Tag Archives: Alcohol abuse

Drunk young man resting head on bar counter

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD)

January 13, 2017
Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD) and did you know that for every beverage alcohol you take about 2 to 8 percent is lost through urine, sweat, or the breath?

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD): Acetaldehyde and Alcoholism

Did you know that for every beverage alcohol you take about 2 to 8 percent is lost through urine, sweat, or the breath? This means that the other 92 to 98 percent is metabolized by your body. All ethyl alcohol which is broken down in the human body is first converted to acetaldehyde, and then this acetaldehyde is converted into acetic acid radicals also known as acetyl radicals. Acetaldehyde is a poison which is a close relative of formaldehyde. Acetic acid is the essential component of vinegar. The acetic acid radical is the combining form of acetic acid. This acetic acid radical combines with Coenzyme A to form acetyl-CoA. The acetyl-CoA then enters the Krebs cycle, which is the basic powerhouse of the human body. Inside the Krebs cycle, this acetyl radical is eventually broken down into carbon dioxide and water.

According to the experts from the AWAREmed health and wellness resource center under the leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury MD, there are three different enzymes the body uses to convert alcohol to acetaldehyde. The three enzymes work by stripping two hydrogen atoms off from the alcohol molecule thereby converting the alcohol molecule into a molecule of acetaldehyde says doctor Akoury. We are going to consider the three enzymes progressively in this article.

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD): The Three Alcohol Enzymes

The three enzymes which can convert alcohol to acetaldehyde are:

  • Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) ·
  • Cytochrome P450 (CYP2E1) ·
  • Catalase

Each of these enzymes is found in different parts of the body and each of them handles the hydrogen atoms which are stripped off from the alcohol molecule in a different way. For the purpose of this article, we are going to discuss the first one and proceed with the rest of the subsequent postings.

Alcohol dehydrogenase

The name “alcohol dehydrogenase” sounds quite a mouthful, but it is self-explanatory if we break it down into its component parts. “de-” is a prefix which means “to remove”. We find it in such words as “dethrone” which means “to remove from the throne”. “-use” is a suffix which means “enzyme”. Any time you see a chemical term which ends in the suffix “-as” you know that you are dealing with an enzyme. “hydrogen” means “hydrogen” of course. So “de-hydrogen-ase” means “an enzyme which removes hydrogen atoms”, and “alcohol dehydrogenase” means “an enzyme which removes hydrogen atoms from the alcohol molecule”. The name alcohol dehydrogenase is sometimes abbreviated to ADH.

ADH is the workhorse of the alcohol enzymes–it breaks down the majority of the alcohol that enters the human body. Alcohol dehydrogenase is actually the name for a family of enzymes which break down alcohol–each of which has a slightly different molecular structure. Researchers have identified as many as 10 varieties of the alcohol dehydrogenase molecule. All of them bring about the same chemical reaction–the difference is that some varieties of alcohol dehydrogenase work more efficiently than others. As we shall be seeing later, these variations in the alcohol dehydrogenase molecule can explain why some individuals react differently to alcohol than others.

The alcohol dehydrogenase molecules do their work primarily in the stomach and the liver, although traces of them are found in other tissues as well. The hydrogen which is released when alcohol dehydrogenase turns alcohol into acetaldehyde is bound to a compound called NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) to form NADH (this is short for Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide plus Hydrogen). Alcohol dehydrogenase does its work in the cellular fluid (cytosol) of the cell. The wordings in this article may be technical but necessary in understanding the dangers of substance abuse. You may want to seek for more clarity from the experts at AWAREmed today.

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD): Acetaldehyde and Alcoholism

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Alcohol kills

Understanding alcohol metabolism stability

January 12, 2017
Understanding alcohol metabolism

Understanding alcohol metabolism stability with a view of taking timely action

Understanding alcohol metabolism stability: Why alcohol has a steady state metabolism rather than a half life

For us to get the facts right in understanding alcohol metabolism stability, we need to address the substance wholesomely. That is to say, when a drug like valium is broken down by the human body the resultant metabolites are harmless. It is for this reason that drugs like valium are broken down as quickly as the body can process them–and hence they have a half-life. The half-life of valium is 35 hours on the average. This means that if you take a 10 mg dose of valium, then 35 hours later half of it will have been metabolized and only 5 mg will remain. In another 35 hours half of this will be metabolized and only 2.5 mg will remain and so on explains doctor Dalal Akoury MD, President and founder of AWAREmed health and wellness resource center. When we plot the metabolism of valium on a graph we get an exponential curve–in other words–drugs which have a half-life have an exponential rate of decay. Chemists refer to this as a First Order Reaction.

When it comes to alcohol, it is all a different reaction. That is because alcohol shows a steady state metabolism not an exponential metabolism. The body of the average human metabolizes around 13 ml of alcohol per hour regardless. When we plot the metabolism of alcohol on a graph we get a straight line–in other words the rate of decay of alcohol is linear. Chemists refer to this as a Zero Order Reaction. The reason why alcohol has a steady state metabolism rather than a half-life metabolism is because the primary decay product of alcohol metabolism–acetaldehyde–is poisonous. The body must eliminate the acetaldehyde produced by the breakdown of alcohol before any more alcohol can be processed in order to avoid acetaldehyde poisoning. This slows down the rate of alcohol metabolism to a Zero Order Reaction rather than a First Order Reaction.

Understanding alcohol metabolism stability: Why do humans have a way to break down alcohol?

Practically every animal from the fruit fly to the elephant has a way to break down ethyl alcohol because ethyl alcohol is found everywhere by nature. Every time you eat a piece of fresh fruit, drink a glass of fresh orange juice, or have a slice of freshly baked bread, chances are that you are getting trace amounts of alcohol along with it. It is not uncommon to see intoxicated birds which have eaten fermented fruit. Monkeys are known to seek out fermented fruit for the intoxicating effect and Indian elephants have been known to break into breweries or wineries to drink up what is stored there.

Not only are we constantly ingesting alcohol along with the food we eat, our own bodies produce alcohol as a part of the digestive process. Our digestive tracts contain millions of micro-organisms which are necessary for us to properly digest our food. Among these micro-organisms are yeasts which produce alcohol from sugars within our own bodies.

With alcohol so omnipresent in nature it is necessary that animals have a way to break alcohol down, otherwise it would just accumulate in the body and no animal could function properly because the animals would always be constantly intoxicated. Other alcohols such as methyl alcohol (wood alcohol) and isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) do not normally occur in nature. This is why we do not have a mechanism to break them down and why they are poisonous. That then explains why we all need help to have a free state of mind in dealing with alcohol addiction. Doctor Akoury and her team of experts will be very helpful should you schedule an appointment with them now.

Understanding alcohol metabolism stability: Why alcohol has a steady state metabolism rather than a half life

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Misuse of alcohol

Ending alcohol abuse using alternative treatment

December 27, 2016
Ending alcohol abuse

Ending alcohol abuse using alternative treatment to avoid stocking more chemicals in the body system

Ending alcohol abuse using alternative treatment: The HPA Axis

Consumption of alcohol is a problem which has kept the global society thinking. There are two different schools of thoughts depending on the interest represented. The interest of health and that of generating revenue, and for the purpose of this article we will focus on the interest of health and the possible solutions that come with ending alcohol abuse. Several types of research have been done and conclusions made. One of the finds was that the “home” of alcoholism resides in the HPA (hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenal) axis of the neuroendocrine system, to this effect scientists have developed extremely sophisticated tests which monitor the performance of this axis under various conditions by measuring:

  • Dopamine
  • Serotonin, GABA
  • Glutamate
  • Epinephrine (adrenaline)
  • Norepinephrine (noradrenaline)
  • Cortisol
  • DHEA

Professionally, doctor Dalal Akoury MD, President, and founder of AWAREmed Health Center reiterates that these are known neurotransmitters and two key hormones which define either the health of the neuroendocrine system or its state and depth of illness. To better understand the root of this phenomenon we will go into it a little more in detail regarding genetic addictive biochemistry and active addiction and how they affect the HPA axis. But in the meantime, you can direct all your alcoholism concerns to the experts at AWAREmed health for a timely treatment action.

Ending alcohol abuse using alternative treatment: The hypothalamus

The endocrine system is the network of glands in the body comprised of the hypothalamus, pituitary, pineal, adrenals, thyroid, parathyroid and the sex glands; ovaries and testes. These glands secrete hormones throughout the body to each and every organ via the blood which is received by their complimentary receptors. Hormones are “messengers” which carry messages coded by our DNA with the intention of keeping an organ regulated and healthy, essentially functioning as it should.  A hormone’s message will stimulate, suppress or maintain the functional cell or tissue activity of the organ it is received by.

The hypothalamus is the centerpiece of the endocrine system and is located in the middle of the base of the brain. The purpose of the hypothalamus is to establish and maintain homeostasis; balance within the body. It regulates all the functions of the autonomic system of breathing, heart rate, etc… but also hunger, thirst, sexual drive, sleep urination and metabolism which includes blood sugar control.

Although technically hypothalamus is part of the endocrine system it is really central to both the endocrine and nervous system; in fact, it is in the hypothalamus that these two extremely complex systems of the body intersect. As the Master Accountant, the hypothalamus performs checks and balances and responds to chemical messages of deficient or excess by sending various hormones and neurotransmitters to “adjust” to the requirements of your internal and/or external environments to maintain status quo. The hypothalamus is able to do this because it houses receptor sites for both hormones from the endocrine system and neurotransmitters from the nervous system and it utilizes the information it receives from those sites to do its job of not only controlling the entire endocrine system, including having a profound influence on the liver, heart, and kidneys, but establishing healthy brain chemistry and nervous system performance by correcting neurotransmitter imbalances by either slowing production of what is in excess, ingesting or degrading them faster, or in cases of deficiency, producing and releasing them as required.

Ending alcohol abuse using alternative treatment: The HPA Axis

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time-to-quit-drinking-alcohol-s

Real compulsive drinking effects

December 26, 2016
Real compulsive drinking

Real compulsive drinking effects must be identified and treated professionally

Real compulsive drinking effects: Denial

When making reference to the real compulsive drinking effects, many at times concentration is much on the physical health without looking at the social consequences attached to alcoholism and substance abuse. There are quite of very devastating social consequences which doctor Dalal Akoury MD, President and founder of AWAREmed Health and Resource Center are going to share with us in this article. And as you continue unlocking your addiction problems and coming to terms with the realities of the dangers you’re putting yourself in, you can always start today by scheduling an appointment with the home of experts at AWAREmed Health Center for the commencement of your recovery process. Remember that early treatment is always preferred, however, if you have been in addiction for a long time, there is still hope and you can do the same now professionally with doctor Akoury. Now to the real compulsive drinking effects:

Real compulsive drinking effects: The effects of alcoholism and alcohol abuse on the people you love

Despite the potentially lethal damage that heavy drinking does to the body including cancer, heart problems, and liver disease the social consequences can be just as devastating. Alcoholics and alcohol abusers are much more likely to get divorced, have problems with domestic violence, struggle with unemployment, and live in poverty.

But even if you’re able to succeed at work or hold your marriage together, you can’t escape the effects that alcoholism and alcohol abuse has on your personal relationships. Drinking problems put an enormous strain on the people closest to you.

Often, family members and close friends feel obligated to cover for the person with the drinking problem. So they take on the burden of cleaning up your messes, lying for you, or working more to make ends meet. Pretending that nothing is wrong and hiding away all of their fears and resentments can take an enormous toll. Children are especially sensitive and can suffer long-lasting emotional trauma when a parent or caretaker is an alcoholic or heavy drinker.

Getting help for alcoholism or alcohol abuse

If you’re ready to admit you have a drinking problem, you’ve already taken the first step. It takes tremendous strength and courage to face alcohol abuse and alcoholism head on. Reaching out for support is the second step.

Whether you choose to go to rehab, rely on self-help programs, get therapy, or take a self-directed treatment approach, support is essential. Recovering from alcohol addiction is much easier when you have people you can lean on for encouragement, comfort, and guidance. Without support, it’s easy to fall back into old patterns when things get tough.

Your continued recovery depends on continuing mental health treatment, learning healthier coping strategies, and making better decisions when dealing with life’s challenges. In order to stay alcohol-free for the long term, you’ll also have to face the underlying problems that led to your alcoholism or alcohol abuse in the first place.

Those problems could be depression, an inability to manage stress, an unresolved trauma from your childhood, or any number of mental health issues. Such problems may become more prominent when you’re no longer using alcohol to cover them up. But you will be in a healthier position to finally address them and seek the help you need.

Real compulsive drinking effects: Denial

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Alcohol kills

Compulsive drinking effects and denial

December 26, 2016
Compulsive drinking effects

Compulsive drinking effects and denial

Compulsive drinking effects and denial: Myths about alcohol dependence

Many people have failed in dealing with their alcoholism and drug abuse problems because of the wrong information they get from their suppliers and fellow users of their substances. Because of this, the compulsive drinking effects have continually increased each passing year. As experts from AWAREmed Health center under the able leadership of its founder doctor Dalal Akoury MD, we want to highlight some of the myths that have contributed in rooting denial in the lives of addicts even when they are fully aware of the consequences involved.

I can stop drinking anytime I want to – Maybe you can; more likely, you can’t. Either way, it’s just an excuse to keep drinking. The truth is, you don’t want to stop. Telling yourself you can quit makes you feel in control, despite all evidence to the contrary and no matter the damage it’s doing.

My drinking is my problem. I’m the one it hurts, so no one has the right to tell me to stop – It’s true that the decision to quit drinking is up to you. But you are deceiving yourself if you think that your drinking hurts no one else but you. Alcoholism affects everyone around you—especially the people closest to you. Your problem is their problem.

I don’t drink every day, so I can’t be an alcoholic OR I only drink wine or beer, so I can’t be an alcoholic – Alcoholism is NOT defined by what you drink, when you drink it, or even how much you drink. It’s the EFFECTS of your drinking that define a problem. If your drinking is causing problems in your home or work life, you have a drinking problem—whether you drink daily or only on the weekends, down shots of tequila or stick to wine, drink three bottles of beers a day or three bottles of whiskey.

I’m not an alcoholic because I have a job and I’m doing okay – You don’t have to be homeless and drinking out of a brown paper bag to be an alcoholic. Many alcoholics are able to hold down jobs, get through school, and provide for their families. Some are even able to excel. But just because you’re a high-functioning alcoholic doesn’t mean you’re not putting yourself or others in danger. Over time, the effects will catch up with you.

Drinking is not a “real” addiction like drug abuse – Alcohol is a drug, and alcoholism is every bit as damaging as drug addiction. Alcohol addiction causes changes in the body and brain, and long-term alcohol abuse can have devastating effects on your health, your career, and your relationships. Alcoholics go through physical withdrawal when they stop drinking, just like drug users do when they quit. All these and much more are just but hindrances which you can overcome by scheduling an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury today for the commencement of your recovery process.

Compulsive drinking effects and denial: Effects of alcoholism and alcohol abuse

Finally, it is true that alcoholism and alcohol abuse can affect all aspects of your life. Long-term alcohol use can cause serious health complications, affecting virtually every organ in your body, including your brain. Problem drinking can also damage your emotional stability, finances, career, and your ability to build and sustain satisfying relationships. Alcoholism and alcohol abuse can also have an impact on your family, friends and the people you work with. We will be discussing this in details progressively in our next postings which you don’t want to miss. Stay with us on the link and learn with the best.

Compulsive drinking effects and denial: Myths about alcohol dependence  

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