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Sex Addiction Affects the Nervous System

May 21, 2015

Neurobiology of Sex Addiction

Sex AddictionSex addiction is a crucial topic and when anybody has taken time to read very post about it, it is only prudent that I simplify everything and walk along with everyone as know about the neurobiology of sex addiction. This is really necessary as not very person who suffers from sex addiction can understand medicine jargons. To begin with;

What is Neurobiology?

This is the study of cells of the nervous system and how these cells are organized into functional circuits that helps in processing information and influence behaviors. Neurobiology is a sub unit of both biology and neuroscience. In comparison, neuroscience is broader as a scientific study of the nervous system than neurobiology.

The nervous system is very essential in the body owing to its vital functions. Firstly let’s delve into the functions of the neurons that we may validate its relevance in this topic of sex addiction. The neurons are cells that are specialized to receive, propagate, and transmit electrochemical impulses to initiate certain responses that are important for optimum functioning of the body. The human brain has neurons that amount to more than billions. The neurons are specialized to perform different functions; they are also diverse in morphology.

The nervous system is very important owing to its many function, it is therefore essential that it remains healthy all the time as any disorder may affect it negatively and culminate into more serious or even fatal conditions. Anytime there is a defect in the neurotransmitters the person must suffer the effects. Contrary to what people think, imbalances in the neurotransmitters never affect the health of a person only but also it influences the behaviors of a person.

Neurobiological disorders refer to diseases of the nervous system and they may be caused by genetic, metabolic and other biological factors. Most of the disorders termed as psychiatric disorders are neurobiological. They include but not limited to; autism, obsessive-compulsive disorders, Tourette syndrome, bipolar disorders and even schizophrenia. These disorders are common and can affect anybody, it is advisable to adopt good nutrition and avoid substances that may deplete the neurons and interfere with the proper functioning of the nervous system. In this post we will look at the changes or imbalance in the nervous system that may lead to sex addiction and how sex addiction relates to these neurotransmitters.

Neurobiology of sex addiction

For there to be an effective approach in sex addiction treatment, there has to be a detailed understanding of how the compulsive behavior affects the brain. This has led to many researchers to establish the link. In a research done by the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Cambridge, a study that looked into brain activity in nineteen male patients affected by compulsive sexual behavior and then compared them to the same number of healthy controls. The patients that participated in this research study had begun watching pornography at early stages in their lives as opposed to the healthy volunteers.

Dr. Valerie Voon, a Welcome Trust Intermediate Clinical Fellow at the University of Cambridge explained that the patients had been suffering from lack of control of their sexual desires and acts and this had exposed them to adverse consequences that were weighing them down, ruining their lives and relationships. The doctor further observed that these patients exhibited the characteristics similar to those who from drug addictions. Part of the research goals was to show if there were similarities in the brain activity of sex addicts and drug addicts.

For this study, were shown videos some of which were sexually explicit while others were just sport videos, their brain activity was thereafter monitored by the use of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), which uses a blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal to measure brain activity.

The researchers found that three regions in particular were more active in the brains of the people with compulsive sexual behavior compared with the healthy volunteers. Considerably, these regions; the ventral striatum, dorsal anterior cingulate and amygdala were regions that are also particularly activated in drug addicts when shown drug stimuli. The ventral striatum is the part of brain that is involved in processing reward and motivation, while the dorsal anterior cingulate is implicated in anticipating rewards and drug craving. The amygdala is involved in processing the significance of events and emotions.

Brain activity mirrors in sex addiction is similar to that in drug addiction

When the patients were asked to rate their level of desire after watching the explicit sexual videos, they showed higher levels of sexual desire but when asked when they liked them, they didn’t rate them high an indication that they watch porn compulsively but they really don’t like watching porn. This phenomenon is similar to drug addicts who do drugs but they don’t like doing it. Their desire was also correlated with higher interactions between regions within the network identified with greater cross-talk between the dorsal cingulate, ventral striatum and amygdala for explicit as compared to sports videos.

SEx AddictionThe researchers verified that the brain activity of those who are addicted to sex is similar to the brain activity of patents who are addicted to drugs and other substances.

“There are clear differences in brain activity between patients who have compulsive sexual behavior and healthy volunteers. These differences mirror those of drug addicts,” concludes Dr. Voon.

There is need to restore the chemical balances in the brain for a successful addiction treatment. At AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center we have made it our priority to ensure that every addict has a place he can call on and find a lasting help. Call on Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for help.

Neurobiology of Sex Addiction

 

 

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What is Sex Addiction?

May 20, 2015

Is Sex Addiction A Disease Or A Symptom?

Sex AddictionSex addicts are among the addicts who will suffer for a longer time before they are known to be suffering from the disease. This can be attributed to the traditional model of addiction that had it that addiction is a choice and not a disease. The society has placed high standards of morality that to find a sex addict stating publicly or even sharing the issue with those dependent to them is very rare and this may only make them suffer longer and may fail to get help for their condition. The earlier models of addiction escalated the chances of addicts getting stigmatized and sex addicts can be the ones who will be subjected to the most degrading treatments if they were to come out declaring that they need help in a society where sexual issues are known to blankets alone. So is sex addiction a disease or a symptom? This is a really mind boggling question as some experts I’ve shared this question will tell you. It is like asking which came first; the egg or the chicken? So to simplify things lets broaden our view and look at addiction generally before we confine it back to the topic.

Is addiction a disease?

Well, According to American Society of Addiction Medicine, addiction is a disease and not a symptom. They define addiction as a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. Addiction of any kind affects the flow of signals within the nervous system. It alters neurotransmission and interactions within reward structures of the brain, including the nucleus accumbens, anterior cingulate cortex, basal forebrain and amygdala. When these areas of the brain are affected, the addictive behavior begins to replace the healthy behaviors, this is the neurobiology of addiction, and it doesn’t matter whether its alcohol, gambling or sex addiction; once the neurotransmission is inhibited then the addictive behaviors becomes a part of a person and a chain not easily broken.

Hippocampal and cortical circuit’s interactions are also altered by addiction, the brain reward structures are also altered by any addiction irrespective of what type of addiction it is. When the reward structures are affected, the memory of earlier exposures to rewards like sex, pornography and the like will lead to biological and behavioral response to external signals, in turn triggering craving and engagement in addictive behaviors.

As much as the neurochemistry of reward plays a role in addiction, there is more to neurobiology of addiction beyond the reward system. The frontal cortex of the brain and underlying white matter connections between the frontal cortex and circuits of reward, altered judgment, motivation and memory are fundamental in the manifestations of altered impulse control and the dysfunctional pursuit of rewards seen in addiction.

Sex addiction isn’t just a symptom

As have been explained above, all addictions can pass for diseases as they are primarily involved in wrecking the nervous system, causing chemical imbalances and alters the functions of crucial brain sections that are concerned with issues of reward.

From previous researches, it has been shown that sex addiction affects three regions in particular that are important in the reward mechanism; the ventral striatum, dorsal anterior cingulate and amygdala. These pars of the brain are more active in people with compulsive sexual behaviors; in research it has been shown that they are more active in sex addicts than in the healthy brains. This is an indication that that sex addiction is a chronic disease that affects the brain chemistry. These parts are equally active in those addicted to drugs and other substances, if drug addiction is a disease, and we have seen that both sex addiction and drug addictions affect the brain in similar manner then why can sex addiction be termed a symptom?

Sex addiction has its causes and symptoms

Sex addiction is characterized by an intense craving for sexual activity and an inability to control these desires for sex despite the risk that they may be exposed to. This inability to control the desire is not the only problem but the behavior changes that comes with sex addiction is a real reason to worry. Very many relationships have been broken because of sex addiction; it has also led to the patients contacting venereal diseases as result of their untamed sexual exploration with different partners.

Some of causes of sex addiction

People addicted to sex get a sense of euphoria from it that seems to go beyond that reported by most people. The sexual experience is not about intimacy. Addicts use sexual activity to seek pleasure, avoid unpleasant feelings or respond to outside stressors, such as work difficulties or interpersonal problems. This is not unlike how an alcoholic uses alcohol. In both instances, any reward gained from the experience soon gives way to guilt, remorse and promises to change.

Sex AddictionMost of the people who are addicted to sex came from broken families and maybe have been sexually abused in their lives. In a study it was found that 82 percent of sex addicts who participated in the study were sexually abused early in their lives. Other sex addicts have got here because of uncaring and distant parents who in most cases were substance abusers.

Despite the controversy of whether sex addiction is a disease or a symptom, it is a real menace that you should not accept to be silent with if you are affected. The journey towards recovery begins by accepting that you are affected and need help. At AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center we know of the nightmares sex addicts go through; the very reasons why we are devoted to availing help to sex addicts. Call on Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) and get the burden off your shoulder.

Is Sex Addiction A Disease Or A Symptom?

 

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The Sex Differences and Addiction

May 19, 2015

Women Are More Susceptible To Addiction than Men

DifferencesIn the past drug addiction was not a discussion for women; it has long been known that men are more likely to suffer from drug related consequences than women, while this is true; Men are more prone to become addicted to substances than women. This is why most research studies have been focused on men. In comparison the pace at which women develop dependence and addiction to drugs is quicker than in men. They also get to suffer the negative effects of drugs and other addictions earlier and more severely than men. They show the effects of drugs earlier in their physical conditions, medical conditions and social effects as compared to men. Several studies have also shown that women find it more difficult to quit using their drugs of abuse or quit their addictive behaviors and may relapse easily as compared to men.

There has been a cause for alarm in the rate and pace at which women fall into addiction. It has been documented that women may begin using drugs later than men and may use it less frequently but when they begin using the drugs they take less duration for the addiction to peak than in men. They become dependent on the drug of abuse sooner than men and the side effects of using the drugs set in them earlier in the addiction cycle than in men.

The number of women battling addiction is on the rise

This risk of addiction that has been shown in women has soon changed the trend in research, today researchers are more concerned about women, and they are enrolled in good numbers in research studies as opposed to earlier time when all research studies were all about men. with this change in trend there is hope that more will be unearthed about the differences gender play in addiction and hopefully this will lay ground for giving treatments that will best suit each gender especially women who are now on the rise in issues of addiction.

According to a literature review on Gender similarities and differences: the prevalence and course of alcohol- and other substance-related disorders by Zilberman M, Tavares H, el-Guebaly N in 2003; the number of women abusing alcohol are fewer than men. But the rate at which young women are getting intoxicated on alcohol regularly is on the rise and the consequences of alcohol consumption are more severe on women than in men. it has been established that women become more rapidly addicted to alcohol than men do and brain chemistry become altered in women faster than in men. Generally the effects of drugs and alcohol use weigh down on women earlier and more adversely than in men.

some of the biologically factors that have been identified as likely cause of the differences in the way women are affected by drugs include the fact that women generally weigh less than men since their bodies are made of more fats and less water, fat retains alcohol while water does the opposite; diluting it. So their biological make-up favors alcohol and puts them at risk. Another factor is that they have low amounts of enzymes that help in breaking down the alcohol once consumed so whenever they consume alcohol, they will remain with high amounts of alcohol in their bloodstreams than men. This enzyme is known as alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH).

Women and addiction to illicit drugs

Like mentioned earlier, in the past decades researchers prioritized men in their researchers and so there is still need for more literature relating women to drug addictions. Currently, there is clarity in the ways that women and men react differently to alcohol; however there is haze on how women respond to drugs like cocaine, meth as they are abused equally by the genders. However, for cocaine research has shown that women begin using the drug earlier than men; they develop dependence more quickly and have higher chances of relapse after treatment. This difference is attributed to the fluctuations in the hormonal levels that take place during menstruation which intensifies cravings for drugs. This can be blamed on the effects of estrogen on dopamine systems.

DifferencesIn the use of opioid the differences in effects has been drawn from men and women users. Research has shown that women are more likely to become addicted to prescription drugs like OxyContin, Vicodin, morphine and methadone since they suffer more to chronic pain. This in return places them at a higher risk of becoming addicted to the opioids than men. However in relation to the pace at which they become dependent there is more that still needs to be done to clearly show the difference.

In conclusion, the physiological and psychological sex differences in response to drugs of abuse are well documented and this is mostly attributed to hormonal interactions between dopamine and estrogen, however there is yet to be an explanation of how the interactions between these two hormones relate to the use of drugs of abuse and their effects in the dopamine systems.

The rate at which women are becoming addicted to drugs is a call for concern. We at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center are committed to giving help to those battling with addictions. Just in case you are affected, feel free to call on Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) for help

Women Are More Susceptible To Addiction than Men

 

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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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Prescription Drug Addiction Epidemic in Veterans

November 17, 2013
prescription drug addiction, veterans, addiction treatment by AWAREmed, Dr. Dalal Akoury

Veterans of War Addicted to Prescription Drugs is Epidemic

 

With prescription pain reliever addictions and overdoses increasing, are doctors in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs over-prescribing medications to veterans of war?

Based on the Center for Investigative Reporting (CIR), opiates (such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, methadone and morphine) being prescribed has actually increased by 270 percent from the previous twelve years. This report leaves many anxious that VA protocol of over prescribing painkillers is not just lacking responsibility, but could be dangerous.

Information compiled by the CIR revealed that doctors in VA facilities in many regions have “greater than one opiate prescribed to each patient, usually, for the previous two years.” Some experts, interviewed concerning why there is such a dramatic rise in the variety of pain reliever prescriptions created for veterans, validated the fact that the VA is “overmedicating its patients as it has a hard time to stay up to date with their requirement for even more complex treatment.” (CIR).

“In 2009, new VA regulations required clinicians to follow an “integrated approach” to helping veterans in pain, including a stronger focus on treating the root causes of pain rather than using powerful narcotics to reduce symptoms.”

While this approach could be the new model, veterans waiting for the integrated care are left suffering and misusing the drugs prescribed to them, oftentimes not out of need to control physical pain, but to numb themselves from the addiction and symptoms of PTSD.

The CIR article relays the true stories of veterans who lost their battles, not only in service to our country, but battles with prescription drug addiction fueled by access to doctors who are willing to dispense them. Many lost their lives due to prescription drug addiction and the surrounding complications.

PTSD and Prescription Drug Addiction in Veterans of War

prescription drug addiction, PTSD, depression, drug addiction treatment, AWAREmed, Dr. Dalal Akoury

In a report published in the March 7, 2012 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, a study led by Dr. Karen Seal stated that those veterans returning with PTSD are more likely to be prescribed opiates, further complicating their mental and physical situation. Although returning vets want nothing more than to improve, they are more likely to justify taking opiates simply because they were given by a doctor.

The current VA model is ineffective due to the fact that it’s merely covering up symptoms of veterans with prescription drug addiction, who are often switching from one drug to another, one doctor to another, one location to another.

In order to relieve PTSD and the addiction to prescription drugs, alcohol, and street drugs used by addicted veterans, they must be assisted to restore the balance in their lives with immediate relief.

AWAREmed Offers Help to Addicted Veterans of War

AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center and Dr. Dalal Akoury offers veterans a way to find the balance and immediate relief to their symptoms and prescription drug addiction.  Neuro Endocrine Restoration treatment (NER) is an affordable and carefully crafted protocol that includes specific oral and intravenous natural substances for each patient and their personal requirement.

Because the NER provides the body with all the essential elements that are necessary to speed up and facilitate a smooth recovery, the body detoxifies gently with minimal and tolerable withdrawal symptoms. The methodology used by Dr. Akoury at AWAREmed safely and significantly reduces cravings, anxiety and depression by alleviating the stress levels, and restoring a sense of well-being and clarity of mind.

prescription drug addiction,Addiction recovery, AWAREmed, Dr. Dalal Akoury, live in balance

Veterans of War Addicted to Prescription Drugs is Epidemic

The main objective of any veteran addiction treatment program should be the elimination of the root cause of pain, either physical or mental, using the least amount of opiates needed.

Discovering the root cause is a long term event, not a quick fix, however it’s shown that NER treatment offered at AWAREmed, quickly and effectively relieves the known indications of addiction withdrawal and PTSD, including depression, anxiety and stress with a minimum of withdrawal symptoms.

Our Veterans of war deserve the best treatment available for prescription drug addiction, afterall, they gave the best of their lives to keep us free. Until changes in protocol at VA hospitals and facilities with regards to dispensing addictive drugs, we will continue to see more and more prescription drug addiction in returning veterans of war.

AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center believes there is help for addicted veterans of war and it’s quick, safe, and effective. If you are an addicted veteran of war, please make an appointment today.

 Prescription Drug Addiction Epidemic in Veterans of War

 

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