Treating brain impairment caused by cocaine abuse

November 25, 2015

Treating brain impairment caused by cocaine abuse: Is healing of addicted brain possible?

Drug addiction is very dangerous to human health and therefore treating brain impairment caused by cocaine abuse is very essential in the recovery process.

The human brain is the engine of life and any infringement to its proper functionality is not only a problem to the brain but to the whole body. The brain can be affected in several ways but one emerging common fact that cause damage to the brain is the use of drugs. There are so many drugs in the market both the legal and illegal once capable of causing damage to our social well-being by infringing on the brain and for the purpose of this article; we want to narrow our discussion on one substance that is among many substances raising havoc to the brains operations. Therefore cocaine is going to be our key focus even as we explore on treating brain impairment caused by cocaine abuse or addiction. This is a very interesting topic you do not want to miss and therefore if you are joining us for the first time, we want to encourage you to stay with us on the link and get the best you need to know about the impact of cocaine in your health and how best you can be on top of it for the betterment of your life and that of your loved ones. And now to set the ball rolling, we want to engage the services of experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center which is a health facility founded by doctor Dalal Akoury MD and also the President of the establishment. It will also interest you to note that doctor Akoury is a veteran addiction expert who has offered addiction treatment very passionately to millions of people across the globe for several decades now making her to be one of the most experienced and qualified to handle your condition. You can therefore seek for her professional advice by scheduling for an appointment with her today by calling her on telephone number 843 213 1480 and she will be able to address all your concerns in confidence and with high standard of professionalism.

Treating brain impairment caused by cocaine abuse: The lifestyle of a cocaine user

Ideally cocaine users are living a very disturbing life owing to the complications that come with the usage of this substance. These are people who need our help and that is one of the reasons why doctor Akoury founded this establishment (AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center). It is however regrettable that for cocaine users, every high is a little less great. Thus they continue to go back for another high even as they try to match their last high. Professionally doctor Akoury registers that the most horribly tragic thing about this habit is that even though they repeatedly use more units every time, they will never reach those highs again and frustratingly every next high results in lower highs and higher lows. Because of this reasons, there has been a great deal of discussion about healing the addicted brain and whether or not true healing of an addicted brain is possible.

Brain scans have indicated that in the short term, the revival of dopamine transporter (DAT) binding is not very healthy. One month of discontinuance still shows a stark drop in DAT binding. However, in their example, 14 months of abstinence shows an almost full return of dopamine transporter binding. When cocaine is first used, the dopamine levels in the brain are found to skyrocket by two or three times. However, once this short high of approximately 12 hours wears off, then dopamine levels are depressed to lower than normal levels. This actually explains the reason as to why users (drug addicts) are often yarning for that next high to get their dopamine levels back above normal. Even though this is a push and pull event, the truth is that the end result is just never quite as high as the previous one.

Treating brain impairment caused by cocaine abuse: The role of serotonin in solving the problem of addicted brain

Looking at the topic of discussion before us, it is equally important to note that serotonin is another neurotransmitter that plays a significant role in the addicted brains inclination towards the continued cocaine use. It therefore means that Serotonin is involved in a variety of physiological states impacting on sexual behavior and even being culpable for things or conditions such as depression. Doctor Akoury registers that when drugs are abused in whichever way, the impact of that action is that the levels of serotonin will be elevated. It therefore means that each time when the drug users make an attempt to stop their serotonin levels are depressed. And besides that there has been a lot of pharmacological use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) to raise a depressed individual’s serotonin levels without the use of the drugs that first elevated their high, like cocaine. Even though that has been helpful for many people in the past and even currently, many users are still out in the exploration field wanting to try and get their addicted brain fully healed.

Finally these research findings that it is really the behavioral effects of the addicted brain that never fully return to normal, in some cases. While the brains serotonin can be regulated through the use of SSRIs, and DAT binding returns to quasi-normal levels after prolonged discontinuance, there is always the X factor of whether or not these users will return to their prior behaviors. This is very important in securing a permanent solution to the problem and therefore, if you are not so sure of your position or that of your loved ones, you can schedule for an appointment with the experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury today for further direction. Up on receipt of your appointment, doctor Akoury will professionally take you through all the process you need to know in order to be on the right path when it comes to curing the addicted brain from the effects of cocaine abuse.

Treating brain impairment caused by cocaine abuse: Is healing of addicted brain possible?

Correct addiction treatment delivers good health

November 25, 2015

Correct addiction treatment delivers good health: Planning to making it through the treatment obstacles

Wants to Identify with the right and correct addiction treatment? Doctor Dalal Akoury will help you realize this. It is very important to note that this will help you stay focus to the ultimate goal of defeating addiction

What comes into your mind at the mention of this topic “correct addiction treatment delivers good health” Of course we are all aware that substance abuse is a multi-dimensional and disruptive condition in many ways and more so in the areas of an individual’s life alongside their well-being. In this regard it goes without saying that correct addiction treatment will only be effective if it incorporates many distinct components with each directed toward a particular aspect of the illness and its consequences. The humble beginning of addiction may be harmless and of voluntary choice, it doesn’t change the fact that addictive behavior do generate desperation and that is why it is always characterized by compulsive, and at times uncontrollable drug craving which continue consistently in the face of exceedingly negative consequences. So why is it necessary to identify with the right drug addiction treatment? We spoke with the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center to put to perspective this concern. From the discussion with doctor Dalal Akoury the facilities MD, founder and also the President of the same, it was evident that prolonged drug exposure has damaging effect on the brain by altering an individual’s learning, memory, motivation receptors and inhibitory control, which then compromises any ability to self-regulate.

Doctor Akoury is registering that looking at the chronic nature of the disease and the complex form of chemical dependency it can only mean that one cannot simply stop using drugs without the serious intervention of medical professionals and especially those that are experts in addiction. Therefore to do this one will basically require a degree of medically monitored care that delivers a safe detoxification of the body and mind. Besides all these it is equally important to note that the administration of treatment will depend on the addict’s substance of choice and psychological stability, and further to that, treatments may also vary in how to achieve sustained abstinence. As we progress into the discussion, one of the treatment procedures that could be adopted is that of therapy. We have dealt with this previously but for the purpose of this discussion we will mention a few points about therapy as an alternative treatment for drug addiction.

Correct addiction treatment delivers good health: The role of therapy in drug addiction treatment

The ultimate goal for any treatment for drug addiction is to make a difference in the lives of both the direct and indirect victims. It must therefore help the individual to stop using their drug of choice, and also to guide them in the right direction of maintaining a drug-free lifestyle. In the line of treatment, it is still very important to note that even after detox, when physical dependence is cured; the psychological and social factors still remains a powerful stimuli which will put addicts back at high risk for relapse without a good program put in place to curb this. Some of the program that can be of great benefit to the patient after treatment may involve the use of self-help groups, aftercare or therapy paired with the motivation to practice continued use of the direction found in treatment for managing craving or impulse to use. Professionally experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center agrees that activities like cognitive behavioral therapy, family counseling, psychotherapy and other approaches are beneficial and will all ultimately promote sobriety as well as treating other mental health conditions contributing to drug abuse. Nonetheless it is important to appreciate that the ultimate goal of therapy, treatment of mental and emotional health as well as chemical dependence is to bring back an addict to productivity, full functioning place in the family, at work, and in society once again says doctor Akoury. The choices a recovering addict makes after treatment will set the stage, so to speak, for the degree of freedom from substance abuse and its effects he or she would like to achieve.

Correct addiction treatment delivers good health: The steps after treatment from addiction

The role of a drug addiction treatment program is to aid an addict in physically weaning themselves from abused substances and prepare them for leading a sober life. Staying sober in the caring and nurturing walls of a treatment facility can be unproblematic for many, but the challenge of confronting life on life’s terms again rests with the individual. This is why it’s so important that an addict truly accept their present condition that they have lost control of their ability to regulate substance use, and possess sincere motivation to stop. Denial is a serious impediment to success in the recovery process and so it must be dealt with expeditiously. It must therefore be appreciated that no one needs to be alone in and during recovery, remember that a strong support system in sobriety will certainly be worth its weight in gold to recovering addict struggling in a difficult moment; but ultimately the decision to continue to seek help and stay sober is an independent one and that is why addressing and redress of denial is very paramount in this whole process of drug addiction treatment.

Finally even as we work toward identifying with the right drug addiction treatment, at the back of our minds we must appreciate that drug addiction is something which is posing a serious threat to humanity and the most unfortunate thing about it is that it is never cured; that is to say that no length of sobriety will render someone incapable of relapse. What treatment offers are the tools necessary for addict to live without the need of a crutch, and the ability to navigate life with a self-generated strength and freedom. With that at the back of your mind, it is only fear that everyone of us and in particular people struggling with any form of addiction to schedule for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury for further insight of what and how best they can be assisted overcome the scourge of addiction. You can make that call today on telephone number 843 213 1480 and all your concerns will be addressed timely and professionally.

Correct addiction treatment delivers good health: Planning to making it through the treatment obstacles

Applying clonidine in heroin rehabilitation

November 24, 2015

Applying clonidine in heroin rehabilitation: Making it through heroin withdrawals

Applying clonidine for heroin rehabilitation is becoming a common practice in the present times. Doctor Akoury recommends the use of clonidine for heroin eradication.

We are not new to the effects of substance abuse to our health because as things stand now, the problems relating to drug addiction are affecting everybody whether directly or indirectly. Time has come when we must explore all the avenues of healing so that we can find lasting solutions to the problems we are faced with from time to time. In our quest of finding solutions we want to narrow down this discussion to applying clonidine in heroin rehabilitation as a way of bringing thins problem of addiction to manageable levels. We spoke to doctor Dalal Akoury the MD and president of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center for all addiction solution about this and she professionally said that Clonidine belongs to a class of drugs known as central alpha agonists. This is commonly used for treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension). It is also classified as a sympatholytic drug because it inhibits Postganglionic nerve fibers, and thus alters the functioning of the sympathetic nervous system which is the part of the nervous system that it is responsible for fight of flight response. And now back to using clonidine for heroin rehabilitation, doctor Akoury registers that one of the reasons why heroin addicts like any other addicts always find it so difficult to break away from their habit is fear of withdrawal symptoms. Some of the unpleasant side-effects of the detoxification process we are talking about may include:

Abdominal cramping
Cold flashes
Agitation and anxiety
Inability to sleep
Nausea and vomiting
Restless leg syndrome
Muscle aches

One very important point to note is that these unpleasant symptoms that are associated with withdrawals are a serious obstacle to recovery and therefore anything that will make the process easier is of value and should be encouraged says doctor Akoury. A medication called Clonidine has proved successful in the treatment of these symptoms and that form the basis of this discussion.

Applying clonidine in heroin rehabilitation: Medical uses of clonidine

The question that we all beg to answer then would be “what are some of the medical uses of clonidine?” to respond to that the following are some of the current medical uses of Clonidine:

Treatment of high blood pressure and this is achieved by relaxing the blood vessels so that there is less pressure.
It can be used to treat chronic facial redness (Rosacea)
It can stop hot or cold flushes.
It is good for treating neuralgia type pain – this is pain due to stimulation of pain receptors in one or more nerves.
It can also be an effective treatment for insomnia.
It has been used for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
It is sometimes given as a pre-med before surgery to help relax the individual.
It has proved effective in treating the night sweats.
Opioid detoxification
It may help eliminate the tics associated with Tourette syndrome.
It can be used as an anesthetic when treating animals.
It provides some relief for menopausal symptoms.
It can help people deal with alcohol, narcotic, or nicotine withdrawals.
It can effective in the treatment of restless leg syndrome.
It has been used in the treatment of a number of psychiatric disorder including post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety disorders.
It can be used in the treatment of abnormally rapid pulse (tachycardia).

Clonidine for heroin withdrawals

Clonidine can be prescribed for the treatment of heroin withdrawals. This drug does not claim to eliminate all these unpleasant effects, but it can eradicate many of the most unpleasant ones. It has a number of effects which make these withdrawals easier to deal with including:

Combating the sympathetic nervous system response to heroin withdrawal thus making things easier for the individual.
It helps in the prevention of restless leg syndrome. This is a common uncomfortable symptom in withdrawal (some would say the worst symptom of withdrawals), and it means that people are unable to get comfortable – they feel like they have to keep moving their limbs.
It is also common with individuals who are going through withdrawals to complain of rapid heart-beat and this unpleasant sensation can also be eliminated by Clonidine.
It can induce people into relaxation mode and sleep better at nighttime.
There is evidence from recovering clients that it makes them feel more at ease with the process of heroin withdrawals. This therefore makes the whole process of recovery much easier and so the individual is more likely to see their detox all the way through to completion.

Applying clonidine in heroin rehabilitation: Side effects of clonidine

Like any other medication application there are a number of side effects associated with Clonidine including:

It may occasionally cause low blood pressure (hypotension).
There are chances that it can lead to constipation.
Users of this drug can experience drowsiness.
Some people complain of a dry mouth. This experience of a dry mouth is common however this can be sorted out by drinking plenty of water or chewing preferably sugarless gums.
It can cause people to experience lightheadedness and dizziness.

Other rare side effects may include:

An allergic reaction to the drug
Irregular heart beat
Mood changes including symptoms of depression
Cold hands or feet
Rashes on the body
Swelling on the body
Breathing problems

Finally from an expert point of view doctor Akoury is stressing that while using this kind of medication, it is important that the patients is properly advised by the doctor before usage. And if you are already on this medication, consistency is very important and therefore patient must ensure constant supply so that they do not miss doses along the way. There will be instances where patient may experience discomfort and vomiting if this causes them not to take their medication, they will need to inform their doctor right away for professional guidance. However it is dangerous to stop using Clonidine abruptly because it can lead to unpleasant withdrawal symptoms including:

Nervousness and agitation
Headaches
Shaking
It could also lead to a rapid increase in blood pressure, and this would be dangerous.

Remember that women who are pregnant or breastfeeding are usually not prescribed this drug. And for any further clarification, you can schedule for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury today for further professional advice.

Applying clonidine in heroin rehabilitation: Making it through heroin withdrawals

Post acute withdrawal complicates recovery process

November 24, 2015

Post acute withdrawal complicates recovery process: The variances with individuals

The knowledge and patterns of post acute withdrawal will go a long way in solving the problem and fear of enrolling for addiction treatment to avoid instances of intoxication.

Over the past few days we have been focusing on the significance of Post acute withdrawal symptoms (PAWS) in the life of many addicts which are not really the same in everyone. We can confidently say that the variation is very evident and that is why we want to focus our discussion on this article about understanding how post acute withdrawal complicates recovery and how best it can be managed. To do this effectively, we are going to relay on the experts experience of experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center. This is a health facility that was established by doctor Dalal Akoury who is a medical and also a veteran addiction expert for several decades now. Her passionate decision to formulate this facility was motivated by the desire of making a difference in people’s lives especially those who are struggling with any kind of addiction whether directly or indirectly. With her input we are going to have the clear understanding of the patterns of post acute withdrawal. This is therefore very important and I want to request you to stay with us on the link and together get the vital information we all need to be on the safer side of any complications that are associated with drug addiction. Now back to the understanding the patterns of post-acute withdrawal, the variation can be categorized in various ways including how severe they are, how often they occur and how long they last. In the same breath some people will often experience certain symptoms while some will also have other symptoms and yet again some people will have none at all says doctor Akoury.

From the expert’s point of view, it is important to note that over a period of time PAWS may get better, it may get worse it may stay the same, or it may come and go. Now take note of this:

That every time it gets better we call it regenerative
If it gets worse it is known as degenerative
If it stays the same we call it stable and
If it comes and goes we call it intermittent.

We all need to be informed of the functionalities of each of these stages. Information is power and the more you know about post-acute withdrawal symptoms the better since you will not make certain mistakes that are predominantly being made by many uninformed people across the globe. Now take a moment and listen to the following facts as we progress into the discussion.

Post acute withdrawal complicates recovery process: Regenerative

Addiction is not a respecter of anybody and we must do all it takes to bring it to manageable levels. Doctor Dalal Akoury says that at this stage the good news about it is that the regenerative PAWS gradually improves over time. She adds that the reason why sobriety is very important is because the longer period of time a person stays sober the less severe the symptoms become. It therefore means that it become much easier for people with regenerative PAWS to recover because the brain rapidly returns to normal and that explains why we must all take the front lane in eliminating misuse of alcohol and all other substances of abuse says doctor Dalal Akoury.

Post acute withdrawal complicates recovery process: Degenerative

Having understood how regenerative PAWS works, the degenerative PAWS is the direct opposite. In this case the symptoms get worse the longer a person is sober. This may happen even when a person is going through rehabilitation to AA/NA or even when following some type of recovery program. It is regrettable to note that in many cases the people with degenerative PAWS often become relapse prone. The most devastating part of this is that at this point sobriety becomes so painful to the victims that they feel they must take it up on themselves by self-medicating the pain with the wrong substances including alcohol or drugs. The consequences of this may include the collapse physically or emotionally, or commit suicide to end the pain.

Post acute withdrawal complicates recovery process: Stability

Doctor Dalal is registering that under normal circumstances a person with stable PAWS experiences the same level of symptoms for a long period of time into recovery. There may be days when the symptoms are a little better or a little worse, but essentially the symptoms remain unchanged. Most recovering people find this very frustrating because they believe that they should be feeling better the longer they are sober. With sufficient sober time many people learn to manage these symptoms.

Post-acute withdrawal complicates recovery process: Intermittent

Finally with intermittent PAWS the symptoms come and go. At the initial stages, people with intermittent symptoms will appear to experience a regenerative pattern. That is to say that their symptoms will get better rapidly. But then they begin to experience periodic PAWS episodes that can be quite severe. It is equally important to note that for some people the episodes get shorter, less severe, and farther apart until they stop altogether while in others they occur periodically throughout life.

According to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center these patterns actually describes people who have not had treatment for PAWS and who do not know how to manage or prevent the symptoms. It is also necessary to mentioned that the traditional treatment does not address these symptoms because until recently they were unrecognized. If you know what to do and you are willing to do it, degenerative PAWS can be changed into stable, stable into regenerative, and regenerative into intermittent PAWS.

Doctor Akoury is making emphasis that the most common pattern of PAWS is regenerative and over time it becomes intermittent. From there it gradually gets better until the symptoms disappear and then it comes and goes. It therefore means that the first step is to bring PAWS symptoms into remission. This means bringing them under control so that you are not experiencing them at the present time and the ultimate goal is:

To reduce how often they occur
How long the episode lasts and
How bad the symptoms are.

In all these you must always remember that even when you are not experiencing them there is always the tendency for them to recur. It is therefore necessary to build a resistance against them and you can always consult with the experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Akoury for further professional guidance.

Post acute withdrawal complicates recovery process: The variances with individuals

Dialectical Behavior Therapy and teenage addiction

November 24, 2015

Understanding Dialectical Behavior Therapy and teenage addiction: Are you sending the wrong message?

Understanding Dialectical Behavior Therapy and teenage addiction is very necessary in the fight against teenage addiction.

For a very long time now we have indicated openly that with addiction there are no boundaries. Everyone is at a risk of being addicted to any drug depending on several factors which we have repeatedly discussed in our previous postings. Nonetheless with the rampant increase of the number of people being addicted to drugs every passing day, it has become necessary for us to marry facts and discuss them as they are for our timely consumption and taking appropriate action plan. In view of that, we want to focus this discussion on the understanding Dialectical Behavior Therapy and teenage addiction as components addiction and how they complement one another in the fight against substance abuse. The use for chemical dependency is another element that requires Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for solutions says doctor Dalal Akoury who is an addiction expert, MD, Founder and President of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center.

From her over two decades of working experience in this discipline, doctor Akoury defines Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) as a modified form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for those with severe psychosocial disorders. According to the recent work at the University of Washington suggests its effectiveness with chemical dependency, in particular, and some addiction specialists are incorporating DBT into rehab treatment plans. It is however important to appreciate that this form of therapy concentrates on skill development, coping strategies, and the individual’s strengths. Through a focus on positive reinforcement, Dialectical Behavior Therapy can decrease the number of self-destructive episodes an individual might experience, as well as their severity. The basic assumption of DBT is that people are doing the best they can but are lacking the skills necessary to function appropriately in any given environment.

Understanding Dialectical Behavior Therapy and teenage addiction: How does DBT works

When you choose this mode of addiction treatment for your specific condition, it will be very important to be informed of how DBT works. Doctor Akoury registers that basically there are about four components of DBT and they may include the following:

Individual therapy
Group therapy
Therapist Consultation Team
Phone Coaching

Now for better understanding, let us seek the expert’s opinion from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center which is the home of solution founded by doctor Dalal Akoury, MD and President of the facility (AWAREmed Health and Wellness) as follows:

Individual therapy

Professionally, this is where the client records issues that come up during the week on diary cards and discusses them with a therapist. During these sessions, the therapy focuses on developing or improving skills that will diminish self-destructive behaviors, sabotage to therapy, and improve overall quality of life. This is actually very important especially to the teenagers who are struggling with the various forms of addiction. With the administration of DBT there will be both physical and psychological empowerment which is very instrumental in the fight against addiction.

Group therapy

Doctor Akoury reiterates that when group therapy is done at least once week and sessions that will last for up to two and a half hours, focusing on the use of four specific skills: mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation and distress tolerance, the result will be overwhelmingly productive to everyone whether you are the direct victim or indirect victim. Many people often feel intimidated when they are alone with the specialist but with the group therapy some ray of comfort and confidence is possible since one will be able to ride on the experiences of other people who have been there. Moral support is one of the strengths realized in such an arrangement. Therefore if you or any one you know is struggling with an addiction of any kind, then you may want to be the bridge through which they will get the much needed help they need by scheduling for an appointment with the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center. On receipt of your appointment, doctor Dalal Akoury and her team of experts will attend to you humanly and with a lot of confidence. Patient doctor trust and confidentiality is one virtue we uphold in this facility to perfection.

Understanding Dialectical Behavior Therapy and teenage addiction: Therapist Consultation Team

This includes therapists who are using Dialectical Behavior Therapy and provides weekly support for the therapist.

Understanding Dialectical Behavior Therapy and teenage addiction: Phone Coaching

This is designed to help incorporate skills into an individual’s daily life. The coaching sessions are generally brief, informative and to the point. It is however very important to take note that mindfulness is the foundation for the other skills taught in DBT, because it helps individuals accept the powerful emotions they may feel when exposed to difficult situations. Buddhist practice for instance informs the mindfulness exercises used in DBT, though the version used does not contain religious concepts. DBT helps develop the capacity to be present, to pay attention without judgment, and helps individuals develop perspective on their emotional states. Doctor Akoury is further registering that since the use of Dialectical Behavior Therapy in substance abuse is comparatively new, it is yet to be considered as an evidence-based therapy. However, the increased use of DBT in the treatment of chemical dependency will likely yield statistical evidence to prove or discount its effectiveness.

Finally understanding dialectical behavior therapy and teenage addiction is just but one out of the many options available for the treatment of drug addiction and not just in the teens, but also with other different age groups. It is therefore very necessary that when considering any method of application, expert opinion would be very important. And for that reason, we want to advice that you consult with your physician for further professional advice and if you are within reach, then you may want to consider scheduling for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury today for a one on one discussion with her and you will not regret having done so.

Category Archives: Brain Health