Category Archives: Immune System

High Cholesterol Levels and The Connection with Cancer

July 15, 2014

High Cholesterol Levels Beckons Cancer

Cancer is a disease that is characterized by uncontrolled growth of cells in certain areas. It is however fostered by many different factors and up to now doctors as well as other medical researchers are still finding new factors that encourage the formation as well as the growth of the cancer cells. Cancer cells majorly get nutrients from the foods you eat just like the other normal healthy body cells however with slight difference in preference.

High cholesterol levels in the body have been linked to many health complications in the past. High cholesterol levels have been linked to heart related diseases, stroke and atherosclerosis. However, recent research findings have revealed that high cholesterol levels may increase risks to cancer. The low density lipoprotein are the worst forms of cholesterol also known as the bad cholesterols, they host major health problems hence should be gotten rid off before they cause a major health challenge to an individual.

Cholesterol though known for many health problems has not been easy to avoid especially to the lower class citizens. This is because most of the fats and oils used in food preparation are high in cholesterol content. These are the cheapest cooking fats in the market and with the rising costs of living especially in the 3rd world countries it becomes hard to avoid them. For this reason people have been victimized by the low density lipoprotein.

High cholesterol

A new study specialized in signaling pathways, which is typically used by cells to carry out their activities explains that a pathway called canonical Wnt signaling fosters cell growth and division, an important function for development in body cells. However there is danger in case there is over activity in this pathway as it encourages cancer cell formation.

The question to whether high cholesterol levels is a risk factor to cancer did not erupt yesterday, doctors and researchers have been trying to find out why women who had heart disease risk factors in most cases developed breast cancer. It is on the sought for this answer that drove many cancer researchers to try and find out the possible link between cholesterol and cancer development. The current research findings prove that high cholesterol levels especially the low density lipoproteins (LPD) commonly known as the bad cholesterol play an important role in cancer formation and metastasis.

A research study done in 2008 by Philip Shaul who is a pediatrician and biologist at the University of Texas and Donald McDonnell who a cancer biologist at the Duke University is showed how a cholesterol product known as 27HC promotes the growth of cancer cell in the human breasts. This according to the research happens because the estrogen hormone normally binds to proteins called receptors inside tumors promoting its growth.

The two scientists went further to demonstrate to the masses how high levels of cholesterol can improve the growth of cancer cells. In an experiment where mice were used, it was found that 27HC improved the growth of cancer cells through collaboration with the estrogen receptor. The study also found out that the 27HC levels were higher in the healthy breast tissues of women with breast cancer than women that were not suffering from breast cancer. The levels of 27HC were also found to be high in tumor cells.

Shaul further found out that the absence or low levels of enzymes that help in breaking down of 27HC in tumors reduced the chances of survival of cancer patients. Working with his cancer patients, shaul realized that patients who had low level of the enzyme that helps in breaking down of the 27HC had slim chances of survival. Collaborating in the same experiment Mc Donnell fed mice with high cholesterol and high fat diet. The mice became more likely to die of cancer than other mice on normal diet. Sergio Dias endorses the findings that high cholesterol levels promote cancer cell growth. Dias is a biologist at the Institute of Molecular Medicine in Lisbon.

High cholesterolDespite the many research studies that have been done to prove the contribution of high cholesterol levels in cancer formation and growth, it is still not clear how blood cholesterol levels may affect breast cancer risk this is so because the findings did not prove any consistency in link between 27HC levels in human tumors  and blood cholesterol levels.  However, Shaul advises that women with high cholesterol levels were at higher risk of breast cancer.

This research will help in cancer treatment. Other previous researches had found out that drugs that are used in lowering levels of cholesterol could be used in cancer treatment. Today there are women with breast cancer but have refused to respond positively to drugs that inhibit the production of estrogen. Shaul opines that in that case the growth of the cancer cells may be promoted by something else other than the estrogen hormones.

In Conclusion

Cancer is a lifestyle disease that has caused hurt to the world population. It is however controllable when you take the necessary measures. With the recent research findings pointing out the risks associated with high levels of cholesterol especially the low density lipoproteins (LDP). It is better to reduce or better yet stop eating foods that are rich in cholesterols as they will expose you to high risks of cancer. Substitute meat with vegetables and fruits. Increase the number of vegetable servings as you decrease the amounts of meat as even the lean meat still has high levels of cholesterol. When you buy cooking fat, go for the cholesterol free fats.

You also need to get frequent updates on cancer so as to adopt a healthier lifestyle that is cancer free. Dr. Dalal Akoury has a website that provides you with reliable information about cancer that can help you stay cancer free. Contact her and be empowered to live a cancer free life.

High Cholesterol Levels Beckons Cancer

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A Step Further to Controlling Addiction

July 10, 2014

A Step Further to Controlling Addiction-Parental Roles

Addiction

It is all about giving the best to your children. Nothing can be best like an addiction free life

The joy of having children is among other things is seeing them through life and transforming them to be useful and productive people in the society. This is very fundamental to all parents whether biological or foster. The common denominator in the up bring of children is to see them develop into worthy people in the tomorrows society. While this is everyone’s wish and hope, it’s not always the case thanks to addiction and problems related to drug addiction. This is becoming a common phenomenon today and it can affect the child at a very tender age that would ordinarily be seen to be easy to manage. The pain in much more inflicted when what you thought you could manage with ease become a pitfall that you cannot handle. This is what I want to share with you in this article so that we can together have the common approach in tackling addiction especially in our children.

Having been in this line I will be sharing some practical experiences I have had to deal with in this journey of finding solutions to drug addiction. It is becoming a normal practice for children as young as 15 years of age being addicted to drugs and very frustrating to control and advise appropriately by their parents. Many of us parents would put up family rules like imposing curfew but still all these rules are broken leaving us very devastated. Then the next cause of action would be to involve a professional for help. This indeed is necessary and visit to the professional office would engage you in discussion with the professional to get to the root cause of the matter and hence find working solutions to the problem at hand. All that these parents wants is solutions and quite often they will not be interested in the discussions because of fear that when the current situations with their children are out of control, it can be frightening, intimidating, and exceedingly stressful, especially when parents aren’t really sure of what their children is using.

 A Step Further to Controlling Addiction-Educating Parents about drugs

A knowledgeable parent will be able to offer the most immediate help because they will be able to recognize and label the condition. They will be able to notice the warning signs, suspicious behavior and get to know the differences between various drugs and their effects. This may be good for a start but often not enough. It is important to note that there will be no significant result is certain things are not changed because if nothing changes then nothing changes. As a professional how then will you help? It is not just about what you tell your patients it is all about change in thinking, behavior and attitude on the part of the parent and the loved one.

It is all about developing a different kind of mind-set which will help you have some control in situations like that. For instance illustrating from the experience of a given family therapist who specifically worked with individuals and families struggling with alcoholism, drug abuse, and dependence, who introduced an affectionately formula known as the “3-C’s” with this he would simply explain to parents and loved ones that:

  • You didn’t cause this condition.
  • You can’t control it
  • You can’t cure it.

This application might appear strange in some ways, however using rational and logical thought processes when dealing with irrational and illogical behavior e.g. alcoholics, substance abusers and out of control situations don’t usually work very well but here is a different way of looking at it, thinking about it, and managing it.

A Step Further to Controlling Addiction-Working with Addicts

A common scenario in working with individuals and families around alcohol/drug abuse and dependence looks something like this:

  • The abuser of the substance usually ends up in trouble in their environment be it at school, work, legally or in relationships within the family and outside the family.
  • Because of their drinking and drug use, and their out of control behavior they become the focus of attention and considered as the problem or troublemaker.
  • In the treatment world they are called the identified patient but to the family these individuals have issues which need fixing for the family can get their normal lives back.

Much of the energy and attention is put on the addicted patients to change their “crazy” behavior. The problem is that many at times they are not able to at that point in time, meaning that you will be asking someone who is out of control to take control. It normally don’t work that way and the condition continues to deteriorate until someone else take that control normally the court, police or families members.

Therefore if the 3-C’s say “you can’t control it,” what then do you control? Well exercise of control may be done if pressure is exerted upon an individual like threat of being put jail, job loss, divorce or eviction this way they may consent to go into treatment which will, hopefully, begin the process of change desired. Keen note should be taken as consenting to treatment may be used as an escape from the current situation (pressure) and once it ends the individual quickly returns to their prior behaviors and lifestyle.

Treatment is very vital, but it is has its limitations, it is only the beginning. If all the underlying conditions like stressors, relationships, etc. in a persons’ life remain unchanged, returning from treatment and sustaining that positive change may be very difficult. Many families believe that by sending someone for treatment will cures them and that during the treatment period they will be free from the crazy behaviors of the patient. That should not be the case, for lasting recovery it is important that the family get involved in the whole process that is before, during and after treatment.

A Step Further to Controlling Addiction-The family Dynamics

It can be easy to complain of your loved one addiction condition and their state of being out of control. But the families always miss a point it is unusual that one particular family member would be out of control for no reason. The point is appreciating families and family dynamics is always complicated and difficult and to add alcohol and drugs further complicate the already complicated problem. Much as we have these substances around us many families do not full information about alcohol and drug abuse and addiction. This deficiency of information leads to confusion and fear when a member of the family is addicted to any substance and so there is great need of creating awareness in all the family units. Finally realizing that there is an information gap Dr. Dalal Akoury, Founded of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center a facility of plenty you can ask for. Doctor Akoury is a medical doctor with decades of experience in addiction and together with her team of experts they are offering exclusive NER Recovery Treatment to everyone the world over. Your socials status does not matter everybody is welcome including physicians and health care professionals. You will not only be treated but will also be educated through trainings, clinical apprenticeships, webinars and seminars. This is an opportunity for you welcome and be a part of this truly successful and fast addiction recovery treatment.

A Step Further to Controlling Addiction-Parental Roles

 

 

 

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Keeping Away from Cancer

July 9, 2014

The easiest ways to keep away from cancer

Anti-Cancer DietsIt has always been said that prevention is better than cure, this is one saying that most people seem to have forgotten. Cancer prevention is rather easy going by recent research findings. You are in a better position to control the risk. The kind of lifestyle you adopt will have an impact in your health. Getting cancer is very easy because of the pollution in our environments. But treating cancer is not as easy as some may think. It is a situation that the patient has to endure lots of pain and it is also a very expensive disease. The chemotherapy drugs are not at any rate affordable to most patients who have to rely on family or insurance to get treatment.

However preventing cancer is very easy and it comes with lots of health benefits. You prevent cancer and end up preventing other diseases like high blood pressure among other dreaded diseases. That seems cool. It all relies   in the lifestyle you adopt, change your lifestyle today and begin your journey to a cancer free destination which ultimately you will reach when you follow the preferred lifestyle with commitment and determination. Here are some of the things you need to consider to help you stay cancer free.

Obesity has been linked to many diseases such as cancer, high blood pressure among other dreaded diseases. Obesity causes cancer mainly by influencing the actions of hormones as well as their levels. When the, levels of hormones are affected, the situation beckons hormonal imbalance which is the mother of all cancers in both men and women. In women breast cancer is one type of cancer that has hit headlines for the many lives it claims every year. It is also the most type of cancer caused by hormonal imbalance.

Obesity influences the levels of vital hormones such as the estrogen as well as insulin.

Normally the hormone estrogen is produced in the ovaries of a woman. When women hit menopause the production of estrogen at the ovary stops. This therefore allows for alternative sources of hormone estrogen from the excess body fats. The more the fats the higher the levels of hormone in the body there ought to be a balance between the estrogen hormone and the testosterone hormone. In case of obesity the estrogen hormone becomes dominant leading high cancer risks. Excess body fats also lower the sex hormone binding globule which gets rid of excess hormone estrogen.

Obesity will also increase the levels of the insulin hormone. Insulin is the hormone that transports glucose in the bloodstream. The cancer cells are more receptive to glucose than the healthy body cells, with high levels of insulin they get reliable source of glucose which provides them with energy to survive longer.

  • Exercise

Physical exercise is known to prevent many diseases especially heart related diseases but current research findings has also stated that doing exercise can help you keep away from bowel, breast and other types of cancer.

Researchers have found that women who engage in physical activity have less chances of getting breast cancer as compared to those who are inactive. The study results pointed out that women who involve in vigorous exercise in premenopausal as well as in postmenopausal stage greatly reduce their risk of cancer by up to 80 percent. The study however emphasizes that the early life involvement in physical exercise can help a great deal in keeping cancer at bay.

Exercise is a good way of keeping bodily organs active, it strengthens the body muscles, improves flexibility, improves body posture as well as strengthens the heart. It is also a good way to excrete through sweating clearing the blood vessels of clogs and improving air as well as nutrient supply in the body.

Vigorous exercise helps in breaking down excess fats and cholesterols to release energy, therefore is a good way to get rid of excess fats and maintain an ideal weight that is free from many diseases associated with excess fats in the body, cancer included.

Nutrition plays a vital part in the fight to free you from cancer. If you eat right you will be free from cancer but if you error in the choice of foods to eat you may suffer the consequences. Eating right healthy foods that are nutritious can help you a great deal.

You can benefit on eating whole foods, foods that are rich in minerals and vitamins that will help in building your body, boosting your immune system and help you in fighting diseases. Processed foods are not very good and so should be limited, they lack fiber that is critical as a meal component as they help in cleansing the body.

Low fat foods are also good in the diet, however dairy products that are high in fat content should be avoided.

Doctors recommend that you eat lots of vegetables and fruits as they are rich in anti cancer properties. Fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants that help in fighting free radicals and malignant cells that may turn cancerous. They are also good in detoxifying the body. Coffee enemas are known as a strong antioxidant that is being used in cancer treatment especially in the Gerson’s therapy.

As you are eating vegetables remember to reduce meat in your diet as they are sources of unhealthy fats and cholesterols. You should also avoid drinking alcohol.

In conclusion

You are best placed to take care of your health and fight cancer as the disease is mostly acquired through our interaction with the environment, especially in the foods we eat. You can stay cancer free by living a healthy lifestyle. Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) has been availing good information that may help you be cancer free. Contact her and learn more about cancer.

The easiest ways to keep away from cancer

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Essentials of Relapse Eradication

July 4, 2014

Essentials of Relapse Eradication-Drug Addiction

Relapse

All was well until your old supplier appeared. Drug addiction recovery is possible but is frustrated by relapse. Keep new friends and you will make it.

In making effort to root out drug addiction from our systems and by extension to the society at large one of the biggest challenges we are likely to face is that of relapsing along the way. For us to achieve our objective for eradicating the problem of addiction successfully then it is proper that we analyze this topic with a view of understanding its consequences and how to contain it. Because of this great interest relapse is going to form the basis of our discussion in this article. Therefore what is actually the meaning of relapse? It basically falling back to something that you have made effort to disassociate with or from, that is to say falling or sling back into a former or old state, practice, a vice, error, wrongdoing or just backsliding into illness after recovery. From the definition it is all about fall back but for our case in this article we will concentrate on the health aspect of it as we progress with our quest to understand relapse.

Relapse is a significant factor in the process of addiction recovery which many patients fall prey to however when it happen it is important that patients should not contemplate this as an admission of failure or point of weak character. Emphasis should be made to the effect that discontinuing an addiction to drugs, alcohol, nicotine etc. is a tedious, difficult and take a long process which would ordinarily require soundness and reasonable amount of courage and willpower to emerge the victor.

The challenge of relapse is such an uphill task not just to some but all patients whether in the rehab or not. Nonetheless many people who have succeeded will testify that they met several obstacles before their great success. It is therefore important to be positive all through even if they relapse once, twice or even several times the focus and determination to triumphant should be loaded for the ultimate result of beating an addiction.

We acknowledge that the whole process can be very frustrating to the patients themselves and even to their friends and relatives when they make and put a lot of effort in an attempt of trying to knock out their addiction related habits and then all over sudden they succumb in to the cravings. For sure this will be absolutely demoralizing and the patient being human will be right to feel discouraged because all the hard work and time they have invested appears to have been for nothing and that they may not beat their addiction but I want to give you hope that the effort is worth it and they must never look back. Relapse is real and is just one of the obstacle to overcome, so dear friend keep the good work you are almost there don’t give up because that is not an option your great life is a head of you and you are just about to repossesses it.

Essentials of Relapse Eradication-Don’t give up

Acknowledging that the process of addiction recovery will not be easy is a motivation factor. Many addicts go wrong in the process by giving in to temptations, dear friend as eluded in the above points turn around all the hindrances to be positive in this process. Take note that a relapse is a manageable risk and that you/we are all human and falling into temptations is normal. Desire to be transformative in approaching all matters of addiction recovery by igniting the light of hope and that despite the surrounding you are on course and progressing well with treatment plan. Take the greatest asset here which is your family and friend. They are all very much proud of you and are behind you and are supporting you all the way.

As we said before the journey will not be full of roses and so if for whatever reason you relapse and smoked a stick of cigarette or took a sip of alcohol don’t let this wear you down forge a head accept that it has happen and take note of when it happen, why it happen and what might have been the cause for it happening and finally how you purpose to prevent it from recurring again. With this notes taken take another step the moment you are able to soberly communicate, take it upon yourself to share with your psychotherapist or counselor and seek help from them on how to elude this from occurring again. Be sure that they are professionals and will be able to assemble a work plan containing ways of dealing with this new development. With this information your counselor is likely to speak to someone from your self-help group not to demine you but this is an indicator that you need a little more extra support and motivation to help keep you on the recovery track.

Essentials of Relapse Eradication-Essentials to help you avoid a relapse

There are steps you can take to prevent this from happening. These include:

  • Ensuring that you are not in close contact with those things which comprised your addiction, for example alcohol in the house or medicine bottles (e.g. painkillers).
  • Try and elude circumstances in which your emotions are involved which will cause you in seeing your addiction as the answer or a form of escape.
  • Try to elude events or social situations in which you may be attracted to relapse. For example if your colleagues ask you to go for a drink after work. It is better to decline until you are at a point where cravings are no longer a problem and you feel relaxed about having a soft drink with them.
  • If you were part of a group of friends who take drugs than avoid them and make new friends.
  • Keep a telephone number of an addiction help line or your local support group close to hand so that you contact them if you feel as if you are going to relapse.
  • Keep attending self-help groups, counseling sessions and support networks even if you feel as if you don’t need their help any more. They can often spot the signs of a potential relapse long before you do and will advise you on how to deal with this.
  • If you suffer a relapse be honest with yourself as to why it has happened, accept that it has and carry on with your treatment.

Finally we must work together to defeat addiction, relapse is sometimes very discouraging but with experts like Dr. Dalal Akoury, Founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, the challenge will be professionally handled, look at a brief effort doctor Akoury is making together with her team of experience experts. They are offering exclusive NER Recovery Treatment to addicted patients globally as well to other physicians and health care professionals through training, clinical apprenticeships, webinars and seminars, this is all you need and any qualified professional in all disciplines can now be a part of this truly successful and fast addiction recovery treatment.

Essentials of Relapse Eradication-Drug Addiction

 

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Rehabilitation

July 3, 2014

Rehabilitation-Drug Addiction

Rehabilitation

It take great effort to stop drug addiction. you can do it before it brings you down by enrolling in a rehabilitation ‘rehab’ center for treatment

Addiction to substances has adverse effects to human life and the need to have the problem contain or brought to a manageable level is very necessary. Because of the magnitude of the problem we have various ways of solving the problem among them being the rehabilitation which we are going to be discussing in this article for a better understanding of how best we can model it to offer the best. This article is in a solution finding mission of lasting remedies to the addiction and addiction related problems. Rehabilitation is therefore the process or means through which the general target is to ensure addicts to halt their addiction and live a free and normal life. Different methods are used in rehabilitation to inspire the victims to halt their cycle of dependency and cope with normal life devoid of self-destructive behaviors like drinking disorderly that may lead into addiction.

We must eradicate the perception that rehabilitation or ‘rehab’ is only for who is who in the society booking themselves into posh clinic to receive treatment for their addiction. Just like addiction does not respect anybody and can affect all so is the doors of rehabs centers being open for all irrespective of their background. These centers are not just located in the urban places but are also accessible through local community and in both set up they are well furnished with trained personnel to attend to all patients.

The common practice in rehab is to inspire patients (addicts) to appreciate and take full control of their addiction by adopting various treatment methods like:

  • Detoxification
  • Counseling
  • Psychotherapy

When at the rehab addicts are taught about relapses and how to cope, they are also taught about the negative effects of their addiction and are ushered to new healthy and productive ways of living. It must be noted that different clinic or team of expert may take different approach in administering addiction treatment (i.e. either giving a holistic approach or a more direct approach) because there is no single method that works better than others and the type of rehab will depend upon your addiction and your circumstances.

Residential rehabilitation

This is common and it is design to offer full boarding facilities to the addicts during the treatment period. The patients are taken through a course of treatment designed to help them regain control over their lives. Opting for this then you will be required to stay at the facility and undergo a collection of forms of treatment until one is able to cope on a daily basis without their addiction. When the patient is coping well does not mean that they are through with treatment, they will still be required to attend as out-patients counseling sessions, a drop-in clinic or support groups and meetings where necessary.

Besides treatment at the rehab there are also other factors which are involved in the process like the cost element, treatment available, staffing cost, environment and units of courses. Often rehab centers encourage family members to become involved in the treatment process and help the addicts see this as vital to their recovery though this will only be applied once they have gone through detox and are able to cope without experiencing any withdrawal symptoms. The duration of rehabilitation varies and may last from days or even several months. On admission there will be an evaluation and assessment before one is advised of the kind of treatment that will be suitable for them.

How rehabilitation work?

It is important that patients being admitted at the rehab centers get to know the following:

  • Patients should not be under any influence of alcohol or any other drugs on arrival at the center.
  • All prescription medicines being taken by any patient must be surrendered to the centre authorities. This may look harsh and intimidating but it is done for the good of the patient. Eliminating all forms of temptation will ensure that you are not at risk from a relapse.
  • The centre will request the patient to sign a contract which is a statement to the effect that you will refrain from substance abuse whilst you are there. It also means that you fully agree to the treatment.
  • Someone at the centre will be assigned to your case. They will act as a point of contact and as a liaison officer during your stay.
  • The will have diverse personnel with experience in different discipline like nurses, psychotherapists, counselors etc. Their role will be to prescribe medication to deal with withdrawal and to monitor progress.
  • However some centers may go for an ‘organic’ approach in which they only use natural remedies and products.
  • You will be offered counseling, detoxification, group sessions, psychotherapy and family orientated sessions. You may also be offered skills/learning sessions, complimentary remedies for example acupuncture.
  • Some centers may have a gym which they encourage addicts to use as well as offering advice on healthy eating.

Rehabilitation-Day treatment

Alternatively the patient may choose the option of structured day program which will include at time schedule of activities for a given duration which normally runs into several days in a week.  The content of the time schedule may include among other needs as counseling and the other forms of treatment. Besides the rehab you will also have the services of your local community drug/ alcohol team who will provide services like residential and non-residential detox program, counseling, valuable advice and support and group therapy.

The Aims of rehab

Like we said in the introduction that addiction does not discriminate on who to affect and so the following are some of the ultimate objectives of any rehab centre:

To wean the addicts off their addiction to enable them recognize the cause of their addiction problem and how to deal with it in the future.

Adopting plans for dealing with negative events in the patient’s life which in the past may have resulted in self-destructive behaviors like drug taking. Once the patients are aware of how this happened and why, they are better placed to cope with the unexpected or negative events in their lives. The motivation is that the patients will choose more positive ways of dealing with problems rather than substance addiction. And as long as they are willing and determined to kick their habit off then rehab will be an ideal way of treating their addiction and recover completely to live a normal life.

Finally it is important to appreciate that most of these rehab centers are privately owned and would attract payments for the services the offer. the cost will vary from centre to centre and so the patients who may not be able to meet the cost can source for funds from elsewhere like from their local authority, this is very crucial because each patient financial situation will be assessed before a decision is arrived at about funding. These are the general practices in most of the rehabs and with this information you will be better placed if you make enquiries for yourself from various experts on how to be safe from addiction and I will be of help to you by suggesting AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center a facility founded by Doctor Akoury who is an expert in addiction treatment for several decades. A visit to AWAREmed will be an eye opener to you and you will be attended to by a team of experts who will care for you professionally while focusing on Neuroendocrine Restoration (NER) to reinstate normality through realization of the oneness of Spirit, Mind, and Body, Unifying the threesome into ONE.

Rehabilitation-Drug Addiction

 

 

 

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