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Understanding the specific nutritional impact on addiction

Understanding the specific nutritional impact on addiction: Detailing nutritional impact on individual substances of abuse

Understanding the specific nutritional impact on addiction

Understanding the specific nutritional impact on addiction will help you take timely precautions before the damage is too overwhelming to handle.

While looking at the nutritional impact on individual substances of abuse, we discussed at length specific substances like alcohol and opioids in the previous article. You can make reference on that however for the purpose of this article, under the title “understanding the specific nutrition impact on addiction” we want to further on the discussion specifically exploring on the on other substances of abuse like stimulants and marijuana. Besides that we are also going to find out from the discussion how promoting self-care and a healthy life style will benefit this worthy journey of eliminating drug addiction. Dealing with matters relating to addiction is never easy and therefore consulting with able professionals from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury (MD) is very much in order.

It will interest you to note that doctor Dalal Akoury is one of the most respected addiction professionals globally who out of her passion of offering lasting solution to all she made a passionate decision of creating a medical center (AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center) whose primary objective is to transform each individual’s life through increasing awareness about health and wellness and by empowering individuals into finding their own inner healing power. Besides that, it will also interest you to appreciate that Dr. Akoury’s practice focuses on personalized medicine through healthy lifestyle choices that deal with primary prevention and underlying causes instead of patching up symptoms. This therefore means that if you are struggling with any kind of addiction of whatever nature and irrespective of the level of your addiction, this is the place and home of lasting solutions. If this description suits your needs, then you can call doctor Akoury on telephone number 843 213 1480 to schedule for an appointment with her to have all your concerns addressed professionally and in good time. In the meantime, let us progress with our quest of understanding the specific nutritional impact on addiction following.

Understanding the specific nutritional impact on addiction: Stimulants

Stimulants, including crack, cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamine, nicotine, and caffeine, generally lead to decreased appetite and weight loss. Cocaine has been associated with anorexia and eating disorders and may impact energy intake and requirements. Large amounts of stimulants result in insomnia, paranoia, anxiety, malnutrition, and memory problems. Therefore when individuals first discontinue stimulant use, dehydration and electrolyte imbalances may occur, so careful monitoring is important. Since low weight and eating disorders may be of concern, encouraging and educating patients on proper nutrition and helping them achieve a healthy BMI is important.

Methamphetamine abusers commonly suffer severe dental problems that interfere with diet quality. According to one of the studies, it was established that up to 41.3% of methamphetamine users had dental disease and nearly 60% had missing teeth. Doctor Akoury is suggesting that based on such facts it is necessary that dietitians should take lead role in offering nutritional education to support dental health and recommend foods with an appropriate consistency.

Understanding the specific nutritional impact on addiction: Marijuana

Marijuana, which impairs memory, attention, judgment, and balance and increases heart rate, is the most commonly used drug in the United States. The main nutritional impact of this drug is increased appetite. Long-term users may be overweight and may need a calorically restricted diet and an exercise program to help them achieve a healthy weight. Since marijuana is a fat-soluble drug, it can take up to six months for a daily user’s brain to return to normal functioning after abstaining.

Understanding the specific nutritional impact on addiction: Promoting self-care and a healthy lifestyle

Various professionals should help promote a healthy lifestyle to accompany substance abuse patients’ recovery. Important aspects of self-care include physical activity, proper sleep, and devoting time for pleasurable activities. These activities may help to keep patients positive, improve health, establish new routines, and reduce idle time that may lead to relapse. Exercise is thought to stimulate some of the same circuits in the brain as do most substances, so promoting healthful activities may be a good way to replace old behaviors. Lack of sleep can lead to a decrease in well-being, reduced cognitive function, and reduced energy, so encouraging patients to practice healthful bedtime routines is beneficial.

Patients must be educated on the importance of nutrition in their recovery process. Grocery shopping, cooking, and preparing foods are important skills that dietitians can promote for patients in recovery. Cooking classes or recipes may be of interest to clients who are unsure about how to cook or are looking for ideas for healthful options. Financial struggles and unstable living situations are common obstacles to recovery that can lead to food insecurity, which significantly contributes to the nutritional status of drug abusers and to relatively unbalanced diets. Educating patients on nutrition resources, budget-friendly options, and support may be helpful.

Finally in order to achieve this worthy course, some serious commitments must be made and everyone must pool together in one direction of finding solutions. In that respect it is necessary that the dietitians play the overall and important part in the process of recovery for all patients seeking help for substance abuse. It must be appreciated that in many situations the obstacle of denial will pose a serious challenge and therefore consistency in encouragement in going to be very paramount. Doctor Dalal Akoury reiterates that many patients must be professionally encouraged to understand how nutrition can play an important part in their recovery process. The commitment in encouragement must not be a one stop thing instead it should be continuous because this is the only way through which victims of substance abuse will be able to get the much needed help to navigating the struggles that arise so that they can achieve a healthy lifestyle. Doctor Akoury encourages that this is a challenge that we must all be ready to take so that together we can make a difference.

Understanding the specific nutritional impact on addiction: Detailing nutritional impact on individual substances of abuse

 

 

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The consequences of mixing alcohol with other drugs

The consequences of mixing alcohol with other drugs: Choices has consequences

The consequences of mixing alcohol with other drugs

The consequences of mixing alcohol with other drugs can lead to a very painful experience. Users must seek for treatment to be free from all these drugs

The choices we make in life have consequences which can either be positive or negative. It would be very nice if the choices we make lead us into enjoying the positive side of life as opposed to the harsh negatives consequences. I don’t know what you are looking for in life, but it is my hope that it is a productive thing which is beneficial for your life and the general wellbeing of your health. The drugs we are using today are staging a serious war with our physical and psychological well-being and we cannot continue burying our heads into the sand pretending that everything is alright. Dr. Dalal Akoury a veteran expert in addiction and also the MD and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center tells us that the consequences of mixing alcohol with other drugs are very chronic and life threatening that you wouldn’t even wish to come closer to your worst enemy let alone being the victim yourself.

I am often disturbed at the sight of young people engaging in a malty kind of drug abuse. That is to say an individual who besides abusing alcohol, is doing so along other drugs like smoking cigarette, cocaine, heroin or any other drugs. According to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, the use of alcohol is one of the most dangerous things you can do to your health. It amazes me seeing people take more than one drug together and at the same time. I appreciate that everyone is entitle to their opinion but either way you look at it, alcohol consumption you will be rest assured that up to 98% will be all negative effects – and in fact of the said benefits three quarters are concoction benefits which do not last for instance being talkative or gaining some level of confidence while under the influence of alcohol may be seen as a benefit but as soon as time lapses and sobriety resurface you lose the benefit instantly. I believe that from this introduction we can confess that alcohol is dangerous on its own and what about if the consumer mixes alcohol with other drugs? We are getting into that shortly but in the meantime let us look at some of the effects of alcohol alone without other drugs. People who drink heavily for a long time may experience the following:

Like I have mentioned these are not experiences you would want to be associated with in life because they are not only bad but also life threatening. I will tell you without a second thought that if you’re taking alcohol then the best thing you can do for your dear life is to stop and seek help by scheduling for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center.

The consequences of mixing alcohol with other drugs: Taking alcohol alongside other drugs is dangerous

Alcohol and other drugs don’t mix and attempting this can be very fatal. For instance if you were to mix marijuana or club drugs (e.g. ecstasy, ketamine, GHB) with alcohol it will certainly be very difficult to make informed and smart decisions. You will be in consistent problems with the authorities because you’re not in control of yourself. You are likely to get into dangerous situations, to be injured or to injure someone else in the process. I plain language mixing alcohol with other substances is life threatening. Doing this may trigger your body to react violently causing you pain, headaches, cramps or vomiting. This is the last thing you would want to do. DON’T mix alcohol with any other drug.

The consequences of mixing alcohol with other drugs: Legality of alcohol

Unfortunately alcohol is legal in as much as we are revealing the dangerous effects of this substances (alcohol) it is among the many addictive drugs allowed for human usage. The usage is limited to certain age bracket is a legal drug if you are of meaning that you can only use or buy alcohol if you’re within the legally allowed age. Currently in many nations across the globe the recommended age for drinking is 18 year though in some countries this limit can be up to 19 years or even more.

The consequences of mixing alcohol with other drugs: Reducing risks and getting help

Matters relating to alcohol abuse and drug addiction are very complicated and needs proper plan in the presence and for the future to stay safe. You may want to consider the following as guide:

  • Have a back-up plan for getting home (have money and a phone number for a taxi, or call your parents or a friend whom you trust).
  • If you drink at all, it is best not to drive at all.
  • When relying on others for a ride, make sure you know how much the driver has drunk before deciding to get in the car (this includes rides with adults, too).
  • If you drink, pace your drinks, have some non-alcoholic drinks too, and eat before you drink and while you are drinking.
  • Plan ahead for overnight stays. Make sure you know how much your friends are drinking and how they are getting home.
  • Don’t mix alcohol with medicines or illegal drugs. Check with your pharmacist to be sure.

Finally I appreciate that dealing with drugs is not an easy task owing to the fact that all these drugs are very addictive. This statement is only appreciating the difficulties in handling drug addiction but it did not say that it is impossible. What this statement means is that you can do it if only you can be taken through the process of addiction recovery by the right professionals. We have spoken of the capabilities of doctor Akoury and she can be of help you if only you could make that positive step of scheduling for an appointment with her today and your addiction problems will be resting in the right hands for professional treatment. Talk to doctor Akoury freely and she will be able to help you recover from all manner of addiction.

The consequences of mixing alcohol with other drugs: Choices has consequences

 

 

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Assessing level of Addiction

Assessing level of Addiction-Teenage Drug Addiction

Addiction

This is what drug addiction can do to you if you don’t take proper assessment of addiction from childhood,teenage and adulthood

It is the joy of every parent to have their children lives a life full of peace of mind, sobriety and social stability. These are powerful ingredients that we would all want to have in our children up-bringing. However many a times this is usually not the case because of the prevalence drugs and bad influences from all manner of technological devices we have today. Because of this real obstacles in the society we live in today, it is important that we from time to time take stock of our children’s developments in life and this will be the guiding factor in this article so that you and I get to know some tips which can help us to have our children escape the scourge of addiction of whatever nature. Therefore when you notice that any negative occurrence in your children, it must be followed by an immediate assessment to establish the problem. This is very necessary because any use of psychoactive drugs is harmful to their moods and mind affects their independence in making normal and caring judgment and perception this influences their decisions to be impulsive, irresponsible and potentially harmful to themselves and the society.

This then leads us to the question what are these harm? Let us consider the following risks which parents must take keen interest in especially when the children are going through the various stages of life like adolescent:

  1. Victimization from violence
  2. Accidental injury
  3. School failure
  4. Illegal activities
  5. Sexual misadventures
  6. Daring risk taking
  7. Suicidal despondency
  8. Drug and alcohol involvement

All these and many more are possible risk that we must be keen to eliminate and I would want to suggest that if you were to start the elimination in any particular order, then start with number 8 since this is the genesis of all others. Top of FormBottom of FormAdolescence is therefore the risk process during which young people are eager and motivated socially to explore the worldly experiences and substance use only increases these normal risks. A sober path through adolescence is the safest passage of all.

When parents have suspicion that their children are using substances, they need to identify the level of use with which they are dealing so they do not over or underestimate the seriousness of the experience. If you were to overestimate the seriousness you may panic over what could be just a one-time experimental use while on the other hand to underestimate the seriousness you may deny troubling signs of increasing dependency. What would then follow can only be described in the following level:

Assessing level of Addiction-Experimental use

This is motivated by curiosity and the teenage child only makes attempt to get the feeling and satisfy their curiosity. They can explain that they are only using drugs once in a while then you must make them know that that is not just in a while but such frequency of consumption is not just experimental but recreational. Experimental use is restricted to one or two times.  Sometimes a teenager will experiment and find the experience of drug use not to be worth it and stop. This experimental use is not good and must be discouraged because the younger the age the less safe it is to the consumer. This can be dangerous to the brain of the teenager.

Young ones must take note that this is just gambling with once safety since there are not mechanisms on knowing how the brain/mind will react to the substance and cause injury to their wellbeing but subjecting themselves to unknown experiments whose results can be fatal.

Assessing level of Addiction-Recreational use

Teenagers who have made a routine in consuming their drugs are not experimenting but are recreational users. This group may be using drugs moderately meaning that such substance use does not cause any significant problem to them or others however they must be caution to take note of the content and remain within the regulated dose. Moderate means:

  • That use is intentional, not automatic.
  • It is a matter of choice it is not dictated by habit.
  • That the choice is independently made and not dependent on socially fitting in, going along, keeping up, or competing for most use.

Second the use is monitored. Monitored use means being gradual and so your teenager maintains sufficient awareness of the effects of use on mind and body to judge when they need to have no more. Substance use takes the alcohol user, for example, from a caring (sober) to a less caring (high) to a completely care-free (drunken) state. Recreational drinkers draw a line somewhere been a caring and non-caring condition that demarcates when enough has been consumed.

They want to use within the limits of maintaining contact with the values and judgments about personal behavior that normally matter to them.  They don’t want to cross over the enough line into a significantly less caring or non-caring state where words can be spoken, decisions made, and actions taken that later sober reflection will cause them (or others) to regret.  Recreational using means maintaining sufficient presence of mind to stop when one has had enough.

Assessing level of Addiction-Excessive Use

This happens in different ways, it sometimes happens accidentally or intentionally, a teenager will get extremely drunk and wasted. It’s important for parents to determine if the excess was accidental or intentional.  Accidental excess comes as a surprise, and the effects can have a cautionary value.  Thus a teenager, who never drank hard liquor before, drinks so much so fast he bypasses feeling drunk, passes out, and is rushed to the hospital which pumps his stomach out as part of their intervention to prevent alcoholic poisoning. Coming to, the teenager reflects on the fact that he almost killed himself by accidental excess and, when making the best of a bad situation, feels disinclined to drink that much that fast again.

Anytime you have a teenager who likes to drink to get drunk, you have a problem drinker on your hands. If he or she is running with a drink to get drunk crowd, do what you can to discourage that socializing. Using or drinking to deliberate excess is a common bridge to the next level, substance abuse.

Assessing level of Addiction-Abuse

Once a teenager descends into substance abuse, discipline problems get more frequent and serious at home, and academic motivation and performance typically decline at school.

The first sign of substance abuse are: A significant loss of caring about performance, values, reputation, and relationships that previously mattered.  Now freedom from not caring has taken hold.

The second sign of drug abuse appears. Progressively bad decisions – educational, familial, and social – begin to be made.  For example, school may be avoided, telling lies become more frequently told to parents, and problems with police may happen as laws are broken out in the community.

Unfortunately, a connection between the two signs of abuse can now occur. Lack of caring encourages bad decisions, and bad decisions are dismissed by lack of caring. Now lack of caring encourages more bad decisions.  Most teenagers who reach the level of abuse do not self-correct without some outside help.  Most parents cannot effectively play a role in this assistance without getting some outside help for themselves as well. Continued substance abuse can lead to addiction.

Assessing level of Addiction-Addiction

This is the most devastating of all levels it is at this point that young people become dependent on self- destructive substances to keep going. It is important that affected individuals work round the clock to free themselves from the two elements of addiction i.e. the first is psychological whose signs include among others denial, compulsion and escape. The second is physical dependence with signs like tolerance, craving and withdrawal.

The power of addiction is often misunderstood by many including parents. Nonetheless it is at this moment that seeking for help from experts and rehabs sets in and if you find yourself in this situation of addiction then self-help, twelve-step groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous usually have a role in supporting sobriety and guiding recovery into a healthier drug-free life.

In general, where experimental, recreational, and accidental excess occurs, parents must maintain a productive and friendly two-way communication with their teenager to determine circumstances of use, choices made, effects experienced, risks taken, and what parents need to have happen now. Where intentional excess occurs, parents should get their teenager to a certified drug or alcohol counselor to assess risk of more serious substance involvement. Where abuse or addiction is evident, drug counseling or treatment is probably in order. Finally assessment alone may not be enough and so the need to seek an expert opinion on this problem of addiction. Dr. Dalal Akoury, Founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, is offering her exclusive NER Recovery Treatment to other physicians and health care professionals through training, clinical apprenticeships, webinars and seminars making her the best you can get anywhere in the globe.

Assessing level of Addiction-Teenage Drug Addiction

 

 

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