Neurotransmitters

April 25, 2014

Neurotransmitters-General Psychology

the first neurotransmitter was discovered in early 1920s several others have since been discovered

Neurotransmitters are the chemicals which allow the transmission of signals from one neuron to the next across synapses. They are also found at the axon endings of motor neurons, where they stimulate the muscle fibers. Normally they together with their close relatives are produced by some glands such as the pituitary and the adrenal glands. For a couple of articles in the coming days I will dwell much about NAD being a neurotransmitter and it other functions. I would therefore want to kindly have you on board as we dig into this interesting topic, stay tuned and let us learn together, but for the purpose of article, I want us to byway of introduction review some of the most significant neurotransmitters we have as a basis of understanding ware we are heading to.

Neurotransmitters-Acetylcholine

This is one of the first neurotransmitter to be discovered in early ninety’s. In 1921 it was isolated by a Nobel laurite German biologist called Otto Loewi for his work. Some of its functions are;

It is responsible for much of the stimulation of muscles, including the muscles of the gastro-intestinal system.
It is also found in sensory neurons and in the autonomic nervous system, and has a part in scheduling REM (dream) sleep.

The plant poisons curare and hemlock cause paralysis by blocking the acetylcholine receptor sites of muscle cells. The well-known poison botulin works by preventing the vesicles in the axon ending from releasing acetylcholine, causing paralysis. The botulin derivative botox is used by many people to temporarily eliminate wrinkles. On a more serious note, there is a link between acetylcholine and Alzheimer’s disease: There is something on the order of a 90% loss of acetylcholine in the brains of people suffering from Alzheimer’s, which is a major cause of senility.

Neurotransmitters–Norepinephrine

This was discovered by a Swedish biologist named Ulf von Euler in 1946 by then it was called Noradrenalin. Ulf also won a Nobel Prize.

Norepinephrine is strongly associated with bringing our nervous systems into “high alert.”
It is prevalent in the sympathetic nervous system, and it increases our heart rate and our blood pressure.
Our adrenal glands release it into the blood stream, along with its close relative epinephrine (aka adrenalin).
It is also important for forming memories.

Neurotransmitters-Dopamine

It is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, meaning that when it finds its way to its receptor sites, it blocks the tendency of that neuron to fire. It was discovered in 1950s by another Swede called Arvi Carlsson. Dopamine is strongly associated with reward mechanisms in the brain. Drugs like cocaine, opium, heroin, and alcohol increase the levels of dopamine, as doe’s nicotine. If it feels good, dopamine neurons are probably involved!

The severe mental illness schizophrenia has been shown to involve excessive amounts of dopamine in the frontal lobes, and drugs that block dopamine are used to help schizophrenics.
On the other hand, too little dopamine in the motor areas of the brain are responsible for Parkinson’s disease, which involves uncontrollable muscle tremors.
It was Arvid Carlsson mentioned above who figured out that the precursor to dopamine (called L-dopa) could elevate some of the symptoms of Parkinson’s. This would latter in 2000 see him being awarded the Nobel Prize.
Recently, it has been noted that low dopamine may related not only to the unsociability of schizophrenics, but also to social anxiety.
On the other hand, dopamine has been found to have relatively little to do with the pleasures of eating.

Neurotransmitters-GABA

Eugene Roberts and J. Awapara jointly discovered GABA (gamma amino-butyric acid) in 1950, which is also usually an inhibitory neurotransmitter.

GABA acts like a brake to the excitatory neurotransmitters that lead to anxiety.
People with too little GABA tend to suffer from anxiety disorders, and drugs like Valium work by enhancing the effects of GABA.
Lots of other drugs influence GABA receptors, including alcohol and barbiturates.
Luck of GABA in certain parts of the brain, results in epilepsy.

Neurotransmitters–Glutamate

It is an excitatory relative of GABA which is the most common neurotransmitter in the central nervous system as much as half of all neurons in the brain and is especially important in regards to memory. Curiously, glutamate is actually toxic to neurons, and anything in excess will kill them. Sometimes brain damage or a stroke will lead to an excess and end with many more brain cells dying than from the original trauma. ALS also known as Lou Gehrig disease comes as a result of excessive glutamate production. Many researchers believe it may be responsible for quite a variety of diseases of the nervous system, and are now looking for ways to minimize its effects

It was discovered 1907 by Kikunae Ikeda of Tokay Imperial Univ. while looking for the flavor common to things like cheese, meat, and mushrooms. He was able to extract an acid from seaweed glutamate. He went on to invent the well known seasoning MSG monosodium glutamate. It took decades for Peter Usherwood to identify glutamate as a neurotransmitter (in locusts) in 1994.

Neurotransmitters–Serotonin

Serotonin is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that has been found to be intimately involved in emotion and mood. For instance:

Too little serotonin has been shown to lead to depression, problems with anger control, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and suicide.
Too little also leads to an increased appetite for carbohydrates (starchy foods) and trouble sleeping, which are also associated with depression and other emotional disorders.
It has also been tied to migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, and fibromyalgia.

Neurotransmitters-Endorphin

In 1973, Solomon Snyder and Candace Pert of Johns Hopkins discovered endorphin. Endorphin is short for “endogenous morphine.” It is structurally very similar to the opioids (opium, morphine, heroin, etc.) and has similar functions: Inhibitory, it is involved in pain reduction and pleasure, and the opioid drugs work by attaching to endorphin’s receptor sites. It is also the neurotransmitter that allows bears and other animals to hibernate. Consider: Heroin slows heart-rate, respiration, and metabolism in general – exactly what you would need to hibernate. Of course, sometimes heroin slows it all down to nothing: Permanent hibernation.

Having got the background of these neurotransmitters I want to seek your indulgence to stay on the link to continue getting the optimum benefits from doctor Dalal Akoury who is the founder and MD of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center. She is a professional training physicians globally to offer the best to patients. In her facility she take keen interest and focus on Neuroendocrine Restoration (NER) to reinstate normality through realization of the oneness of Spirit, Mind, and Body, Unifying the threesome into ONE while administering treatment to her patients.

Neurotransmitters-Psychology of neurotransmitters

Alternative Approaches to end Alcohol Abuse

April 24, 2014

Alternative Approaches to end Alcohol Abuse-The HPA Axis

researches have been done and conclusions made. One of the Research fund that the “home” of alcoholism (alcohol) resides in the HPA (hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenal) axis of the neuroendocrine system …

Alternative Approaches to end Alcohol Abuse-The Home of Alcoholism in the Body and Mind

Consumption of alcohol is a problem which has kept the global society thinking. There are two different schools of thoughts depending on the interest represented. The interest of health and that of generating revenue, for the purpose of this article we will focus on the interest of health and the possible solutions. Several researches have been done and conclusions made. One of the finds was that that the “home” of alcoholism resides in the HPA (hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenal) axis of the neuroendocrine system, to this effect scientists have developed extremely sophisticated tests which monitor the performance of this axis under various conditions by measuring:

Dopamine
Serotonin, GABA
Glutamate
Epinephrine (adrenaline)
Norepinephrine (noradrenalin)
Cortisol
DHEA

These are the six big neurotransmitters and two key hormones which define either the health of the neuroendocrine system or its state and depth of illness. To better understand the root of this phenomenon we will go into it a little more detail regarding genetic addictive biochemistry and active addiction and how they affect the HPA axis.

Alternative Approaches to end Alcohol Abuse-The hypothalamus

The endocrine system is the network of glands in the body comprised of the hypothalamus, pituitary, pineal, adrenals, thyroid, parathyroid and the sex glands; ovaries and testes. These glands secrete hormones throughout the body to each and every organ via the blood which are received by their complimentary receptors. Hormones are “messengers” which carry messages coded by our DNA with the intention of keeping an organ regulated and healthy, essentially functioning as it should. A hormone’s message will stimulate, suppress or maintain functional cell or tissue activity of the organ it is received by.

The hypothalamus is the center piece of the endocrine system and is located in the middle of the base of the brain. The purpose of hypothalamus’ is to establish and maintain homeostasis; balance within the body. It regulates all the functions of the autonomic system of breathing, heart rate, etc… but also hunger, thirst, sexual drive, sleep urination and metabolism which includes blood sugar control.

Although technically hypothalamus is part of the endocrine system it is really central to both the endocrine and nervous system; in fact, it is in the hypothalamus that these two extremely complex systems of the body intersect. As the Master Accountant, the hypothalamus performs checks and balances and responds to chemical messages of deficient or excess by sending various hormones and neurotransmitters to “adjust” to the requirements of your internal and/or external environments to maintain status quo. The hypothalamus is able to do this because it houses receptor sites for both hormones from the endocrine system and neurotransmitters from the nervous system and it utilizes the information it receives from those sites to do its job of not only controlling the entire endocrine system, including having a profound influence on the liver, heart and kidneys, but establishing healthy brain chemistry and nervous system performance by correcting neurotransmitter imbalances by either slowing production of what is in excess, ingesting or degrading them faster, or in cases of deficiency, producing and releasing them as required.

Alternative Approaches to end Alcohol Abuse-Addictive biochemistry

The door to addictive biochemistry opens when either the hypothalamus or one of the organs which serve the hypothalamus in accomplishing this job is injured, or if the nutrients required are not available. In any one of these conditions the entire system will fall off the “point zero” (homeostasis) that the HPA system tries to maintain, and the door for addictive biochemistry is opened. It is a well-known fact that addictive biochemistry and full out alcoholism are associated with over expression of the sympathetic nervous system; low serotonin, GABA, dopamine, endorphins and enkephalins and it is in the hypothalamus where the delicate job of balancing this network of hormones and neurotransmitters to achieve physical and mental health is supposed to be done whether it be directly from the hypothalamus or via the pituitary and adrenals under the control of the hypothalamus.

Alternative Approaches to end Alcohol Abuse-The difference between addictive biochemistry and alcoholism

The only difference between addictive biochemistry and full out alcoholism is that addictive biochemistry becomes aggravated, meaning that the deficient condition within the hypothalamus, pituitary or adrenals is made more profound by the damaging effects of alcohol toxicity and the medicating effects which, while drinking, overexpress serotonin, endorphins and dopamine which magnifies the negative impact of an already up-regulated brain chemistry. The symptoms the problem drinker experiences intensify in direct relationship to the diminishing health of the neuroendocrine system which further encourages the person to drink more thus causing even more damage. This cycle progressively intensifies until intervention which discontinues and heals the damage is required to stop it.

The pituitary gland is located below the hypothalamus and is directly connected to it via nerve and circulatory pathways. The hypothalamus regulates the function of the pituitary gland which in turn controls hormonal secretions of all other glands; however, specific to alcoholism we are concerned with the function of the adrenals and the secretion of cortisol which is under control of ACTH (adrenocorticotrophin) secreted by the pituitary, and epinephrine and norepinephrine which is also released by the adrenals due to a rise in CRH and/or signals from the sympathetic nervous system. In the case of cortisol release, when the hypothalamus registers low blood sugar it will send CRH (corticotrophin releasing hormone) to the pituitary which then releases ACTH which will cause cortisol to be secreted from the adrenals. This chain of events will also cause the release of epinephrine and to a lesser degree norepinephrine. Prolonged increased levels of epinephrine will block insulin receptors which lead to insulin resistance and lowered serotonin, endorphin, enkephalin and GABA levels which impairs HPA functions and increases compulsive/addictive behavior.

The adrenals sit on top of the kidneys and are directly controlled by the pituitary gland. The adrenals are comprised of two sections; one is the medulla which is the inner core and the second is the adrenal cortex which is the outer layer. The medulla relates to the sympathetic nervous system and produces the catecholamine’s epinephrine and norepinephrine. The adrenal cortex produces sex hormones, aldosterone, and what we’re most concerned with cortisol.

The adrenals receive chemical messengers (hormones) from the pituitary and signal from the sympathetic nervous system which determines how much of its hormones it will release. However, if they are injured, diseased or fatigued they will not be able to keep up with the demands from the hypothalamus to maintain homeostasis and mild to severe mental disorders will surface as symptoms of compromised adrenal health.

Although it is hard to imagine because they are docked on our kidneys, adrenal health is fundamental to our mental health. Proper levels of cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine are crucial to our mental well-being so concentrated focus needs to be applied to their health when healing addictive biochemistry and alcoholism. As you consider breaking way from addictive biochemistry and alcoholism, you need the help of an expert to take you through the healing process. Doctor Dalal Akoury is an expert who has the experience of over two decades and has been helping many get their life back globally by emphasizing on Neuroendocrine Restoration (NER) to reinstate normality through realization of the oneness of Spirit, Mind, and Body, Unifying the threesome into ONE.

Alternative Approaches to end Alcohol Abuse-The HPA Axis

Addiction an Energy disease

April 24, 2014

Addiction an Energy disease-Bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder is a serious mental disorder that affects everyone. It’s characterized by sudden and intense shifts in mood, behavior and energy levels.

Bipolar disorder, once commonly known as manic depression, is a serious mental disorder that is characterized by sudden and intense shifts in mood, behavior and energy levels. Like substance abuse, bipolar disorder poses a risk to the individual’s physical and emotional well-being. Those afflicted with bipolar disorder have a higher rate of relationship problems, economic instability, accidental injuries and suicide than the general population. They are also significantly more likely to develop an addiction to drugs or alcohol. In a study conducted recently:

About 56 percent of individuals with bipolar who participated in a national study had experienced drug or alcohol addiction during their lifetime.

Approximately 46 percent of that group had abused alcohol or were addicted to alcohol.
About 41 percent had abused drugs or were addicted to drugs.
Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance among bipolar individuals.

If you are struggling with bipolar disorder and with a drug or alcohol problem, you may have a Dual Diagnosis of bipolar disorder and substance abuse. Having a Dual Diagnosis, or a co-occurring disorder, can make recovery more challenging. Bipolar individuals may experience periods of intense depression alternating with episodes of heightened activity and an exaggerated sense of self-importance. This emotional instability can interfere with your recovery program, making it difficult to comply with the guidelines of your treatment plan.

Addiction an Energy disease-Relationship between Addiction and Bipolar

There is no easy explanation for the high rate of substance abuse and chemical dependence among bipolar individuals. One reason for this phenomenon is that a large percentage of individuals attempt to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol in an effort to numb the painful symptoms of their bipolar disorder. Symptoms of bipolar disorder such as anxiety, pain, depression and sleeplessness are so alarming, that many individuals will turn to drugs and alcohol as a means for offsetting the discomfort, if only for a little while.

Age and gender may play a part in the relationship between addictions and bipolar. According to the journal Bipolar Disorder, substance abuse is more common in young males than in other population groups.

Clinical researchers believe that brain chemistry may influence both bipolar disorder and substance abuse. People with bipolar disorder often have abnormal levels of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. These chemicals affect vital functions like appetite, metabolism, sleep and your body’s response to stress. They also affect mood and emotions. Heavy use of drugs or alcohol can interfere with the way your brain processes these chemicals, causing emotional instability, erratic energy levels and depression. People with bipolar disorder may turn to drugs or alcohol out of an unconscious need to stabilize their moods. Unfortunately, substance abuse has the opposite effect, making the symptoms of bipolar disorder worse.

Addiction an Energy disease-Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

We all go through intense episodes of sadness, elation, anger or despair. But for someone who meets the diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorder, these episodes are all-consuming and uncontrollable. There are four major types of mood episodes that characterize bipolar disorder: mania, hypomania, depression and mixed episodes — each of which has a set of unique symptoms:

Depression

At the “low” end of the bipolar spectrum is depression, an emotional state that is often characterized by sadness, tearfulness and despair. Depression in bipolar disorder may last for days or weeks, depending on your mood cycle. These periods are dangerous for Dual Diagnosis individuals, who have a higher risk of self-injury and suicide when they’re using drugs and alcohol during a low period. When you’re depressed, you may experience:

Hopeless feelings
Loss of interest in things that used to make you happy
Fatigue
Changes in appetite
Self-loathing
Suicidal thoughts

Episodes

The symptoms of bipolar disorder aren’t always clearly defined. In a mixed episode, behaviors reflect a combination of mania and depression. For example, you may have suicidal feelings and loss of interest in your daily activities, combined with racing thoughts, pressured speech and loss of sleep.

You may feel the urge to drink or take drugs in an attempt to balance out these unpredictable mood swings, but intoxication is only a temporary fix that won’t provide permanent relief. To achieve a full recovery, you need professional treatment that helps you stabilize your moods as you deal with the cravings and destructive impulses that characterize addiction. Doctor Dalal Akoury is a professional in this line and she will instantly help you fix this problem.

Addiction an Energy disease-Treatment for Bipolar and Addiction

In the past, bipolar disorder and chemical dependence were addressed as separate conditions and treated at separate facilities. People who were diagnosed with bipolar disorder were referred to mental health treatment centers or psychiatric hospitals, while those who were actively abusing drugs and alcohol were sent to rehab. Today, addiction professionals recognize the importance of treating bipolar disorder and substance abuse at the same time through a process called “integrated treatment.”

Integrated treatment encompasses a number of different treatment strategies. Your treatment plan might include one-on-one psychotherapy with a mental health professional, counseling sessions with addiction specialists, Dual Diagnosis support groups, family counseling and holistic therapy. Features of an integrated program for bipolar disorder and addiction include:

It’s not enough to treat bipolar disorder without addressing the problem of substance abuse, and vice versa. Unless you receive comprehensive care for both conditions, your chances of relapse are high. Relapse prevention strategies for an individual with bipolar disorder must include coping skills for managing the psychological and emotional triggers for substance abuse. Therapeutic approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) have proven useful in teaching Dual Diagnosis patients how to regulate their emotions and avoid being overwhelmed by dramatic mood changes.

Group support is crucial to recovery when you have a Dual Diagnosis of bipolar disorder and a substance use disorder. In peer group support meetings and counseling sessions, you’ll learn about the common triggers and risk factors that people with bipolar disorder face in recovery. You’ll have the opportunity to share your experiences with others and to acquire new coping strategies from your peers.

In dual diagnosis treatment centers, the importance of psychotherapeutic medication in treating bipolar disorder is widely acknowledged. Mood-stabilizing medications may be used in combination with antipsychotic drugs or antidepressants to provide complete support for your recovery goals.

Addiction an Energy disease-Challenges to Recovery

Addiction professionals face a number of challenges when it comes to treating bipolar patients with addiction issues. For one thing, many of the symptoms of bipolar disorder are similar to those of drug and alcohol abuse. Therefore, if a person does seek out professional help, it is difficult to see where the mental disorder stops and the addiction begins.

AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under Doctor Akoury is a resource everyone suffering from elements of this article need to embrace. Doctor Akoury is an expert who has been and still is caring for patients globally with all forms of addictions while focusing on Neuroendocrine Restoration (NER) to reinstate normality through realization of the oneness of Spirit, Mind, and Body, Unifying the threesome into ONE. My dear friend no matter the magnitude of your situation the doors of AWAREmed are open for you 24/7. Take that bold step of recovery by calling and begin your journey to comfortable, healthy and desirable life.

Addiction an Energy disease-Bipolar disorder

Obstacles of Alcoholism treatment

April 22, 2014

Obstacles of Alcoholism treatment-Drinking problems and denial

With alcohol abuse you can never be safe. Run from it and escape its result which is being alcoholic and suffer from alcoholism

Denial is one of the biggest obstacles to getting help for alcohol abuse and alcoholism. The desire to drink is so strong that the mind finds many ways to rationalize drinking, even when the consequences are obvious. By keeping you from looking honestly at your behavior and its negative effects, denial also exacerbates alcohol-related problems with work, finances, and relationships.

If you have a drinking problem, you may deny it by:

Drastically underestimating how much you drink
Downplaying the negative consequences of your drinking
Complaining that family and friends are exaggerating the problem
Blaming your drinking or drinking-related problems on others

For example, you may blame an ‘unfair boss’ for trouble at work or a ‘nagging wife’ for your marital issues, rather than look at how your drinking is contributing to the problem. While work, relationship, and financial stresses happen to everyone, an overall pattern of deterioration and blaming others may be a sign of trouble.

If you find yourself rationalizing your drinking habits, lying about them, or refusing to discuss the subject, take a moment to consider why you’re so defensive. If you truly believe you don’t have a problem, there should be no reason for you to cover up your drinking or make excuses.

Effects of alcoholism and alcohol abuse

Alcoholism and alcohol abuse can affect all aspects of your life. Long-term alcohol use can cause serious health complications, affecting virtually every organ in your body, including your brain. Problem drinking can also damage your emotional stability, finances, career, and your ability to build and sustain satisfying relationships. Alcoholism and alcohol abuse can also have an impact on your family, friends and the people you work with.

The effects of alcoholism and alcohol abuse on the people you love

Despite the potentially lethal damage that heavy drinking does to the body including cancer, heart problems, and liver disease the social consequences can be just as devastating. Alcoholics and alcohol abusers are much more likely to get divorced, have problems with domestic violence, struggle with unemployment, and live in poverty.

But even if you’re able to succeed at work or hold your marriage together, you can’t escape the effects that alcoholism and alcohol abuse has on your personal relationships. Drinking problems put an enormous strain on the people closest to you.

Often, family members and close friends feel obligated to cover for the person with the drinking problem. So they take on the burden of cleaning up your messes, lying for you, or working more to make ends meet. Pretending that nothing is wrong and hiding away all of their fears and resentments can take an enormous toll. Children are especially sensitive and can suffer long-lasting emotional trauma when a parent or caretaker is an alcoholic or heavy drinker.

Getting help for alcoholism or alcohol abuse

If you’re ready to admit you have a drinking problem, you’ve already taken the first step. It takes tremendous strength and courage to face alcohol abuse and alcoholism head on. Reaching out for support is the second step.

Whether you choose to go to rehab, rely on self-help programs, get therapy, or take a self-directed treatment approach, support is essential. Recovering from alcohol addiction is much easier when you have people you can lean on for encouragement, comfort, and guidance. Without support, it’s easy to fall back into old patterns when things get tough.

Your continued recovery depends on continuing mental health treatment, learning healthier coping strategies, and making better decisions when dealing with life’s challenges. In order to stay alcohol-free for the long term, you’ll also have to face the underlying problems that led to your alcoholism or alcohol abuse in the first place.

Those problems could be depression, an inability to manage stress, an unresolved trauma from your childhood, or any number of mental health issues. Such problems may become more prominent when you’re no longer using alcohol to cover them up. But you will be in a healthier position to finally address them and seek the help you need.

Helping a loved one with alcoholism or alcohol abuse

If someone you love has a drinking problem, you may be struggling with a number of painful emotions, including shame, fear, anger, and self-blame. The problem may be so overwhelming that it seems easier to ignore it and pretend that nothing is wrong. But in the long run denying it will be more damaging to you, other family members, and the person with the drinking problem. So then what shouldn’t you do?

Don’t attempt to punish, threaten, bribe, or preach.
Don’t try to be a martyr. Avoid emotional appeals that may only increase feelings of guilt and the compulsion to drink or use other drugs.
Don’t cover up or make excuses for the alcoholic or problem drinker or shield them from the realistic consequences of their behavior.
Don’t take over their responsibilities, leaving them with no sense of importance or dignity.
Don’t hide or dump bottles, throw out drugs, or shelter them from situations where alcohol is present.
Don’t argue with the person when they are impaired.
Don’t try to drink along with the problem drinker.
Above all, don’t feel guilty or responsible for another’s behavior.

Dealing with a loved one’s alcohol problem can be an emotional rollercoaster. It’s vital that you take care of yourself and get the support you need. It’s also important to have people you can talk honestly and openly with about what you’re going through.

A good place to start is by joining a group such as Al-Anon, a free peer support group for families coping with alcoholism. Listening to others with the same challenges can be a tremendous source of comfort and support. You can also turn to trusted friends, a therapist, or people in your faith community.

You cannot force someone you love to stop abusing alcohol. As much as you may want to, and as hard as it is to watch, you cannot make someone stop drinking. The choice is up to them.
Don’t expect the person to stop drinking and stay sober without help. Your loved one will need treatment, support, and new coping skills to overcome a serious drinking problem.
Recovery is an ongoing process. Recovery is a bumpy road, requiring time and patience. An alcoholic will not magically become a different person once sober. And the problems that led to the alcohol abuse in the first place will have to be faced.

Admitting that there’s a serious problem can be painful for the whole family, not just the alcohol abuser. But don’t be ashamed. You’re not alone. Alcoholism and alcohol abuse affects millions of families, from every social class, race, and culture. But there is help and support available for both you and your loved one.

When your teen has a drinking problem

Discovering your child is drinking can generate fear, confusion, and anger in parents. It’s important to remain calm when confronting your teen, and only do so when everyone is sober. Explain your concerns and make it clear that your concern comes from a place of love. It’s important that your teen feels you are supportive.
Five steps parents can take:

Lay down rules and consequences: Your teen should understand that drinking alcohol comes with specific consequences. But don’t make hollow threats or set rules that you cannot enforce. Make sure your spouse agrees with the rules and is prepared to enforce them.
Monitor your teen’s activity: Know where your teen goes and who he or she hangs out with. Remove or lock away alcohol from your home and routinely check potential hiding places for alcohol in backpacks, under the bed, between clothes in a drawer, for example. Explain to your teen that this lack of privacy is a consequence of him or her having been caught using alcohol.
Encourage other interests and social activities: Expose your teen to healthy hobbies and activities, such as team sports, Scouts, and afterschool clubs.
Talk to your child about underlying issues: Drinking can be the result of other problems. Is your child having trouble fitting in? Has there been a recent major change, like a move or divorce, which is causing stress?
Get outside help: You don’t have to go it alone. Teenagers often rebel against their parents but if they hear the same information from a different authority figure, they may be more inclined to listen. Try seeking help from a sports coach, family doctor, therapist, or counselor.

We have been together trying to understand the real effects of alcoholism and alcohol abuse and from the discussion it’s clear that this substance is a time bomb waiting to explode. Before it does you need to take percussions to be safe and your loved once. I want to make worthy recommendation to you that an expert opinion in all this will be very important. Seek help from doctor Dalal Akoury who is an expert in all sorts of addiction and substance abuse. With her you shall have made several steps inside lasting solution which is your ultimate goal.

Obstacles of Alcoholism treatment-Drinking problems and denial

Alcoholism

April 22, 2014

Alcoholism-What you didn’t know

If you don’t take quick action about your alcohol consumption alcoholism will chain you down

It is an addiction to the consumption of alcoholic beverages or the mental illness and compulsive behavior resulting from alcohol dependency. It intrudes into a person’s life with very negligible or no notice at all because normally consumers of this substance majorly take it for pleasure and then in its own will graduates to other unintended levels. Therefore it’s not always easy to see when your drinking has crossed the line from moderate or social use to problem drinking. But you can be rest assured that if you consume alcohol to cope with difficulties or to avoid feeling bad, you’re in potentially dangerous territory. Alcoholism and alcohol abuse can sneak up on you, so it’s important to be aware of the warning signs and take steps to cut back if you recognize them. Understanding the problem is the first step to overcoming it and this is going to be our focus point in this article.

Understanding alcoholism and alcohol abuse

Alcoholism and alcohol abuse are due to many interconnected factors, including genetics, how you were raised, your social environment, and your emotional health. Some racial groups, such as American Indians and Native Alaskans, are more at risk than others of developing alcohol addiction. People who have a family history of alcoholism or who associate closely with heavy drinkers are more likely to develop drinking problems. Finally, those who suffer from a mental health problem such as anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder are also particularly at risk, because alcohol may be used to self-medicate.

How then do you get to know if you have a drinking problem? Most of the drinking problem indicators come from the consumers themselves? The following are some of the observations you may be interested in

Feel guilty or ashamed about your drinking.
Lie to others or hide your drinking habits.
Have friends or family members who are worried about your drinking.
Need to drink in order to relax or feel better.
“Black out” or forget what you did while you were drinking.
Regularly drink more than you intended to.

Since drinking is so common in many cultures and the effects vary so widely from person to person, it’s not always easy to figure out where the line is between social drinking and problem drinking. The bottom line is how alcohol affects you. If your drinking is causing problems in your life, you have a drinking problem.

Signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse

Alcohol production is a big industry the world over and so many brewers will not openly tell you the truth about the contents and ingredients in their product 100%. Many at times they will only tell you what is good for your ears and add to their profit. I will tell you decisively some of the obvious symptoms you probably have been ignoring so that you can take care of yourself. They include:

Repeated neglect of your responsibilities at home, work, or school because of your drinking. For example, performing poorly at work, flunking classes, neglecting your kids, or skipping out on commitments because you’re hung over.
Using alcohol in situations where it’s physically dangerous, such as drinking and driving, operating machinery while intoxicated, or mixing alcohol with prescription medication against doctor’s orders.
Experiencing repeated legal problems on account of your drinking. For example, getting arrested for driving under the influence or for drunk and disorderly conduct.
Continuing to drink even though your alcohol use is causing problems in your relationships. Getting drunk with your buddies, for example, even though you know your wife will be very upset, or fighting with your family because they dislike how you act when you drink.
Drinking as a way to relax or de-stress. Many drinking problems start when people use alcohol to self-soothe and relieve stress. Getting drunk after every stressful day, for example, or reaching for a bottle every time you have an argument with your spouse or boss.

The path from alcohol abuse to alcoholism

It should be noted that not all alcohol abusers become full-blown alcoholics, but it is a big risk factor. Sometimes alcoholism develops suddenly in response to a stressful change, such as a breakup, retirement, or another loss. Other times, it gradually creeps up on you as your tolerance to alcohol increases. If you’re a binge drinker or you drink every day, the risks of developing alcoholism are greater.

Signs and symptoms of alcoholism

Alcoholism is the most severe form of problem drinking. It involves all the symptoms of alcohol abuse, but it also involves another element: physical dependence on alcohol. If you rely on alcohol to function or feel physically compelled to drink, you’re an alcoholic.

Tolerance

You need to ask yourself these questions.

Do you have to drink a lot more than you used to in order to get buzzed or to feel relaxed?
Can you drink more than other people without getting drunk?

If the answer to this question is yes then they are signs of tolerance, which can be an early warning sign of alcoholism. Tolerance means that, over time, you need more and more alcohol to feel the same effects.

Withdrawal

Do you need a drink to steady the shakes in the morning? Drinking to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms is a sign of alcoholism and a huge red flag. When you drink heavily, your body gets used to the alcohol and experiences withdrawal symptoms if it’s taken away. These include:

Anxiety
Trembling
Sweating
Nausea and vomiting
Insomnia
Depression
Irritability
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Headache

In severe cases, withdrawal from alcohol can also involve hallucinations, confusion, seizures, fever, and agitation. These symptoms can be dangerous, so talk to your doctor if you are a heavy drinker and want to quit.

Other signs and symptoms of alcoholism (alcohol dependence)

You’ve lost control over your drinking. You often drink more alcohol than you wanted to, for longer than you intended, or despite telling yourself you wouldn’t.
You want to quit drinking, but you can’t. You have a persistent desire to cut down or stop your alcohol use, but your efforts to quit have been unsuccessful.
You have given up other activities because of alcohol. You’re spending less time on activities that used to be important to you (hanging out with family and friends, going to the gym, pursuing your hobbies) because of your alcohol use.
Alcohol takes up a great deal of your energy and focus. You spend a lot of time drinking, thinking about it, or recovering from its effects. You have few if any interests or social involvements that don’t revolve around drinking.
You drink even though you know it’s causing problems. For example, you recognize that your alcohol use is damaging your marriage, making your depression worse, or causing health problems, but you continue to drink anyway.

If the description above suits you, then you need see and be handled by the touch of an expert, and that is where AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under Doctor Akoury’s care comes in. Doctor Dalal Akoury the founder of this facility is an expert who focuses on Neuroendocrine Restoration (NER) to reinstate normality through realization of the oneness of Spirit, Mind, and Body, Unifying the threesome into ONE. You are only a clique away to full recovery with doctor Akoury.

Alcoholism-What you didn’t know

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