Category Archives: Brain Health

drug addiction treatment

Substance abuse influence to the brain

July 30, 2016
Substance abuse influence

Substance abuse influence to the brain has serious repercussions to human health

Substance abuse influence to the brain: The complex nature of the brain

The brain is the engine that drives the human body to greater productivity in all aspects. Its health is very important for the delivery of this productivity. That is to say, if the brain is healthy, it will be able to process all the information it receives in a healthy manner, in the same way if it is incapacitated with an impurities, substance abuse influence to the brain is one of the major source of the impurities that hinders the brain from functioning optimally. To avert this we all have a duty to play by first understanding the brain well and also to care for it well by keeping it safe from all the dangers caused by substance abuse besides other elements away from drugs.

The direct effects of drug abuse on the brain

To understand the serious effects substance abuse influence has to the brain, we make reference to the various findings from the studies conducted by researchers across the globe, the studies has established that addiction has direct effect to the brain and that it causes changes to the brain in at least four fundamental ways:

  • Addiction causes changes to the brain’s natural balance (homeostasis).
  • Addiction alters brain chemistry.
  • Addiction changes the brain’s communication patterns.
  • Addiction causes changes to brain structures and their functioning.

With the help of the professionals from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury, we are going to discuss each of these fundamental changes that come with the effects of addiction to the brain progressively in our subsequent postings. So that you don’t miss out we want to request you to keep on the link and be the first to know.

Substance abuse influence to the brain: The smooth adaptation to the environment

Finally even as we make further exploration to this topic, it is important noting that the brain is the most dynamic and complex organ in our bodies. We are preparing a very rich menu for you to help you in taking full control of your health beginning with you brain. Our team of experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury will be ensuring that all your addiction related concerns are professionally addressed. According to these experts, there is no doubt that substance abuse influence to the brain is raising havoc to most communities. This needs to be corrected so that the proper functionality of the brain that delivers quality assurance of our very survival is restored. Doctor Akoury says that when our brains (the human brain) functions well, we are constantly adopting or adjusting to our environment (our surroundings) changes well. What many may not know is that this smooth adaptation is the work of our brain. And ironically, it is the brain’s ability to be so adaptive that contributes to the formation of all manner of addictions.

Substance abuse influence to the brain: The complex nature of the brain

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Treating sex addiction for the good of intimacy

July 30, 2016
Treating sex addiction

Treating sex addiction for the good of intimacy and relationship

Treating sex addiction for the good of intimacy: Sex is fun and not to be ashamed of

Treating sex addiction is the best thing you can do to your-self and also to your partner. This is something that is fun, enjoyable and nourishing. Therefore if you have a problem with or in your sex life, you must speak freely about it with your doctor so that the best treatment can be diagnosed for you. It is worrying that for decades of possibly from the creation, sex has remain a no go zone.

Because of this, many people have for a long time been suffering in silence. The good news about sharing in this topic of treating sex addiction is that it can provide a sense of security and control to the victims who would otherwise feel powerless and timid over their urge to participating in an erratic sexual behavior says doctor Dalal Akoury MD, President and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center. From her several decades of working experience in addiction related discipline, doctor Akoury is advising that sex is a precious gift we should be proud talking about. The secrecy in the discussions about matters touching on sexual activities is not working well for us and especially to those individuals with certain sexual challenges.

Therefore she urges that if anyone is having any sex related complications, they should not make it a secret. What is important is to get help and live your normal life. It is because of that desire of living your life to the fullest that made doctor Akoury to establish AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center so that you and your loved ones can get solace. This is just one of the many facilities where you can help for all matters pertaining to sex addiction. Further to that, today there are so many different treatment programs available to assist you in your recovery. And according to the US National Library of Medicine, some of the best sex addiction treatment programs use proven strategies to help heal the emotional and physical complications that have derived from sex addiction and which were possibly underlying prior to the sexual addiction or which could potentially have even been a source of the addiction to begin with.

If you ever visit any health facility for treatment (treating sex addiction) you will realize that most sex addiction treatment programs are actually take the same approach with other proven strategies applicable in the treatment of other substance addictions or alcohol addiction. Like for instance the following applications are working well for sex addiction treatment; behavioral therapy, counseling, twelve step programs and any other similar methods of treatment for sex addiction that are common in all treatment centers offering sexual addiction treatment approach. And as a matter of fact, many would prefer to use similar methods of treatment since these addictions appear to function similarly in the brain. You may therefore want to consult with doctor Akoury for a much more professional approach in dealing with this condition.

Treating sex addiction for the good of intimacy: Sex is fun and not to be ashamed of

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drug abuse

Dopamine influence in substance abuse

July 30, 2016
Dopamine influence

Dopamine influence in substance abuse and with good treatment, Specific neurotransmitters affected by drugs can be eliminated for a greater freedom.

Dopamine influence in substance abuse: The brain reward center

Drug seeking and craving to the brain is very interesting more so when we consider how the brain functions. It is true that the brain has evolved over time in a way that ensures human survival. And in fact our brain’s reward system is part of that survival system. In many instances we often experience an urgent need for food whenever we are starving and generally have a powerful desire for sex too. According to doctor Dalal Akoury MD and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, the brain’s reward system rewards food and sex because they ensure our survival. Unfortunately, drugs of abuse operate within these reward systems which leads people to experience an urgent need or powerful desire for drugs or addictive activities.

The brain’s reward system has ensured our species survival. You may have not known but food, water, and sex are some of the elements that activate the reward system. Therefore when the brain’s reward center is activated, it releases dopamine. Dopamine then creates a pleasing, enjoyable sensation which then motivates us into repeating these behaviors which are necessary for our survival. The reason why this is happening is because dopamine has rewarded us with a pleasurable feeling. Doctor Akoury recommends that from an evolutionary standpoint of view, it is very helpful to have a reward system that works. Like for instance, imagine that there is very little food and you’re wandering about looking for food. When you finally find something to eat, this triggers your reward system. This pleasing feeling (dopamine “reward”) will become associated with whatever behavior that led you to that food. This causes you to want to repeat that behavior. Moreover, the reward system is closely tied to emotional and subjective memories. If you were successful and found food in a particular place for instance, in the future you will want to look for food in the same location. This reward system increases the likelihood that you will be successful in finding food there the next time. This is because your brain chemicals are rewarding you with a pleasing sensation. It also helps you to remember how and where this pleasant feeling occurred.

The negatives of reward sensations

It will come to you as a surprise that the element that motives your survival is unfortunately the very same reward system that ensures your survival also rewards drug use. Doctor Akoury says that all addictive substances and activities will trigger the release of dopamine which rewards us with a pleasant sensation thereby succeeding in motivating us to continuously indulge in these harmful behaviors. It is nowadays common knowledge that peoples with addiction problems will do all it takes to get their drug of choice and in the same way, they continue with their addiction despite the harm it causes to themselves or their loved ones.

It is therefore very important to note that all these characteristic of addictive behaviors arise from the brain’s pleasure and rewards centers. Therefore seeking for lasting solutions becomes a must to do for all victims. This may not be a very popular thing owing to the addictiveness of some of these drugs, but nonetheless it is the best option if you want to have a healthy life that is free from all sorts of addiction. You can schedule for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury for the commencement of your journey to recovery.

Dopamine influence in substance abuse: The brain reward center

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Dopamine reward master and drug seeking basics

July 30, 2016
Dopamine reward master

Dopamine reward master and drug seeking basics. The neurotransmission and substance abuse needs immediate treatment

Dopamine reward master and drug seeking basics: Mesolimbic pathway

While we were looking at the dopamine influence in substance abuse, it became quite clear that when the brain’s reward center is activated, it releases dopamine which then creates a pleasing, enjoyable sensation primarily to motivate us into repeating these behaviors which are necessary for our survival. The reason why this is happening is because dopamine has rewarded us with a pleasurable feeling. That in itself is a testimony that dopamine reward master is the fueling the human survival. With that understanding of the purpose and functioning of the brains reward system. It would be important that we interrogate its (dopamine reward master) functions a little bit further.

Dopamine reward master and drug seeking basics: Ventral tegmental area (VTA)

The circuit most associated with pleasure and reward is the mesolimbic pathway which is located in the brainstem. The objective of this area of the brain is primarily concerned with basic survival. Within the mesolimbic pathway is an area called the ventral tegmental area (VTA). The VTA projects to the nucleus accumbens (thought to be the reward center). The neurotransmitter most commonly linked with the mesolimbic system is dopamine. Many people consider dopamine to be the driving force behind the human pursuit of pleasure. The release of dopamine is a pleasurable sensation. The release of dopamine motivates us to repeat behaviors or activities that prompted this release. This system’s purpose was to promote survival by rewarding life sustaining behaviors such eating and procreation.

Dopamine reward master and drug seeking basics: Nucleus accumbens

All addictive drugs and activities release varying amounts of dopamine into the nucleus accumbens with stimulant drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine releasing the most. However when it comes to drugs like alcohol or heroin, the brain’s own opiate system (endorphins) also gets involved. Doctor Akoury MD and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center reiterates that even though different forms of addictions have different effects in the nucleus accumbens, they share one common denominator, that is, they all activate the reward system which in turn motivates us to repeat those behaviors, even though they may be harmful. Besides what we have discussed about the concepts of reward, pleasure, and craving together, it is however very important to appreciate that there is a distinction between pleasure-seeking and drug seeking. Note that pleasure-seeking is all about the pleasurable, rewarding aspect of addiction while drug-seeking refer to the craving aspect of addiction. Dopamine may be more involved in drug-seeking (craving) component of addiction. The opiate (endorphin), GABA, or glutamatergic systems may be more involved in pleasure-seeking aspect of addiction too.

Finally pleasure-seeking and drug-seeking (cravings) are inter-related, yet distinct. Research has established that natural rewards (food, water, sex) typically lessen their influence on the reward system over time. As a behavior occurs more often, dopamine levels tend to decrease in the process. Psychologists call this habituation. This makes sense. Once you’ve eaten enough food, you don’t need to be rewarded for eating more food. Then you would be eating too much, or too much of one type of food. Therefore everyone needs to take heed of keeping the brain free from all attacks be it from substances or otherwise. Talking to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury should be your starting point. Call us today to schedule that very important appointment today for the commencement of your journey to full recovery from your addiction.

Dopamine reward master and drug seeking basics: Mesolimbic pathway

http://www.awaremednetwork.com/

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over the counter drug abuse

Cue anticipation role in addiction development

July 30, 2016
Cue anticipation role

Cue anticipation role in addiction development knows no boundary

Cue anticipation role in addiction development: Emotional memory

As we were discussing previously about defeating addictive habits and formation, it became clear that memory is a key factor in addiction. We want to further that discussion by focusing on another important factor in the development of addiction. Essentially we are making reference to the cue anticipation and the role it plays in the development of addiction. Cue anticipation refers to environmental cues that can initiate or elevate craving that often leads to relapse. Because of these functions, they (cues) are often called relapse triggers meaning that, a successful recovery plan will include a strategy for coping with cues (relapse triggers).

Cue anticipation role in addiction development: Environmental cues

These environmental cues (relapse triggers) can be anything that is associated with the addiction. It could be a certain time of day, a place, a person, or an activity. For instance, suppose a man is addicted to pornography use and because of that he usually gets online after his wife goes to bed to satisfy his addiction. The mere act of his wife getting ready to go to bed serves as a cue that prompts powerful cravings. Later, even his own anticipation of his wife going to bed will serve as a powerful cue. The amygdala’s role in emotional memory is responsible for these cues taking root. The brain forms an association between pleasant memories of drug use or addictive activities, and the cues. The more a person repeats this cycle, the more it strengthens the emotional memory circuits associated with these cues (cue anticipation). Eventually, this leads to a complete pre-occupation with the addiction.

Finally, so far our discussion has been focusing on the role of amygdala and positive emotional memories. Nonetheless the brain may also form an association between unpleasant emotions and a memory thereby forming a “bad” memory. For your information, these negative emotional memories play an important role in withdrawal. The negative emotional memory of anxiety becomes associated with the physical signs of withdrawal. And as withdrawal begins, the symptoms trigger an unpleasant emotional memory. This increases the negative experience of withdrawal.

Withdrawal avoidance (via returning to the addiction) often becomes the cornerstone of the addiction in the later stages. Thus, in the earlier stages of addiction the pleasurable experience of the drug motivates a repetition of that behavior. In the later stages, relief of withdrawal symptoms (physical and/or emotional discomfort) achieves pleasure. This pleasurable relief from withdrawal symptoms continues to motivate the repetition of that behavior. I strongly believe that this is a very interesting topic that needs further consultation with the experts. What we have discussed here may not be conclusive and therefore you may want to schedule for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury for more health insight about addiction and the brain.

Cue anticipation role in addiction development: Emotional memory

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