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Blood Pressure and Weight Management during and after Holiday

Blood Pressure and Weight Management during and after Holiday – Health Solutions of Blood Pressure

Blood pressure

Blood Pressure and Weight Management during and after Holiday is not only essential but very paramount for everyone. Keep checking your blood pressure from time to time.

Life is very precious and it takes great effort to keep that life in perfect health. This is not just an assignment for anyone but the responsibility of keeping this life primarily rest on the holder of that life. In other words, each person has a duty to take good care of his or her life. Some of the duties we must do to keep the good health include maintaining healthy weight levels, having the correct blood pressure, general body cleanliness among many other essential things that must be done to keep the most valuable asset (life) in motion. In this article, we are going to be discussing two aspects which when not taken care of well can have adverse health complication to human life. Our focus is going to be blood pressure and weight management during and after the holidays. We have chosen the holiday season because it is during this time that many people often forget some of the things they have tirelessly worked on to keep the good health they have and begin to deteriorate all over sudden.

Being overweight has very grave consequences as opposed to maintaining a healthy weight which will provides many health benefits. Therefore if you are overweight, losing even as little as five to ten pounds may help lower your blood pressure. Losing weight and maintaining it is not easy. Many people take the challenge but they fall on the way before realizing their goals. It is very important that when you have made that very important decision of losing weight, you need to get the backing of a qualified weight lose professional to take you through the process. If you’re looking for one, then you need not to look any further. At AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under Doctor Akoury’s care you will get the real experts who are well trained and have had several decades of work experience in offering weight lose solutions to people across the globe. For instance at this facility, doctor Akoury and her team focuses on Neuroendocrine Restoration (NER) to reinstate normality through realization of the oneness of Spirit, Mind, and Body, Unifying the threesome into ONE. This is the place to be for any weight loss concerns but in the meantime here are some of the great reasons why you should manage your weight:

A little weight loss can bring a lot of health gains

Did you know you may experience health benefits from losing as little as 10 pounds? Even a small weight loss can reduce blood pressure and prevent hypertension in many overweight people. BMI stands for Body Mass Index, which is a numerical value of your weight in relation to your height. BMIs are good indicators of healthy or unhealthy weights for adult men and women, regardless of body frame size.

Weight loss reduces the strain on the heart.

It goes without saying that you should strive to maintain a healthy weight. Blood pressure is one such element that strains the heart and doctor Akoury will be able to help you get on the right weight lose track. Therefore people who are gradually acquiring weight can either progressively increase the level of physical activity or reduce caloric intake, or both, until their weight is stable. The stability of their weight will go a long way in settling the blood pressure problem. The two essentials to maintaining a healthy weight are:

  • Eating well
  • Moving often

How Can I Prevent High Blood Pressure?

You can prevent high blood pressure by:

  • Maintaining a healthy weight; lose weight if you are overweight.
  • Exercising more
  • Eating foods low in salt
  • Eating healthy foods like fruits and vegetables
  • Drinking alcoholic beverages in moderation, if you have to drink otherwise it would be better if you don’t at all.

These changes are also recommended for treating high blood pressure, although medicine is often added as part of the treatment.

How Is Blood Pressure Related to Weight?

As your body weight increases, your blood pressure can rise. In fact, being overweight can make you more likely to develop high blood pressure than if you are at your appropriate weight. You can reduce your risk of high blood pressure by losing weight. Even small amounts of weight loss can make a big difference in helping to prevent and treat high blood pressure. Therefore take heed of all the weight lose routines with you on your holiday less you crumble down. And even if you relapse you can still pick up the pieces and overcome the giant called weight gain.

How Can I Reduce My Intake of Salt?

Consumption of too much salt and other kinds of sodium can be a trigger to blood pressure. Restraining on such stuff will be necessary to cut on the occurrences of high blood pressure. Practically it’s not possible to tell who will be affected by consumption or sodium or salt. Therefore it is only sensible that everyone to limit intake of salt to help prevent high blood pressure. Studies have established that you can reduce your blood pressure by eating foods rich in grains, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products.

Alcohol and High Blood Pressure

Ideally drinking alcohol is never good for whatever reason. It is actually the source of very many health complications we have today. Take for instance the celebrations we attend during the holidays or otherwise. There are always lots of alcoholic drinks. High blood pressure has nor relationship with alcohol. So to help prevent high blood pressure where emanating from the activities of the holiday or not, drinking alcohol is not right. However, if you have to then, limit how much you take preferably not more than two drinks a day if you are male and one for female.

Finally high blood Pressure and Weight Management during and after Holiday is not just necessary but a must. It is so because the consequences of overweight is life threatening. It will do you good to seek for professional help from doctor Akoury today by scheduling for an appointment with her.

Blood Pressure and Weight Management during and after Holiday – Health Solutions of Blood Pressure

 

 

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Foods That Enhance Mood and Fight Holiday Weight Gain

Foods That Enhance Mood and Fight Holiday Weight Gain – Overcoming the Depression of Holiday Weight Gain

Foods That Enhance Mood and Fight Holiday Weight Gain

Foods that enhance mood and fight holiday weight gain are very essential. During the holidays it is important that you do some exercises to keep slim.

Holiday should be an event where you let lose all your office or family burdens and enjoy the potentials life can offer. It should not be a moment of stress and bad moods or depression. In fact all these are the things you should be targeting to she off your system while in holidays. However in many instances people find themselves struggling with those things they ought to have left behind while marry making in holidays. This is going to be the center of our discussion in this article. I am going to suggest for you certain foods that enhances mood and fight holiday weight gain as we progress. We want to help you do things wright so that you do not let stress and bad moods ruin your moments of happiness during the holidays.

In your endeavor to make your holiday memorable, you need to have all the tips and guidelines at hand so that you do only the right things. Those things will not trigger stress, depression or bad moods. Nonetheless, we appreciate that this may not be easy and so the professional input needs to be sorted periodically. Doctor Dalal Akoury is one of the known weight lose professional you can rely on for any matter of concern about your fears during the holidays. It will however interest you to note that Dr. Akoury made a bold and worthy decision to create a medical center (AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center) whose main objective is to transform each individual’s life through increasing awareness about health and wellness and by empowering individuals to find their own inner healing power. Her practice (Dr. Akoury) primarily focuses on personalized medicine through healthy lifestyle choices that deal with primary prevention and underlying causes instead of patching up symptoms. This makes her the best you can rely on for all your weight loss concerns not just during the holidays but all the time because maintaining that desired weight is a continuous process. You can schedule for that appointment with doctor Akoury from the contacts on thins link.

Like I said before neither stress nor holiday weight gain should ruin your holidays this year. The following are some guidelines about good eating habits and foods that can enhance your moods when stressful situation strikes. If properly adopted and with the professional input from doctor Akoury you’ll feel calmer and be slimmer throughout the holiday season and beyond.

Foods That Enhance Mood and Fight Holiday Weight Gain – How Blood Sugar Alters Your Mood

The stability of your moods will play a great role in coping with any element of stress and depression during the holiday season. With a stable mind set you will not only feel better, but will obviously avoid indulgence in over eating. Therefore what you eat is very important. It all begins with choosing the foods that your bodies will absorbs slowly will help in maintaining your blood sugar stable. The slow digesting foods which will help your moods or feelings stable may include:

  • Whole-grain cereal with milk
  • Brown rice with salmon or chicken breast
  • A peanut butter sandwich on whole-wheat bread
  • A spinach salad and half a turkey sandwich with milk

Remember that foods that absorb quickly, such as sugar, white bread, or anything refined, confound blood sugar high then cause it to crush unexpectedly. With the crashing you’ll feel bad-tempered and hungry, which can only lead you into sinking into bad feeding habits with bad food stuff like chocolate bars or candy setting yourself up for yet another blood sugar dive.

Foods That Enhance Mood and Fight Holiday Weight Gain – Boost Your Mood with Feel Good Serotonin

Did you know that high-protein diets may help you lose weight, but they won’t do much to raise your spirits? This is because your body craves serotonin, the feel-good chemical found in foods that boost your mood. Carbohydrates are essential for moving tryptophan (the amino acid that makes up serotonin) across the brain. When your blood sugar drops, less carbohydrate is available in the bloodstream; less tryptophan moves across into the brain and your mood can plummet. It is important to note that serotonin also fights holiday weight gain. It informs you when you’ve had enough by causing satiety (a feeling of fullness) and reducing your appetite.

Foods That Enhance Mood and Fight Holiday Weight Gain – Food and Diet Tips to Keep Your Mood Stable

Besides carbohydrates, studies indicate that many other foods along with healthful eating habits may help our moods and somewhat ease depression.

  • Omega-3 fatty acids – studies have established that individuals who rarely eat fish, rich in high omega-3 fatty acids, are more likely to suffer depression. It is therefore advisable that you add foods rich in omega-3s to your diet. Good sources of omega-3 fatty acids include fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, and sardines. Other good food sources include flaxseed, nuts, and dark, green leafy vegetables.
  • Vitamin B-12 – Studies also indicate that people who eat diets low in vitamin B-12 may be at higher risk of depression. Good food sources of vitamin B-12 include lean and low-fat animal products, such as fish and low-fat dairy foods.
  • Selenium – Preliminary small studies indicate that selenium may help improve mild depression. Although more research is needed, many foods rich in selenium are healthy regardless of your mood. It can’t hurt to add these to your diet: seafood, nuts, lean meat, whole grains, beans, and low-fat dairy.
  • Frequent small meals – Eating frequent, small meals of healthy foods helps keep your blood sugar levels even, avoiding diet-related mood swings. Eat a small meal or snack every three to four hours to give you sustained energy and keep your blood sugar stable.
Foods That Enhance Mood and Fight Holiday Weight Gain – Fight Holiday Weight Gain

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed during the holiday season what with shopping, parties, decorating, baking, and the inevitable stress of unwanted obligations. But a healthy diet not only helps boost your mood, it also helps you fight holiday weight gain. Try these tips to get through the holiday season in a good mood without gaining weight:

  • Eat breakfast – If you skip it, what you eat for the rest of the day won’t matter. Breakfast-eaters report maintaining a better mood and more energy throughout the day.
  • Drink water – The first symptom of dehydration is fatigue. If you’re dragging your feet, don’t dig in the holiday treats you’ve been baking. Instead, take a glass or two of water; then see if you’re still hungry. Refusing to drink enough water is the first thing that will impact your mood. Without water, you won’t be able to exercise at peak levels, and you won’t burn fat as readily.
  • Drink nonfat milk – It has the tryptophan you need for your brain, plus the natural carbohydrate that assists its transport. It’s also a fabulous energy drink, and an excellent way to rehydrate both before and after exercise.
  • Hit your usual holiday parties, but avoid alcohol – You may feel relaxed in the short term, but drinking interrupts sleep and increases depression and anxiety not the best way to boost your mood.
  • Lose the bowls of high-fat foods like chocolate, and replace them with small low-fat crackers, popcorn, pretzels, and hard candy.

Foods That Enhance Mood and Fight Holiday Weight Gain – Overcoming the Depression of Holiday Weight Gain

 

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Substance Abuse and HIV/AIDS among Urban Minority Youth

How to Prevent Substance Abuse and HIV/AIDS among Urban Minority Youth

Substance abuse and HIV/AIDs are major problems that the urban minority youth have to face daily. Substance abuse among the urban minority youths has been linked to many societal ills including theft and robbery, the urban youth minority that are involved in substance abuse face some of the toughest life choices especially after becoming dependent on the drugs of abuse . once they have got dependent on the drugs of abuse they will find it hard to supplement most of their daily needs as in most cases drug addicts are avoided by employers, once jobless and the heightening cravings for the substances of abuse they will turn to some other ways of finding their daily supply of the drugs that they use. Turning to robbery has become one of the immediate choices that they bump into and hence they become a problem that the whole society suffers from. In most cases the youths may be felled by police bullets while escaping from crime scenes and some who are lucky will be sent to rehabilitation centers and that in itself affects the economy of a country as the country will spend more on these centers sometimes having to forego other expenses just to cater for the youths.

The biggest problem with the urban minority youths is their environment. Most of the people they interact with especially through the media lead lives of drug abuse, most of these youths are driven by their love for certain genres, they therefore idolize such artists so much that they will want to lead a life like theirs, this is a great problem having drug users as role models therefore there is need for educating the youths to stay away from drug use through the use of messages that may be sent through broadcast media such as radio and television. The urban minority youths needs to access relevant information that may help them stay away from drug abuse.

HIV and Youth Statistics

The urban minority youths are also involved in active sex. In most cases these youths do not get serious with their relationships, these relationships are sex based and having one night stands with different women is something that these youths take pride of. It is the involvement of these youths with multiple sexual partners that put them at high risk of contacting HIV/AIDS.  The urban minority youths need access to drug abuse and HIV/AIDS preventing messages in their immediate environment. Painting walls and having these messages artistically inscribed on the walls can be a good way to market this ideology and help the youths know of the dangers of drug abuse and involving oneself in risky sexual behaviors such us having multiple sexual partners. Other ways that can help these youths to stay away from drug abuse and HIV/AIDS may include:

Evidence-based prevention protocols

In a research study done to assess whether evidence-based prevention protocols could positively influence substance abuse and HIV/AIDS knowledge and reduce sexual risk-taking behaviors among urban minority youth by the by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) dubbed Be Proud! Be Responsible! CASASTART; Focus on Youth; and Street Smart. This research study that involved sessions comprised of six, 50-minute modules that incorporated role-plays, discussions, and multimedia formats to actively educate and engage youth in prevention activities.

This study used the National Minority Substance Abuse / HIV Prevention Initiative Cohort 7 Youth Questionnaire. The National Minority Substance Abuse / HIV Prevention Initiative Cohort 7 Youth Questionnaire was developed by CSAP as part of a national cross site evaluation of all Minority AIDS Initiative (MAI) funded programs throughout the United States. Sexual risk behavior served as the outcome variable, with the following ten predictors being assessed for the study: disapproval / alcohol use, school importance, delinquency/crime, disapproval / tobacco use, disapproval / marijuana use, illicit drug use, stress- related alcohol and drug use, HIV/AIDS knowledge, HIV/AIDS testing, and negative peer attitudes.

The findings of the study showed changes in pre and posttest measures which revealed that participants who were at heightened risk were also more inclined to get tested for HIV/AIDS after receiving the intervention (95% confidence level). At posttest, an increase in HIV/AIDS knowledge seemed to have a buffering effect against risky sexual behaviors. Additionally, participants who thought of school more favorably were less likely to engage in sexual risk taking behaviors at posttest (95% confidence level). This study therefore showed the importance of educating the urban minority youths and creating awareness of the dangers of drug abuse and HIV/AIDS as paramount to fighting these two vices in the urban minority youths.  The intervention used the pretest-posttest design and worked with four urban high schools and five summer camp programs located in the Northeastern United States having a total of 653 African American and Hispanic/Latino youth, ranging in ages from 13 to 18.

hiv

Promoting Talent

The youths have talents that need to be exploited in a bid to find avenues though which the drug abuse and HIV/AIDS prevention messages can be spread. Apart from using their talents as a media through which this message reach many people it also keeps them occupied and gives them a reason to focus more in their own developments other than indulging in drug abuse and risky sexual behaviors.

Finally, Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center is committed to availing help to addicts by availing some of the most integrative approaches to healing an addict chained to any behavior. Call on Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for help.

How to Prevent Substance Abuse and HIV/AIDS among Urban Minority Youth

 

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Stress and Weight Gain during the Holidays

Stress and Weight Gain during the Holidays – Staying Calm and on Track

Stress and weight gain

Stress and Weight Gain during the Holidays can cause you a lot of harm in your effort of fighting overweight. Stick to the healthy side of life even during holidays.

Dear friends it is my pleasure sharing with you these valuable pieces of information about your health and more so those that are related to overweight. If you have been with us on the link you must have come across several articles torching on overweight and obesity. These are health conditions which are life threatening if not avoided or put into control. We are going to be discussing in this article the topic stress and weight gain during the holidays. As a matter of fact we are approaching that season when everyone will be tuned to marry making during the Christmas festivities. This article therefore comes at an opportune time for you and your loved ones. Therefore I want to welcome you and request you to keep reading and have useful tips to help you prepare for the holiday season a head.

When we talk about holiday weight gain, you maybe think about the varieties of delicious foods lie in wait for you everywhere you turn. Holiday parties, family dinners, office luncheons, 20 dozen Christmas cookies cooling on your kitchen counters literally there is no scarcity of temptation during the holidays to indulge in over eating. However, there is another major stake holder to holiday weight gain which is not necessarily food and unhealthy lifestyle. The holiday season comes with different packages it is known for being one of the most stressful seasons of the year. Stress is never friendly to human health because it is one of the major causes of the formation of fat belly in both male and female. The fat belly is often as a result of certain chemical known as cortisol. It may not matter whether your feeding habits are emphatically pure throughout the holiday season; letting stress get to you may still cause you to gain some weight which is not very healthy.

From experience we know that managing stress may not be very easy for many and that is why at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under Doctor Dalal Akoury’s care we focus on Neuroendocrine Restoration (NER) to reinstate normality through realization of the oneness of Spirit, Mind, and Body, Unifying the threesome into ONE. We bring to your attention that any stress and weight gain especially during the holidays can be avoided. I encourage you not to dye in silence because help is only a phone call away. Pick that phone now and schedule for an appointment with doctor Akoury today for professional direction. As you consider making that valuable call the following are some of the easy steps you can adopt to help you avoid stress and weight gain during the holidays  .

Stress and Weight Gain during the Holidays – Keep Your Mind Peaceful

Consistent meditation is a brilliant way to discharge stress from your system. This can be done in the simplest way without any form of complications. Just by positioning yourself in a sitting position with your eyes closed and breathing systematically slowly can bring a big difference in your stress level. Remember that even 2minutes of meditation can knock off stress out. Therefore if you can dedicate 10 full minutes twice a day to simple meditation, you’ll notice a huge reduction in stress.  You’ll not only feel calmer but also you’ll be able to think more clearly. In other words your memory will improve, you’ll have more energy, and you’ll feel more balanced emotionally. The result is stress and weight gain during holidays is eliminated.

Stress and Weight Gain during the Holidays – Discharge Bodily Tension

  • When you’re stressed out, do you ever feel like all of your muscles are threaded too tight?
  • Your shoulders feel like they’re wrapped up around your ears
  • Your lower back feels like it might snap if you bend forward
  • Your legs might be restless
  • Arms feel achy
  • Stomach churning

When all this happens in your body, tension displays up in your body, you can’t help but feel uncomfortable. Daily exercise does wonders in releasing bodily tension and you don’t have to spend a lot of time doing it to enjoy great results. Even marching in place for 10 minutes followed by a gentle stretching routine can instantly make you feel more relaxed. For instance if you enjoy walking and the weather is nice, take an invigorating walk after dinner each evening.  When you go shopping at the mall, take 10 minutes to stroll briskly around and focus on how festive everything looks. This way you’ll be inspiring a positive mood while releasing tension from your body at the same time.

Stress and Weight Gain during the Holidays – Create Time for Yourself

Doctor Akoury will tell you that having sometime for yourself is very healthy. You have this life only once and what you do with it today determines how well you will live it tomorrow. It doesn’t matter how busy or tight your schedule is. You need peace of mind to need those deadlines. So devote some time and relax doing things you like most. Taking an hour or more in a relaxed state of mind will make you freshen up and you’ll quickly realize that the things you have to do don’t seem so stressful anymore.

Stress and Weight Gain during the Holidays – The Art of Detachment

Sometimes what you need to be free is all dependent on you. There are certain things you may want to shed off if you have to defeat stress and weight gain during the holidays. For instance, if your holiday season is usually packed with irritating and stressful scenes and events, you may want to devote a little bit of practice to the art of detachment. Being able to step back psychologically and enthusiastically from upsetting people and circumstances is a worthy practice to accommodate not just because you want to be free from stress and weight gain during holiday’s seasons but for the rest of your life. Detachment means declining to become emotionally capitalized in the situation at hand. If you can calmly keep your emotions in check rather than getting angry, defensive, or aggressive, you will avoid taking on too much stress.

Finally it is helpful if you are able to avoid taking things personally. Stay in control of your emotions and you’ll feel like you have greater control over your life in general. Doctor Akoury will always be there for you in all the steps you take in managing your stress and weight gain during the holiday. You can now schedule that appointment with her today.

Stress and Weight Gain during the Holidays – Staying Calm and on Track

 

 

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Severe Mental Illness and Substance Abuse

Persons with Severe Mental Illness Are Prone To Substance Use

Severe Mental illnessPeople with severe mental illness (SMI) are more prone to substance abuse than those who are not suffering from severe mental illness. Both epidemiological and clinical studies that have been done on this have attested to this fact. The findings of these researches have also pointed out that Individuals diagnosed with SMI are also at greater risk of hospitalization, homelessness and suicide and experience more difficulty in different spheres of their lives. Most studies have shown that individuals with SMI are more prone to substance abuse. However other studies that have been done on the same issue have not linked the two phenomena. The substances used most frequently by persons with SMI are alcohol, followed by cannabis and stimulants. Sedatives and hallucinogens are used less frequently by those with SMI. Amphetamine use is greater in persons with psychotic disorders compared with the general population. Studies have shown that both cannabis and, to a greater extent, amphetamines can provoke psychosis. Because individuals do not use cannabis or amphetamines alone, but use them in combination with several other substances, examining the effects of the use of a specific substance on mental illness is particularly challenging. A review showed that substance use has adverse long-term effects on cognitive functions in persons with SMI. The substance that has been found to affect the individuals most negatively is alcohol while cannabis use has little influence on the cognitive functions of the individuals.

Several studies have shown that many people with SMI tend to achieve full remission of their substance use while others relapse frequently. Research from different treatment settings indicate that 30 per cent of those with less severe mental illness and heavy substance use attain sustained remission, while up to 60 per cent of those with SMI and less severe substance use attain sustained remission.

There is however a lack of studies on how persons with SMI experience abstaining from substance use. Nevertheless, research on substance use by clients without the comorbidity of mental illness indicates that social support is important to successful change in behavior of these people. Clients claim that they benefit from interventions that address their multiple recovery issues as opposed to ones that emphasize recovery strictly in sobriety terms. Another qualitative study has noted the participants’ view that highly structured programs and cognitive behavioral techniques are crucial to achieving abstinence. Not only is sobriety a lifelong struggle for many clients, but also is perceived as a challenging state because of the risk that the person becomes complacent after achieving sobriety. This may indicate a need for substitute dependency to maintain the abstinence.

It is of importance to examine how individuals with a psychotic disorder experience quitting substance use and to investigate reported experiences of former abstinence periods by participants still using substances. Two qualitative studies with a primary focus on how persons with SMI experience abstaining from substance use have reported that clients view substance use as one of many sources of difficulty over a troubled life course and that social support is critical to staying clean, lack of support in most cases makes it difficult for these individuals to quit using these drugs. One ethnographic study of clients’ perspectives showed that giving up substances was seen as a source of both pleasure and pain, and presupposed a certain level of rationality.

Study findings

In a study done by Henning Pettersen, Torleif Ruud, Edle Ravndal and Anne Landheim with an objective to find out experiences of abstaining from substances of persons diagnosed with SMI. They examined both the reasons given and the requirements and strategies used when abstaining. The main reasons for quitting substance use were social relationships and meaningful activities. It was found that the stated requirements and strategies used in the search for sobriety were detachment towards people and places, positive thinking, controlling feelings and emotions, and fear of dependency. A qualitative study with semi-structured interviews was conducted, and a descriptive and explorative design was applied. This study included a purposeful sample of 11 patients with SMI and substance use being treated by assertive community treatment teams. Henning et al concluded that the results from this study are consistent with those from other qualitative studies on the importance of social relationships and meaningful activities as expressed reasons for abstaining. The strategy of actively avoiding a former adverse milieu to reach sobriety is consistent with findings from one similar study. The strategies of fear of adverse consequences, positive thinking, and controlling feelings and emotions found in the present study have not been reported by other qualitative studies.

The study had eleven participants of which nine were men and two were women. The ages of the participants were between 27-63 years. Most of the participants had a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, but persons diagnosed with bipolar disorder or an unspecified psychotic disorder also participated. For most participants, SMI had preceded their substance use. The treatment of the participants took duration of between 14-30 months after the first interview.

Severe Mental illnessCannabis and amphetamine were the main substances used in the study but alcohol and other prescription drugs were also used to a lesser extent. However most of the participants used a combination of the substances. At the time of the study four of the participants were abstaining from substance use. Their abstinence periods ranged from 3 to 18 month. At the time of the first interview seven of the participants were still using substances. By the second interview, the abstainers were still abstinent and the users had continued their use. The abstaining group and the group of users did not differ significantly in their psychiatric diagnosis or history of substance use. The 11 participants shared their experiences of shorter and longer periods of abstaining from substances. Some of them talked of their abstaining periods retrospectively, and some were abstaining at the time of the interview. From the findings of this study it is therefore safe to conclude that people suffering from SMI are more prone to substance abuse than people who don’t.

Finally, We at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center are committed to availing help to addicts by availing some of the most integrative approaches to healing an addict. We advocate for natural healing to all kinds of addiction. Call on Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for help.

Persons with Severe Mental Illness Are Prone To Substance Use

 

 

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