Tag Archives: Addiction

Understanding At-Risk Drinking, Alcohol Abuse and Dependence

November 20, 2014

Differences That Exists Between At-Risk Drinking, Abuse and Dependence

Alcohol drinking has different effects when taken at different levels. Doctors have credited moderate drinking of alcohol to be healthy. Some of the health benefits that are associated with moderate drinking include the following; moderate drinking of alcohol improves blood lipid profile by increasing HDL also known as good cholesterol and decreasing LDL popularly known as bad cholesterol. It also decreases blood clotting by reducing platelet aggregation, reducing fibrinogen which causes blood clotting and increasing fibrinolysis. Fibrinolysis is the process by which clots dissolve. Moderate drinking also helps in increasing coronary blood flow, reducing blood pressure, and reducing blood insulin level. However when a person drinks alcohol without moderation then all the benefits will be overweighed by the dangers that come with heavy drinking.

Differences That Exists Between At-Risk Drinking, Abuse and Dependence

There are different levels of drinking and each level exhibits different characteristics, as you begin drinking alcohol your behavior changes, the more you drink the more you will need and this is what brings about addiction. Let’s say you may begin by drinking once in a week, your thirst for alcohol will grow and before you know it you will be drinking five times in a week and this may increase gradually till you become dependent on alcohol. As the levels change so do the dangers escalate. The more you take the greater the risk. Here are the different levels of drinking.

At-risk drinking

This refers to consumption above the low-risk guidelines. At-risk drinking is consumption of alcohol in quantities that are potentially harmful to the person using alcohol. A person at this stage may not experience some of the known severe effects of alcohol consumption but if nothing is done to help a person who is at this stage of alcohol drinking to stop drinking then he may graduate to higher levels of drinking.

A man would be said to be at-risk drinker when he drinks as much 4 drinks a day or 14 drinks per week. On the other hand a woman will be said to at-risk drinker when he consumes as much 3 drinks any day or more than 7 drinks per week. Research has revealed that about 1 in 4 people who exceed these limits already have alcoholism or alcohol abuse, and the rest are at greater risk for developing these and other problems. Again, individual risks vary. People can have problems drinking less than these amounts, particularly if they drink too quickly.

Some of the risks that an at-risk drinker will have to deal with include;

He risks being dependent on alcohol if all is not done to help him evade alcohol use completely. He also risks succumbing to injuries this is because drinking too much increases your chances of being injured or even killed. Alcohol is a factor, for example, in about 60% of fatal burn injuries, drowning, and homicides; 50% of severe trauma injuries and sexual assaults; and 40% of fatal motor vehicle crashes, suicides, and fatal falls.

Another risk is the risk the risk of poor health such as depression and even sleep disorders, other risk is the risk of contacting sexual infections while alcohol has taken toll. However it is good to note that of all the risk, the biggest risk is that of becoming dependent on alcohol as that will be hard to deal with due to severity of the withdrawal symptoms associated with it.

Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol abuse refers to hazardous or socially inappropriate behavior while drinking e.g., dangerous driving. A person who has reached the level of alcohol abuse will not know the bad manners he is involved in are as a result of his heavy drinking and they are mostly involved in bar brawls and fights as they will cease to be in control of their actions while under the influence of alcohol.

Alcohol dependence

Alcohol dependence is a psychological syndrome characterized by compulsive drinking and loss of control over consumption. At this level a person becomes dependent on alcohol so much that he cannot survive without it. Most of the time they will be seen drunk and they will no longer control the frequency and the amount of alcohol they control daily. This will make it even hard for them to maintain their jobs and supplement their family needs.

The difference between at-risk drinking, alcohol abuse and dependence

There are indicators that will let you differentiate whether a person is an at-risk drinker, an alcohol abuser or dependent on alcohol. We will use these indicators to help us find the difference between these levels of alcohol consumption.

Withdrawal symptoms- the withdrawal symptoms are not present in the at-risk drinkers, in those at alcohol abuse the withdrawal symptoms are absent too but in alcohol dependence withdrawal symptoms are mostly present.

Tolerance- in both at-risk drinkers and alcohol abuse there is mild tolerance to alcohol while in alcohol dependence there is marked tolerance.

Weekly consumption- at at-risk the weekly consumption is just above the low-risk guideline while alcohol abuse is characterized by binge drinking. In alcohol dependence a person will drink 40 or more drinks per week.

Drinks per day- at-risk drinker may take fewer than 4 drinks per day while at alcohol abuse a person will sometimes take less than 4 drinks daily. At alcohol dependence a person will rarely take less than four drinks a day.

Social consequences- at at-risk a person will not have social problems, while at alcohol abuse he will have occasional argument with wife and may face problems at work. At alcohol dependence the social consequences are quite severe, he may lose his job.

Alcohol abuse

Physical consequences- at at-risk the physical consequences may be mild, these may include; hypertension, insomnia and fatty liver. At alcohol abuse the physical consequences may include trauma and violence while at alcohol dependence the physical consequences may be severe, these may include cirrhosis and pancreatitis.

Alcoholism is a problem that many people are chained to. We at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center are committed to availing help to addicts by availing some of the most effective integrative approaches to healing an addict. Call on Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for help.

Differences That Exists Between At-Risk Drinking, Abuse and Dependence

 

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Recovering Addiction; Natural Medicine

November 18, 2014

 Natural Medicine for the Recovering Addiction

There are problems that we suffer from today that can be easily solved if we leaned on Mother Nature. We however have been blinded and tied to the orthodox treatment standards that do not offer lasting solutions to our diseases. Most if not all of the orthodox medical interventions focus on treating the symptoms of a disease and not on healing the person wholly. Addiction is one problem that many people have suffered from and still many people are stuck to even today. The biggest problem with Recovering Addiction  is that to help the addicts to stop using the drugs other substances are used to help satisfy their cravings these substances may make them dependent, they will not be able to feel normally without using the substances hence giving rise to severe withdrawal symptoms whenever they try to creep out of them.  The addicts therefore need to explore some of the most effective healing approaches that can only be availed by nature. The natural medicine has been used in fighting addiction for a long time. In most Asian countries the natural addiction treatments are used by many are greatly preferred.

People turn to substance of abuse for a momentary salvage from their physical and emotional problems but after along use of such drugs their physical and mental health becomes greatly debilitated. The nervous system becomes affected and the entire body becomes unable to perform most of its functions effectively. To effectively treat an addict a more integrative approach should be used to ensure that not only the symptoms are treated but the entire system that is affected by the use of the drug is rectified and the person can enjoy life without fear of addiction to the substance troubling him in the future.

Recovering Addiction

Recovering Addiction

Natural medicine is focused on the patient, Recovering Addiction

Most of the healers who use natural medicine in curing recovering addicts are integrative in their approach to healing the patient. This focus on healing the patient aims at detoxifying the body and all the affected systems by the long-term drug use, replenishing all the needed nutrients that the use of the drugs had depleted in the body and boosting the immunity of the addict to be able to resist the urge to indulge in drug use. The treatment is therefore focused on whole person healing. The drugs o not only affect the physical being of a person but affects the entire trinity; the body the spirit and the mind. With such a treatment everything about the addict changes including his behavior.

After along use of drugs the body loses some of the most valuable nutrients, therefore it is crucial to have these nutrients replenished during the recovery process. Some of these crucial minerals and vitamins that are depleted after long use of drugs include; calcium, magnesium and even zinc.

Detoxification is a crucial process in addiction recovery, the liver and the digestive system should be cleansed and the nervous system strengthened and restored treating any type of debility in the nervous system. Some of the crucial minerals and vitamins that are available naturally and in bio-friendly forms that can be supplemented to benefit an addict include;

Zinc– zinc is a mineral that plays an important role in carbohydrate metabolism. As said earlier the use of alcohol and drugs of abuse causes a zinc deficiency. Low zinc levels can cause liver deterioration and diminished functioning of the reproductive organs, immune system, and skin. A recovering addict should supplement zinc using Zinc picolinate which is considered bio-friendly.  Eating foods that are rich in zinc like pumpkin seeds can also help an addict.

Calcium– Calcium is one of the most important nutrients for strengthening the nervous system. Caffeine, sugar, alcohol, and other drugs often cause the body to eliminate calcium. Caffeine, for example, has been shown to double the urinary excretion of calcium. Several studies have demonstrated low serum calcium levels in alcoholics. Low levels of calcium and magnesium levels are often the root of irritability, muscular spasm, and pain experienced by alcoholics and drug addicts. A recovering addict should consider 1000 mg of elemental calcium per day in divided doses, preferably at the beginning of meals. Nutritionists however advocate for green sources of calcium.

Herbs that can be used to promote healing in recovering addiction

Thunbergia laurifolia– This herb is commonly used in Thailand for detoxification. This herb is potent enough to cleanse the body of harmful; effects of the long-term use of drugs and alcohol. It also works well in reducing fevers. In a recovering addiction it may help in clearing all the debris of alcohol and drugs.

Dandelion– This herb is widely used in Europe as an excellent liver detoxifier and mild diuretic. It increases the flow of bile and encourages both the transformation and transportation of nutrients. It has been used historically to treat liver disorders, arthritis and gout. In the Recovering addiction it will ease the transportation of nutrients in the body and restore energy in the cells.

Recovering Addiction

Recovering Addiction

Ginkgo – this herb has many medicinal properties. It is known to increase energy by enhancing cellular glucose uptake. It is also a scavenger of free radicals. Its other benefits include; it encourages peripheral circulation and improves short term memory. It is good for a recovering addict as it’s improves cognitive functions.

Finally, Here at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center we 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. In case you are struggling with addiction just call on Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for help.

 Natural Medicine for the Recovering Addiction

 

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Addiction and metabolic Disorders

November 16, 2014

Addiction and metabolic Disorders

Remedies-For-ThyroidMost of the time when a person becomes addicted to a drug he will begin to feel sick, generally an addict is never in good health and that is why most of them may have certain strange behaviors such as irritability and even slurred speech. The reason for this is that when a person takes drugs that are rewarding in nature he will be compelled to increase the doses day by day so as to get the euphoric feeling they seek in drugs. Even the drugs that are used in pain management like the opiates have specified dosages beyond the patient will not only get addicted to the drug but will suffer other diseases that come with overdose of such drugs. Drugs of abuse majorly affect the neurotransmitter and this will be extended to the central nervous system (CNS) which is composed of the brain and the spinal cord. The brain is the engine that drives all the activities in the body of every human being but these drugs will interfere with chemical balances in the brain making it unable to perform normally. In some instance even the neurotransmitters that work to transmit signals so as to provoke certain necessary responses may get debilitated hence everything will be messed up.

Researchers have shown that substance addiction may be linked to metabolic disorders. Individuals with substance addictions may very likely be suffering from an assortment of one or more metabolic disorders such as hypoglycemia, hypoadrenia, hypothyroidism, Vitamin B deficiency, mineral deficiencies, liver malfunction, and depression.

Serious maladaptive patterns, such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, hypoglycemia, and candida albicans, have always been common among drug addicts and alcoholics.

Addiction and hypothyroidism

It has been established that hypothyroidism and addiction are linked. Addiction to drugs of abuse affects hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and body hormonal system. Morphine particularly increases hormones such as adrenalin, noradrenaline, corticosterone and glucagon and can reduce the activity of hypothalamic-pituitary axis, however in relation to alterations of T3, T4 and especially TSH levels following morphine consumption, different and sometimes controversial results have been reported. In some research study reports it has been reported decrease of TSH level but no alterations in T3 and T4 levels during morphine consumption. In other researches there has been reported decrease of TSH, T3 and T4 levels following short-term consumption of morphine. One particular study that was done in Pakistan has it that opium consumption leads to total T3 increase and total T4 decrease. Several studies that have been done on this topic make us certain to say the link between these two exist.

Addiction and hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is a condition in which the blood sugar level becomes low. This condition is mostly caused by insulin resistance and is termed a pre-diabetes condition. However it may take twenty years and above for a pre diabetes to be full blown diabetes. Drug addiction has been linked to hypoglycemia .Alcohol consumption and addiction goes hand in hand with hypoglycemia. And scientists opine that it is this condition that is often responsible for many of the debilitating symptoms that recovering alcoholics, and other addicts experience, like anxiety, depression, shaking and nervousness, crankiness, irritability, mental confusion, uncontrollable hunger, weakness, impaired concentration, mood swings, fatigue and more. Hypoglycemia can even trigger relapse in a recovering addict since  as the blood sugar level floors so do the neurotransmitters and this will cause even more craving for a substance of abuse that maybe rewarding. Addiction basically is caused by imbalances in the neurotransmitters and therefore if there is to be a recovery then the neurotransmitters must be restored.

Alcohol is sugar, the most refined form of sugar when you are addicted to alcohol you will be eating more refined sugar that will increase the blood sugar level to abnormal highs, this will trigger production of more insulin to restore the normal blood sugar level, when this happens the insulin will work on the high sugar content reducing its level plus the level of neurotransmitters and this causes hypoglycemia.

Addiction and liver malfunctions

The liver is a vital organ in the body since it is the sieve through which all that gets in the body is filtered. It is charged with the responsibility of detoxification. The liver removes chemicals from the blood turning them into harmless chemicals and then either secretes them with the bile for elimination in the stool, or secretes them back into the blood where they then are removed by the kidneys and eliminated in the urine. Drug addiction will result in a burdened liver since drugs of abuse are highly toxic especially they have to be taken in higher doses for the feelings of euphoria to be reached.

Hypothyroidism

The drugs have chemicals that may be dangerous to the liver itself causing harm to the crucial organ. Drugs may induce liver hepatitis a disease characterized by swelling of the liver. Long-term consumption of alcohol also causes liver cirrhosis.

Addiction and mineral deficiency

Addiction to drugs also causes depletion of crucial minerals in the body. Some of the crucial minerals that are depleted by long-term use of drugs and alcohol include magnesium. Magnesium deficiency is mostly caused by long-term use of alcohol. Alcohol causes wastage of magnesium through urination. Other ways through which alcohol contributes to magnesium deficiency include malnutrition, gastrointestinal losses, phosphate deficiency, acidosis and/or alkalosis, vitamin D deficiency and free fatty acidemia associated with alcohol withdrawal.

Finally, Here at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center we 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.

Addiction and metabolic Disorders

 

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Rapid And Safe Drug Detox Using A Crafted Blend of Intravenous Amino Acids and NER

November 14, 2014

Rapid And Safe Drug Detox Using A Crafted Blend of Intravenous Amino Acids and NER

Many people are trapped in lives that they have never been pleased to live. Addiction has caused lots of problems in our societies today. The problem is that when a person becomes addicted then the problem ceases to be his alone but spreads to the entire society. Today addiction to drugs and substances accounts for more than half of the societal ills that our societies face.  The addicts are facing problems associated with stigmatization and so most of them cannot even work and fend for themselves, this in itself is a source of depression that commands that they use drugs to help them escape and the endless vicious cycle ensues. In such a case an addict will be forced to go against the societal codes of ethics to find his daily dosage of his drugs of abuse like robbery and that will affect the entire society.

The naked truth however is, most addicts have tried to seek help in rehabs but have not succeed this may be the case since in most rehabs the pharmaceutical products are used in trying to help the addicts to overcome addiction. In some cases these drugs may work but in most cases the patient is left to deal with the withdrawal symptoms which may make these pharmaceutical medications ineffective in treatment of addicts. In most cases addiction detoxification is done by use of another substance of substitute. The substance of substitute serves the cravings for the drug.  This may work well but as you have noticed it will take a longer period of time for the patients to be free from dependence on the drug of abuse with a higher risk of becoming dependent on the substance of abuse.  Withdrawal symptoms make it hard for the patients to stop using the substitute substances that are used in detoxification enslaving them to the substances. Unlike pharmaceutical medication, IV amino acids when used in detoxification do not leave the patient with withdrawal symptoms hence the treatment is effective and efficient.

drug detoxification

For emphasis, I repeat. The use intravenous amino acid treatment in fighting addiction is devoid of the withdrawal symptoms and therefore safe and more efficient in fighting addiction as the patients will not take more time fighting withdrawal from the very substitutes used in fighting addiction. The intravenous amino acid serves the brain cells that have become dependent on substance of abuse with the right substitute that eliminates the cravings. It also detoxifies the brain and clears all the residue of the drug of abuse and break its effects on the brain and the entire nervous system and no pharmaceutical medicine can do that. The amino acid therapy is the best for fighting addiction because it gives the brain what it craves in a natural non habit forming way while rebuilding the neurotransmitters which are always destroyed by substance of addiction. It also works within days and improves the body’s own ability to detox. Apart from Intravenous amino acid detox in addiction there is also another effective way of fighting addiction at the root. Neuro Endocrine Restoration. Owing to the effectiveness of these two methods of detox in addiction Dr. Dalal Akoury of AWAREmed has crafted a formula for using both of the methods in healing addiction patients.

Neuro Endocrine Restoration

Neuro Endocrine Restoration (NER) is critical in treatment of addicts. It is one of the best ways of fighting addiction. What happens when a person is addicted to a substance is that the substance of abuse that he uses damages the brain by changing its biochemistry creating an imbalance in the brain and the entire endocrine system. This means that any effective treatment must restore the state of the neurotransmitters as was before addiction. The neuro endocrine restoration is the best at doing this since it cost effective, natural and takes a shorter time.

Detox

In our bodies there are neurotransmitters that help us feel good and at harmony with our surrounding. There are also other neurotransmitters that are responsible for low feelings. The brain needs all these neurotransmitters to work normally. In a normal person’s case the balance between these two neurotransmitters is achieved naturally but in case of an addict this balance ceases to exist as long term use of drugs affects the neurotransmitters. The use of NER in addiction treatment aims at helping the patient to evade the use of the drugs since without restoring the neurotransmitters, anytime an addict will attempt to stop using the drug of abuse his brain will trigger reactions of danger leading to release of adrenaline and endorphins, in such instance the addict will be forced to use the drug to restore calm and this explains why most addicts fail when they try to stop using drugs without restoring the damaged neurotransmitters.

Intravenous amino acids and the NER are natural approaches to treating addicts that have so far bore juicy fruits. They are affordable, effective and are free from withdrawal symptoms that many people suffer after going through addiction treatment with pharmaceutical medicines. We at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center are committed to availing help to addicts and offering them a place to call home. We advocate for natural healing to all kinds of addiction. In case you are struggling with addiction just call on Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for help.

Rapid And Safe Drug Detox Using A Crafted Blend of Intravenous Amino Acids and NER

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Amino Acids Therapy Used For Addiction Treatment

October 27, 2014

Intravenous Amino Acids Detoxification as Used in Addiction Therapy

Amino acid

Amino AcidS

Amino acids play a very important role in the body. The amino acids are the building blocks of proteins while proteins are essentials in building and repairing all body tissues. Therefore, the amino acids can be effectively used in detoxifying the brain and the neurotransmitters that are often affected by alcohol and other substance abuse. Addiction can be treated with the amino acids detox therapy.

The use of amino acid for detox was first thought of by an American doctor. His thought was to investigate on how the amino acids could be used in maintaining or achieving neurotransmitter balance in the brain in those who had suffered or were still suffering from mental disorders. One of the major effects of alcohol and substance abuse is that they cause an imbalance on neurotransmitters. This imbalance can be rectified by intravenous amino acid therapy.

Alcohol and drugs of addiction when used for a time will alter the balance between the neurotransmitters this is because the balance of the neurotransmitters in the brain is very delicate. Neurotransmitters are those chemicals that carry electrical impulses throughout the brain, and the central nervous system. When this delicate balance of neurotransmitters in the brain is altered, the brain functions that depend on impulses from these neurotransmitters will be altered. At some point there will be dependence on substances that cause the imbalance for brain to continue functioning. It is therefore not very logical to begin fighting addiction in a patient without detoxing the brain in order to achieve this balance between the neurotransmitters in the brain.

The role of amino acids in the brain is vital and that is why it is believed by many doctors that an imbalance in amino acids is a leading contributor to substance abuse and eventual addiction. In most cases the imbalance in amino acids is as a result of use of drugs of abuse and /or alcohol. In such cases, greater volumes of alcohol or drugs gradually result in a greater imbalance in neurotransmitters. To achieve the euphoric effects an addict will need to use more of the drugs and this leads to increase in dosages of the drugs that addict takes and this is known as tolerance.

Intravenous Amino Acids Is Safe

In most instances, an addict will suffer some side effects during detoxification. This is because of the imbalance in neurotransmitters. Even as the detoxification process continues the addict will have to deal with intense cravings for the substance of abuse. By using intravenous amino acid during detoxification the side effects are mitigated plus the cravings also stops since the intravenous amino acids will feed the brain what it seeks from the drug. In some cases during detoxification the cravings will increase even after the detoxification process is completed. When Amino Acids are used in the process, all will be safe since it will fight the craving for the drugs by restoring the imbalance in the neurotransmitters more efficiently. This occurs because of the side effects of drug and alcohol use. Unlike the use of other pharmaceutical drugs that are used in fighting addiction, intravenous amino acids do not cause withdrawal symptoms to addicts who are were using it.

Amino acids in therapy can help a recovering addict since the neurotransmitters of the addict will be supplied with amino acids intravenously therefore restoring the balance in the brain. During this process the intravenous amino acids may be accompanied by essential minerals and vitamins that will be of help to the addict. The use of amino acids in detoxification for addiction is not a new phenomenon as it has been used in the United States and the United Kingdom. It was used in helping opiate and alcohol addicts, in 80 percent of the cases it was used successfully.

DETOX WITH AMINO ACIDS

DETOX WITH AMINO ACIDS

Any addict who tries to stop using a drug will automatically suffer the withdrawal symptoms. When withdrawal begins, the intravenous solution which is composed of amino acids and other important minerals & vitamins is sent through the veins and directly to the brain. Feeding the brain directly stimulates it to rebalance itself. As withdrawal occurs the amino acids are building blocks and when they are mixed in right proportions with the minerals and vitamins the body will be vitalized to naturally fight addictive substances and balance itself.

Drug Addiction is should be treated personally for the patient that is suffering, that is why we at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center are committed to availing help to addicts and offering them a place to call home. It does not matter what kind of addiction you are wrestling with right now, just call on Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) today and begin your journey to victory against addiction.

Intravenous Amino Acids Detoxification As Used In Addiction Therapy

 

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