Category Archives: Outpatient Addiction Treatment for Primary Care

Sexual Abuse, Rape and Female Sex Addiction: The Link

Role of Sexual Abuse and Rape on Female Sex Addiction

Sex addiction is real and today very many people are enslaved to its chains, rummaging through life looking for all and every viable point of egress from this monster but to no avail. The reality however is that of all those who are already victims the fight against it is just as fierce as any other against other known addictions.  it is quite unfortunate that the dangers of sex addiction or the very existence  of this phenomenon is still overlooked, this is probably because most the people  affected by sex addiction are women who are not ready to expose themselves as sex addicts and look for help; the society can be blamed for this, women have been associated with all the wrong reasons, called derogatory names in relation to their sexuality so it no surprise that most of them will endure all the problems that come with sex addiction in silence. It is quite unfortunate that most of the people who are sex addicts do not even know that they are suffering from sex addiction. There are various causes of sex addiction but sexual abuse and rape have been linked to sex addiction as causative agents.

sex addiction

Though overlooked, sex addiction is a real problem that has been here to stay and will continue to cause nightmares to many people. Statistics has it that between 10% and 17% of people aged between 20- 35 years struggle with sex addiction. The frequency of sex addiction is said to be at 3% generally. Past sexual misgivings of a person may lead to sexual addiction, therapists, healers and doctors have all noted the clear correlation between sexual abuse and sex addiction. If a person got raped at a younger age, the incident will make him incapable of differentiating between healthy sexual relationship and unhealthy sexual relationship. as opposed to what many people think sexual addicts are not engaged in the act for the sake of pleasure they can get from, therapists have taught that these addicts do not even enjoy sex but use it to help numb their painful feelings that may stem from past experiences. Though the major causes of sexual abuse are sexual abuse and rape, the availability of free porn sites on the internet has fueled sex addiction. many people are able to log into these porn sites and watch the videos which further corrupts minds into believing that compulsive sexual behaviors are in fact a ‘virtue’ to be highly upheld. These videos depict sex as an act that is not borne out of love and care but rather out of compulsion.

Sex addicts may exhibit the following symptoms

  • Sexual thoughts that is obsessive.
  • having multiple sexual partners
  • prioritizing sexual intercourse even at the expense of the daily work
  • inability to stop or control the behaviors
  • linking sex to pain, most addicts believe sex have to be endured
  • having intercourse with prostitutes and minors
  • Quest for dominance and control in sexual encounters
  • feeling remorse or guilt after sex

Sexual abuse and rape are leading causes of sexual addiction.

When a child is raped, the emotional baggage will continue to haunt her for a long time into her adult hood. This trauma often leaves the mind craving for something to make up for the emptiness and feelings of bitterness that follows when a person has been sexually abused. To self-medicate most victims will turn to sex as a therapy and this compulsive sexual behavior will become a part of her life. According to Doug Weiss, a therapist and executive director of the Heart to Heart Counseling Center, 80 percent of sex addicts have been sexually abused in the past and the emotional baggage still haunts them.  These vies are also echoed by Mark Schwartz, psychologist and former director of the Masters and Johnson Institute in St. Louis, Missouri. He has observed that many people coming forward as sex addicts have been abused assaulted or raped. Dr. Schwartz opines that when a person has been raped or put through any other act of a sexual abuse in the past, she will fail to trust in other people and become more susceptible to turn to sex addiction as a manifestation. however he points out that this failure to trust people readily that makes people predisposed to sex addiction has also been shown by individuals who were neglected by parents mostly as a result of divorce or when the parents were engrossed in their professions and failed to spend time with the children.

sex addiction

It has been known that imbalances in the naturally occurring chemicals in the brain like the serotonin and dopamine can contribute to sexual problems but the relationship between these hormones and sex addiction have not been established. This according to Mayo Clinic may be because the research into the neuroscience of sex addiction has not been conclusive for the links to be drawn and established. However it has been found that these chemicals are lower in children who were sexually abused in the past and so they have to use their own bodies and sometimes food to help them boost their levels of these crucial hormones especially serotonin.

today very many people are suffering from sex addiction, the biggest problem that comes with sex addiction is that many addicts are not ready to accept what happened in the past and live in the present, most of them feel that they are to be blamed for what happened to them and hence not willing to open up and seek help. Here at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center we have enlisted sex addiction as a real threat that can only be treated through integrative medicine. Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) is an expert at this.  Call her on (843) 213-1480 for help.

Role of Sexual Abuse and Rape on Female Sex Addiction

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Essential Fatty Acids (EFAS) For Addiction Treatment

Essential Fatty Acids (EFAS) To Treat Addiction

After a prolonged use of drugs of abuse, the brain chemistry becomes altered. The brain becomes damaged. Entirely the nervous system is the target of many drugs, they inhibit the coordination between the nerves and after a long time of drug use some neurotransmitters like dopamine becomes depleted to an extent that by natural release the level of dopamine can never be enough for optimum functioning of the brain and the entire nervous system. Eventually the effect of the breakdown in communication in the nervous system is exhibited in poor health and behavioral misnomer. By the time this abnormal behavior is seen in a person the brain has become addicted to the drug of abuse that it won’t operate normally without it. This causes such feelings of anxiety and stress. However dangerous the effect of drug abuse is it is made worse with poor nutrition, stress, inflammation and excess oxidation. Drug abuse destroys nerve cells and disrupts neural circuitry. Obviously, this aggregate damage can affect behavior, mood, memory, impulse control, cognitive functioning, and decision making. Fortunately, the brain is forgiving and nerve cells can regenerate and rewiring takes place through a process known as neuroplasticity. Though psychotherapy stimulates growth and repair, healing will be compromised and slowed without the addition of critical nutrients and sound dietary practices; your choice of meals may worsen or help you overcome addiction.  Researchers have shown that eating foods that are rich in some essential fatty acids can help in treatment of addiction disease.

Essential Fatty Acids

The Essential Fatty Acids

For a long time fats in a diet have been fought for no apparent reason. Everybody is going for a low fat diet forgetting all the benefits that can be drawn from some essential fats. I am not saying that you can just eat any fat anyhow, it is just that the name fat has been associated with serious health problems like obesity and the irony is even after evading fats and going for the low fat foods, the number of people dying from obesity are still increasing. The truth however is there are unhealthy fats but also healthy fats are not extinct.

EFAS are Essential

Essential fatty acids also known as EFAS are as essential as the name suggests meaning that without them then a person’s health will be deteriorated and he will be prone to many infections. EFAs should not be avoided as they help rather than interfere with the body’s metabolic function and significantly aid in weight loss. Unlike the unhealthy fats that you are always told to sweat off, these essential fatty acids will help to build your fuel-burning metabolic machinery. So eating these fats can actually help you become leaner and healthier as they provide your body with adequate energy to keep the cells nourished and rejuvenated. And establishing a proper ratio and intake of EFAs will reap you other major benefits as well, including increased athletic performance and better mood and brain function which are known to be deficient in most addicts.

There are three main EFA substances that work together to promote health. The first is omega-3 fatty acid, or alpha-linolenic acid. The second is omega-6 fatty acid, or linolenic acid. When these EFAS are taken in the right ratios they will help the body the producing other important derivatives like the omega-9 fatty acids. The other group of EFAS include these substances that are also very essential for cognitive functions and general wellbeing, they are; lecithin, carotene, chlorophyll and vitamin E, among others they are important for their valid health contributions.

The most commonly EFA associated with its ability in addiction treatment is Omega-3 fatty acid. Omega-3 fatty acids are one of three categories of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) important in human biology. The other two PUFA categories are omega-6, and omega-9 fatty acids. . Some drugs of abuse such as tobacco have been found to be a major cause of peroxidation that is why most cigarette smokers are having low levels of omega- 3 fatty acids. When the levels of omega-3 PUFAs are low, the neurogenerative process is accelerated leading to slowed nervous transmission in mesocortical areas of the brain, disrupting pathways involved in reward and punishment. As a result, the craving for nicotine is reinforced, interfering with smoking cessation therapy. While this mechanism constitutes a vicious cycle, a group of Israeli researchers found that omega-3 supplementation can bring the cycle to an end.

Essential Fatty Acids

EFAS contribution to cell energy goes a long way in helping in addiction treatment. Most addicts suffer since their mitochondria have been severely affected to an extent that production of energy needed by the body is altered. By enriching the body with energy such withdrawal effects like anxiety, depression and stress can be effectively taken care of.

For addicts who are low on these EFAS it is advisable to supply sufficient omega 3 fatty acids from fish oils, nuts, flaxseed each day for nerve cell repair and maintenance. These essential fatty acids are critical to nerve cell receptors because they make the membrane more flexible to capture the chemical messengers known as neurotransmitters. Fats make up 60% of the brain’s dry weight and the majority of this fat is an omega 3 called docosohexanoic acid (DHA). Fats also speed up the transfer of electrical information by severing as insulation (myelin sheath) for the brain’s wiring system, it is therefore necessary to supplement the EFAS during addiction treatment.

Lastly, Here at AWAREmed we are dedicated to finding the best solutions to addiction and dependence on substances. We are located at Myrtle Beach. Contact Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) for help.

Essential Fatty Acids (EFAS) To Treat Addiction

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Inflammatory Neurodegenerative Disorders

Adipose Derived Stem Cells to Treat Inflammatory Neurodegenerative Disorders

There are very many neurodegenerative disorders that we humans have to battle with. Some of these neurodegenerative disorders are inflammatory. Inflammation is a common feature in some neurodegenerative diseases such Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and multiple sclerosis. Microglial cells, the resident macrophages of the central nervous system, become chronically activated and mediate pathology inducing inflammatory responses. This inflammation may be initiated as an immune response and while it does not cause the disease, it has been shown to aggravate the progression of the inflammatory neurodegenerative diseases. Contrary to what many people think, inflammation does not initiate neurodegenerative disease but there is evidence that chronic inflammation involving microglia and astrocytes contribute to disease progression. The inflammatory response has been implicated in Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and MS. Currently, a major question is whether inhibition of the inflammatory response has the ability to reverse or slow the symptoms of disease.

Typically, inflammation is a defense mechanism against diverse insults, designed to remove noxious agents and to inhibit their detrimental effects. It consists of an astounding range of molecular and cellular mechanisms and an intricate network of controls to keep them in check. In neurodegenerative diseases, inflammation may be triggered by the accumulation of proteins with abnormal conformations or by signals emanating from injured neurons. Given the multiple functions of many inflammatory factors, it has been difficult to pinpoint their roles in specific pathological situations. Studies of genetically modified mice and of molecular pathways in activated glia are beginning to shed light on this issue. Through different studies it has been found that altered expression of different inflammatory factors can either aggravate or counteract neurodegenerative processes. Normally, inflammation should be beneficial but for some reasons inflammation in neurodegenerative disorders can form grounds for aggravation of these neurodegenerative disorders and so a viable means of treatment that should suppress inflammation and inhibit progression of these disorders should be utilized to help in treatment of these inflammatory neurodegenerative disorders.

Adipose Derived Stem Cells

Inflammation and Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. According to a new study, there are markers of inflammation in the cerebrospinal fluid that protects the brain and spine from injury. This study linked these markers to symptoms like fatigue, depression and anxiety in patients with Parkinson’s disease and it is hoped that this discovery may make the treatment of this disease much easier.

This study was led by Lena Brundin who is an associate professor at the College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University. This research was carried out as part of a team from Lund University in Sweden, Skåne University Hospital in Sweden and the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Jacksonville, Florida. The team measured a number of inflammatory markers in fluid samples of patients with Parkinson’s and in a control group without the disease.

“The degree of neuroinflammation was significantly associated with more severe depression, fatigue, and cognitive impairment even after controlling for factors such as age, gender and disease duration.” Prof. Brundin told the press.

However this is not the first study to link brain inflammation to Parkinson’s disease, there are previous studies that have linked it to non-motor symptoms like depression, fatigue and cognitive impairment. These past studies have indicated that inflammation in the brain could drive cell death, and drugs that target this process could offer new treatments to slow progression of the disease. For instance, a study published as far back as 2007 suggested that brain cell death in Parkinson’s may be reduced by blocking enzyme activity.

According to Prof. Brundin most of these previous studies looking at inflammatory markers in the cerebrospinal fluid of Parkinson’s patients have involved only small numbers of patients, often without comparing them to healthy controls. Despite this view, it is still evident that brain inflammation still has a role to play in aggravating neurodegenerative disorders.

Inflammation and Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the Central Nervous System that is characterized by demyelination and inflammation. In a nutshell, MS is often described as an inflammatory demyelinating condition. Myelin is a layer of fatty that covers the nerves maintaining their health and flexibility. It is demyelination that causes spasms that are common with MS patients.

Adipose Derived Stem Cells

Adipose derived stem cell therapy for these inflammatory neurodegenerative disorders

Owing to the ability of the stem cells to differentiate many times and form different body cells, they have been used in the past to regenerate or better yet to replace damaged cells in the body and this has made them a target for treatment of vey many conditions, including neurodegenerative disorders.

The stem cell therapy is now being used to grow dopamine producing nerve cells in laboratories to aid the treatment of this disease. The stem cells are majorly used in the labs when the genetic cause of the disease is known. The disease destroys cells but through stem cells therapy, the damaged cells can be replaced by healthy new cells of the same type. There are also researchers who have since done extensive work in applicability of stem cell therapy in treating PD. through research it has been shown that by releasing various kinds of noxious factors such as cytokines or proinflammatory molecules microglia may damage CNS cells. The stem cell therapy can be used to restore the parts of the nervous system that are destroyed as a result of release of cytokines in inflammatory neurodegenerative disorders.

Finally, Neurodegenerative disorders have debilitating effects on patients and should be fought by all means. This is why we at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center are committed to availing help to patients by availing integrative and safe treatment options to all our patients. In case you are troubled by any of these disorders, just call on Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) today and begin your journey to victory against neurodegenerative disorders

Adipose Derived Stem Cells to Treat In Inflammatory Neurodegenerative Disorders

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The Relationship Between Addiction and Adrenal Fatigue

Addiction Causes Adrenal Fatigue

Addiction is a serious problem, addiction is the genesis of many health issues and it is even complicated to know that it is one of the wars that few people win. In the past addiction to drugs and other substances have been linked to myriads of diseases such as cancer, diabetes and other neurodegenerative disorders. This explains why addicts are not always on the good side of health, when a person is addicted to drugs and alcohol he will begin to feel sick, generally an addict is never in good health and that is why most of them may have certain strange behaviors such as irritability and even slurred speech. The reason for this is that when a person takes drugs that are rewarding in nature he will be compelled to increase the doses day by day so as to get the euphoric feeling they seek in drugs. Even the drugs that are used in pain management like the opiates have specified dosages beyond the patient will not only get addicted to the drug but will suffer other diseases that come with overdose of such drugs. Drugs of abuse majorly affect the neurotransmitter and this will be extended to the central nervous system (CNS) which is composed of the brain and the spinal cord. The brain is the engine that drives all the activities in the body of every human being but these drugs will interfere with chemical balances in the brain making it unable to perform normally. In some instance even the neurotransmitters that work to transmit signals so as to provoke certain necessary responses may get debilitated hence everything will be messed up. As expected when the neurotransmitters are affected and the entire nervous system is adversely altered then the proper coordination within the nervous system is tampered with and this is what causes a series of health complications.

Adrenal Fatigue

Recently researchers have shown that substance addiction may be linked to adrenal fatigue. Adrenal Fatigue refers to a stress-related condition that is suffered when the adrenal glands, hypothalamus and pituitary gland are functioning below their optimal level. Adrenal gland is the source of various neurotransmitters that are very vital in our nervous systems. These neurotransmitters include; cortisol, DHEA and epinephrine. These neurotransmitters are used to regulate your heart rate, immune system, energy storage and improve the general health and stability. When the adrenal glands have malfunctioned and fail to release these neurotransmitters in good amount then it will not be easy for any individual to have good health.  It is suspected that prolonged stress on the adrenal glands is what causes adrenal fatigue.

Some drugs of pleasure not only affect the dopamine but also the release of other neurotransmitters like adrenaline which is the fight or flight neurotransmitter. Even an addiction to caffeine does this. Ralph T. Golan, ND, in his book, Herbal Defense explains how using caffeine for prolonged periods can exhaust your adrenals:  “Caffeine forces your glands to secrete when they don’t have much left to give, and they have to keep digging deeper and deeper, making you more and more tired over time. And over the years, it takes more and more coffee to get the same result. Some people reach the point of drinking half a dozen or more cups of coffee to get the same result and it’s barely keeping them awake. That’s severe adrenal depletion.”

Role of adaptogens in addiction

Adaptogens are herbs that help in enhancing your immunity and ability to deal with stress, anxiety trauma, and even fatigue. Some adaptogens have been used as anti-aging herbs and have been found to have a capacity to rejuvenate the body and aid longevity. They also work to correct defects that the body is subjected to as a result of long term use of drugs of abuse.

Siberian Ginseng also known as Eleutherococcus senticosus root. This adaptogen is known for its ability to combat lack of appetite, correct insomnia, and improve memory. Siberian ginseng also increases mental alertness that is known to be lacking in those who have been addicted to substance use for quite a long time. This adaptogens also helps in healing nervous disorders and enhances energy. This adaptogens increases the body’s ability to adapt to metabolic stress and helps in recovery from substance abuse.

American Ginseng also known Panax quinquefolius root. American Ginseng is known to be a superior tonic herb with an immense ability to strengthen metabolism and the entire endocrine system. Like other species of Ginseng, the American ginseng also has adaptogenic properties, and is quite useful for the recovering addict. American Ginseng combines well with Siberian Ginseng and can be used together to heal an addict.

Adrenal Fatigue

Astragalus, also known as Astragalus membranaceous root. This adaptogens helps in promoting overall body function by strengthening digestion among other core benefits.  This herb can be used to help in restoring energy and balance the immune system in recovering addicts. It is good for some of the withdrawal symptoms of addiction like stress, colds and even chronic fatigue syndrome. It is also safe and be taken on a daily basis without it having negative side effects.

Tulsi, also known as Holy Basil. In the past this herb was used for treating such illnesses as stomach upsets and bronchitis. This herb has been found to be effective also in reducing stress that most addicts battle with. It has been found to reduce mental confusion that is common with most addicts using cannabis.

Here at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center we are committed to availing the best integrative approaches to treatment of diseases. We advocate for dietary as well as natural healing to diseases wherever possible. Visit as at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina where Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) will be of help.

Addiction Causes Adrenal Fatigue

 

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Adipose Derived Stem Cells and Brain Regenerative Addiction

Adipose Derived Stem Cells for Brain Regenerative Addiction

Addiction to drugs is known for their adverse health effects. After using drugs for a long time a person’s health become deteriorated leading to myriads of complications. The part of the body that is the most adversely affected is the brain. The brain and the entire nervous system are subjected to lots of damage after a long use of drugs of abuse. The brain works together with the neurotransmitters to pass messages in order to initiate certain responses but after along use of drugs of abuse the coordination between them becomes altered. Neurotransmitters are very crucial in the nervous system. They are the chemicals that transmit messages from one nerve cell to another. Nerve cells are known as neurons. The nerve impulse travels from the first nerve cell through the axon, a single smooth body arising from the nerve cell to the axon terminal and the synaptic knobs. Each synaptic knob communicates with a dendrite or cell body of another neuron, and the synaptic knobs contain neurovesicles that store and release neurotransmitters. The synapse lies between the synaptic knob and the next cell. For the impulse to continue traveling across the synapse to reach the next cell, the synaptic knobs release the neurotransmitter into that space, and the next nerve cell is stimulated to pick up the impulse and continue it. An interference with the neurotransmitters can adversely affect the flow of message within the nervous system. After prolonged use of drugs they interfere with the harmonious flow of information from the brain to the rest of the body maiming its normal functions. There are myriads of neurotransmitters that are affected by prolonged use of drugs of pleasure.

Adipose Derived Stem Cells

Some of the neurotransmitters that are adversely affected during addiction

Dopamine is one of the neurotransmitters that are highly targeted by drugs of pleasure. Due to the ‘high’ feelings it is associated with, some people have called it the ‘bliss neurotransmitter’. It is responsible for good feeling, the euphoric feelings that drug addicts seek from various drugs of abuse. Dopamine has great influence on well-being, alertness, learning, creativity, attention and concentration. Levels of dopamine should be optimal in the brain since when the level of dopamine is low it can leave us craving food, sex or stimulation. When the dopamine level is too high it can cause addictive behaviors. It has been observed that patients who are put on medications to boost dopamine level especially the Parkinson’s patient, they will form an addictive behavior like gambling when the levels of dopamine shoots beyond the optimal level. Dopamine boosts the feelings of pleasure but when the levels are too high it may result in Paranoia or a suspicious personality. Dopamine is also released when there is high stress. Therefore the level of dopamine should be regulated to ensure sound health. This is where the functions of inhibitory neurotransmitters set in, however with influence of drugs this coordination between excitatory neurotransmitters and inhibitory neurotransmitters is maimed.

Some drugs of pleasure contain nicotine which influences mood, cognition, and body function by binding to and activating nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) located on neurons in the brain. When activated by either nicotine or the endogenous neurotransmitter acetylcholine, the nAChR opens a channel that allows ions to pass through the neuron’s membrane from the exterior to the interior of the cell and trigger changes that activate the cell. When you take tobacco or other drug with nicotine the nicotine will have interactions with nAChRs and therefore any nicotine dependence treatment should focus on altering these interactions.

Nicotine produces rewarding effects by interacting with nAChRs on neurons in the brain’s mesolimbic reward system. This system comprises dopaminergic neurons that originate in the ventral tegmental area often shortened as VTA and release the neurotransmitter dopamine in regions involved in information processing, memory, and emotions, such as the nucleus accumbens (NAc), hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex (PFC). Increases in dopamine levels within the mesolimbic system give rise to rewarding effects. Nicotine directly enhances dopamine levels in the mesolimbic system by interacting with nAChRs on the dopaminergic neurons and causing them to release more of the neurotransmitter. Nicotine also modulates dopamine release indirectly by binding to nAChRs located on excitatory glutamatergic and inhibitory gamma aminobutyric acid (GABAergic) neurons in the ventral tegmental area. These glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons originate from a number of brain areas, such as the NAc, hippocampus, PFC, amygdala, ventral pallidum, and pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus, and regulate the activity of dopaminergic neurons.

Adipose Derived Stem Cells

Using Adipose derived stem cells to restore the health of the brain

As explained above the brain chemistry is adversely altered after prolonged use of drugs of abuse and these calls for restoration and regeneration of the brain during addiction treatment. Today researchers have found that adipose derived stem cells can be used in regenerating and restoring the neurotransmitters that are affected during drug addiction. The stem cells can be used to create healthy cells in situations where drugs have damaged cells. This can be done by taking healthy stem cells and transplanting them into the nervous system through an IV. Through this doctors can cause changes in brain and body chemical compositions that offer a key to healing problems such as alcoholism and drug addiction. The healthy stem cells are capable of changing the chemical composition of our brains and how the brain works. When healthy stem cells are transplanted into the damaged brain area. In the case of drugs; the area of the brain that controls impulses and chemical reactions to substances they begin to rebuild that area without the previous cellular dysfunction. This means that brain functions that facilitate addiction will be done with.  Stem cells are the best remedy as they are new and have no mutations that therefore restore the affected areas to equilibrium and facilitating whole-body healing of the addict.

Here at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center we are committed to availing the best integrative approaches to treatment of diseases. We advocate for dietary as well as natural healing to diseases wherever possible. Visit as at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina where Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) will be of help.

Adipose Derived Stem Cells for Brain Regenerative Addiction

 

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