The significance of cortisol in stress management

September 18, 2015

The significance of cortisol in stress management: Tips on managing stress

The significance of cortisol in stress management is a step in the right direction

Understanding the significance of cortisol in stress management is one very important element that we all need to appreciate if we want to meaningfully defeat some of the health complications that are associated with stress and addiction. In this tough economic situation a lot of publications are posted in various media and forums with very luring information about certain remedies of stress. Doctor Dalal Akoury a well-respected addiction professional says that in today’s market, there are several commercials that tout the effectiveness of supplements like Cortislim ™ and Relacore ™ that propose to help people lose weight and feel less stressed by inhibiting the effects of cortisol. However, these commercials do not necessarily give you the fully inform you need to know about some of the following and including:

What stress is all about and its significance to the overall physiological functioning?
The actual pathways involved with the stress response and the one responsible for cortisol release.
The function and importance of cortisol for bodily function.
The potential link between cortisol and obesity.
The potential link between stress, cortisol, and appetite.
The harmful health effects of stress-induced obesity.

We are therefore going to engage the services of experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center to help us in unlocking some of the potential facts we need to know about the role of cortisol in stress management. Therefore the purpose of this article is to primarily give some clarifications about some misconceptions on these topics and to suggest some practical assessment and stress management ideas for the fitness professional and personal trainer to incorporate with students and clients.

The significance of cortisol in stress management: What is stress and its significance to physiological functioning?

As we progress into the discussion, it is important that we move from the known to the unknown and it is to say, stress can be defined as the nonspecific response of the body to any demand made upon it or as any event in which environmental demands, internal demands, or both tax or exceed the adaptive resources of an individual, social system or tissue system. Doctor Akoury is saying that in many different societies today, stress is a common term that is often associated with negative situations and settings and on the other hand a stress-free life may also be harmful, primarily because an individual will lose his/her ability to react to the different challenges of life. It is important to note that every person has an optimal positive stress level known as eustress, while on the other hand stress that is harmful is noted to be distress.

The significance of cortisol in stress management: Stress response pathways

The reactions of people to stressors are normally different in many ways. Like for instance, if an individual perceives the stressor as a challenge to his/her control of a situation, norepinephrine the “fight” hormone is predominantly released. And, if the stress arousal increases and a possible loss of control is felt by the individual, then epinephrine, another “flight/anxiety” hormone is released. It therefore means that when the stress is prolonged and seen as hopeless, the individual becomes more distressed and feels defeated. This then activates the hypothalamus in the brain and what follows is a cascade of hormonal pathways resulting in the final release of cortisol from the adrenal cortex of the kidney.

Experts’ at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center says that the brain is able to selectively activate the fight, flight, or defeat responses. This usually occurs in day to day living when an individual perceives his/her hassles as a challenge to control or a loss of control. Although the stress pathways work together, they each can uniquely affect the function of bodily processes. For instance, the “fight” or “flight” stress responses cause the heart to beat faster and harder as well as release more free fatty acids (disassembled triglycerides) into the blood. The “defeat” response stress pathway can lead to enhanced lipogenesis (fat creation), visceral obesity (deep abdominal obesity), breakdown of tissues, and suppression of the immune system. All these give us all the reasons to bring stress to manageable levels soonest.

The significance of cortisol in stress management: Useful stress management tips for fitness professional to apply

Fortunately, fitness professional are already doing many physical activities to help their clients manage stress. Many types of aerobic and anaerobic exercise have been shown to be effective interventions in reducing or managing stress. Some of the popular ‘mindful’ exercise programs such as yoga and Tai Chi (or Tai Chi Chaun) are also recommended for stress management. Meditation, progressive relaxation, deep breathing, and visualization are methods that can be effective in decreasing stress-induced symptoms. Also, eating right and getting enough rest should be incorporated in a stress management plan for life.

In conclusion, doctor Akoury says that it is always important to appreciate that stress will always be a part of our daily living and is necessary for providing challenge to physiological and psychological development. However, too much stress over a period of time combined with poor coping habits may cause physical, chemical, and hormonal imbalances in the body, thus leading to disease and death if left unchecked. The pathways of the stress response are complex and may activate other hormonal pathways, resulting in the release of cortisol. The chronic release of cortisol combined with altered tissue production is linked to the development of abdominal obesity in both men and women. Cortisol is associated to overeating, craving high caloric fatty and sugary foods, and relocating fat from the circulation and storage depots to the deep internal abdominal area. It is therefore very crucial that all fitness professionals must continually educate their clients and the general public about the value of exercise and stress management activities as important strategies for managing stress and lessening the health risks associated with stress-induced obesity. Finally if you are not flowing with us well in this discussion and you need a more close one on one discussion with our team of experts, you can schedule for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury today for further professional guidance.

The significance of cortisol in stress management: Tips on managing stress

Understanding the effectiveness for narcotic abuse treatment

September 17, 2015

Understanding the effectiveness for narcotic abuse treatment: Dealing with the problem of narcotic abuse professionally

If you had the power of understanding the effectiveness for narcotic abuse treatment, you will not associate yourself with any kind of drugs in life.

We are privileged to have real addiction professional like doctor Dalal Akoury (MD) the founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center in our midst to help us go through the challenges of addiction and help us in the understanding the effectiveness for narcotic abuse treatment from all levels. We actually need to be safe from all the attacks of drugs and that is why doctor Dalal Akoury founded this facility (AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center) to primarily to make a difference in the lives of people who are struggling with addiction. To do this, her main objective is to transform each individual’s life through increasing awareness about health and wellness and by empowering individuals to find their own inner healing power. It will also interest you to know that Dr. Akoury’s practice focuses on personalized medicine through healthy lifestyle choices that deal with primary prevention and underlying causes instead of patching up symptoms. And now that you are aware of where to find lasting and professional solutions to all your addiction complications, you may want to call her on Telephone number 843 213 1480 to schedule for an appointment with her so that all your concerns can be addressed professionally. In the meantime, let us focus our discussion to the topic of the day “understanding the effectiveness for narcotic abuse treatment” even as we progress into the discussion.

Understanding the effectiveness for narcotic abuse treatment: Intoxication

Intoxication is normally treated in cases of overdose and when severe respiratory depression occurs. Naltrexone, an opiate agonist drug, may be used to revive a person who has overdosed. It binds to opioid receptors in the brain and counteracts the effects of drugs like heroin, morphine, and codeine. Its side effects may include nausea and headache and it may be associated with liver toxicity. Like we had mentioned before, detoxification is normally the first step in treatment. Withdrawal may last from a couple of days to 2 weeks. Two drugs, methadone and clonidine, are applicable in this mode of treatment.

The primary role of methadone (a synthetic narcotic) is to reduce the discomfort of withdrawal and is normally administered in tapering doses until withdrawal ends. And because methadone is a narcotic its side effects are similar to the effects of heroin or morphine, however they have a slower onset, last longer, and are less severe. Also, respiratory depression can occur in high doses. And when it comes to clonidine which is an anti-hypertension medication, it affects the nervous system and can block the physical manifestations of withdrawal, like anxiety and irritability. Its most common side effects are dry mouth, dizziness, and drowsiness.

Understanding the effectiveness for narcotic abuse treatment: Dependence

This is very dangerous and must be overcome by abstinence. Drug counseling, self-help groups, half-way houses, and narcotics anonymous (similar to alcoholics anonymous) may instill in a user the behavioral and psychological changes necessary to break a drug habit. And remember that methadone maintenance is helpful when combined with these strategies. Tapering initially large doses of methadone can help people gradually overcome dependence. Methadone is abused and its use remains controversial. Still, long-term treatment plans (30 days to more than a year) can keep people away from street drugs, needles, and disease. They improve the quality of life for most people who attempt to recover.

Like in many parts of the world, we have over 11,000 drug treatment centers in the United States providing treatment for intoxication, withdrawal symptoms, and dependence. The objective of detoxification is abstinence. Under this arrangement staffs are trained in substance dependence, and most centers employ physicians. Therefore patients will have an option of either choosing an inpatient or an outpatient treatment program, depending on the severity of dependence, availability of facilities, insurance coverage, and other considerations. Some facilities specialize only in detoxification or long-term treatment; others provide both fast-acting devices to treat narcotic overdose

It will interest you to note that in April 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new hand-held auto-injector to reverse a potentially fatal opioid overdose. This device which is known as Evzio (naloxone hydrochloride injection) is designed for use by family members, caregivers, and non-medical first responders in cases of known or suspected overdose of heroin or a narcotic pain reliever. And according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Evzio will be available by prescription to friends and family members of people at increased risk for opioid overdose—those who are taking narcotic pain medications for a medical condition and those who are struggling with narcotic addiction. The easy-to-use device can be carried in a pocket, purse, or bag, or can be stored in a medicine cabinet at home. Once it is turned on, it gives verbal instructions for use and then directs the person administering the medication to call in case of emergency. A training device is included with the delivery device and family members and caregivers are instructed to become familiar with using the device before it is needed.

Understanding the effectiveness for narcotic abuse treatment: Signs of narcotic overdose

The signs may include decreased breathing/heart rate and loss of consciousness. Evzio delivers a single dose of naloxone into the muscle (intramuscular) or beneath the skin (subcutaneous) as an emergency treatment. Because the effects of narcotics can last longer than the effects of naloxone, and because naloxone can cause severe opioid withdrawal, it’s important to seek medical attention as quickly as possible. The following are some of the potential side effects of naloxone:

Nausea and vomiting
Profuse sweating
Cardiac arrest
Uncontrolled trembling/shaking
High blood pressure spikes
Increased heart rate
Seizures

Finally understanding the effectiveness for narcotic abuse treatment should not be taken lightly since it forms the basis of finding effective and lasting solutions to all addiction related problems globally. Therefore if you or anyone you know is struggling with any kind of addiction, you can be the bridge of hope to them by introducing them to the home of addiction experts (AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center) under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury today.

Understanding the effectiveness for narcotic abuse treatment: Dealing with the problem of narcotic abuse professionally

Necessities of identifying courses of narcotic abuse

September 17, 2015

Necessities of identifying courses of narcotic abuse: Diagnosis of Narcotic Abuse

Necessities of identifying courses of narcotic abuse will help you get out in the thickest of nicotine addiction

When addressing the necessities of identifying courses of narcotic abuse, it is very important that we appreciated that the whole process of diagnosing narcotic abuse and dependence is very complicated. This is so because users are not ignorant of the fact that their drug use activity is prohibited, illegitimate and illegal. Speaking to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury (MD) and founder of the facility, it is evident that physiologically, the user’s brain requires the drug as a substitute for endorphins, this often makes it very difficult for users to stop regardless of whether or not they recognize the problem. It is therefore possible that drug dependency in many situations may be discovered by friends or family members and even this will still have some challenges associated with stigma thereby causing the families to deny or avoid the problem. But addiction being what it is, in most cases with or without anyone speaking about it, somewhere along the way something in the life of the user will reveal his or her dependence. Difficulty at work; criminal activity (e.g., theft, forgery); prescription records gathered by insurance companies and doctors; withdrawal; or the discovery of an illness, like HIV infection, may uncover the problem.

Besides all these the physical signs of drug dependence, like injection marks on the skin, deterioration of nasal tissue from snorting and constricted or dilated pupils may be present. Therefore the process of ascertaining the truth may involve screening for the presence of narcotics in the body by carrying out laboratory tests, like urinalysis or hair analysis. However doctor Akoury registers that testing alone cannot determine the length of time that drugs have been used. In that case differential diagnosis may be necessary in cases where signs indicate nonnarcotic drug use or the presence of a medical condition. Like for instance benzodiazapine and barbiturate use can produce symptoms similar to narcotic intoxication and withdrawal. Hypoglycemia (low blood-sugar, fatigue), electrolyte imbalance, head or brain injury, and stroke can produce delirium and cause slurred speech, inability to concentrate, and impaired memory, which are also signs of intoxication.

Necessities of identifying courses of narcotic abuse: Narcotic Abuse Course

According to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, the exact age for drug use is not always very clear owing to the fact that the effects of narcotics can be felt even before birth, however socially the average age range of onset for drug use is 18 to 25. The most painful fact about narcotic use is that those who are using narcotic drugs be it within this rage or otherwise, usually progress the usage to drug dependency says doctor Dalal Akoury. She is also making emphasis that narcotic addiction may develop after medical treatment as well. Like for instance some users often become dependent on the euphoric effects of narcotics following surgery or long-term treatment for pain. It is likely possible that those risk factors for drug abuse are present in such individuals even before treatment.

Necessities of identifying courses of narcotic abuse: Complications of narcotic abuse

The necessities of identifying courses of abuse cannot be ignored at this point of time. We are living in a world that is saturated with serious infectious diseases like AIDS, hepatitis, and tuberculosis which may also develop during the course of drug dependency. And as a matter of facts in some (if not most) large, urban areas, it is estimated that up to 60 percent of those dependent on heroin are infected with the HIV. And besides that tracks, visible puncture scars, are caused by repeated injection especially with heroin and cocaine users. Experts are raising the red flag that scarring of the veins may lead to swellings this is because many users switch from the veins in the forearm to those in the feet, inside the thigh, or in the neck while others stop using veins and inject directly into the first layer of skin a practice that is commonly known as “skin-popping.” When this practice is done consistently over a period of time, it will eventually lead to the development of cellulitus which is an infection into connective tissue, and abscess, where cell death causes pus to collect beneath the skin. Round, healed scars are common signs of skin-popping.

Doctor Akoury reiterates that being addicted to drugs is not only health hazardous but also brings on board other complications that can really bring your life and that of your loved ones to a standstill. Take for example criminal activity that are associated with drug dependency like theft and forgery (of doctors’ signatures), as well as the transportation, sale, and production of illegal substances. All these can land users into serious problems with the law enforcer’s agencies thereby leading to the pillar or bread winner of the family being imprisoned. The trauma, stigma and discrimination that come with it may be unbearable to the family and more so the children in school. In spite of all these doctor Akoury says that all is not lost because the situation can be remedied by seeking for treatment in good time. She says that it is always very important that when you have noticed that you are struggling with any form of drug, immediate treatment must be sought. This way the effectiveness of your treatment will be less complicated since most of your body organs shall have not been affected by the scourge of addiction. Therefore for quick solution to your addiction problems to all kind of narcotics, schedule for an appointment with the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center for a thorough evaluation to be done with a view of starting you on the right king of treatment program the will deliver back your health to you for comfort and full enjoyment thereafter.

Necessities of identifying courses of narcotic abuse: Narcotic Abuse Prognosis

Finally it is important to note that the estimated death rate in those dependent on narcotics includes death by overdose as well as by murder associated with drug-related crime. From the various studies, it has been established that the death rate increases by 2 percent for every year of use and the translation of that is that those who have been using narcotics say for the past 10 years stand a 20 percent chance of drug-related death. In 2013, drug overdose deaths surpassed car crashes and the leading cause for injury death in the United States. This raises great concern on the urgency with which lasting solution must be sought. Don’t therefore weight until it is too late, take action now.

Necessities of identifying courses of narcotic abuse: Diagnosis of Narcotic Abuse

Actions that contributes in causes of addiction

September 16, 2015

Actions that contributes in causes of addiction: Symptoms and treatment solutions

It may appear to be harmless but these are some of the actions that contributes in causes of addiction in the future.

It is not over until it is finally over when it comes to fighting the ever increasing problem of substance abuse. Doctor Dalal Akoury a veteran addiction expert and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, is very much concern with the tender age at which young people get into drugs. From her over two decades of working experience in this discipline, she says that the use and abuse of substances such as cigarettes, alcohol, and illegal drugs are likely to begin in childhood or in their teen years. Even as we look into the actions that contributes in causes of addiction there are certain risk factors that are likely to increase someone’s likelihood to abuse substances. The following are just but a few:

Chaotic home environment
Perception of approval of drug use behavior
Poor social coping skills
Genetic risks (drug or alcohol abuse sometimes can run in families)
Lack of nurturing and parental attachment
Factors related to a child’s socialization outside the family may also increase risk of drug abuse.
Poor school performance
Factors within a family that influence a child’s early development have been shown to be related to increased risk of drug abuse.
Inappropriately aggressive or shy behavior in the classroom
Association with a deviant peer group

Actions that contributes in causes of addiction: Substance Abuse Symptoms

In a family set up when one of their own is struggling with an addiction, it is always common that friends and family may be among the first to recognize the signs of substance abuse. Doctor Akoury says that early recognition is very important as it increases chances for successful treatment and the following are some of the signs to watch for:

Lying, particularly about how much alcohol or other drugs he or she is using
Having “blackouts”-forgetting what he or she did the night before
Constantly talking about drinking or using other drugs
Getting in trouble with the law
Drinking and driving
Giving up past activities such as sports, homework, or hanging out with new friends
Use of room deodorizers and incense
Paraphernalia such as baggies, small boxes, pipes, and rolling paper
Getting drunk or high on drugs on a regular basis
Having to drink more to get the same high
Believing that in order to have fun you need to drink or use other drugs
Suspension from school or work for an alcohol or drug-related incident
Feeling rundown, hopeless, depressed, or even suicidal
Sounding
Avoiding friends or family in order to get drunk or high
Planning drinking in advance, hiding alcohol, drinking or using other drugs alone
Declining grades
Aggressiveness and irritability
Forgetfulness
Disappearing money or valuables
Frequent hangovers
Pressuring others to drink or use other drugs
Taking risks, including sexual risks
selfish and not caring about others

Actions that contributes in causes of addiction: When to Seek Medical Care

If you recognize you have a substance abuse problem and want to quit, a doctor can refer you to community resources. A doctor also may prescribe medications to control cravings and withdrawal or help manage medical complications resulting from substance abuse. Let your doctor know what drugs you use and how you take them. Call your doctor if you recognize any of the following symptoms:

Cough that won’t go away
Pain at an injection site
Fever
Continuing feelings of sadness or depression
Leg swelling
Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes)
Increasing abdominal girth
Mild tremors or an alcohol withdrawal seizure not accompanied by hallucinations or confusion

Actions that contributes in causes of addiction: When to go to the Hospital

If any of the following occur, go to hospital’s emergency department immediately:

Confusion or ongoing hallucinations
Severe pain at an injection site (may be accompanied by redness, swelling, discharge, and fever)
Thoughts of harming yourself or others
Any suspicion that you were sexually assaulted while under the influence
Severe tremors or recurrent seizures
Dark, cola-colored urine
Difficulty speaking, numbness, weakness, severe headache, visual changes, or trouble keeping balance
Chest pain, rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, or lightheadedness
Severe abdominal pain

Actions that contributes in causes of addiction: Substance Abuse Treatment

Medical Treatment – Most substances abusers believe they can stop using drugs on their own, but a majority who try do not succeed. Research shows that long-term drug use alters brain function and strengthens compulsions to use drugs. This craving continues even after drug use stops.

Because of these ongoing cravings, the most important component of treatment is preventing relapse. Treating substance abuse depends on both the person and the substance being used. Behavioral treatment provides you with strategies to cope with your drug cravings and ways to avoid relapse. Your doctor may prescribe medications, such as nicotine patches and methadone, to control withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings. Often, a drug user has an underlying mental disorder, one that increases risk for substance abuse. Such disorders must be treated medically and through counseling along with the drug abuse.

Actions that contributes in causes of addiction: Prevention

Substance abuse may start in childhood or adolescence. Abuse prevention efforts in schools and community settings now focus on school-age groups. Programs seek to increase communication between parents and their children, to teach resistance skills, and to correct children’s misperceptions about cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs and the consequences of their use. Most importantly, officials seek to develop, through education and the media, an environment of social disapproval from children’s peers and families.

Actions that contributes in causes of addiction: Costs to society

In 1992, officials estimated that alcohol and drug abuse in the US cost $246 billion. That figure did not include the health care costs related to tobacco.

Crime – More than half the economic cost of alcohol and drugs is due to crime. A substance abuser is 18 times more likely to be involved in criminal activity than someone in the general population. Many violent crimes have been linked to the mind-altering effects of drugs. Substance abusers often commit thefts to support their drug habits. Drugs and alcohol have been linked to domestic violence and sexual assault. At colleges, 75% of date rapes are alcohol-related. Among jailed sex offenders, 43% say they were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of their crime.

Disease – Most abused substances have harmful health effects. For some substances, such as tobacco, effects are caused by long-term use. For other drugs, a single use can cause significant disease.

Trauma – It is estimated that up to 75% of injured people treated at emergency departments test positive for illicit or prescription drugs. Alcohol is strongly associated with both intentional and unintentional injury. Drug use also puts people at risk of violence. Nearly half of assault victims are cocaine users and that is one reason why you really need to schedule for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury if any of the above mentioned is in anyway points to your direction.

Actions that contributes in causes of addiction: Symptoms and treatment solutions

Understanding the genesis of drug addiction scourge

September 16, 2015

Understanding the genesis of drug addiction scourge: The endless list of substance abuse elements

Defeating drug addiction begins with understanding the genesis of drug addiction scourge and taking the correct action

The reason why many people are suffering from various health complications is because of luck of luck of knowledge. This can be very painful more so if something could be done and an individual suffers ignorantly. That is why doctor Dalal Akoury and her team of experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center are taking the lead role in posting very informative blogs to the general public so that together we can find solutions to this problem. In that regard we want to focus this discussion into understanding the genesis of drug addiction scourge and some of the substances that we need to disassociate with by all means. The list of substances is endless and they include the following:

Understanding the genesis of drug addiction scourge: Cocaine

Cocaine is one of the most abused drugs and it is also known as crack, coke, snow, rock. Taking the US as an example it will be noted that cocaine use has gone down in the last few years; from 2007 to 2012 with the number of current users in the U.S. ages 12 or older dropped from 2.1 million to 1.7 million. Derived from the coca plant of South America, cocaine can be administered into the body by smoking, injection, snorting or just by swallowing. The intensity and duration of the drug’s effects depend on how you take it. Desired effects include pleasure and increased alertness. Short-term effects also include paranoia, constriction of blood vessels leading to heart damage or stroke, irregular heartbeat, and death. Severe depression and reduced energy often accompany withdrawal. Both short- and long-term use of cocaine has been associated with damage to the heart, the brain, the lung, and the kidneys and this are the complications we want this blog to help you address by scheduling for an appointment with the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of a veteran addiction expert doctor Dalal Akoury today for the commencement of your recovery journey.

Understanding the genesis of drug addiction scourge: Heroin also known as smack, horse

There is no doubt that heroin use has been on the rise from time to time and according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), in 2012 about 669,000 Americans reported using heroin in the past year, a number that has been on the rise since 2007. The biggest increases are among users ages 18 to 25. Effects of heroin intoxication include drowsiness, pleasure, and slowed breathing. Withdrawal can be intense and can include vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, confusion, aches, and sweating. Besides that any overdose of this substance may result in death from respiratory arrest (stopping breathing). And because heroin is usually injected, often with dirty needles, use of the drug can trigger other health complications including destruction of your heart valves, HIV/AIDS, infections, tetanus, and botulism.

Understanding the genesis of drug addiction scourge: Methamphetamines

This substance is also known as meth, crank, ice, speed, crystal and its use has also increased significantly especially in the West. Methamphetamine is a powerful stimulant with the potential abilities of increasing alertness, decreases appetite, and gives a sensation of pleasure. The drug can either be administered into the body by injection, snorting, smoking or taken in as a mixture with food. It shares many of the same toxic effects as cocaine including effects like heart attacks, dangerously high blood pressure and stroke. It is also associated with several withdrawal symptoms including depression, abdominal cramps and increased appetite. Besides that it is important to appreciate that, methamphetamines other long-term effects may also include paranoia, hallucinations, weight loss, destruction of teeth, and heart damage. These are not the only substances that bring complications to your health.

Understanding the genesis of drug addiction scourge: Club drugs

The club scene and rave parties have popularized an assortment of other drugs. Many young people believe these drugs are harmless or even healthy. And as we had mentioned before that the list is endless, the following are some of the club drugs that we need to be careful about even as we desire proper understanding of the scourge of addiction in our societies.

Ecstasy also called MDMA, Adam, STP – This is a stimulant and hallucinogen used to improve mood and to maintain energy, often for all-night dance parties. Long-term use may cause damage to the brain’s ability to regulate body temperature, sleep, pain, memory, and emotions.

GHB also called Liquid XTC, G and blue nitro – Once sold at health food stores, GHB’s effects are related to dose. Effects range from mild relaxation to coma or death. GHB is often used as a date-rape drug because it is tasteless, colorless, and acts as a powerful sedative.

Rohypnol also called roofies, roche – This is another sedative that can be used as a date-rape drug. Effects include low blood pressure, dizziness, abdominal cramps, confusion, and impaired memory.

Ketamine also called Special K, K – This is an anesthetic that can be taken orally or injected. Ketamine (Ketalar) can impair memory and attention. Higher doses can cause amnesia, paranoia and hallucinations, depression, and difficulty breathing.

LSD (also called acid, microdot) and mushrooms (also called shrooms, magic mushrooms, peyote, buttons) – Popular in the 1960s, LSD has been revived in the club scene. LSD and hallucinogenic mushrooms can cause hallucinations, numbness, nausea, and increased heart rate. Long-term effects include unwanted “flashbacks” and psychosis (hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, and mood disturbances).

PCP also known as angel dust, hog, love boat – PCP is a powerful anesthetic used in veterinary medicine. Its effects are similar to those of ketamine but often stronger. The anesthetic effects are so strong that you can break your arm but not feel any pain. Usually, tobacco or marijuana cigarettes are dipped into PCP and then smoked.

Finally the list above is represent may not be conclusive but it represent the magnitude of the problem that we are likely to go through if we don’t act expeditiously as required to defeat drug addiction and all other complications that are associated with it. Therefore individually and collectively you need to consult with your physician before taking any action so that any further complication can be addressed in the most professional way for a better, healthier and more comfortable life of full productivity thereafter.

Understanding the genesis of drug addiction scourge: The endless list of substance abuse elements

Category Archives: Dr. Dalal Akoury