Category Archives: AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (Hbot) Helps In Addiction Recovery

July 25, 2015

How Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (Hbot) Helps In Addiction Recovery

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) was reportedly used to treat 340 patients with severe cases of alcoholism, drug addiction, and narcomania during the post-intoxication periods. Out of the 340, 223 were alcoholics, 68 were drug addicts, while 49 were hard narcotic users. This is according to various medical reports released a decade after the new millennium. These figures no doubt brought a new sense of hope to many drug users, especially those on various drug addiction recovery programs and their physicians alike about the so called HBOT. Any wild guesses would suggest naturally they did ask the question; so what about it? Well..

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a natural healing process of the body through 100% oxygen inhalation. HBOT involves taking in pure oxygen under increased and controlled atmospheric pressure. It is an established treatment for decompression sickness and hazardous effects of deep-sea diving among others. Most notable of the other medical conditions where HBOT may be recommended include serious infections, air bubbles in the blood vessels, stubborn wounds that come about as a result of diabetes or radiation related injuries as well as long term treatment option for drug addiction.

Brief History of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT); And How it Works

History of hyperbaric oxygen therapy dates back to 350 years ago. The first (HBOT) chamber was erected in the year 1662. Use of HBOT however properly began mid in the 18th C. It was first tested by the military in the 1930s, precisely to find out its significance in deep-sea diving and aeronautics. Serious studies however began later in the 1960s against a number of medical conditions. These activities have continued to date but more important is the fact HBOT has been found to have long term positive effects on addiction recovery. Check out this: www.awaremednetwork.com for the timelines.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Atmospheric pressure at sea level is 1 ATM. People take in approximately 21% oxygen at the sea level. In a hyperbaric chamber however they breathe in 100% oxygen, usually because the pressure is increased to about 3 times that at sea level. Blood vessels therefore carry more oxygen, providing about 15-25 times more oxygen to the rest of the body organs and tissues. Oxygen is said to have abilities to heal naturally. Increasing volume of oxygen supply therefore promotes faster healing of various medical conditions as earlier mentioned. This always comes with a number of health benefits.

Effects of HBOT on Patients’ Health

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment has a positive effect on the patient’s physical and psychological status during treatment sessions and could as well persist for a given period of time after treatment depending on the duration of exposure. Those with co-current symptoms and other initial status often experience sedative and bio-energizing effects. Various psychopathological examinations indicated the patients experienced faster decline of mental disorders, which brought about a further reduction in the duration of time spent while getting relevant treatment. Also, the parameters of central hemodynamics stabilized and myocardial status recorded further improvement. Such favorable attribute of HBOT were largely thought to be as a result of the anti-hypoxic detoxifying and bio-energetic effects of HBOT Treatments.

Normally, oxygen is supplied via red blood cells. Under intense pressure however oxygen dissolves into all other body’s parts and fluids including; the plasma, lymph, and into the bone and transported to areas with low oxygen uptake, normally because of damaged body cells or the blood vessels. This extra oxygen reach to all the body parts, including the damaged parts therefore is essential in aiding enables the body parts to develop its own healing mechanisms. Increased amount of oxygen also greatly boosts the white blood cells to kill bacteria even faster, thereby reducing swellings and rapid formation of new blood vessels in the affected areas.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Addiction Recovery

Increased levels of oxygen supply to the brain can also improve the brain’s ability to function. This is particularly significant in addiction recovery because as indicated hyperbaric oxygen therapy helps in neuroplasticity. This is the brain’s ability to recover from damage. Addiction distorts normal neuron pathways, that is, drugs often lead to formation of new neuron pathways that identifies and recognizes the substance. Since the brain has a natural recovery mechanism, and that HBOT has the ability to increase that mechanism, it is therefore a great way of treating drug addiction.

Other than recovering from brain damage, many addicts on rehabilitation programs where this particular method of treatment is used confess they become more alert and that they are able to think much more clearly during or after treatment. Effect of the same on the patients’ physical strengths is substantial, and also they exhibit healthier skins. In addition, many of these patients claim they feel healthier at the end of their sessions than when they start.

In order to achieve better results, many physicians have also reported combining hyperbaric oxygen therapy with amino acid therapy. While further researching on the possibilities of using HBOT in addiction treatment Dr. Kenneth Blum discovered two amino acid formulations, which were; “Mental Clarity and KB 220Z”. Later he said what he and his colleagues found were that the Mental Clarity component improved rational functions while KB 220Z calmed strong cravings addicts have for drugs.

Finally as mentioned earlier in this article, HBOT has had a long history with addiction treatment. Most of that has been controversial. Please sign up for this year’s August integrative addiction conference to get up to date information about HBOT. Visit http://www.integrativeaddiction2015.com. The link also contains information about how you may sign and participate in the August Integrative Addiction Conference plus a full list of the speakers lined up for the event.

How Oxygen Therapy (Hbot) Helps In Addiction Recovery

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Young U.S. Women Are The New Face Of Heroin Use

July 23, 2015

Young U.S. Women: New Face Of Heroin Use

Heroin use in the United States (U.S) like in other parts of the world has been predominantly men. The few women found in this category have been those in the inner city, rich and spoilt. However this is fast changing. Within this past decade heroin use has hit a staggering 62%. In 2005 heroin use was reportedly slightly over 1.6% in every 1000 Americans, aged 12 and over. In 2015 however the percentage went up somewhere above 2.6% per a similar number in U.S.

The rate of heroin use doubled that of men in a similar period. According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the percentage gradually increased from a mere 0.8% back in the year 2002 to 1.6% women alone. According to the report, the face of heroin use has changed from a stern faced man in the city unexpectedly to a young beautiful woman in the suburb. The report also indicated heroin-related deaths have hit of 300 percent.

heroin-addiction

Increasing Heroin Use in Women a Result of Pain Killer Prescriptions

The report pointed out different groups in the U.S. that have never been known to use heroin have been lured into the same in more recent times. It indicates a leading group of increasingly heroin users are women, those with higher incomes and private insurance. In as much as the net of heroin use reportedly caught indiscriminately across gender and societal status, many experts agree women have become more vulnerable to the increasingly available substance. Dr Dalal Akoury of Integrative Addiction Institute notes there is more than a double increase in number of heroin-related cases of addictions among women than men lately as opposed to some years back.

The increase of heroin use among women has however been attributed to increased pain killer prescriptions for a number of related complicated medical conditions over time. Various experts argue this happened gradually over time. “I suspect it’s been a more of a gradual thing, because more women have been exposed to pain medication for various problems. They have developed first an opiate addiction then have moved on to heroin,” said Onsrud, a consultant on Addiction Services at the Mayo Clinic.

Form Heroin Task Force to Fight Increasing Use

Various authorities argue the war on heroin use has been in existence for some time, with a few successes however it has continued to increase. In La Crosse County, the officials noticed heroin use was getting out of hand and decided to face it head-on. They formed the little known La Crosse County Heroin Task Force.

“We noticed heroin use had increased as early as the year 2010-2011,” said Al Bliss, then the task force coordinator. However he noted even at that, a lot more still has to be done. “I think we’ve made some end roads at decreasing availability of heroin but it still remains a problem,” added Bliss.

The task force coordinator also said in order to curb the menacing heroin problem, communities needed to form programs more or less similar to the Heroin Task Force so as to get like-minded people working together at attaining a single determined goal. “We need to further educate the community in offering help, treatment, and preventive care; and to conduct a lot of awareness in order to address the comprehensive problem of drug abuse,” he said.

Heroin Use

Substance Addiction Increasing Heroin Use

In a separate interview, Dr. Akoury echoed Mr. Bliss’s earlier observations; she said people suffering from substance abuse are more likely to form a habit of popping in pills. She added they are more susceptible to heroin use. A number of studies and medical reports also support this claim. One commonly cited study indicates alcohol and cigarette smokers have a higher chance of about 5 times their fellows who do not. The CDC report actually indicated 96% of heroin users used at least one more addictive drug. Also, that 61% of the heroin users used at least three more addictive substances.

In conclusion Dr. Frieden, director of CDC empathized with the current state of heroin use. He said: “It is heartbreaking to see injection drug use making a comeback in the U.S.” He said solving the heroin issue boils down to preventing addiction in the first place by hunting down the primary cause, which according to him were opioid prescriptions. “It also means; increasing access to rehabilitation including medications such as methadone or suboxone, cracking down on heroin sales, and increasing use of naloxone to reverse overdose. These are the traditional basics to deal with addiction, hence also key in combatting heroin use,” quickly added the CDC director

For the latest about heroin use in the U.S and the rest of the world please sign up for this year’s August Integrative Addiction Medicine Conference. http://www.integrativeaddiction2015.com is the link to catch with speakers lined up for the event among other possible attendants participants

White Young U.S. Women, New Face Of Heroin Use

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BEAT ADDICTION WITH LOVE AND HOPE

July 23, 2015

Beat Addiction With Love And Hope

Beat Addiction. The road leading to addiction is straight and smooth. Addiction is both rewarding and repetitive, literally making the ride fun. But there are consequences, most of the time dreadful. This reminds us the way back to recovery. Unlike the road down to addiction, the one back to sobriety is rough and bumpy. Sometimes it is so rocky we get stuck, other times it’s so muddy and slippery we get back down to addiction and wait for another season. After a few more attempts, we lose hope and let nature take its course. Recovery then seems impossible, however it is within reach. And we can give it one more shot. Only this time differently. How about beat addiction with love and hope?

Beat Addiction with Love for Others

It has been said over and over, and this will serve a reminder, this time because we have to beat addiction, the path to recovery requires great deal of support by others. These include members of the family, friends, neighbors, class mates, and medical care givers. Well you must be wondering about that small concern, the fear to share deep and personal information with others.

It is important to note not everyone is willing to help as some of these same people led you into addiction in the first place and are willing to stifle your efforts for as long as it takes, especially when there is the risk of losing certain mutual benefits. In order to beat addiction one needs to trust someone, or some people. On the other hand others have to be lost. This is where we get to discriminate. See, it is simple. Identify one or two people you are willing to share with, and remain accountable to them. On the other hand drop those buddies who do not support your bold steps along the long dusty and rusty road back to sobriety.

BEAT ADDICTION

Beat Addiction with Love for Self

The prime way to beat addiction is making the decision. The secret lies in making the first step. However there is magic in doing the same with love. Other than love for those wonderful people helping you recover, there is love for self. C’mon who doesn’t need a healthy life? Who wants stay in bed while others go about their businesses? The answer to the questions is obvious, NO.

It is also obvious we do love ourselves. But we hardly think about it, about us. Just like you would buy yourself a gift on a special day, you must take the challenge to reward yourself a healthy life. If addiction is the obstacle to your achieving true happiness, why not make the step, at least make an effort. C’mon I do not mean the short lived pleasure brought by the addiction substance itself. There is a challenge though. Maintaining love is a difficult thing in itself. And many have failed a number of times at it. It is demonstrated by commitment and persistence to forever show care, to cherish and like a rose flower always keep fresh. This is the challenge we must take. It should be much easier to prove love for ourselves.

Beat Addiction with Love for God

The last form of love is a rare one. Not very many of us are recognize it. Unfortunately not even the very experienced of specialists. It is however as important as any other kind of love listed to beat addiction. This is love for a higher power, God the creator. Love for God is marked by constant communication with Him. As earlier stated, the road to recovery is difficult; it is characterized by failures and pitfalls. Sometimes hope is all we need. In as much as we make various initiatives and stay true to them, we also need spiritual intervention. Those who have been successful to beat addiction, the few of them however have actually often confessed the great power of the knee in rebuilding from addiction. Further when a person loves God, he/she recognizes the body is His temple and would strive to keep it clean, healthy and holy hence abstain from many forms of behavioral and substance addiction.

BEAT ADDICTION

Winning Addiction at a Glance

However in order to beat addiction, we need more than love and hope. Actually we must have employed several other initiatives. The following are some of those I summary:

  1. Exercise Regularly: Work outs release endorphins. It gets rid of stress. And helps in building emotional stability.
  2. Meditate Regularly: Yoga is a great way of dealing with one’s inner emotions. It is another yet excellent way to handle stress.
  3. Enjoy Nature: Stepping out to a beautiful view and a warm mildly scotching sun is a great way to come to terms with your present.
  4. Listen to Music: Simply music is a healer. It blows away your mind. It takes one off present hassles and soothes your emotions.
  5. Keep Records: Of course you need to make an extra step. Mean you cannot do the same thing every day and expect a different result.
  6. Start a project: Keep yourself busy at something positive. Spend all your free times at it that at the end of each day you have very little energy to tolerate an addiction.
  7. Be the expert: Help someone beat addiction. While giving a list of convincing reasons to fight an addiction, you might benefit as you reflect on them.

For more information to beat addiction click on www.awaremednetwork.com. You may as well call up Dr Dalal Akoury (MD) of Integrative Addiction Institute and International Organization of Integrative Cancer Physicians. Also click on: http://www.integrativeaddiction2015.com for more information about this year’s August Integrative addiction medicine conference. The site also contains info about how to sign up for the same as well as speakers at the integrative conference.

BEAT ADDICTION WITH LOVE AND HOPE

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Addiction: A Neuroplasticity Disease

July 22, 2015

Addiction: A Neuroplasticity Disease

Had an accident or stroke? Developed amnesia? Lost consciousness for some reason? Well maybe not you. You may be wondering however how a friend or neighbor is recovering from such incidences of short or long term memory losses. Well thanks to technology now we know the brain has a way to self-regenerate in its functions through a process called neuroplasticity.

Neuroplasticity and Addiction Defined

Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to adjust to new environments or needs by developing new nerve cells throughout the body. it is the brain’s way of recovery. neuroplasticity allows the cells to compensate for any injuries or diseases in the nerve system. It also allows the neurons reorganize themselves to perform new functions of the brain depending on changes in their working environment.

One of the most common mechanisms in neuroplasticity is axonal sprouting. This is the process whereby active axons develop new nerve endings to connect with those their links were severed. Inversely, the damaged one can also grow new nerve endings to reconnect to the active neurons. Neuroplasticity is a term derived from the words; “neuron” and “plasticity”. A neuron is a nerve cell of the brain. Plasticity on the other hand means ability to remold. The process is at times referred to as brain malleability. Other times it is simply called brain plasticity.

Addiction on the other hand is an intricate condition of the brain, usually categorized as a disease that involves reward and motivation cerebral systems structurally and chemically altered. It is a mental condition characterized by a compulsive urge to indulge in rewarding stimuli despite possible dire consequences. Addiction is both reinforcing and rewarding. It manifests itself in the form of repetitive, intrinsic behavior including; gambling, food, exercises, shopping and substance abuse.

neuroplasticity

Influence of Neuroplasticity on Addiction

At one time Aristotle said: “We are what we repeatedly do.” Even though the Greek coined the phrase in the context to advice his readers of making a habit of excellence, the great philosopher had his brain develop a pathway around his successes over time. See, that is what the brain does. It creates a path of neurons to support our habits. A weight lifter for instance develops stronger muscles as a result of repetitive action. Similarly the brain may develop a path around addiction.

Once such pathways are created, addiction takes control of the brain. Eventually the addiction becomes the only thing that matters to the addict. Once the addiction hijacks the brain’s centers of pleasure it becomes the only thing that brings the addict a sense of joy or happiness. Soon his/her brain recognizes more of the addiction and less of other socio economic aspects of life including: friends, relatives, family, responsibilities, and work among other normal forms of social interactions and activities.

Neuroplasticity on Addiction Treatment

For a long time detoxification has been used as a treatment mechanism against addiction. This is the removal of the substance of abuse from the body. Victims however fell back on to substance abuse shortly afterwards. The billion dollar question then was how this still happened sometimes way after the victim’s blood had been cleaned of the same. This was one very interesting aspect of scientific state of quandary.

It is however through neuroplasticity scientists discovered treatment of an addiction needed more than mere detoxification. The brain actually needed to be retrained back to its normal functions. It required an intensive psychotherapy among other medical interventions to remold the recovery process. Also, it required an intense psychotherapy to reconfigure the brain’s recognition of what initially seemed normal and of the person as a whole especially in terms of behavior change. The nerve cells needed to rebuild a connection along initial, rather former normal pathways.

neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity and Drug Abstinence

The process, neuroplasticity however does not take away the addictive neuron pathways like probably in the case of severe brain damage usually by accidents. It only retrains the brain to develop new ones along the old clean pathways. It is therefore often advisable to abstain from drugs completely during recovery. This is so as to avoid reinforcing the addictive path.

It is the same case each time you reread your favorite novel. You might have read it last twenty years ago. And you could have forgotten a few characters already. However if you picked that same book today you would remember a lot more, the story would begin to unfold in your sub conscience mind even without rereading the whole story yet again. You would remember the chapters more clearly, vividly the characters, deeply their roles and or attributes without going into it a whole other time.

Relationship between neuroplasticity and addiction is not a simple support of addictive habit and recovery alone. It is an inter-disciplinary connection of varied other fields; computer technology, anthropology, and psychology among others. Want to learn more on this? This year’s August integrative addiction medicine conferences could just be the answer you are looking for. Click on: http://www.integrativeaddiction2015.com and sign up for the upcoming event where you will have a chance to meet various medical experts, and listen to speakers on the neuroplasticity and integrative addiction recovery.

Addiction: A Neuroplasticity Disease

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Managing Forms of Fear in Addiction Recovery

July 20, 2015

Forms Of Fear And Addiction And How To Manage

Ever found yourself at a scene of accident? Ever watched a horror movie? Well many of us have.

It is indeed dreadful. These two however brings out different kinds of fear in many of us. One is the kind you never want to experience ever. The other is the kind that despite the fact it holds our breaths and makes our hearts beat a little faster we still mole around and find some fun in them. Or who enjoys accident scenes; trust me not even the corps. How about anaconda, or the vampire diaries, aren’t they some of your favorites? The answer is obvious. Now back to our subject, fear and addiction.

One of the greatest concerns of an addict on rehab is fear. The following are some of the most common forms of fear among the addicts.

  1. Fear of recovery from addiction

As mentioned in many other reports, addiction is both rewarding and reinforcing. One major concern therefore is losing the very substances that gave them a sense of happiness and joy, losing their primary forms of pleasure and replacing the same with new ones that do not in essence give similar kind of pleasure quickly. Many addicts wonder whether really they are able to sustain recovery and their life after victory.

fear

  1. Fear of Failure to Recover

It has also been mentioned a number times recovery is a long journey. In the course of it, there are several pitfalls and failures. There are times of doubt; there are those times the addict thinks s/he set her/his goals so high. At which point they think they do not have what it takes. And they attempt to fall back due to fear and addiction.

  1. Fear of Victory over Addiction

Isn’t it ironical this comes after that of disappointment? Could be there are good reasons for this too. Naturally human beings are curious. They often wonder what it is on the other side. Usually they do not know. This develops into a form of fear similar to one of the most dreaded, fear of the unknown. Isn’t it true people fear walking in the dark? Similarly addicts may not know exactly what would happen once they recover. They may know the benefits yes, but they may not yet know a whole lot of other things including; how to deal with the past, and new identities.

  1. Fear of Denial by Family and Friends           

Many addicts are slow on coming to terms with reality. They fail to admit they have a problem. They go about recovery either discretely or normally and in total disregard of their situation. They find it hard in the face of mockery and or rejection by their old friends. It could be the ones who led them into the problem in the first place or the new recruits who are probably still blinded by the short-term benefits of addiction and are yet to face any real consequences. Many addicts fear being judged. However the worst form of fear under this category is the fear to seek support.

  1. Fear of Falling Back

There are never assurances to recovery. They are never clear cut treatment. These make this form of fear very real. Recovery demands a lot of commitment. Many addicts therefore fail to take any steps concerned the whole process might fail they shall be right back where they started, states of both fear and addiction.

The road leading to addiction is straight and smooth. Addiction is both rewarding and repetitive, literally making the ride fun. But there are consequences, most of the time dreadful. This reminds us the way back to recovery. Unlike the road down to addiction, the one back to sobriety is rough and bumpy. Sometimes it is so rocky we get stuck, other times it’s so muddy and slippery we get back down to addiction and wait for another season. Faced with both fear and addiction, it is important to be bold and take the right steps back to recovery. What then must we do to manage such fear and addiction?

  1. Based on Fear of Recovery

The first thing to do when faced with any form of fear is to recognize it. The other thing to do is to overcome. However the latter is never easy. It is advisable to take a step at a time. Also, it is advisable to share the same with a therapist who will be able to walk you through the steps. The other forum, rather one of the best is sign up in a support group where you will likely meet other addicts undergoing the process, probably harboring the same fears. Don’t they say always there is security in numbers?

Fear

  1. Based on Fear of Failure

It is simple, first recognize the fact there are failures along this path. Second everyone is unique; it might be a simple straight path as so and so. Once these facts have settled drop a perfectionist kind of attitude and go through the process. When faced with difficulties, share the same with the therapist and try another approach. Also, persistence is crucial in managing this form of fear and addiction.

  1. Based on Fear of Victory

How about try not resisting this kind of fear? How about identifying it and yet letting it be? Many however have found a secret in simply letting the future be and living in the present.

  1. Based on Fear of Denial

This form of fear demands great support by trusted family and friends. It is overcome by signing up into support groups.

  1. Based on Fear of Falling Back

This has been solved by the discovery of the brain’s ability to reorganize itself to a state of normal functioning, neuroplasticity. The secret here is in abstinence; this is so that the brain is able to remold back to a former state of sobriety. It also involves exposing yourself more to alternative forms of pleasure.

The above, very important, are a tip of the iceberg. There is a lot more to fear and addiction you may find very useful to you. Click on http://www.integrativeaddiction2015.com to find a whole piece of information on fear and addiction.

Forms Of Fear And Addiction And How To Manage

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