause in the body and the various organs likely to be affected. The most affected body organ by almost all the addictive substances is the brain. Brain controls the functioning of all the other body organs and if it is affected by the drug, the functioning of the other body parts may change. A good recovery diet should focus on the affected areas and restore them to their functional states.

How do I understand the effects of a drug addiction?

Before choosing a diet, it is important to first understand the effects that the addictive substance has to our bodies. Most of the addictive substances have two major effects on our bodies. These are:-

  • The substance itself may affect the body, due to its chemical compounds.
  • The substance addiction may cause negative lifestyle changes, such as irregular eating, poor dieting, uncontrolled consumption of the addictive substance despite negative effects it has, among other effects.

What should my diet include to help me in recovery?

In the process of recovery, you may not be able to reverse all the damage caused by the drug. The good thing though is that a good nutrition can go a long way towards rebuilding a body that is stronger, healthier and even more attractive. There are key nutrients that these foods should have, in order to be able to offer the recovering power needed. In this guide, we will look at the general important nutrients which can help you recovery from varieties of addiction from different drugs. The following are some of these nutrients:-

  • Take foods rich in protein- proteins are the building blocks for our brains. Any recovering brain should therefore be supplied with sufficient amount of proteins. In the cases when the drug has affected the liver, if not too badly damaged, quality protein can help make it work efficiently. The choice of these proteins is equally important, as you should choose proteins that are easy to digest. Such sources of easily digestible proteins are fish, poultry and beans. Apart from the easy to digest proteins, the withdraw diet must include abundant potassium. For the potassium eat lots of easiest protein to digest and
    also if you’re a vegan take a few spoons of amino acid powder with your meals. What I recommend is cooking tasty chicken vegetable soup with lots of ginger etc.
  • Take foods rich in fiber – most of the addictive substances, especially alcohol interferes with your digestive system, fiber intake is vital during recovery. Try to gradually start replacing your floor foods with whole grain foods. Foods such as brown rice, black beans, peas, artichokes and whole grain pasta will provide your body with valuable roughages for restoration of your digestive system functioning.
  • Try going decaf – it is a fact that the caffeine which is found in drinks such as sodas, tea and some other drinks is stimulating. While you are trying to recover from a stimulant addiction, it may trigger hard to resist cravings due to moods fluctuations. This makes it difficult to avoid taking the drug. It is also important to note that the stimulant found in such drugs can also be a habit forming and addictive. Avoid them!

Withdrawal Diet

  • As much as possible, avoid sugary foods and refined carbohydrates – in the same way as caffeine, sugar and refined carbohydrates can cause mood fluctuations hence causing harder to resist cravings for the substance. They also have another disadvantage in that they give your body empty calories hence making you less likely to eat nutrients that your body desperately needs.
  • Eat foods rich in antioxidants – these nutrients play a big role in restoring your immune system. They do this by protecting cells from free radical damage that can lead to cancer. Foods rich in these nutrients are fruits and vegetables. Consider including some of the following fruits in your diet:- apples, strawberries, blueberries etc, or vegetables like; broccoli, peppers, carrots etc in every daily meals.
  • If your addiction had something to do with the diet you were taking, consider a diet do-over: look back and see the damage that the addiction has caused to your body and see whether it was triggered by your diet. If the diet played a role, consider completely doing and overhaul and begin eating healthy. Ensure that you are supplying your body with the correct nutrients that it requires.

Are you struggling with recovery from addiction? Or are you an addict and you feel it’s time to seek your help? All you need to do is to call or visit: Awaremed wellness and resource center (www.awaremednetwork.com)

Drug Addiction Withdrawal Diet

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