The power of addiction and stress in life

July 31, 2015

The power of addiction and stress in life: The dangers of mixing stress with drugs

The power of addiction and stress in life can be the reason of your endless frustrations and discomfort in life. Real time action should be taken to correct any mess that may have been created by addiction and stress in your life

What kind of life is this? Why must be always me? Will I ever overcome these challenges? When will all these end? I am tired and frustrated with this kind of work? It is now time for paying bills and I don’t have money how will I face my landlord? These and many more are some of the questions that illustrate the kinds of life we live today, a life full of demands with very limited resources in a fast moving society. People are discouraged, lost in thoughts and ideas on how to make ends meet. The result of this is living a very stressful life full of worries, temptations, anarchy and wishes. I wish I had this, did that and so on. The question that begs for an answer is how do you cope with situations like these? Many people often resort to using drugs as relief providers. They just want to have everything behind them thinking that they will indeed succeed in doing so by taking drugs or alcohol. This is not always the case because the power of addiction and stress in life are not limited to drugs. We spoke to doctor Dalal Akoury who is an expert in addiction for well over two decades and she acknowledges that substance abuse is one way through which many people think of when it comes to relieving of their stressful moments.

She says that even though this is the common practice across the globe, it is the worse anyone can do for him or herself. By resorting to drugs you are indeed adding more problems into your life instead of eliminating them. It is true that when under the influence of drugs, you are not really yourself and as long as the substance is still controlling your systems you may not experience the effects of your stressful life. However the moment sobriety sets in, you pick up the pieces from when you left and this time it will even come with other additional complications. When you are overwhelmed you resort to drugs again and again and before you know it, you are addicted to that. It now means that besides the stress you were trying to escape from, you have added into your life the garbage of addiction to that specific drug.

The power of addiction and stress in life: Substance abuse as self-medication for stress

Like we have already mentioned self-medication is a situation where people turn to alcohol or drugs in an attempt to manage their problems. Depressants like alcohol produce a calming effect on the body, and so the individual will feel like they have escaped their difficulties. They may start to take these substances more and more as a way to manage their stress levels. This is dangerous because the cure can be far more damaging than the initial symptoms.

The power of addiction and stress in life: The dangers of using alcohol and drugs to deal with stress

If you understand the consequences of using drugs or alcohol in excess, then you wouldn’t use them when stressed. It may be true that using alcohol or drugs to deal with stress is at best a short-term solution but the resulting consequences are very dangerous because:

It can lead toaddiction. If this happens then the individual may find it difficult to stop. Addicts can end up losing everything including their possessions, health, friends, family, and self-respect.
Substance abuse only masks the problem and doesn’t eliminate it. It will be almost impossible for the individual to learn better ways of managing stress while they are still abusing alcohol or drugs.
Substance abuse increases the amount of stress in people’s lives. It makes it difficult to be effective at work, and it damages people’s ability to form meaningful relationships. The longer a person abuses these substances the more things they will have in their lives to feel stressed about. They can then get into a vicious circle of abusing drugs more and more to escape the stress that is being caused by their substance abuse.

The power of addiction and stress in life: Symptoms of stress

It is possible that sometimes people can be stressed and not even noticing therefore is important to have the understanding of some of the most common symptoms which may include:

Inability to sleep properly
Loss of appetite and discomfort when eating
Headaches
Feeling antsy
Indigestion
Stomach discomfort or ‘butterflies in the stomach’
Getting irritated easily
Luck of concentration– sometimes described as ‘fuzzy thinking’
Anxiety
Lack of energy
Thinking negatively most of time
Muscle tension
Evidence of an ineffective immune system – e.g. frequent colds
Loss of interest in sex
Feelings of frustration

The power of addiction and stress in life: Effective ways to deal with stress

It may not be possible for people to completely eliminate stress from their lives. Because of that fact it is important that we develop strategies for managing it. In those strategies substance abuse must never be part of the solution because they are not. The most effective solutions include:

Learning a meditation technique such asmindfulness. This teaches people to observe what is happening in their mind without taking it so personally. Just the simple technique of naming and observing stress can be enough to reduce it.
Relaxation techniques provide the body with the opportunity to let go of stress. This could include simple breathing techniques or visualizations.
Exercise is another good way to relieve stress. This is because itincreases the release of body chemicals that make people feel good. Just going for a long walk every day can be enough to keep stress levels under control.
Listening to music or spending time engaged in a hobby can also dramatically reduce stress levels.
Getting away for a few days can help people recharge and escape the usual stressors. A break away from normal living also provides the opportunity to reassess life.
Keeping a journal provides the opportunity to vent about stressors. These annoyances tend to be more damaging when they are internalized. Just writing about them on paper can diminish the strength of these stressors.
Talking about problems to other people is another good way to reduce stress levels

Finally it is necessary that when people continue to struggle with chronic stress for unnecessarily too long, they should advice from a therapist immediately. Talking to doctor Dalal Akoury the founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center will go a long way in finding lasting solution to all your addiction or stressful life concerns. Call her today on Tel: 843 213 1480 to schedule for an appointment right away.

The power of addiction and stress in life: The dangers of mixing stress with drugs

Why Exercises During Addiction Recovery?

July 26, 2015

Roles of Exercises and Addiction Recovery at a Glance

Addictive drug substances influence production of endorphins. Similarly exercises promote release of endorphins. This is one of the body’s feel good chemicals that makes both drug users and those who exercise “feel high”, with the former group developing increased tolerance for drugs. Whereas long-term exposure to alcohol damages parts of the brain’s white matter, several reports indicate exercises causes neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to recover from an injury. A commonly cited research study conducted in Colorado found that regular aerobic exercises like cycling or running helped protect the brain against this damage. Other than these two exercises and addiction recovery have the following commonalities.

Exercises Acts Alternative Source of Happiness

As mentioned earlier exercises promote release of endorphins. These chemical substances bring a sense of joy and happiness in the body. By doing the same they act an alternative source of the same. Patients who exercise are therefore more likely to reduce substance abuse, by extension they may as well abstain. Also it is much easier for them to opt for exercises in places of drugs.

Exercises

Exercises of Reduce Mental Damage

Mental illnesses are often caused by anxiety, schizophrenia, depression, or bipolar disorder. These mental conditions often drive many people to using drugs in the first place. However influence of the same on abating these mental disorders reduces with time, hence driving them into a situation of increased dosage, overdose and perennial drug abuse. Similarly, regular exercise has the ability to reduce these conditions and is more effective even on long-term basis.

Exercise Help Reduce Stress

Drug addicts get caught up with addiction while trying to escape stress. Based on various media reports it is a major cause of addiction. Conversely regular exercising is a proven alternative to dealing with stress. It changes how cortisol, one of the body’s stress hormones is processed in the body thereby increasing tolerance of stress.

Exercises Alters Brain Response to Drugs

The brain is automated to respond to its environment in a process neuroplasticity. Extended exposure to drugs causes the brain to develop neuron pathways around the drug substance, thereby increasing its recognition and tolerance. In a similar process the brain may reject other substances with different chemical compositions. For instance some raw egg-yolk may be given to a person with excess alcohol in their blood stream to induce vomiting. Just like in the case of alcohol addiction, regular exercising increases the brain’s plasticity hence less difficult to quit drugs.

Exercises

Exercising Offers Alternative Leisure

Many addicts take drugs as a pastime activity. On the other hand one of the greatest fears of an addict is the possibility of a boring life after addiction. Regular exercising however fills these gaps perfectly for many hence it becomes easier to quit.

Regular Exercise Good for Sleep

Even though this is more of a secondary cause of addiction, sleep deprivation is an underlying reason for many such predisposing factors. Successive lack of sleep for instance causes stress and anxiety. It is common knowledge sleep has a positive effect on these. And the result on addiction recovery is no less important.

Exercise Enhances Self-Esteem

When a person concludes an exercise regime, s/he gets an immediate reward, accomplishment. Creating novel routes for rewards very well offer alternatives to drug abuse. Similarly, exercises normally lead to improved self-esteem, including a boost to one’s image from and a better shape. Great shape gained through repetitive exercises with time is quickly noticed by friends who will often offer commendation that all together reinforces the need to do exercise and if you may stop addiction.

Regular Exercising Instills Discipline

Adhering to an exercise schedule is in itself a sense of discipline. Regular exercising also instills a sense of order. It shows one cares about attaining a healthy life. Regular exercising does shape one’s behavior, leading to development of more desirable characteristics. It may also rejuvenate in an addict the desire to live a more healthy life, hence may reconsider addiction recovery.

In a commonly cited study on exercises and addiction recovery some 60 to 90 percent drug addicts who try to quit on their own often relapse within a year, mostly this is due to snags keeping up necessary lifestyle changes. In a guided research program, participants steadily increased levels exercising for a period over 12 weeks. Together they met as a group to receive extra coaching on how to increase their physical fitness, offering peer support. Finally, the participants received $5 each for group and exercise session they attended, giving them the motivation to continue. Result of the 12-week schedule, involved the participants’ average number of drinks per day drop from 13 to two, with effects going for at least three months.

For more information on the above, click http://www.integrativeaddiction2015.com. The link will be your guide to sign up for the conference as well give you more incisive information about exercises and addiction recovery as well as a backgrounder about speakers lined up for the mega integrative addiction conference. You may as well call Dr. Dalal Akoury, founder of the Integrative Addiction Institute and founding member of International Organization of Integrative Addiction physicians. She is also expected to speak about her specialties at the upcoming August integrative Conference.

Roles of Exercises and Addiction Recovery at a Glance

The compound nature of addiction and recovery

July 24, 2015

The compound nature of addiction and recovery: The destructive nature of substance abuse

The compound nature of addiction and recovery can be so complex for addicts that if they are not properly rehabilitated, then the whole society will suffer the consequences of drug addiction uncontrollably.

The compound nature of addiction and recovery is one fact that many people who haven’t experienced addictive behavior in their lives do not understand. In fact this ignorant of facts is the reason why people are becoming addicted to drugs. People have this wrong perception that drug abuse, alcoholism and addictions are occurring because of social problems and the imagination that those who take drugs are morally weak. One common misunderstanding is that drug abusers should be able to quit taking drugs if they are only willing to change their behavior, the reason behind this being that if they tried hard enough or cared enough, they could change. This is not really how it should be, doctor Akoury is saying that what is often underrated is the profound complexity of drug addiction that because it is a disease that impacts the brain, changing addictive behavior is not simply a matter of willpower alone. She continue to say that it is important to appreciate that drugs are chemicals which interact with the brain’s communication system and disrupt the way nerve cells normally send, receive, and process information. In all our postings about drug addiction we have ben highlighting several facts touching on the ways substance abuse deteriorates the life of an individual and why. You can go through our both previous and future articles so that you can get the relevant information about the entire preventive, causes, signs and symptoms, treatment procedures and all that you need to know about drug addiction. If you have further concerns, you can schedule for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury (MD) and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center and she will be able to professionally address all your concerns.

Besides that, when we appreciate that the compound nature of addiction recovery takes place when an individual recognizes he or she has a destructive substance abuse problem they can’t control and that they’re motivated to change and are willing to seek help. The at this point meaningful treatment process can begin. However while it is true that medical detoxification will safely remove harmful substances from an individual’s body, it is very important to have at the back of your mind that addiction is as much as a psychological disorder as a physical dependence. It therefore means that facing life challenging situations typically prompt substance abuse and won’t necessarily cease cropping up; therefore it is important that those in recovery process should honestly evaluate all those elements that contribute to their addiction. And remember that the process of recovery is a continuous one and it does not only happen in a treatment facility, but in the daily life of an addict after they leave the rehabilitation facility. Experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center are reporting that recovery being a continuous process it involves creating a new life based on principals that promote sobriety, health and well-being.

The compound nature of addiction and recovery: Finding total liberty in addiction recovery

The genesis of finding total liberty in addiction recovery is rested on the understanding the deep connections between the psychological, emotional and physical aspects of addiction which are at the heart of every addiction recovery program. Doctor Akoury recommends that in order to break the habit and culture of relying on substance abuse as a solution, it is very important that the individual makes simultaneous changes in their attitudes and coping skills taking into consideration that drugs are chemicals which not only change the way the brain works, but often have been used to numb or dull unwanted emotions by the user. When thoughts and feelings begin returning from the haze of drug abuse, their force and clarity can be shocking to an addict, who has in many ways stunted their ability to appropriately manage them. That is why it is always advisable that this be done in good time since early recovery can be a roller coaster of relief, anxiety and a spectrum of emotional responses while an addict begins to confront their life again. The tools learned in treatment will prepare a recovering addict for the challenges ahead, ensuring they have the help and support necessary to achieve freedom from addiction and have the full restoration of their lives to live it to the fullest.

The compound nature of addiction and recovery: Addiction recovery’s program of relapse prevention

Like we have mentioned before that recovering from the scourge of addiction is a continuous process it is important to note that there is a lot more in staying sober than just trying to cultivate the strength and spirit of saying no to one’s substance of choice. The training and treatment being done during addiction recovery will prepare an individual to prevent falling back into his or her old habits of using alcohol or drugs and also to help then in dealing with all the problems and stress. Relapse prevention is a cognitive-behavioral approach with the goal of identifying and preventing high-risk situations and understanding warning signs. It is worth noting that for an effective prevention to be realized, it has to begin well before the opportunity for relapse occurs, with a comprehensive plan accounting for social interactions, emotional triggers and the development of positive coping mechanisms.

Finally we must appreciate that staying sober is not going to be a one man show, it is essential that recovering addicts and alcoholics interact on a regular basis with other people including those who understand the complex nature of addiction and who can offer moral support. Remember that in the process of recovery, there are times when individuals are feeling isolated by the disease process itself and having a figurative set of tools to handle these situations is important. Cognitive techniques provide people with ways to reframe habitual thinking patterns and change the process, this is what we want to offer to you at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center and paired with behavioral techniques including the use of lifestyle modifications to promote individuals healthy coping mechanisms, and keep sobriety as a stable way of life. Therefore if you have any further concerns then you can now schedule for a one on one appointment with doctor Akoury for that session of professional sharing.

The compound nature of addiction and recovery: The destructive nature of substance abuse

ADDICTION and INTIMACY!

July 24, 2015

Addiction and Intimacy the Relationships

Isn’t it common knowledge excessive consumption of alcohol has more often than not been a major reason behind many family; scandals, fights, separations, divorce or worse deaths? Well finding the golden balance between drug abuse, addiction and intimacy is tricky. Even though supposed to avoid the prejudice to say it is one of the most difficult things to balance between addiction and intimacy, it is tempting to assert this is the truth. These require commitment that is terms of time and finances. It is more difficult to manage an intimate relationship while deep into addiction. The following is an account of addiction triggers and how they influence intimacy.

Elements of Addiction and Intimacy

Addiction is an intricate condition of the brain, usually categorized as a disease that involves reward and motivation cerebral systems structurally and chemically altered. The condition involves a number of behavioral and substance related things an individual finds difficult to control. It is a chronic brain disorder that despite several attempts to leave, one constantly finds him/herself falling back to. Usually, addiction manifests itself in various forms. This is dependent on a wide range of behavioral and substance related triggers among them: gambling, sex, food, work, alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, bhang, and the latest one, computer and the internet.

Intimacy on the other hand is an interpersonal relationship between two individuals. It involves both emotional and physical engagements. Whereas emotional intimacy refers to how a person’s being feels closer to the other, physical intimacy essentially is about sexual involvement. An intimate relationship requires a good balance of various dear elements among them: trust, care, affection, expectations, beliefs, cognitive perceptions, opinions, experience, and commitment. Intimacy comes along with a number of human benefits that all together show its significance in our lives. These incudes: a deeper understanding of self, spiritual growth, feelings of completion, and sexual reward.

Addiction and Intimacy

Substance Addiction and Intimacy

Excessive use of drugs often leaves one obsessed. Excessive substance abuse often takes control of one’s body. The result of such addiction literally is little or no space for other commitments. Further drug abuse often drives one into a state of illusion and selfishness. Drug abuse is also said to reduce feelings of true affection and love. With time drug addicts are said to think not beyond their own needs, to satisfy their addiction. Sometimes they spend most if not all their money drinking alcohol and or taking drugs, forgetting the simple things that once mattered in their relationships and the needs of their partners.

Addiction and Intimacy explains that sometimes, drug addicts wake besides strange sexual partners. Often it starts as a simple one time occurrence which the victim feels remorseful but soon it becomes a habit. Of course you can imagine effects of the same including unplanned pregnancies and possible infection with sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) or HIV-AIDS. In extreme situations, substance abuse may generally lead to loss of sexual interest and ability to perform well at it.

Behavioral Addiction and Intimacy

Relationships bring people of different backgrounds together. It may be difficult to know from the start everything about one’s partner. However at times it is easier. One may not accept some behavior exhibited by the other. But still they agree to get into relationships with expectations to influence one another to change. At times they achieve desired behavioral attributes in the said partners, but at times they seem to do the same things repeatedly it becomes difficult to control. One great hindrance to behavior change is addiction. When a person is addicted to gambling for instance, they will always want to do that. They will do whatever it takes, including keeping it a secret from their partners. In the end the partner who expected change may become wary hence confrontation, separation or divorce. Once a relationship reaches such levels, intimacy is lost.

Intimacy and Addiction Recovery

In order to maintain intimacy, an addict may have to take the bold step of recovery. Once the victim gives up addiction, they begin to restore their life. Intimacy therefore becomes one area they work on seriously. It is actually one of the toughest to fix. However with a good recovery plan coupled with the right forums such as the upcoming August integrative addiction medicine conferences, they may as well be able to meet various professionals who will help them fix their intimacy, their partner’s, or that of their friends or neighbors. One expert sure to attend the conference is Dr Dalal Akoury of Integrative Addiction Institute and International Organization of Integrative Cancer Physicians.

Addiction and Intimacy

Intimacy and Addiction Recovery Tips

Other than recovery, following are tips on addiction and intimacy that would be very useful in learning how to overcome.

Avoid getting into a relationship within the first year of recovery. Simple, you have enough to deal with yet another sexual relationship may do the honors to destroy it all.
It is important to have realistic expectations. During recovery or even immediately after, it is important to know the relation will not be back on its knees in a fortnight.
Effective communication between the partners is essentially also an important part of recovery.
As earlier stated, counseling is a good way to recover. Only this time it is recommended both partners attend the sessions as directed by the doctor.
Loss of sexual libido might as well be caused by another thing all together. It is therefore important talk to a specialist.
In some cases the situation may be so bad, it would be best to end the relationship all together, however caution has to be taken especially if children are involved.

For more information on the above, click http://www.integrativeaddiction2015.com. The link will be your guide to sign up for the conference as well give you a backgrounder about speakers lined up for the mega integrative addiction conference.

Addiction and Intimacy, the Relationship?

The journey through successful treatment of alcoholism

July 24, 2015

The journey through successful treatment of alcoholism: How to know when to seek treatment for alcoholism

The journey through successful treatment of alcoholism is a long one but very necessary. It is through working this journey that all your addiction misery to alcoholism will be sorted out

Of all the substance of abuse, alcohol is the most abused drug in the world. It is also the most celebrated drug that is used freely during the parties, and special occasions across the globe. Being as addictive as it is, we want to explore the journey through successful treatment of alcoholism in our current societies. For us to have a successful treatment plan, we must involve the services of the professionals in addiction matters. Therefore we are going to be talking to doctor Dalal Akoury MD a veteran addiction expert and also the founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, a facility she founded in order to offer her best in helping and restoring hope to the people lost in substance abuse. To start us off, doctor Akoury reports that the primary objective of alcohol addiction treatment is and must always be a lifelong commitment to abstinence from the use of alcohol. She says that this is achievable with good health, a strong support system and motivation. Professionally she says that the problem of alcoholism in many cases can go undiagnosed despite being the most frequently used drug worldwide. Even though as things stand right now there is no known cause of alcohol abuse or alcoholism, studies have established that how much you drink can influence your chances of becoming dependent. Nonetheless there are many brief and easy to use screening methods, designed to diagnose problem of drinking and alcoholism, and the good news is that they can be self-administered by a patient at the convenience of their homes.

Besides that one of the biggest challenges that are faced with treatment of alcoholism is that of patient’s denial. Many users are never willing to acknowledge that they have this problem. That problem not withstanding it is important to appreciate that treatment for alcoholism typically can only begin when the alcoholic accepts that the problem exists, and is motivated to stop drinking. The moment acceptance has been granted, then treatment can commence in the following three levels: detoxification, rehabilitation and maintenance of sobriety with each providing an integral step in the process of successfully quitting the use and abuse of alcohol. We at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury are always ready and in very good professional mood to help you go through this worthy process of addiction treatment. Therefore if you or anyone you know is struggling with any form of addiction, not necessarily alcoholism, you can call us today and schedule for an appointment with us and we will gladly help you into seeing the successful recovery of your addiction problem.

The journey through successful treatment of alcoholism: The medical significance of alcohol addiction treatment

Drinking alcohol is never good for anyone’s health. Remember that even though alcohol consumption is legally allowed, it is important to know that drinking too much, whether binge drinking or chronic, can take a serious toll on your health. To be honest with you says doctor Akoury, essentially alcohol is not good and in fact it is poisonous, meaning that taking it repeatedly will eventually affect every major organ in your body. It is characterized with the increase risk of developing disabling long-term health conditions including diabetes, obesity, liver disease, heart disease, dementia and some forms of cancer. Remember that alcohol abuse is not only damaging to the body and brain, it can traumatize psychological stability causing depression, and is one of the leading risk factors for suicide. Alcohol abuse is the principal lifestyle-related cause of disease and death, motor vehicle fatalities and injury. Despite the profound effect alcohol abuse has on the individual and society, the most dangerous consequence is chemical dependence. Seeking medical treatment for alcoholism is absolutely necessary because once physically addicted to alcohol; there is risk of life-threatening side effects such as seizures, delirium, high blood pressure, sudden fever and debilitating dehydration.

The journey through successful treatment of alcoholism: Treatment for alcoholism is available globally

The abuse of alcohol worldwide is a problem which compromises both individual and social development, resulting in over 2.5 million deaths each year and causing more than 200 different diseases and injuries. And did you know that statistics show that North Americans in general, and Canadians in particular drink more than 50 per cent above the global average and people in Europe and parts of Sub-Saharan Africa are the world’s heaviest consumers of alcohol on average? Studies documenting the amount and patterns of alcohol consumption by country indicate alcohol use is the third leading global cause of disease and death after high blood pressure and tobacco smoking, among 67 risk factors overall. These statistics illuminate how the risk of alcoholism is not limited to a particular ethnic community, socio-economic status or region of living. While regulations and laws about alcohol consumption vary geographically with trends and culture, at least 34 countries have adopted formal policies to reduce the harmful use of alcohol. Alcoholism treatment is available in medical centers globally where you can find an individualized care and treatment program that best suits you.

The journey through successful treatment of alcoholism: A daily reprieve from alcohol addiction

Treatment for alcoholism does not prescribe an easy cure for chemical dependency, but gives the individual all the tools with which to build a life based on promoting sobriety day to day. Since addiction and alcoholism affect almost every area of an individual’s life, the changes which will be made, while sometimes slow at first will be all encompassing. Remember that after completing detox and rehabilitation, then the maintenance of sobriety will be intrinsically connected to the willingness openness and honesty put into living one’s life by a new set of principles and values.

Finally is important to note that when it comes to treatment of alcoholism, there is no single defining treatment appropriate for everyone, and generating treatment settings, interventions, and services to an individual’s particular problems and needs is critical to his or her ultimate success in returning to productive functioning in the family, workplace, and society. What is most important to remember is that treatment and long-term sobriety are about discovering how to accept help, and manage life’s challenges without needing to escape or find a quick fix. This new way of living will provide new meaning and direction and those with rich participation in recovery will achieve freedom and serenity.

The journey through successful treatment of alcoholism: How to know when to seek treatment for alcoholism

Tag Archives: Alcohol abuse