Outpatient Addiction Treatment for Primary Care Archives - Page 4 of 43

Why medical detox is necessary to addicts

Self destructive addiction and obesity

January 24, 2017

Self destructive addiction and obesity can be installed in the life of children without them knowing the consequences ahead.

Self destructive addiction and obesity: Turning to food to cope with low self-worth

Addiction is a dependence on a substance that the affected individual feels powerless to stop. Millions around the world have addictions problems, and food addiction is among one of the most common. From the expert’s desk at AWAREmed health and wellness resource center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury MD, research has over the years established that nearly 80% of gastric bypass pre-surgical patients suffer from food addiction. These studies, along with those of other investigators, have also found that the behavioral biochemical causes and effects underlying food addiction are nearly identical to those of other self-destructive addictions. One of the most common behavioral characteristics of individuals suffering from self-destructive addictions is a feeling of not being good enough. Feelings of low self-worth may cause a poor self-image, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, a need to overachieve and an intense and chronic fear of failure.

Professionals who study addictions believe that society contributes to the development of addictions by establishing unreasonable or unreachable criteria for worthiness. The “addict” not only has negative feelings regarding self but also has failed to develop appropriate stress coping strategies. Instead of confronting life stressors directly or finding healthier ways to manage emotions such as through exercise, journaling, relaxation, spiritual care, therapy etc., the “addict” seeks to avoid unpleasant feelings by eating, drinking alcohol, smoking, using drugs, gambling and various other ways of escaping from reality.

One collaborative study found that more than 90% of pre-surgical morbidly obese patients use avoidance stress coping behavior to handle emotions, seeking comfort from negative feelings and stressful situations through the use and sometimes the abuse of food. There are strong associations between avoidance coping behavior, food addiction and lack of control over eating. With most food addicts feeling that they have no control over their addiction in spite of having complete knowledge of its negative social and health consequences. They recognize the adverse effects addiction has on friends, family, and self, but feel powerless over such behavior. This generates feelings of guilt and remorse thereby worsening the addictions and setting in motion a vicious cycle of avoidance and abuse.

Self destructive addiction and obesity: The body’s stress response

When individuals are confronted with stressful situations, specific hormones are produced, which help the body to cope with the situation. One of the body’s stress response pathways, known as the limbic-hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (LHPA) axis, generates a series of brain hormones that eventually lead to the production of cortisol by the adrenal gland. Cortisol helps to make available more sugar to the brain and other parts of the body to help cope with the stressful event. And remember that elevated cortisol levels on an ongoing basis are not only harmful to health but also harmful to mood. It can cause depression, affects mood by interfering with the actions of one of the brain’s major messengers, serotonin. Serotonin defects cause depression and anxiety. Many drug addicts and obese individuals suffer from depression and anxiety. Finally, all these addictions and weight related problems are never friendly for your health. Nonetheless, we have good news for you that doctor Akoury and her team of experts at AWAREmed health center are experienced professionals whose treatment focuses on personalized medicine through healthy lifestyle choices that deal with primary prevention and underlying causes instead of patching up symptoms making them the best to address all your addiction and weight-related concerns.

Self destructive addiction and obesity: Turning to food to cope with low self-worth

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Food addiction similarities to drug addiction

November 26, 2016

Understanding the food addiction similarities to drug addiction in order to take good decisions in addressing them.

Food addiction similarities to drug addiction: Eliminating food addiction

There are several similarities between food addiction and drug addiction, including effects on mood, external cues to eat or use drugs, expectancies, restraint, ambivalence, and attribution. Neurotransmitters and the brain’s reward system have been implicated in food and other addictions. In animal studies, for example, dopamine has been found to play an important role in overall reward systems, and binging on sugar has been shown to influence dopamine activity. Food addiction similarities to drugs and other addictive substances and behaviors are all associated with pleasure, hedonism, and social, cultural or sub-cultural desirability. When advertising or the people around us tell us that a food, drug or activity will feel good, it sets up a self-fulfilling prophecy. We are more likely to seek it out, and we are more likely to experience pleasure when we indulge. It is because of these characteristic that it becomes very important for marry makers to consider consulting the professionals on the best ways to implore when out there for holidays. Because most of the food served in these functions are never healthy and can be addictive as well, fighting food addiction to lose weight during holiday becomes very necessary.

Food addiction similarities to drug addiction: What to feed on

During the holidays, it’s okay to allow for some jiggle room in your diet. After all, what’s the fun in calorie counting on a day dedicated to feasting? We often decline to accept that your holiday dinner can’t be both tasty and healthy the following are simple food swaps to cut out excess fat, sugar, salt and calories from common holiday foods

Turkey stuffing: Stuffing is one of the most filling and fattening of holiday dishes. A side from being mainly carbs, because stuffing is traditionally cooked inside the turkey cavity, it absorbs the turkey juice, and therefore all the grease (oil and fat), making this an extremely caloric food. With a few minor adjustments, however, stuffing can be transformed into a lighter holiday side. Try making your stuffing from a mixture of bread and fresh veggies to reduce the carb content. Also, bake your stuffing in a separate Pyrex container rather than bathing it in turkey fat–this will dial down on excess fat.

Dark meat Turkey: Turkey is a dynamite protein source, but be sure to steer clear of calorie-dense dark meat in your holiday menu. Remember that just four ounces of dark meat turkey with skin contains 250 calories and 13 grams of fat, compared to only 150 calories and 1 gram of fat in white meat breast. For a leaner protein consider white meat turkey without skin it will fill you up without increasing.

Mashed potatoes: Although a holiday favorite, most mashed potato dishes are heavily laden with butter, cream, and other calorically dense and nutritionally lacking ingredients. In fact, a small portion of only a half-cup of mashed potatoes can contain a massive 180 calories and just about 14 grams of fat. To whip up a healthier batch of mashed potatoes replace;

Whole milk with skim
Butter for low fat sour cream and
Swap half the potatoes for steamed cauliflower

By doing this, you can bring the calorie count down to under 100 calories and the fat content down to less than two grams. Remember to always consult with doctor Dalal Akoury for any concern about weight loss and any form of addiction including food addiction.

Food addiction similarities to drug addiction: Eliminating food addiction

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Marijuana sold in a mixture of dried leaves and seeds

November 24, 2016

Marijuana sold in a mixture of dried leaves and seeds. The many street names does not qualify it to be great

Marijuana sold in a mixture of dried leaves and seeds: What is marijuana?

Currently, marijuana is one of the most abused drugs the world over. This drug has become the subject of discussion in many states as to whether is safe for consumption or not. As a matter of facts, some countries have legalized its usage. This has widen the gap between the scientific findings and belies about marijuana and the myths surrounding the same. Doctor Dalal Akoury MD and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center says that, because of this many people think that because the drug is considered god in other states, it must be safe for use even if their states has criminalize it. Must as we want to respect people’s opinions, it is important notating that your body doesn’t have the distinction between a legal drug and an illegal one. It only understand the dangerous effects it has when used. Therefore the objective of this article is to put the facts right and clear any misunderstanding about marijuana.

Marijuana sold in a mixture of dried leaves and seeds: Indian hemp plant

This is the plant that bears this drug. Ordinarily, this drug is generated from the plant flowers buds and focused it is mixed with the seeds, leaves, and stems of the plant and so marijuana sold as a mixture of the four elements. Its close associate known as hashish is tan, brown or black resin that is dried and pressed into bars, sticks or balls and when smoked, both marijuana and hashish give off a distinctive, sweet odor. Nonetheless, it must be noted that the content of these substances include over 400 chemicals. The chemical that causes intoxication or the “high” in users is called THC (short for tetrahydrocannabinol). THC creates the mind-altering effects that classifies marijuana as a “drug.”

Marijuana sold in a mixture of dried leaves and seeds: Intoxication

Intoxication literally means “to poison by taking a toxic substance into your body.” Any substance that intoxicates causes changes in the body and the mind. It can create addiction or dependence, causing a person to want to take that drug even if it harms them. Another myth about marijuana is that being a plant many often say that it is natural and harmless. This is not true like for instance, hemlock is very poisonous despite being a natural plant. The other thing to know is that burning dried leaves and buds and inhaling the smoke into your lungs is absolutely not “natural” and like smoking cigarettes, can be harmful to your body.

Finally as for the medical uses of marijuana, it contains another chemical called CBD (short for cannibidiol). This is the substance most often associated with creating medical benefits. Unlike THC, CBD does not cause a high. Its medical benefits are still being studied, as are methods to breed marijuana plants with high CBD and low THC for medical use. But as things stand now, marijuana is a drug just like alcohol, cocaine, or ecstasy. And like these other drugs, it has side effects that can be harmful, so take the best decision of keeping off from marijuana and seek for professional solutions from doctor Dalal Akoury today.

Marijuana sold in a mixture of dried leaves and seeds: What is marijuana?

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Hypnosis effectiveness in fighting drug addiction

November 23, 2016

Hypnosis effectiveness in fighting drug addiction that facilitates real addiction recovery.

Hypnosis effectiveness in fighting drug addiction: The harmless treatment method

Today in the global world is well established that addiction is a powerfully all-consuming disease that affects essentially every aspect of health and well-being. The diversifications and effects of this pandemic ranging from deteriorating physical health to legal and financial troubles the complications associated with addiction to drugs or alcohol misuse are serious, extensive and in some cases life-threatening. What’s more devastating is that along with its diverse effects, this condition (addiction) is often as a result of numerous causes most of which are deeply-rooted in the individuals’ addict’s consciousness. It is because of this background that we want to focus our discussion on exploring use of hypnosis effectiveness in fighting drug addiction from our communities and out of our lives. And to give this discussion a more professional approach, we spoke with the experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury MD and President of the facility to give us more insight about the use of hypnosis in fighting drug addiction.

In view of that doctor Akoury is registering that due to the many causes of addiction, it is important to appreciate that for any effective treatment to be realized, it must in co-operate among other techniques comprehensive psychological therapies specifically premeditated to fully refurbish the addict’s thought and behavioral processes. One such method of addressing the causes and effects of addiction is through the application of hypnosis, or hypnotherapy. Therefore doctor Akoury is going to take us through following in details to look at the use of hypnotherapy in the treatment of addiction which by the way includes information on methods, effectiveness and many more. And now to kick off the discussion, let us first understand what really hypnosis is?

Hypnosis effectiveness in fighting drug addiction: What is hypnosis?

Professionally hypnosis is a trance-like state of heightened concentration and focus. Typically achieved with the help of a hypnotherapist, who may use mental images and verbal repetition, the state of hypnosis leaves the patient calm and relaxed. Contrary to popular belief or do I call it a myth, hypnosis does not lead to a complete loss of control over one’s actions and behaviors but rather, it simply promotes focus and relaxation, leaving the individual more open to the power of suggestion. Along with several other diseases, hypnosis has proven to be effective for: drug addiction, prescription drug addiction and alcoholism.

Hypnosis effectiveness in fighting drug addiction: Efficiency

Finally before opting for hypnosis, it is important that you find out its effectiveness on your health. Doctor Akoury is registering that hypnotherapy can be an extremely effective tool in the treatment of addiction. It’s therefore very important to note, that it is best used as a complimentary therapy, accompanying traditional methods of addiction recovery. What that communicates is that hypnosis should be used alongside other forms of addiction treatment like for example, when used in combination with cognitive and behavioral therapies, group counseling and other strategies, hypnosis can enhance the odds of rehabilitation, prevent relapse with addictive substances and promote better quality of life. This is all we are advocating for and therefore if you are struggling with any kind of addiction and you need someone to talk to, don’t hesitate to call and schedule for an appointment with the home of addiction experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center and doctor Dalal Akoury and her team of able experts will professionally address all your concerns in confidence.

Hypnosis effectiveness in fighting drug addiction: The harmless treatment method

http://www.awaremednetwork.com/

Medically supervised opiate detox

November 19, 2016

Medically supervised opiate detox and natural detox options for body cleansing are primarily done to pave way for the real treatment

Medically supervised opiate detox: Inpatient versus outpatient

Opiate addiction is a difficult addiction to deal with normally because of the extreme physical withdrawal symptoms associated with this type of drug addiction. Opiates or painkillers as they are commonly known can be natural or synthetic. Drugs like heroin, Fentanyl, hydrocodone, morphine, OxyContin and opium are types of opiates. The dangers of using opiate are that when a person becomes physically addicted to an opiate they must constantly use that opiate repeatedly to avoid the experience of withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms begin slowly in the form of agitation, anxiety, running nose, sweating and yawning but eventually they become much more intense. The later stages of opiate withdrawal include extreme hot and cold sweats, nausea and vomiting, intense muscle cramping, diarrhea and acute insomnia. That is why medically supervised opiate detox is very essential as a strategy of finding permanent solution.

Opiate withdrawal is painful and can last for several long, agonizing days. It is often the fear of this painful withdrawal process that keeps most addicts to continue using opiates for many years past the point where they wish to stop. In amidst all these seeking for lasting solution from the experts of addiction then becomes very necessary, and that is why the experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury are coming on board to help us understand some possible ways of lasting solutions. We have actually talked about treatment of addiction before and today we want to compare and contrast this by looking at inpatient versus outpatient medically supervised opiate detox as we progress into the discussion.

Medically supervised opiate detox: Opiate withdrawal

According to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center opiate withdrawal may not be lethal on its own unless the user is mixing together with other drugs while getting high or when they attempt to go through the withdrawal process all by themselves using medications and drugs on their own. Doctor Akoury is registering that the danger of opiate withdrawal is that it makes the addict feel like they want to die. It therefore means that in order to safely withdrawal a person from an opiate addiction, a medically supervised detox will be very necessary. This will involve using medication to take a patient from an opioid-dependent state to an opioid-free state under the care and direction of a medical professional with experience in conducting medical detoxification process. Ideally medications used during a medically supervised detox protocol would be buprenorphine or Suboxone.

These drugs treat the withdrawal symptoms of opiate addiction. Additional medications such as Clonidine may be used to help stabilize blood pressure, and over the counter drugs are often utilized to deal with the headaches, diarrhea and nausea. There are two ways a person can receive a medically supervised opiate detox. It can either be done Inpatient or outpatient detox. These are fundamental medications options we have and we are going address them in detail in our next posting. In the meantime, you may want to consult with doctor Dalal Akoury about any concern you may have in this worthy topic and she will address them professionally.

Medically supervised opiate detox: Inpatient versus outpatient

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Category Archives: Outpatient Addiction Treatment for Primary Care

Self destructive addiction and obesity

Food addiction similarities to drug addiction

Marijuana sold in a mixture of dried leaves and seeds

Hypnosis effectiveness in fighting drug addiction

Medically supervised opiate detox

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