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

Increasing hopes for those willing to escape addiction

July 24, 2015

Increasing hopes for those willing to escape addiction: Alternative addiction recovery options

Increasing hopes for those willing to escape addiction is the right thing that every one of us should do to help those suffering both directly and indirectly from drug addiction complications.

The kind of life demands in the societies we are living in today makes life very difficult especially for people struggling with addiction. Depression and stress are all written over us and we are often pushed to the wall to the point that we resort to doing wrong things to quench our life’s frustrations. Alcohol and drugs have become the silence to most individuals fighting the challenges of life. It therefore means that we all have a duty to play in bring back hope to the generation that is soon becoming hopeless. That is why we are purposing through this forum to candidly discuss this topic of increasing hopes for those willing to escape addiction. Like we have said that people are faced with different life situation and majority have resorted into drugs and are now dependence to these drugs. We are also aware that many are willing to kick out from their lives the substances they are abusing, but because of the addictiveness of those substances, they are unable. That is why we the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury we want to bring to you hopes of recovery.

Even though we are living at a time when there are a lot of people indulging into drug use, we are equally privileged that as opposed to a century ago when there were very limited treatment options for people struggling with addiction, we now have so many treatment options that can sometimes be confused or even lost for choice. And besides that there has been a growing number of evidence based treatments for addiction recovery and there are also countless alternative treatments. Amidst all these options that can be confusing, there is some good news about these new developments and that is at least now with the growing number of options, it can only mean that there is almost certainly going to be something to suit everyone. And that is what we want to ride on in this discussion.

Increasing hopes for those willing to escape addiction: Alternative treatment options defined

Alternative treatments fall under the category of alternative medicine, and this means that it lacks or has limited experimental or clinical evidence. The boundary between alternative treatments and conventional medicine is not always clear cut because it is possible for alternative treatments to become considered conventional medicine once there is enough evidence to support it. An example of this would be Aspirin which is based on a traditional herbal cure made from the bark of the willow tree. These alternative treatments can also be referred to as complimentary medicine.

Increasing hopes for those willing to escape addiction: Medical treatments for addiction recovery

It is regrettable that up until the twentieth century addiction was viewed as a common problem to do with moral failing instead of a medical problem. However in the last few decades there has been a shift in position, and this has led to the creation of addiction medicine. This absorption of addiction into medicine has increased since MRI imaging has established that addiction can lead to physical changes in the brain. Now instead of viewing this behavior as a moral choice it is more common for physicians to see it as a chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory, and related circuitry. Addiction medicine is still in its infancy but it aims to provide treatments that are evidence based and proven to work. With these discoveries, it is possible these days that addiction can be treated from scientifically approved medications and that introduces as to the discussion of evidence based addiction treatments as follows.

Increasing hopes for those willing to escape addiction: Evidence based addiction treatments

Doctor Dalal Akoury and her team of experts are categorical that evidence based treatments are those that are backed by reliable and quality research. In other words, these are medication which have been scientifically researched on tested and confirmed to be sound for a given treatment. In our context such treatments may include the following include:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for addiction has been extensively studied, and its efficacy is well supported. This uses a psycho-therapeutic approach to the problem.
There is good evidence that the 12 Step approach does work for many people. The research also indicates that it is not an approach that works for everyone.
The Community Enforcement Approach is gaining support within the literature. This involves supporting the individual in the community, and it is often combined with a voucher scheme.
There is reliable evidence to support motivational enhancement therapy as a means to help the individual gain the motivation to quit.
A number of pharmaceutical agents have been discovered that are of benefit to those looking to escape addiction. These drugs can make the withdrawal period easier or eliminate cravings.

Increasing hopes for those willing to escape addiction: Standard treatments and alternative treatments

Professionally doctor Akoury affirms that there is no need for people to choose between standard treatments and alternative treatments. She emphasized that these other approaches are referred to as complementary medicine because the idea is that they should be used alongside evidence based therapies. We must not allow ourselves to lose focus on the ultimate goal of eliminating all manner of addiction from our societies. In that spirit of staying focused, I want to conclude this discussion that increasing hopes for those willing to escape addiction is a worthy course and must be embraced by all means. That is why in her own wisdom and great concern to the suffering of many people Dr. Akoury made a decision to create a medical center (AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center) whose main objective is to transform each individual’s life through increasing awareness about health and wellness and by empowering individuals to find their own inner healing power. Remember that doctor Akoury’s practice focuses on personalized medicine through healthy lifestyle choices that deal with primary prevention and underlying causes instead of patching up symptoms. Ours is not just about increasing your hopes but ensuring that your addiction problem is professionally addressed and to hand you back your life for comfort and enjoyment going forward.

Increasing hopes for those willing to escape addiction: Alternative addiction recovery options

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

Social skills training for the substance abusers

July 22, 2015

Social skills training for the substance abusers: Alcoholics and drug addict

Social skills training for the substance abusers is very instrumental in rehabilitating drug addicts.

The rate at which the prevalence of drug use is escalating is worrying that we can no longer keep quiet about it. The most valuable gift we can ever have is that of good health. If this virtue is under threat because of substance abuse, the all of us must pool together in finding lasting solutions. As an individual you can seek for social skills training for the substance abusers to make a difference in their lives by impacting knowledge of rehabilitation and treatment of this unhealthy condition. I know that this may not be very easy on many people since addiction is something many would not want to associate with. But the most important thing is that we lend a helping hand to drug addicts and all alcoholics. Doctor Dalal Akoury MD and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center are acknowledging that one common trait of many drug addicts and alcoholics are problems interacting with others in social situations. This is known as a lack of social skills. Sometimes this difficulty is what leads an individual into addiction in the first place. And some people have been addicted to substances for such a long time that it has affected their social development. Therefore if anyone is lucking social skills, then that calls for social skills training.

When opting for social skills training for an alcoholic or drug addict then these are some of the things that you must be ready to take the following into consideration: you must be ready to learn how to interact with friends, family members and even colleagues at work. You must also know how to interact in social situations especially when drugs and alcohol will be served or present and finally you must take a firm stand in declining any offer to use drug and alcohol in other words, you must be well armed with the refusal skills. That is to say when you say NO then it must remain that way irrespective of the prevailing circumstances. Doctor Akoury says that social skills training are closely associated with behavior therapy. Behavior therapy attempts to remove unwanted behaviors and replace them with desirable behaviors. It must be noted that for desired result, social skills training may not be very effective on its own but when combined with other cognitive behavioral therapy treatments, then its effectiveness can be realized. From the professional findings, it has been established that social skills training can significantly decrease the relapse rate for alcoholics and drug addicts.

Social skills training for the substance abusers: Interpersonal relationships and substance abuse

Social skills training can teach drug and alcohol addicts how to relate with coworkers, friends, and family in a variety of social settings. Clients will learn such skills as:

Listening as well as talking; that is, two-way communication
Empathy
Understanding unspoken clues such as body language
Assertiveness, and how not to be taken advantage of

Social skills training for the substance abusers: Social settings in addiction recovery

After addiction recovery is complete, drug and alcohol addicts still face a lifetime of social settings where drugs and alcohol may be present. Social skills training can teach clients better ways to deal with these situations. Different skills that can be taught are eye contact and small talk. Some people drink or take drugs to overcome their awkwardness in social settings. Learning the art of small talk can help a recovering addict get past this awkwardness without relapsing.

The recovering addict can choose to avoid social situations where there will be alcohol or drugs. However, this is not always possible. In that case, the recovering addict can also learn skills to avoid drinking in social situations where alcohol or drugs are present. These are called refusal skills. Refusal skills training are often conducted by role-playing in group therapy. This way, patients in recovery can get experience in saying no, which makes it easier to remember when the patient is in the social situation. The following are some of the refusal skills that may be applicable to drug addict or alcoholic:

No phrases to use
Strategies to deal with peer pressure
Practice saying no at home, before the social situation
Ask friends and family to help with saying no by supporting your resolve to make your No to be No and your Yes to be Yes.

Social skills training for the substance abusers: Where to Find Social Skills Training

When you have made up your mind to get the social skills trainings, it is important to appreciate that social skills training in many cases will take place in group therapy. When you are finally there, in many instances one or two therapists will work with a group of patients in recovery to teach social skills. Clients will be taken through practices of drink refusal skills by role playing with each other. They will also practice small talk and drink refusal skills. Besides that clients in recovery can also learn these social skills in individual therapy. This is less common, as the group model is important for role playing. Finally in the explanation given above in response to the question “where to find social skills training I want to urge that do all it takes to be on top of everything that is threatening to bring your life down. This may be quite a challenge to many and therefore I want to introduce to you the best way forward that will be simpler for you. Your struggle will be no more if only you can schedule for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury today for a much more lasting solution. It will interest you to know that on seeing the difficulties people were going through, Dr. Akoury made a decision to create a medical center whose main objective is to transform each individual’s life through increasing awareness about health and wellness and by empowering individuals to find their own inner healing power. 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. So stop going for symptom patching and come to the place of solutions right now.

Social skills training for the substance abusers: Alcoholics and drug addict

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