For a healthy life hate drug addiction

June 11, 2015

For a healthy life hate drug addiction: The dangers of substance abuse

For a healthy life hate drug addiction. Seek for help before it is too late

What is good in being alive while in poor health condition? Life without health is painful, frustrating and costly to maintain. There are so many reasons why we often live life that we are not able to enjoy. Sickness is one such obstacle which makes life very unbearable and this is what we need to correct so that we can live and enjoy life to the fullest. For us to do this we have to prevent all the sources of sickness and if in the unlikely event that we fall sick, treatment must be administered immediately. Experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury say that “for a healthy life hate drug addiction” and ideally this principle is very true owing to the fact that drug addiction is very dangerous to human health. The dangers of drug addiction can be very fatal to the point of causing ones death either through prolonged illness, sudden and abrupt death or it can be through suicide. Having mentioned that, you now have a snip preview of the impact of drug addiction if not addressed in good time.

I love my life and I believe that you do too. Therefore if we share this common denominator, then this principle of experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center should be applicable to us. Let us for a little while focus our attention to our topic of discussion which is “for a healthy life hate drug addiction.” Doctor Akoury says that for us to have a productive life, we must voluntarily choose to be sober in our minds, body system and even within our environment. Drugs and other substances will not let us be and because of this, we have a duty both collectively and individually to make all efforts to ensure that our neighborhood is safe and free from any kind of substance abuse. We owe this to our children and the generations to come. It therefore means that as responsible parents, our children must be brought up morally sound and any element of depression avoided by all means. And like I have said before, doing this must be a collective responsibility to everyone because the consequences of drug addiction can be very fatal and suicidal. If you have been caring for an addict of any drug you understand the pain and agony that comes with it like for instance:

The panic of getting serious accident and other body injuries
The anxiety of losing a loved one
The fear of drug overdose and the complications that come with it
The terror of committing suicide and the sudden vacuum left

When we talk about this topic of discussion for a healthy life hate drug addiction suicide tops the list. Suicide is a serious risk for those people who are suffering from mental health problems thereby demanding for special medical attention in the assessment and treatment of addiction. It is therefore very important that every individual must take keen attention on depression and other mood disorders because these are the primary indicators of risk factors for suicide. Alongside that alcohol and the general drug abuse are also influential in triggering suicide. Researchers have actually established that alcoholism is a strong indicator even without being depressed and those suffering from drug use disorders are said to be about six times likely to commit suicide than the population not using drugs.

Dr. Akoury has time and again stated that substance abuse does not only increase the chances that a person will take his or her own life, but it is also used as a means for committing suicide. Statistics indicate that for every three people dying from suicide one will be as a result of influence drugs and specifically opiates such as oxycodone, heroin or alcohol. The other element that is worth considering is poisoning. This is yet another leading method used in suicide deaths again drugs make up to 75 percent of suicide deaths due to poisoning.

For a healthy life hate drug addiction: When Hope Runs Out

Have you ever wondered why suicide is the tragic fate of so many people struggling with addiction? There are a few possible explanations which may include the following:

When under the influence of drugs or alcohol, people may lose inhibitions and take risks they would not do when sober.
Many people abuse drugs or alcohol in an attempt to relieve the symptoms of depression, anxiety or other mental health conditions.
The rate of major depression is two to four times higher among addicts than the general population.

Although drugs may seem to help in the short term, they exacerbate problems over time. When attempting to stop using drugs, people may feel overwhelmed by the return of painful emotions that they had been medicating with drugs. They may also be clear-headed enough to carry out suicidal thoughts and plans. Transitions, such as entering or leaving treatment, relapse, and death, divorce or other major life changes, can be especially vulnerable times.

Abusing drugs, especially depressants such as alcohol or sedatives, can also trigger symptoms of depression, increasing the risk of suicide. As the consequences of addiction pile up, from legal problems and damaged relationships to financial ruin and job loss, individuals may lose all hope that things can get better and for some the feeling of impossibilities may take center stage where victims only see two possible ways of relief i.e. getting back into drugs use or death.

For a healthy life hate drug addiction: Pooling together to find lasting solution

The gift of life is very important and everyone would not want to take it for granted. This life we can only live it once therefore when drug addiction is the problem then we must do all it takes to defeat it. That is why doctor Dalal Akoury founded AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, where she is offering her exclusive NER Recovery Treatment to everyone including other physicians and health care professionals through training, clinical apprenticeships, webinars and seminars. This training often come from time to time and therefore any qualified professional can now be a part of this truly successful and fast addiction recovery treatment. And as for you the patient your condition will be safe with us if only you can schedule for an appointment with the experts at this facility today for the commencement of your treatment program.

For a healthy life hate drug addiction: The dangers of substance abuse

Effects of drug addiction to the skin

June 11, 2015

Effects of drug addiction to the skin: All illicit drugs are unhealthy for the skin

Effects of drug addiction to the skin are not just mere threats to beauty. They destroy the skin completely. Run away from drugs as you can if you want to have a healthy skin

The beauty of your skin is dependent on very many things including what you feed on, the quantity of water you drink, the environment you live in, the type of chemicals you apply on it and how well you take care of it by washing among other things. When the right things are done all rounds, this organ will be more appealing, healthy and radiant. Of course everybody needs to look good all the times and because the skin is our receptionist where all visitors first report to, we must give it the good care it deserve so that our image as the whole body can also be appreciated by those who look at us. Just like in an organization if the receptionist is rude, careless and arrogant, the organization will have a very bad image and loose it customers and partners. In the same way our skin particularly the face is the focal point that everybody will come into contact with first. For this reason we must prevent it from any harm that may come its way to keep that good looking image that we all desire. To do that effectively doctor Dalal Akoury is going to help us understand some of the effects of drug addiction to the skin and what we can do to contain them.

Drugs and especially the illicit ones are never good in whichever way you look at them. The history of drug addiction is full of painful memories, anarchy and sufferings. Doctor Akoury says that if this is to be allowed into the skin, then we will have succeeded in damaging the largest organ of the body and beauty will be very expensive to revive. Experts are in consensus that drug addiction is very harmful to the wellbeing of the health of your skin. We are therefore going to relay on the vast experience of doctor Akoury in matters addiction to understand the consequences and the magnitude of being lazy your skin. That may look very strong but it is important that way because all drugs of addiction are injurious to the health of your skin. Those illicit drugs may include heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine. All these and many more can take a severe toll on the health of your skin. Heroin for example is a central nervous system depressant that slows heart rate, blood circulation, respiration and metabolism

Skin popping as it is commonly known or the practice of injecting heroin under the top layer of the skin leaves distinctive round sores along the skin’s surface. These sores can easily become infected, resulting in permanent scars. For users who are anxious, restless or experiencing cravings, the scabs can become the focus of obsessive picking. Picking at the sores increases the risk of cellulitis, or the infection of the soft tissues underlying the dermis. Doctor Akoury acknowledges that skin lesions are common in heavy methamphetamine users. This central nervous system stimulant can cause a condition called delusional parasitosis, or the false believe that the user is infested with organisms that are crawling across her skin. This condition which is also known as “meth mites” or “cocaine bugs” can lead to severe self-mutilation if the user is acutely intoxicated. When you or anyone you know is experiencing things like this, timewasting can be very costly and treatment must be sought immediately. Consulting with doctor Akoury on the best treatment methods available for you should be prioritize so that more damage to the skin is prevented in good time.

Effects of drug addiction to the skin: Integrative Addiction Conference 2015

Before we continues into the discussion about the effects of drug addiction to the skin, we the professionals have even a bigger responsibility in ensuring that this enemy of addiction is eliminated. Over the years doctor Dalal Akoury through AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center a facility she established primarily to help in the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, has been in the front line in dealing with the menace of drug addiction not only by offering professional treatment to the addiction victims, but also equipping professionals with the requisite knowledge of dealing with this problem even as they attend to their patients. In line with that, AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, one of the leading pioneers in natural and holistic addiction treatment, will be conducting the first ever Educational, Functional and Integrative Addiction conference for doctors, counselors, nurses and addiction therapists. The conference will be held in August 23-25 at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. This new frontier in addiction medicine will be conducted by the most influential group of leading visionaries specializing in the latest advances in natural and integrative addiction medicine, under the theme “The Future of Integrative Addiction”. It is a must attend conference for all professionals who really want to be on top of their career and to offer the very best of their best to their clients. The registration is currently in progress and for more information log in towww.integrativeaddiction2015.com or email sharon@integrativeaddiction2015.com. I will be revisiting that shortly but in the meantime let’s get back to our point of discussion about the effects of drug addiction to the skin.

Effects of drug addiction to the skin: Skin Picking and Heroin Withdrawal

From the illustration above, heroin addiction can be very damaging to the skin. And even as we approach this it is important noting that withdrawing from heroin which is a highly addictive opiate is an intensely uncomfortable experience. Restlessness, nervousness, severe cravings and goose bumps can trigger the urge to self-mutilate. Users in withdrawal often say that they feel like they’re crawling out of their skin and in this state, skin picking may provide a momentary sense of release.

Doctor Akoury says that heroin withdrawal affects the skin in several important ways. Goose bumps, along with chills, shivering and cold sweats, occur as the brain adjusts to the absence of this powerful opioid. These bumps are caused by tiny muscles that tighten at the base of the fine hairs that cover the skin. For the user in withdrawal, compulsively rubbing or tugging at the skin may counteract the sensations of cold and restlessness.

Skin picking and self-mutilation can also help the user cope with opiate cravings. The sensations of pleasure or pain are a temporary distraction from the desire to use heroin. Ritualistic picking can provide an outlet for the intense anxiety, nervous tension and restlessness that characterize withdrawal. Nonetheless it is important to note that in all these, skin picking provides only a temporary relief from the symptoms of opiate withdrawal. Once physical withdrawal symptoms begin, they can last for several days. The best way to avoid withdrawal symptoms like goose bumps, sweats and muscle pain is to enter a medically supervised detox program like AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center. At a detox center, you can receive the physical and moral support you need to minimize the symptoms of withdrawal and avoid a relapse. Remember that all this drug addiction has great effects on your skin and the sooner you seek professional advice from doctor Akoury the better for your situation.

Effects of drug addiction to the skin: All illicit drugs are unhealthy for the skin

GABA Restoration In Addiction Therapy

March 8, 2015

Role of GABA restoration in addiction therapy

There are several drugs of pleasure that people use today. The problem is not exactly in the use of the drugs but rather in the effects they create in the brain. Addiction contrary to what many people think is not a problem with how frequent you take a drug but what even a single puff of or drop of a drug will cause to your brain and the entire nervous system. Composed of the individual nerve cells also known as neurons the nervous system serves as the network in the body. Without this network all communications between the nerve cells will be broken and a person will be incapacitated to even do a simple task as blinking. Typically, nerve signals are transmitted through the length of a neuron as an electrical impulse. When a nerve impulse reaches the end of the neuron it can jump over to the next cell using chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. Therefore without the neurotransmitters the nerves will not be able to send impulses over to other nerve cells in order to initiate specific actions. The neurotransmitters have vital functions in the central nervous system. In the central nervous system these neurotransmitters send impulses between neurons. The functions of the neurotransmitters is not limited to the central nervous system alone but are also crucial in the peripheral nervous system where they send impulses between neurons and gland cells. The peripheral nervous system is composed of nerves that link the central nervous system to the rest of the body.

There are two types of neurotransmitters, the inhibitory transmitters which are known to restore calm in the brain especially after the use of leisure drugs that are known to induce euphoric effects by raising the levels of dopamine and the excitatory neurotransmitters that fires the brain. GABA is one of the inhibitory neurotransmitters that counter the effects of leisure drugs and restores calm in the brain.

GABA restoration

GABA is one of the most abundant neurotransmitters in the central nervous system, and especially in the cerebral cortex. The brain cortex is where thinking occurs and sensations are interpreted. As mentioned above GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter brain and it helps in tranquillizing stressful, anxious and worrying thoughts. What happens with most drugs of leisure is that they cause instability in the brain leading to anxiety, stress and even depression. These are symptoms of low GABA. Addiction is a cause of low GABA as most drugs deplete GABA. There are several ways through which this can be medically corrected but those with addiction issues usually turn to their drugs as a means of self-medication but this only worsens the situation leading to anxiety and depression. Tranquilizers and downers are no better solutions to low GABA symptoms but finding a safe GABA regulation therapy may help in addiction treatment. The other cause for use of downers and tranquilizers is the rise in the level of norepinephrine. A rise in this neurotransmitter often induces the use of cannabis sativa.

The roles of GABA in the Brain

Made from glutamate in the brain cells, GABA works as an inhibitory neurotransmitter blocking nerve impulses. It is this neurotransmitter that inhibits the actions of dopamine when elevated in level by drug use. Glutamate acts as an excitatory neurotransmitter and when bound to adjacent cells encourages them to fire and send a nerve impulse. However, GABA does the opposite and tells the adjoining cells not to calm, not to send an impulse.

To those with inadequate level of GABA the activities of the excitatory neurotransmitters will not be inhibited and therefore the impulses they send will not be regulated and this often leads to anxiety disorders such as panic attacks, seizures, addiction, Parkinson’s disease and cognitive impairment.

GABA is the most effective neurotransmitter in inhibiting the transmission of nerve impulses from one neuron to another. When this happens it restores calmness in the brain however when drugs are used they inhibit the release of GABA, when GABA release is inhibited there will be more nerve transmissions occurring. These drugs inhibit the release of GABA by causing molecules to bind on neurons near GABA reducing its effect on the neurons. Benzodiazepines and other drugs are known to work in this style, they may also mimic the activities of GABA thereby inhibiting its transmission.

GABA rESTORATION

Need For GABA restoration in addiction Treatment

After a long term use of certain drugs, the level of GABA will be depleted to a point where it will be at an all-time low. This will lead to myriad of complications as the nerve impulses will be unregulated. This will lead to such problems as anxiety, depression, cognitive impairment and seizures among other diseases. Without restoring the level of GABA to healthy limits, any attempt to treat an addict will be ineffective.

Finally, Drug addiction treatment is a complex procedure that needs the input of an experienced integrative doctor. the health of neurotransmitters matters a lot and now that it is known that some drugs depletes these neurotransmitters there is need for treatment of addiction in a manner that restores the functions of the entire nervous system. This is why here at AWAREmed we are dedicated to finding the best solutions to addiction and dependence on substances. Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) is always in the mood of helping any patient to be addiction free. Do not hesitate to call on her for help in managing any sort of chronic pain as well as other diseases.

Role of GABA restoration in addiction therapy

Auriculotherapy and Treatment Interventions for Addiction

March 7, 2015

Role of Auriculotherapy as a Treatment Intervention for Addiction

Acupuncture has been used for a long time especially in the Chinese traditional medicine as treatment of many diseases. Acupuncture typically works on specific points of the body known as meridians. The essence of acupuncture is to increase flow of energy and achieve the yin/yang balance. When there is interference with the flow of energy an imbalance is created which results in pain. Therefore acupuncture is used to stop the blockage of energy in the acupuncture meridian channels. Auriculotherapy is one of the types of acupuncture that is used today to heal variety of diseases. It’s done on the left ear (auricle). It involves the stimulation of the auricle of the external ear for the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions in other parts of the body.

It is also known as ear acupuncture or auricular acupuncture when the stimulation is achieved by the insertion of acupuncture needles, whereas the term auriculotherapy often refers to electrical stimulation of the surface of ear reflex points. On the ear there are specific pints to be stimulated by manual pressure, referred to as auricular acupressure or ear reflexology. Acupuncture points on the ear can also be stimulated with lasers, magnets, and ear pellets. All this is aimed at restoring flow of energy in the rest of the body to heal pain open blockages of energy flow that may be caused by prolonged drug use.

Auriculotherapy

How auriculotherapy affect drug users

Some drugs are known to block the effects of opiate drugs. Researchers have revealed that these drugs that block the effects of opiate drugs also block the pain relieving effects of Auricular therapy. Scientists have opined that the pain relief from auriculotherapy is drawn from the release of endorphins into the blood. As common knowledge, endorphins are your body’s natural pain relieving chemicals. These endorphins are created by the brain and are similar in chemistry to opiate drugs such as morphine. When these opiates are used or other drugs with similar chemistry to the endorphins they will mimic the activities of the endorphins and the brain responds by suppressing the production of its own endorphins leading to dependence on the drugs. With the auriculotherapy, the balancing of energy throughout the body is achieved. Stimulation of the auricular acupuncture microsystem can lead to a homeostatic state whereby any form of stress or pain is lessened, this is possible as auriculotherapy facilitates a balancing of energy throughout the body macrosystems or by correcting pathological reflex centers in the brain.

The ability and effectiveness of auriculotherapy in reducing drug abuse is explained in both the western neurological conceptualization and traditional medicine view. The first evidence of the power of auriculotherapy in reducing the substance cravings of drug addicts came from H.L. Wen of Hong Kong in the 1970’s. These evidences were further expanded upon by Dr. Michel Smith, a physician who practices Oriental Medicine in New York City. The Lung point on the ear used to relieve addiction disorders is said to affect the energy of the Lung meridian, which affects not only respiratory disorders but problems with detoxification. A Western neurological explanation of drug detoxification with auriculotherapy is based on the observation that the concha area of the ear which is used to treat addiction problems represents the control of the autonomic nervous system through the vagus nerve and through the hypothalamus of the brain. When a specific reflex point is stimulated on the ear, it corresponds to a specific area of the body an action which leads to either a reduction of excess stimulation or an enhancement of diminished under activity of the affected region. The overall effect of auriculotherapy is to create a more balanced condition throughout the body, it is with this balance that the adverse effects of drugs of abuse on the addict are fought and the normal function of the body restored.

Despite its effectiveness in treating variety of diseases there is no direct nerve connection between the ear and the rest of the body. Auriculotherapy owes its effectiveness to the fact that the nerves from the ear connect to reflex centers in the brain. These nerves send neurological reflex messages to the spinal cord and then to nerves connecting to the corresponding part of the body hence facilitating healing of affected parts of the body.

The ear works as the map of the entire body. It links the rest of the body to the nervous system. With Auriculotherapy doctors can energetically treat a number of painful conditions through the brain by reaching out to the affected areas through the ears. Today the modern science has proved what most cultures believed to be true while some people discarded as mere beliefs; acupuncture works. Technology such as Function MRI (fMRI) proves that ear acupuncture indeed triggers an effect in areas of the brain, specific to the corresponding zone on the ear.

Auriculotherapy

How Auriculotherapy is performed

There are several ways through which auriculotherapy can be administered. Sometimes some special needles can be used but mostly auriculotherapy is done needle-free. some of the needle free methods include; use of electrical or laser stimulation, specialized pressure pellets made from gold, silver, steel or herbal seeds, as well as magnets, and manual pressure. Most doctors who use this therapy will have all this methods of administration but will choose the best method in relation to each case.

Finally, you may need help in battling addiction, We at AWAREmed health and wellness center are dedicated to finding the best natural solutions to addiction problems. You can visit us at Myrtle Beach South Carolina where you will be attended to by Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) who has vast experience in integrative medicine for lifestyle diseases.

Role of Auriculotherapy as a Treatment Intervention for Addiction

GABA Metabolism in the CNS in Addiction

February 14, 2015

GABA Metabolism in the CNS in Addiction

What is GABA?

Known as Gamma-Amino Butyric acid, it is an amino acid that performs functions of neurotransmitters in the brain.it is the most abundant neurotransmitters occurring in the central nervous system (CNS).it acts as an inhibitor of transmissions in the brain thus in the process calming down activities in the nervous system. It is found as a supplement in which it acts as a natural tranquilizer. It has been shown to increase levels of human growth hormones thus is very popular among body builders.

The Neurotransmitters Question

The brain is made up of millions of cells. Communication takes place from one brain region to another through neurotransmitters. Neurons are individual cells of the nerves that make up the nervous system. They serve as the wiring for the body to transmit information form one region to another. The electrical signals generated are transported through the neurons as a single impulse. Ones the impulses reaches the end of the neurons, it is transmitted to the other cell through neurotransmitters.

The central nervous system consists of the spinal cord and the brain. The two consist of neurotransmitters which pass from one end of the neuron to another. The peripheral nervous system which is made up of nerves that run to the rest of the body. The nerves transmit chemical signals from one neuron t adjacent gland cells and muscles.

GABA and glutamate are the most abundantly occurring neurotransmitters in the nervous system. The two are in abundance in the cerebral cortex which is the region where interpretation of sensation takes place and thinking occurs. The ending of the neurons are made up of sac like structures which are filled with neurotransmitters.

GABA

When the chemical and electrical signals reach the end of the neurons, they trigger the sacs to release neurotransmitters to act as a bridge between one nerve cell and another. The spaces called synapses act as a bridge through which signals pass to the other cells. On reaching the other neuron, the neurotransmitters attach to the cell receptors. This triggers the electric impulse to move from the end of the nerve cell neuron to the other cell completing the message transmission and triggering and effect.

Role of GABA In the Brain

It is formed in the cells of the brain from glutamate. GABA acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter which simply means that it blocks nerve impulses in the brain. On the other hand, glutamate from which GABA is formed is an excitatory neurotransmitter. When it binds to cells adjacent to it, it activates them to send impulses throughout the brain from one cell to another. GABA instead of telling the brain to activate and send impulses, it tells it he opposite. It stimulates the brain not to send nerve impulses from one cell to another.

In the absence of GABA nerve cells tend to activate more often sending signals regularly. Disorders associated with anxiety such as headaches, addiction, panic attacks, Parkinson syndrome, cognitive impairment and seizures are all linked to low activity of GABA.

It naturally hinders nerve impulses transmission from one cell to another. It brings about a calming effect in the process. The best way to understand the significance of GABA is by understanding the effects of caffeine on the brain. Caffeine acts as an inhibitor of the release of GABA. When the levels of GABA are low in the brain, more nerve transmissions take place. This leads to the sensational feeling that one gets when they takes coffee. This feeling is as a result of activity of glutamate with less GABA.

The reason why, caffeine does this is simply because other molecules tend to bind with the neurons near the site where GABA binds with these neurons. This is exactly the way that basic tranquilizers like barbiturates and Benzodiazepines work. They increase the effects of GABA in the body which in turns inhibits the transmission of nerves.

GABA Metabolism

It is synthesized in a metabolic path known as the GABA shunt. The first step in GABA formation uses a-ketoglutarate that is formed from metabolism of glucose in the Kreb’s cycle. Afterwards a-ketoglutarate is processed by a-oxoglutarate to form glutamate. In the final process, the glutamate undergoes decarboxylation to form GABA through the glutamic acid decarboxylase enzyme. Like other neurotransmitters, GABA is stored in the synaptic vesicles of the brain and is only released when depolarization of the presynaptic membrane takes place.

GABA

GABA and Addiction

Alcohol consumption leads to loss of coordination of the motors as well as sedation as other high levels of inhibitory transmitters do. Studies therefore show that GABA effects contribute to some effects of alcohol in the brain. Past studies show that, GABA as an inhibitory neurotransmitter is affected by alcohol consumption. Continuous alcohol consumption leading to addiction lead to decline in GABA receptors found in the brain and his reduces the ability of the neurotransmitter t bind with cell receptors.

In this case, the body is forced to find ways to compensate for the declined levels of GABA neurotransmitters. These effects are responsible for brain function changes that lead to things like dependence and alcohol tolerance. When one withdraws from alcohol, the stimulating effects on the neurotransmitter disappear. The body has very few GABA receptors needed to balance the effects of excitatory neurotransmitters. Because of this the brain has too many excitatory nerve signals being transmitted. This translates to psychological and physical effects of alcohol addiction and withdrawal.

Dr. Dalal Akoury has years of experience with patients of addiction and other health conditions. This enables her to provide wise counsel to patients who may be going through certain health conditions. Many of these patients have gotten better and they now bear witness to her god works. To become part of this community and to receive regular health and awareness tips that will befit you, visit www.awaremednetwork.com today.

GABA Metabolism in the CNS in Addiction

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