Tag Archives: Addiction

Addiction Medicine; Natural Treatment

June 20, 2014

Excel In Addiction Medicine Specialty 

 

Addiction medicine is a medical specialty that deals with the treatment of addiction. The specialty often crosses over into other areas, since various aspects of addiction fall within the fields of public health, psychology, social work, mental health counseling, psychiatry, and internal medicine, among others. Amalgamated within the specialty are the processes of detoxification, rehabilitation, harm reduction, abstinence-based treatment, separate and group therapies, oversight of halfway houses, management of withdrawal-related symptoms, acute intervention, and long term therapies designed to reduce likelihood of relapse . Some specialists, primarily those who also have expertise in family medicine or internal medicine, also provide treatment for disease states commonly associated with substance use, such as hepatitis and HIV infection.

addiction medicine

Addiction Medicine

Physicians specializing in the field are in general agreement concerning applicability of treatment to those with addiction to drugs, such as alcohol and heroin, and often also to gambling, which has similar characteristics and has been well described in the scientific literature. There is less contract concerning definition or treatment of other so-called addictive behavior such as sexual addiction and internet addiction, such performances not being marked generally by physiologic tolerance or withdrawal.

Doctors concentrating on addiction medicine are medical authorities who focus on addictive disease and have had special study and training focusing on the prevention and treatment of such diseases. There are two routes to specialization in the addiction field: one via a psychiatric pathway and one via other fields of medicine. The new frontier Society of Addiction Medicine notes that approximately a percentage of its members are psychiatrists while the remainder have received medical training in other fields.

Studies have found that, despite the prevalence of addiction, the enormity of its consequences, the availability of effective clarifications and the evidence that addiction is a disease, both screening and early intervention for risky substance use are rare, and only about 1 in 10 people with addiction involving alcohol or drugs other than nicotine receive any form of treatment.

Of those who do receive treatment, few receive anything that approximates evidence-based care. This compares with seventy% to eighty% of people with such diseases as high blood pressure and diabetes who do receive treatment. This report exposes the fact that most medical professionals who should be providing addiction action are not sufficiently trained to diagnose or treat the disease, and most of those providing addiction care are not medical professionals and are not equipped with the knowledge, skills or credentials necessary to provide the full range of effective treatments

The time has come for addiction medicine to be fully integrated into health care systems and medical practice. Health care providers, especially physicians, are our front line in disease prevention and treatment. They must understand the risk factors for addiction, screen for risky substance use and intervene when needed, and diagnose, treat and manage addiction just as they do all other diseases.

The Treatment Options for Addiction.

addiction medicine

Addiction Medicine

The first step for the addicted individual is to acknowledge that there is a substance dependency problem addiction problem. The next step is to get help. In most of the world there are several support groups and expert services available. Treatment options for habit depend on several factors, including what type of substance it is and how it affects the patients. Typically, treatment includes a combination of inpatient and outpatient programs, counseling, psychotherapy, self-help groups, pairing with individual sponsors, and medication.

  • Treatment programs – these typically focus on getting sober and preventing relapses. Individual, group and/or family sessions may form part of the program. Depending on the level of addiction, patient behaviors, and type of material this may be in outpatient or residential settings.
  • Analysis – there may be one-to-one (one-on-one) or family sessions with a specialist.

Help with coping with cravings, avoiding the substance, and dealing with possible relapses are key to effective addiction programs. If the patient’s family can become complicated there is a better probability of positive outcomes.

  • Support groups – these may help the patient meet other people with the same problem, which often boosts motivation. Self-help groups can be a useful source of education and information too. Examples comprise Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. For those dependent on nicotine, ask your doctor or nurse for information on local self-help groups.
  • Help by withdrawal symptoms – the main aim is usually to get the addictive substance out of the patient’s body as quickly as possible. Sometimes the addict is given gradually reduced dosages (tapering). In some cases a substitute matter is given. Depending on what the person is addicted to, as well as some other factors, the doctor may recommend treatment either as an outpatient or inpatient.

The doctor or addiction expert may recommend either an outpatient or inpatient residential treatment center. Withdrawal treatment options vary and depend mainly on what substance the individual is addicted to:

  • Addiction to depressants – these may include dependence on barbiturates or benzodiazepines. During withdrawal the patient may experience anxiety insomnia, sweating and restlessness. In rare cases there may be whole-body tremors, seizures, hallucinations, hypertension (high blood pressure), accelerated heart rate and fever. In severe cases there may be delirium, which according to the Mayo Clinic, USA, could be life-threatening.
  • Addiction to stimulants – these may include cocaine and other amphetamines. During withdrawal the patient may experience tiredness, depression, anxiety, moodiness, low enthusiasm, sleep disturbances, and low concentration. Treatment focuses on providing support, unless the depression is severe, in which case a medication may be prescribed.
  • Addiction to opioids – Opioids are a class of drugs that are commonly prescribed for their analgesics or pain killing, properties. They include substances such as morphine, codeine, oxycodone, and methadone.

The addiction medicine physician is a key member of the health care team at New Frontiers in Medicine Academy are trained to coordinate and provide consultation services for other physicians and to use community resources when appropriate. Some addiction medicine physicians limit their practice to patients with addiction or other patterns of unhealthy substance use for the wellbeing of human affected.

Excel In Addiction Medicine Specialty

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The Addiction Rehabilitation Process

June 20, 2014

Ladders of the Addiction Rehabilitation Process

Addiction RehabilitationThe journey to a vigorous, sober life is not a quick and easy one. It is a lifelong commitment of perseverance and hard work that is well worth the effort. Like any journey, the road to sobriety begins with simple steps frontward. The specific steps of one’s addiction rehabilitation process will vary conferring to the addiction, the treatment plan used, and the individual; however, all recovery processes share certain comparisons.

If you have any questions concerning the rehabilitation process or your individual journey to recovery, contact one of our treatment advisors. We are here to offer addiction help twenty four seven. We will answer your inquiries, confidentially, at any time of day or night, with no obligation.

When it comes to addiction rehabilitation programs, there is no scarcity of options out there but it’s important to find a program that is a good match for you. If you feel comfortable with the facility you’ve chosen, you’re more likely to stick with the sequencer and see it through to its end, increasing your chances of long-term health and sobriety.

Rendering to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there are several things to consider when choosing a drug treatment program. These include:

  • There is no one-size-fits-all solution to treatment. Different treatments work for different people, Patients must commit enough time to treatment in order to effectively overcome their addictions, Everyone should have easy access to treatment when they need it, Addiction affects the way the brain works, Effective treatment should address all areas of the addict’s life, not just the abuse or addiction, Medicinal treatment is often necessary and should be used in conjunction with therapy, Treatment plans should continually be tailored to meet the individual’s needs and circumstances, Mental disorders are often linked to drug addiction and should be addressed in treatment,  An addict does not have to voluntarily go to treatment in order for it to be effective. Many addicts are compelled to go to rehab by the court system, family or friends, and still achieve recovery once they go through the program.
  • Inpatient treatment programs eliminate addicts from their old ways of life and place them into a medically supervised treatment facility. This inpatient care helps to eliminate pressure by removing the individual from enticement and the ability to relapse, both during the detox and rehabilitation processes. In most inpatient rehabilitation programs, twenty four hour medical supervision during detox is provided.

Oftentimes, patients are restricted from contacting family and friends during the first portion of the rehabilitation process. This permits them to focus solely on their recovery without distractions from the outside world. Over time, family members and close friends may be invited to participate in visiting days or family therapy sessions. This helps to build the maintenance system that is so crucial to recovering addicts once they leave the rehab facility.

  • Outpatient programsare very similar to inpatient programs with the exception that the addict is allowed to return home each night. If a patient has familial obligations, such as caring for children or elderly parents, outpatient care allows them to maintain some of those responsibilities. In some cases, if a patient has work responsibilities, they can work part-time while in outpatient care. As a general rule, the less stress, the better during treatment as it’s significant for the patient’s focus to be on the recovery process. Outpatient care is best for those with short-lived addictions. It is not optional for those with serious or long-term addictions or those with dual diagnosis conditions.

Regardless of whether you choose inpatient addiction treatment or outpatient care, the intake procedure will be nearly the same and conducted by a psychotherapist at the facility. This first step uses guided diagnostic tests to determine the severity of the addiction, personal drug use history, family history, and even financial arrangements for management.

Most drug and all alcohol addictions require a detox package before the start of the rehabilitation program. This process of detoxification removes all traces of drugs and alcohol from the body in different cases. In other cases, maintenance medicine may be given to counteract the withdrawal symptoms connected with certain drugs, such as opiateprescription drugs and heroin.

The severity of the detox process varies from person to person, depending on the substance in question, how long they took the drug and at what dosage levels, and if there is any other addictions involved. When an individual takes a drug or consumes alcohol regularly, the body becomes accustomed to having certain levels of the substance in it. Once the substance is removed, the body can go into a type of shock, causing withdrawal symptoms to occur. According to the US National Library of Medicine, some withdrawal symptoms can occur directly, but most usually occur within twenty four hours after the last dose.

addiction rehabiltation

Once an individual gets through the initial detox from drugs or alcohol, they will move on to the rehabilitation portion of the recovery process. This is where the patients get to the core reasons behind their addictions, addressing those issues so they can effectively move on with their lives without going back to drugs, alcohol or their addictive conduct.

Most addiction rehabilitation facilities offer family therapy as part of their program. Addiction is far-reaching, distressing many people rather than just the individual with the addiction. Visit NEW FRONTIER MEDICINE ACADEMY for more information and help from expert.

The Addiction Rehabilitation Process

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Restoring trust damaged by addiction

June 20, 2014

Restoring trust damaged by addiction-Drug Addiction

Addiction

The best thing you can do for yourself is to seek help and free yourself from addiction to drugs. Restoration is possible

Relationship is often the major casualty in the life of the addicted person and his or her family, friends and other associates. It normally goes un noticed that the family and those who care about the victim of addiction are is great psychological problems and sometimes even the problem graduates to being physical. The society is also not left out in essence when an individual is seriously suffering from drug addiction everybody is suffering. This collectiveness in suffering is what is going to form the basis of this article we want to discuss this problem with a view of restoring the trust and relationship damaged by addiction. I believe you  would also want to seek this answers and I want therefore invite you to stay on the link and keep reading for real and informative piece of information.

Restoring trust damaged by addiction-Honesty and Open Communication

Trust is the foundation in which any meaningful relationship stands. Any relationship built on trust will always stand the test of time and weather all storms that may come on the way but those without trust normally fails even before they pick up. Trust can be infringed and completely ruined by an addiction. Take for example an addict in the family may excuse him/herself shortly to perform a 5minutes task and only surface back 5 hours later because they went to indulge in drugs this is an act of dishonesty that brings lots of mistrust. Secretiveness and hiding are common to those suffering from addiction and often lead them to doing things uncharacteristic of their true nature which is why rebuilding relationships requires trust.

During the process of addiction recovery addicts normally achieve higher level of awareness and clearer thinking. The desire is to regain the lost times and opportunities due to addiction and also to restore the relationships which were injured by addiction. The key to proper restoration of relationships is restoring trust between the recovering addicts and their loved ones. It is important that both parties here appreciate that trust is earned and once broken will take time to rebuild. Doing this can take several dimensions to achieve therefore both the addicts and their loved ones can chose to start the journey or regaining trust by taking the following steps which will be full of love and les turmoil.

Once a person enters recovery, they achieve a higher level of awareness and clearer thinking.  They want to regain the things in life that were lost due to the addiction and often most important is the restoration of relationships that were harmed by the addiction.  Central to rebuilding relationships is restoring trust and both the recovering addict, as well as their loved ones, must begin to recognize that regaining trust takes time.  There are several steps the addict and their loved ones can take to begin to restore trust with more love and less turmoil.

  • Open communication
  • Honesty

Restoring trust damaged by addiction-Recovering Person

At the early stages of recovery the addict may experience acute and post-acute withdrawal symptoms that affect their moods, emotions and psychological balance as well as how they relate with the society.  This is a time of transition meaning letting go of unhealthy relationships and environments and creating new sober associations and healthy sober leisure activities.  The transition period help the addict heal and reinvent themselves and should be encouraged and shared. However sharing can sometimes be difficult owing to the fact that some of the addicts may have been secretive, dishonest and hiding things for many years

Restoring trust damaged by addiction-For Loved Ones

Loved ones who have been under consistent assault and emotional decay will often remember past experiences and behaviors of the addiction and so changes made by the recovering person and by the loved one can be challenging because of mistrust. But all the same the lives of loved ones will definitely change once recovery begins. For sometimes they may feel upset, overwhelmed or left behind by the changes, even though the changes are desirable they may also not be used to sharing frequently because the effects of addiction kept the addict and the loved one separated.

Restoring trust damaged by addiction-Open, Frequent Communication

It is important for the recovering addict and their loved ones to talk freely of what each person is experiencing as changes begins to take shape. Increased communication and sharing the progress and challenges each person is facing during this recovery process helps everyone better understand each other and be more supportive. Here are some examples:

  • If the recovering addict feels ill due to withdrawal. They may begin to isolate, become distant or withdrawn.  Those closest to them may suspect a return to using. If the recovering person instead shares their physical challenges, loved ones will have less cause for alarm.
  • A loved one may struggle with how to reorganize their life and responsibilities now that the recovering person is taking care of themselves. Sharing these feelings and concerns allow for the loved one and the recovering person to manage these changes together, which builds mutual trust.

In addition to increasing overall communication, it is vitally important that both the recovering addict and their loved ones discuss the fears and concerns driving any feelings of mistrust. Discussing fears and concerns take them from unknown and overwhelming to being manageable.  Some fears may be unfounded, some may be based on years of past interactions, and some may be realistic only by expressing and dealing with the fears and concerns openly can they be handled well or dismissed as unnecessary worry.

Restoring trust damaged by addiction-Honesty

Lack of honesty is a primary reason for distrust. People are dishonest for many reasons but generally it is to avoid being confronted, to avoid disappointing others, to hide their true behavior, or to avoid hurting others.  Unfortunately, dishonesty eventually leads to the very thing sought to be avoided.  If loved ones make it safe and beneficial for the recovering person to tell the truth (and vice versa), there will be more honesty.  If honesty is met with appreciation, truthfulness will continue while at the same time if the truth is met with arguments, penalties, and no chance for a healing discussion, honesty will not continue.  Communicating with honesty takes courage, so everyone should show appreciation and gentleness in order for the honesty to continue and grow.

Seek Help at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under Doctor Akoury’s care where focus is on Neuroendocrine Restoration (NER) to reinstate normality through realization of the oneness of Spirit, Mind, and Body, Unifying the threesome into ONE. This will be helpful to you if you or your loved one is already suffering from addiction and you need an immediate recovery from whatever addiction you may be suffering from.

Restoring trust damaged by addiction-Drug Addiction

 

 

 

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Learn To Fight Off Your Addiction Problems

June 19, 2014

Are Your Addiction Problems Taking Control Of Your Life?

Several people do not understand why or how other people transform or get addicted to drugs. It is often mistakenly assumed that drug abusers lack moral principles or resolution and that they could stop using drugs simply by choosing to change their behavior. In reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting takes more than good intentions or a strong will. In fact, because drugs change the brain in ways that foster compulsive drug abuse, quitting is difficult, even for those who are ready to do so. Through scientific advances, we know more about how drugs work in the brain than ever, and we also know that drug addiction can be positively treated to help people stop abusing drugs and lead productive lives. Drug abuse and addiction have undesirable consequences for individuals and for society.

addiction problems

What Happens to Your Brain When You Take Drugs?

There are at least two ways that drugs cause this disruption: one- by imitating the brain’s natural chemical messengers and two-by over stimulating the “reward circuit” of the brain. Some drugs like marijuana and heroin have a similar construction to chemical messengers called neurotransmitters, which are naturally produced by the brain. This similarity allows the drugs to “fool” the brain’s receptors and activate nerve cells to direct abnormal messages.

Other drugs, such as cocaine or methamphetamine, can cause the nerve cells to release abnormally large amounts of natural neurotransmitters mainly dopamine or to prevent the normal recycling of these brain chemicals, which is needed to shut off the signaling between neuron. The overstimulation of this reward system, which normally responds to natural behaviors linked to survival eating, spending time with loved ones produces euphoric effects in response to psychoactive drugs. This reaction sets in motion a reinforcing pattern that “teaches” people to repeat the rewarding behavior of abusing drugs.

As a person lingers to abuse drugs, the brain adapts to the overwhelming surges in dopamine by producing less dopamine or by reducing the number of dopamine receptors in the reward circuit. The result is a lessening of dopamine’s impact on the reward circuit, which reduces the abuser’s ability to enjoy not only the drugs but also other events in life that beforehand brought pleasure. This decrease compels the addicted person to keep abusing drugs in an attempt to bring the dopamine function back to normal, but now larger amounts of the drug are required to achieve the same dopamine high an effect known as open-mindedness.

Long-term abuse causes changes in other brain chemical systems and circuits as well. Glutamate is a neurotransmitter that influences the reward circuit and the ability to learn. When the optimal concentration of glutamate is altered by drug abuse, the brain attempts to compensate, which can impair cognitive function. Brain imaging studies of drug-addicted individuals show changes in areas of the brain that are critical to judgment, decision making, learning and memory, and behavior control. Together, these changes can drive an abuser to seek out and take drugs compulsively despite opposing, even devastating penalties—that is the nature of addiction.

Drug Addiction and the Brain

addictionAddiction is a complex sickness characterized by compulsive drug use. While each drug harvests different physical effects, all abused substances share one thing in common: repeated use can alter the way the brain looks and functions. Taking a recreational drug causes a surge in levels of dopamine in your brain, which trigger spirits of pleasure. Your brain remembers these feelings and wants them repeated, If you become habituated, the substance takes on the same significance as other survival behaviors, such as eating and drinking, Changes in your brain interfere with your ability to think clearly, exercise good judgment, control your behavior, and feel normal without drugs, Whether you’re addicted to inhalants, heroin, Xanax, speed, and caffeine the uncontrollable craving to use grows more important than anything else, including family, friends, career, and even your own health and happiness, The urge to use is so strong that your mind finds many ways to deny or rationalize the addiction. You may drastically underestimate the amount of drugs you’re taking, how much it impacts your life, and the level of control you have over your drug use.

Adjust Your Thinking…

People with addiction problems are not weak, they are ill, addiction is an illness, with symptoms that may be difficult to control (just the way someone with bronchitis may have an uncontrollable cough, the behaviors you see are symptoms of the illness. The person with addiction does not have the same clear selections about their addictive behavior as does someone without addiction, Denial and lying about the addictive behavior are symptoms of addiction, Consequences at work can provide the employee with meaningful incentive to work towards recovery, addiction and mental illness often co-occur. Retrieval for both is possible, and takes a lot of hard work. Relapse is also part of the illness and may occur at any time, but particularly when stressors increase, the addictive behavior may be an attempt to cover up feelings, thoughts and memories that are too painful to deal with. It may be an attempt to self-medicate to cope with the symptoms of mental illness, an old adage: it takes twenty nine times for help to be offered before a person with addiction can accept. Experts at the New Frontier Medicine Academy are ready to help you to restore your soul, heart, mind and body. You don’t know where you are in that scheme, but your offer of help does register!

Are Your Addiction Problems Taking Control Of Your Life?

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Addiction Services You Need To Know

June 17, 2014

Addiction Services helps to improve the lives of those who are harmfully involved with alcohol, gambling, tobacco, or other drugs.If you are struggling with dependence, thank you for starting to think about getting help. It is your choice to start big, start small, start tomorrow, today or next year. Thinking it’s time, it’s the first step congratulations! Please visit again and again until you are ready to start. Programs at New Frontier are staffed with professionally trained counselors. Some programs have eligibility criteria but there are no restrictions related to age or gender, youth, adults and seniors are welcome.A range of services are provided from NEW FRONTIER through Addiction Services Authorities, it provides a continuum of care and service relating to health promotion, addiction prevention, early intervention, and treatment.

addiction services

Continuing Care

Continuing Care Services are provided to suitable people who need care outside of the hospital in their home and community. Maintenance can be provided on a long or short-term basis.Continuing Care Programs and Services include: Home Care that is: Nursing, Home Support, Respite and Palliative Care, Long-Term Care like Nursing Home or Residential Care Facility, Home Oxygen Facilities, Adult Protection Services, Protection for Persons in Care, Aboriginal Continuing Care, Caregiver Benefit Program, Treatment Dispenser Assistive Technology Program, HELP-Bed Loan Program, Personal Alert Assistance Program, Self-Managed Care Program,  Supportive Care Program, Particular Equipment Program ,Long Term Care and Respite Care at home or in Long Term Care.

Emergency Health Services is responsible for the continual delivery, development, implementation, nursing and evaluation of emergency care and out of hospital primary and urgent care through the ground ambulance.Looking for a Family Doctor? The NEW frontier Department of Health and Wellness has an online directory listing physicians within the sphere who are taking new patient.

New frontier health programs are designated to provide eligible populaces with coverage for medically required hospital, medical, dental and optometric services with some limitations. New frontiers are eligible for health insurance and should have a new frontier Health Card. This location includes answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the new frontier Health Card.

Primary Health Care

Primary Health Care is where patient centered care starts. From the first visit to enduring supports, follow-up and management, the goal is safe and quality services for patients and families.

We help persons think about change and support them in making healthy choices. Each person’s path is different. Our staffs are trained health care specialists who are here to offer caring and non-judgmental support along the way. All of our services are free, completely confidential and available through self-referral; no exterior referral source is required.

Some of the services offered are:

Counseling, Community groups, Support for family members and others who are affected, Recovery groups, Inpatient Treatment Program, Day Treatment Program, Opioid Treatment Program

Visit New Frontier Medicine Academy & Learn More about The Programs

Individual, couple or group counseling, Support for family members and others affectedWorkshops and instructive sessions, Recovery and Structured Relapse Prevention groups and Recreational Therapy, Driving While Impaired and Interlock Program, societies and others affected recovery groups, Inpatient Treatment Program, Day Management Program, and Opioid Treatment Program.

Self Help and Valuation

At this time, here are some self-help and assessment tools you can use to explore your participation with tobacco, alcohol, other drugs and gambling.

Tobacco: Are you concerned about your smoking?Tobacco Intervention, Workbook, Ask yourself these questions about your tobacco use are you ready to quit smoking?

Why Addiction Services At New Frontier?

At new frontiers, we know that there is no single formula for repossession. There are certain principles that we all should abide by, but they are administered in a variety of solutions. We know that when you call and ask for help, you need to get answers right on the spot. What sets us apart from most behavior centers is our exclusive treatment evaluation that we conduct with you right over the phone. This allows our experienced treatment counselors to get to know you right away.

awaremed

Once we know a little about your dependence and specific situation, we can make immediate arrangements and quickly admit you to the treatment center that is going to be the best fit and provide you with the best chance for a full and long term recapture. It doesn’t matter whether you want to stay local or go somewhere across the country; at NEW FRONTIER we have relationships with the finest specialist and treatment centers across the country.

Addiction Services You Need To Know

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