Athletes and Drug Abuse

June 13, 2014

Athletes and Drug Abuse-Olympic Athletes

Athletes involvement in drugs is raising great concern in the sporting industry

The global society is experiencing a new trend of entertainment which is appreciable by their funs across the board. In a bid to achieve these athletes would go an extra mile to ensure they remain on the top and in the process indulge themselves in drug use. It is important to note that it doesn’t matter whether at high school, college, or professional athlete, drug use is a jeopardous mixture with sports. Due to the physically high demands, drug abuse puts too much at risk. Athletes push themselves and their bodies, already putting themselves at risk for injuries.

Professional athletes, especially those in the spotlight, must recognize that they are role model figures to many young upcoming athletes. But it is known that many of them do subject themselves to drugs, in many cases with performance enhancement drugs such as steroids. There are also the unfortunates that become full blown addicts to substances like crack, alcohol, and meth, destroying their careers and experiencing public humiliation. The high demands of their careers can make using drugs seem like an answer or as practical as training. The reality is that being dependent on drugs is no way of living.

Performance Drug Abuse

When addressing the topic of athletes abusing performance-enhancing drugs, statistics are inaccurate. In sports, performance-enhancing drug abuse is much like the “pink elephant” nobody dares talk about; a blind eye is turned to the issue. According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy agrees that many athletes abuse performance-enhancing drugs but were not able to establish to what extent. Athletes and drug abuse must not be tolerated. Prevention, treatment and recovery can dramatically change the abuse in the world of sports.

Commonly Abused Performance Enhancing Drugs

Anabolic Steroids and Androstenedione: A synthetic testosterone, steroids increase strength and muscle mass. When taken as prescribed these drugs can aid in an athlete’s training and injury recovery. However steroids are far too commonly abused. When taken beyond the recommended dose they risk: liver problems, tumors, and high cholesterol. The psychological impairments include dramatic mood swings of anger, violence and depression.

Stimulants: Athletes gain energy from taking stimulants such as caffeine, cocaine and methamphetamines. Stimulants can mask fatigue but is followed by a crash. Even abusing caffeine puts the athlete at great risk. Side effects of stimulants include increased heart rate that can result in a heart attack, insomnia, weight loss causing muscle deterioration, convulsions, and brain hemorrhages.

Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery of Athletes and Drug Abuse

Early in an athlete’s career, like rising stars of high school basketball and football, education and prevention of drug abuse should be highly influenced. There is something to say about the influence and responsibility that a sports prodigy has. The rise and fall of an athlete’s career can be greatly shortened by the abuse of drugs and alcohol. Prevention and abstinence should be the primary concern for these athletes. Unfortunately many athletes are already in the grips of drug abuse and addiction. Finding treatment and recovery is imperative to their health and career, as well as ending the suffering from addiction.

Performance enhancement drug use in the Olympics is not a new concept. For as long as mankind has been performing in physical competitions, athletes have been looking for ways to improve their performance. Even Ancient Olympians have used peculiar methods, hopeful to increase their strength and stamina. In 1967, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) put a ban to performance enhancement drug use. That ban may have deterred many from using, but abstinence to these substances has yet to be the case for competing Olympians.

Testing for Olympic Doping

The IOC, in attempt to control Olympic doping, has integrated testing for these substances. Upon admission to the Olympics a testing regimen is required. You would think that these athletes would sustain from using drugs? The actual amount of athletes that fail the drug test is scary. The 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games had a startling number of 30 athletes that failed the drug test, in Beijing they had 70 athletes fail. They were banned from the competitions. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) annually compiles a list of substances banned.

The list of drugs that WADA prohibits includes:

Anabolic Agents: A lengthy list of steroids, testosterones and other chemicals
Hormones, Growth Factors, and Hormone Antagonists
Diuretics and masking Agents
Oxygen Transfer Enhancements
Physical and Chemical Manipulation
Stimulants
Narcotics
Cannabinoids
Alcohol
Beta Blockers

The IOC has a no tolerance policy for the athletes that fail, they are banned from competing. As the list declines of Olympians using, hope for future Olympic athletes rise. Enhancing performance by means of drugs is essentially cheating; a clean competition is a fair competition.

Expectations of an Olympic Athlete

The high demands of an Olympic competitor consequently fuel the illicit drug use. In many cases athletes are prescribed prescription medications like steroids to aid in their training and recovery. But many become depended to the substance and surpass the recommended does to improve their performance and stamina. Dependency comes easily for these unfortunates. The physical risks they subject themselves to generally do not outweigh the rewards of use. Health risks of illicit and prescription drugs affect their immune, respiratory and psychological systems. The risk of their career and the negative message that Olympic Doping has can cause a battery of collateral damage. While appreciating the pressure the athletes have to deliver result to their funs abusing drugs is not and must not be an option for whatever reason.

Olympic doping is a harmful concoction that should be prevented by all means and treated immediately. Like any other addiction problem the involvement of experts to offer treatment is very important and the choice of such professionals matters a lot. Dr. Dalal Akoury who is the Founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center has been administering treatment to addiction patients the world over for over two decades now and she is also offering exclusive NER Recovery Treatment to other physicians and health care professionals through training, clinical apprenticeships, webinars and seminars. Any athlete suffering from addiction at whatever level will be professionally handled in her care and walk out of AWAREmed a healthy person full of life.

Athletes and Drug Abuse-Olympic Athletes

Leaky Gut Syndrome

June 11, 2014

Leaky gut syndrome-Alcohol abuse and Drug addiction

Leaky gut syndrome is term used to describe a collection of symptoms that center on damage in the lining of the large intestine.

Leaky gut syndrome is an unofficial term used to describe a collection of symptoms that center on damage in the lining of the large intestine. This damage apparently gives undigested food particles and toxins access to the bloodstream by producing minute gaps in the intestinal wall. While there is controversy regarding some of the purported effects of leaky gut syndrome, most doctors believe that unusual permeability in the large intestine can cause real health problems. People who abuse alcohol commonly experience significant changes in their intestinal function. These changes can potentially support the onset of leaky gut syndrome, or worsen its effects once it appears.

Leaky Gut Syndrome Basics

When looking at these terms medically there is great difference between syndromes and diseases. The difference is that diseases portray specific collections of symptoms with unique and distinguishable underlying causes while syndromes portrays symptoms which normally appears at the same time and have a number of potential known or unknown underlying causes. The symptoms associated with the presence of leaky gut syndrome include:

Diarrhea
Excessive flatulence
Unexplained fatigue
Unexplained fever
Heartburn
Ongoing or recurrent abdominal pain
Recurrent bladder infections
Hemorrhoids, food allergies
Frequent hunger
Joint pain
Muscle cramps
Lymph gland swelling
Psychological problems such as memory impairment and depression.

Normally, the bowel wall is sealed tight with the help of cell structures called desmosomes, which overlap the cells in the wall and stop them from tearing. Under certain circumstances, irritation or damage in the desmosomes can loosen their grip on the bowel wall and lead to the formation of tiny gaps that make the wall abnormally porous or permeable. The development of leaky gut syndrome begins when materials pass through these gaps and enter the bloodstream. Since these materials don’t belong in the bloodstream, immune system cells identify them as invaders and attack them. In turn, this immune response can produce increasing levels of inflammation that further damage the bowel wall, and thereby provide passage for larger molecules of undigested food and various toxins.

Leaky gut syndrome-Alcohol’s Effects

Alcohol consumption damages normal function in the intestinal tract in one of two ways:

The presence of alcohol appears to reduce the level of activity in key substances in the body called prostaglandins. Among their many functions, these substances help the body control the amount of inflammation that occurs at the site of any injury. Alcohol-related suppression of prostaglandins essentially allows inflammation to increase in an uncontrolled manner. While the effects of any single drinking session will produce only a temporary suppressing effect on prostaglandin levels, the type of habitual, heavy drinking commonly associated with alcohol abuse can produce ongoing prostaglandin suppression that contributes significantly to inflammation in the large intestine (and other areas of the body). In turn, this inflammation can trigger or support the development of leaky gut syndrome.
Heavy alcohol consumption also damages the body’s ability to pull nutrients from food and digest them in the small intestine. Ways in which this damage occurs include a reduction in the output of substances, called enzymes, required for digestion of certain types of nutrients; direct impairment of the cells in the small intestine responsible for absorbing nutrients into the bloodstream; and the creation of nutritional deficiencies that further disrupt the absorption of important nutrients. In people with preexisting cases of leaky gut syndrome, nutritional deficiencies and lack of effective nutrient processing can contribute to a worsening of the syndrome’s symptoms.

Leaky gut syndrome-More Women Affected

Women who abuse alcohol may develop more leaky gut-related problems than men. Part of this disparity stems from the fact that, compared to men, women have relatively small amounts of an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase, which is required for the breakdown and elimination of alcohol. This means that alcohol tends to stay in women’s bodies longer because of this deficiency. Women also have a reduced ability to effectively process alcohol during certain portions of the menstrual cycle.

Leaky gut syndrome may play a role in the onset or worsening of recognized gastrointestinal ailments such as irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, and celiac disease, as well as a number of other ailments. Some alternative medical practitioners make unsubstantiated claims for the syndrome’s role in illnesses such as autism and multiple sclerosis. Since leaky gut syndrome is not a distinct, recognized medical disorder, physicians don’t diagnose the condition in their patients; instead, they usually consider its symptoms in a larger medical context as they work toward diagnosis of a recognized disorder.

Finally leaky gut syndrome has a way of making one’s life uncomfortable irrespective of gender. It is everyone’s desire to be healthy and be comfortable this is the reason why Dr. Dalal Akoury founded AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, is offering exclusive NER Recovery Treatment to other physicians and health care professionals through training, clinical apprenticeships, webinars and seminars. This program is also open to any other qualified professional nonetheless individual are also not left out if you or any of your friends or colleague is suffering from any kind of addiction or you just want to get the detailed information about addiction treatment, preventions and control then this is the place to be. You will be attended to by a team of experts lead by doctor Dalal Akoury in administering treatment to your condition in a more natural way with majorly natural means to get you recovered completely and have your life back and live it to the fullest.

Leaky gut syndrome-Alcohol abuse and Drug addiction

Alcohol addiction on the Brain

June 9, 2014

Alcohol addiction on the Brain-Specific Effects on the Brain

Addiction and especially alcohol addiction affects the brain nerve system

The most sensitive organs of the body is the brain it controls the whole functions of the body and when it stops life also stops and the bearer dies. Because of its sensitivity it must be protected and defended from any harm to that may come to it either internally or externally. It is because of this background that we want to discuss how certain substances can affect the brain and the possible precautions to keep it in its perfect operational state. Alcohol and specifically ethanol is a central nervous system depressant that has a range of side effects on the body and brain.

We are focusing on the brain because while other cells within the human body has the ability to regenerate, brain cell do not regenerate. Alcohol affects the brain in many ways some include:

Excessive alcohol consumption over period of time can lead to problems with cognition and memory.
Alcohol contracts the brain tissue and depresses the central nervous system.
Alcohol destroys the brain cells.
When alcohol reaches the brain, it interferes with communication between nerve cells by interacting with cell receptors.
The alcohol suppresses excitable nerve pathway activity.
Among other actions, alcohol enhances the effects of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, thus causing a person to become sluggish.
Alcohol weakens the excitable neurotransmitter glutamine, which adds to sluggish tendencies.

Alcohol addiction on the Brain-Effects of Alcohol on the Cerebral Cortex

I believe that you have come across somebody who has drunk alcohol and that you can a test to the fact that under the influence of alcohol such a person’s brain functions shifts dramatically. It is the cerebral cortex that senses shift of thought and initiate voluntary muscle movements. Alcohol will then affects the cerebral cortex in many ways like:

Negative effect on thoughts or thinking processes which in many times lead to poor judgment by the victim.
Lowers inhibitions. When this happens the victim becomes too talkative, portrays false sense of confidence that can only last while still under the influence of alcohol and disappears as soon as the consumer is sober.
With increasing blood alcohol levels (BAC), all of the above become increasingly pronounced

Alcohol addiction on the Brain-Effects of Alcohol on the Limbic System

Limbic system primary function is majorly to control memory and state of emotion. There is always serious memory lose among most people consuming alcohol alongside the experience of an exaggerated state of emotion. It should be noted that limbic system consists of the hippocampus and the septal regions which are the easy targets of alcohol.

Alcohol addiction on the Brain-Effects of Alcohol on the Cerebellum

The primary function of cerebellum is the coordination of muscle movement which is a soft spot for alcohol abuse.
The excessive consumption of alcohol reduces the effective coordination of the muscles and motor skills are reduced.
In most cases when the coordination of muscles is affected then the individual may lose balance and can even fall down.
The difference between cortex and cerebellum is that cortex initiates muscle movement while cerebellum creates nerve impulses which control ones balance and body movements.
Additional parts of the brain affected by alcohol are the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland.
Increased alcohol consumption can cause increased sexual desires.
Alcohol depresses the nerve centers in the hypothalamus that determine sexual arousal and performance so despite this increased sexual desire, the consumer actual sexual performance may decline.
It infiltrates the pituitary gland by inhibiting secretion of anti-diuretic hormone (ADH), which effects urine excretion.
ADH works with the kidneys to reabsorb toxins in the body. When inhibited, ADH levels drop and reduce the kidney’s ability to reabsorb water necessary to produce a healthy amount of urine. This malady can cause problems on a sexual level.

Alcohol addiction on the Brain-Effects of Alcohol on the Hypothalamus and Pituitary Gland

Additional parts of the brain affected by alcohol are the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland.
Increased alcohol consumption can cause increased sexual desires.
Alcohol depresses the nerve centers in the hypothalamus that determine sexual arousal and performance so despite this increased sexual desire, the consumer actual sexual performance may decline.
It infiltrates the pituitary gland by inhibiting secretion of anti-diuretic hormone (ADH), which effects urine excretion.

ADH works with the kidneys to reabsorb toxins in the body. When inhibited, ADH levels drop and reduce the kidney’s ability to reabsorb water necessary to produce a healthy amount of urine. This malady can cause problems on a sexual level

Alcohol addiction on the Brain-Effects of Alcohol on the Medulla

This is the part of the brain that influences the functions of the body that takes place automatically like the heartbeat, body temperature and breathing.
Alcohol will affect this section by causing the person to feel sleepy.
Excessive consumption of alcohol will not only cause the person to be unconscious but can also be very fatal.

Alcohol addiction on the Brain-Long-Term Effects of Alcohol Consumption

Most side effects from alcohol occur after drinking just one time. Unfortunately, alcohol consumption practiced in excess over an extended period of time can create much more serious problems for the brain than minor infractions. For example, if an individual develops an addiction to alcohol, their chances of developing a thiamine deficiency are doubled. In more severe or advanced cases of alcohol dependency, a brain disorder called Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS), also known as “wet brain”, may develop. WKS is a disease that consists of two different syndromes. The first is a short-lived and severe condition called Wernicke’s encephalopathy and the second is a long-lasting critical condition known as Korsakoff’s psychosis. Symptoms of Wernicke’s encephalopathy include mental confusion, paralysis of nerves behind the eyeballs, and decreased motor function.

In addition to Wernicke’s encephalopathy it is believed that approximately 80 to 90 percent of alcoholics will also develop Korsakoff’s psychosis, a chronic and debilitating syndrome characterized by persistent learning and memory problems. Patients suffering from Korsakoff’s psychosis are forgetful, quickly frustrated and have difficulty with walking and coordination. Despite having difficulty remembering information from the alcoholic’s past, it is their struggle retaining new information that is most striking. For example, an individual may be able to discuss an event in their lives with great detail, but an hour later forgets ever having the conversation.

In conclusion alcohol is a toxin that destructs the human body in high doses and over time. It has a risk of addiction or dependency. It impairs judgment and shifts the body’s originating physicality caution should be exercised when and if consumption of alcoholic beverages is involved. You now know the consequences of alcohol addiction and more so to the brain. Do not let this bring you down if it is already a problem in your life there is help around you at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under Doctor Akoury’s care where focus is on Neuroendocrine Restoration (NER) to reinstate normality through realization of the oneness of Spirit, Mind, and Body, Unifying the threesome into ONE. You need your brain to live and alcohol cannot be the reasons why you’re losing it reach out for help and from the experts.

Alcohol addiction on the Brain-Specific Effects on the Brain

Kinds of Addictive Substances

June 9, 2014

Kinds of Addictive Substances-Their effects discussed

All kinds of addictive substances cause addiction and their effects on humans life is dangerous

When we talk of addiction it is more likely that you will think of an illegality, crime and use of drugs disorderly. Addiction has been associated with all manner of negativity and suspicion. But in all these suspicion it is important to note that substance abuse is characterized by a pattern of use that causes significant impairment or distress, in addition to any one of these additional diagnostic criteria: using substances in situations where it endangers the user; a failure to fulfill major obligations at work, school or home; having multiple drug-related legal problems; or continuing to use substances regardless of the problems it causes in the user’s life. The different types of substance abuse have various features depending on the type of drug abused and for the purpose of this article we will categorize the addictive substances into five major units:

Stimulant abuse
Depressant abuse
Psychedelic Abuse
Marijuana Abuse
Alcohol Abuse

Kinds of Addictive Substances-Stimulant Abuse

As the name suggests, stimulants increase alertness, attention, and energy, as well as elevate blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration. Stimulants historically were used to treat asthma and other respiratory problems, obesity, neurological disorders, and a variety of other ailments. But as their potential for abuse and addiction became apparent, the medical use of stimulants began to wane. Now, stimulants are prescribed to treat only a few health conditions, including ADHD, narcolepsy, and occasionally depression in those who have not responded to other treatments.

Stimulants include illegal drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine, as well as legal substances such as nicotine, caffeine and over-the-counter stimulants. Physical and Mental Effects of Psychoactive Drugs,” stimulant use causes the release of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, stimulating the brain’s reward and pleasure center. This stimulation reinforces the drugs’ abuse, as users attempt to feel good through increases of dopamine and norepinephrine and to avoid the “crash,” medically known as dysphoria that occurs after stimulant use depletes the levels of these neurotransmitters in the brain. Abuse of stimulants depletes energy and creates intense drug cravings and withdrawal symptoms. It can also induce paranoia, irritability, restlessness, insomnia, aggression, violence and psychosis. Stimulant abuse and addiction develop quickly.

Kinds of Addictive Substances-Depressant Abuse

Depressants include opiates such as heroin, morphine and opium, as well as sedative-hypnotic medications such as Xanax, Ativan and Valium. Depressant has the characteristic of slowing down the central nervous system, diminish inhibitions, create relaxation and decrease pain.

Opiate abuse carries a high risk of overdose and addiction, as well as health problems. Abuse of sedative-hypnotic drugs easily creates psychological and physical dependence as well. Abuse of these drugs in combination with alcohol can be lethal. Indeed, multiple drug abuse is common with abusers of this class of drug, as users combine various depressants throughout a day or week to try to achieve an optimal psychological and physiological state.

Kinds of Addictive Substances-Psychedelic Abuse

Psychedelic abuse includes using in dole psychedelics such as LSD and psilocybin mushrooms; phenylalkylamine psychedelics including mescaline; and other types of psychedelics such as ketamine, or “Special K,” and PCP, notes “Uppers, Downers, All-Arounders.”
Psychedelics, called hallucinogens in the medical literature, distort the user’s perceptions, thoughts and sensations.
Abusers who have underlying mental health issues face particular risks as these substances can trigger latent mental health problems.
These drugs vary dramatically in potency. Because intensive research has not been done on them as has been with other substances their effects of abuse are not very clear (less well known).
MDMA abuse may cause lasting damage to the serotonin-producing neurons in the brain, in addition to depression and serious health risks.
Ketamine abuse can lead to convulsions and coma.
LSD abuse causes such impaired judgment and reasoning that serious injury and death can result even at low doses. Acute anxiety reactions can also occur.

Kinds of Addictive Substances-Marijuana Abuse

The most commonly abused illegal drug, marijuana induces short-term euphoria, physical relaxation, distorted perception and thought, increased appetite, and impairment of memory and physical coordination. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, users of more potent marijuana may experience giddiness, illusions and hallucinations. Because of the impairment in coordination and thinking, driving and other activities while under the influence pose a risk. Tolerance quickly develops so that those abusing marijuana need higher doses to achieve the same high. Long-term marijuana abuse may cause respiratory problems and immune system suppression. Alongside that longer-term abuse may also stunt emotional maturity and learning, and it can increase anxiety and even cause temporary psychosis.

Kinds of Addictive Substances-Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol is the most abused drug and it affects every organ in the body, and it is the oldest and most widely used psychoactive substance.
Alcohol abuse includes binge drinking and other problematic patterns of drinking which fall short of addiction but meet the criteria for abuse.
Alcohol abuse is linked to increases in aggression, impaired judgment, diminished inhibitions, mood problems such as depression and anxiety, health problems, sexual dysfunction and relationship problems.
Alcohol abuse differs from alcoholism primarily in the lack of withdrawal symptoms when an alcohol abuser stops drinking. However, alcohol abuse creates significant distress or impairment in the abuser’s life.

All addictions problems are as a result of these addictive substances it is important that we make efforts to keep distance from elements that can lure us to addiction. Talking to addiction experts is important as it helps you get information about the safety precautions. Doctor Akoury the founder and chief executive of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center is an expert of vast experience that can be of great help to you. Under her care you will be put real time medication focusing on Neuroendocrine Restoration (NER) to reinstate normality through realization of the oneness of Spirit, Mind, and Body, Unifying the threesome into ONE. This way you will in no time get your life back and live it to the fullest.

Kinds of Addictive Substances-Their effects discussed

Children and Addiction

June 7, 2014

Children and Addiction-Alcoholics

Surely our children deserve to live in a drug addiction free environment.

The statistics of children growing up in environment where elements that triggers addiction is worrying globally and in fact in America for example it is believed that one in five adult creating a greater risk for children having emotional problems than those children brought up in a sober environment. Alcoholism for example runs in families, and children of alcoholics are four times more likely than other children to become alcoholics themselves. Compounding the psychological impact of being raised by a parent who is suffering from alcohol abuse is the fact that most children of alcoholics have experienced some form of neglect or abuse.

When a child is being raised by a parent or guardian who is suffering from alcohol abuse may have a variety of conflicting emotions that need to be addressed in order to avoid future problems. Some of the conflicting feelings may include:

Guilt. The child may see himself or herself as the main cause of the mother’s or father’s drinking.
Anxiety. The child may worry constantly about the situation at home. He or she may fear the alcoholic parent will become sick or injured, and may also fear fights and violence between the parents.
Embarrassment. Parents may give the child the message that there is a terrible secret at home. The ashamed child does not invite friends home and is afraid to ask anyone for help.
Inability to have close relationships. Because the child has been disappointed by the drinking parent many times, he or she often does not trust others.
Confusion. The alcoholic parent will change suddenly from being loving to angry, regardless of the child’s behavior. A regular daily schedule, which is very important for a child, does not exist because bedtimes and mealtimes are constantly changing.
Anger. The child feels anger at the alcoholic parent for drinking, and may be angry at the non-alcoholic parent for lack of support and protection.
Depression. The child feels lonely and helpless to change the situation.

Although the child tries to keep the alcoholism a secret other people around like teachers, relatives, other adults, or friends may sense that something is wrong with this child. Teachers and guardians should be aware that the following behaviors may signal a drinking or other problem at home:

Failure in school; truancy
Lack of friends; withdrawal from classmates
Delinquent behavior, such as stealing or violence
Frequent physical complaints, such as headaches or stomachaches
Abuse of drugs or alcohol
Aggression towards other children
Risk taking behaviors
Depression or suicidal thoughts or behavior

Some children of alcoholics may cope by taking the role of responsible “parents” within the family and among friends. They may become controlled, successful “overachievers” throughout school, and at the same time be emotionally isolated from other children and teachers. Their emotional problems may show only when they become adults.

It is important for relatives, teachers and caregivers to realize that whether or not the parents are receiving treatment for alcoholism, these children and adolescents can benefit from educational programs and early professional help is also important in preventing more serious problems for the child, including reducing risk for future alcoholism. Child and adolescent psychiatrists can diagnose and treat problems in children of alcoholics. They can also help the child to understand that they are not the ones responsible for the drinking problems of their parents and that the child can be helped even if the parent is in denial and refusing to seek help.

During treatment program other youngsters may be included in the group therapy this will help reduces the isolation of being a child of an alcoholic. The child and adolescent psychiatrist will often work with the entire family, particularly when the alcoholic parent has stopped drinking, to help them develop healthier ways of relating to one another.

Children and Addiction-Teens Alcohol and other Drugs

Young people particularly teenagers like to explore on things and so experimentation with alcohol and drugs during adolescence is common. Unfortunately they often don’t see the link between their actions today and the consequences for tomorrow. They also have a tendency to feel indestructible and immune to the problems that others experience.

Using alcohol and tobacco at a young age has negative health effects. It is important to note that while some teens will experiment and stop or continue to use occasionally without significant problems. Others will develop a dependency, moving on to more dangerous drugs and causing significant harm to themselves and possibly others. It is difficult to know which teens will experiment and stop and which will develop serious problems. Those teenagers who are likely to bear the greater risk are those:

with a family history of substance use disorders
who are depressed
who have low self-esteem, and
who feel like they don’t fit in or are out of the mainstream

There is no limit on the kinds of drugs teenagers’ abuse it is all round to them a variety of drugs, both legal and illegal. The use of illegal drugs is increasing, especially among young teens. The average age of first marijuana use is 14, and alcohol use can start before age 12. The use of marijuana and alcohol in high school has become common.

Drug use is associated with a variety of negative consequences, including increased risk of serious drug use later in life, school failure, and poor judgment which may put teens at risk for accidents, violence, unplanned and unsafe sex, and suicide. Parents can prevent their children from using drugs by talking to them about drugs, open communication, role modeling, responsible behavior, and recognizing if problems are developing.

Children and Addiction-Warning signs of teenage alcohol and drug use

Physical: Fatigue, repeated health complaints, red and glazed eyes, and a lasting cough.

Emotional: personality change, sudden mood changes, irritability, irresponsible behavior, low self-esteem, poor judgment, depression, and a general lack of interest.

Family: starting arguments, breaking rules, or withdrawing from the family.

School: decreased interest, negative attitude and drop in grades, many absences, truancy, and discipline problems.

Social problems: new friends who are less interested in standard home and school activities, problems with the law, and changes to less conventional styles in dress and music.

Some of the warning signs we have discussed so far can be signs of other problems as well which parents may use to recognize signs of trouble and possible use of alcohol and other drugs with their teenager. If you have concerns you may want to consult your physician to rule out physical causes of the warning signs. However when this persist seeking an expert opinion would be necessary. Doctor Dalal Akoury is fellowship trained and certified in anti-aging functional and regenerative medicine, as well as having more than two decades of accumulated experience in emergency medicine, pediatrics, and a master’s degree in public health. She has also served fellowships in pediatric hematology/oncology and has performed research in leukemia and the effects of smoking. Problems affecting your children will be safe in the care of such experts like doctor Akoury.

Category Archives: Immune System