Tag Archives: Brain

Nicotine Addiction in Females

January 13, 2015

Role Of Progesterone In Nicotine Addiction In Females

Nicotine addictionProgesterone is a found in good quantities in women and is often thought of as a female hormone. this hormone is important for the regulation of ovulation and menstruation. however current research findings have indicated that this hormone has a role in inhibiting nicotine addiction.

today many people are using drugs with nicotine content and nicohtine addiction is on the rise. it has been causing death that could rather be prevented especially in the developed countries. this stimulant is used by all genders and is appreciated for a feel of high sensation and relaxation after sometime but researchers have noted that women and teen girls appear to be more vulnerable on certain aspects of nicotine addiction compared with men and boys. However the mechanism of gender differences in nicotine addiction is not yet clear, but there is evidence that endorses the suggestion that progesterone may protect females against nicotine addiction unlike estrogen that some researchers have linked to enhanced vulnerability in females to nicotine addiction. Therefore, progesterone may have therapeutic use for nicotine addiction, especially in female smokers. Researchers are working to establish the reason for this gender variation in nicotine addiction and the discovery will provide a greater understanding of the role of progesterone in nicotine addiction. this is important not only from a treatment purposes but also from a prevention perspective. The changes in hormones in the body of women such as those that occur at adolescence and during pregnancy and following birth. The changes in hormones that are also caused by hormonal manipulation like using methods of hormonal birth control may all contribute to changes in vulnerability to nicotine addiction.

Here, we will explore in reference to recent evidences from clinical studies how progesterone affects the health of a woman in relation to nicotine addiction. Depending on the data already availed from past researches we will find out the effects of progesterone during the initiation stage and even during the later stages of nicotine addiction process as a potential relapse prevention treatment.

Several studies have indicated that in spite of the public knowledge that nicotine addiction can be dangerous to one’s health, tobacco use has been on the rise especially on young women and teens. In a 2007 study results on National Survey on Drug Use research done by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration often shortened as SAHMSA found that Females aged 12–17 are also more likely than males initiate smoking. It has also been found out that women take shorter time to develop tobacco dependence syndrome after their initial use of tobacco.

Similar reports of enhanced vulnerability in females versus males have been reported among adult smokers. For example, among adults (18 years and over), although more men than women smoke, women take less time to become dependent after initial use, report shorter and less frequent abstinence periods and smoke for longer periods of time in their lives compared with men with the median cessation age of 33 years for males versus 37 years for females. This finding was reported by a research done by Pierce and Gilpin in 1996 in a study titled: How long will today’s adolescent smoker be addicted to cigarettes?

Of all the studies that have been available on tobacco use it has been found that women are more vulnerable to nicotine addiction as they also appear to respond less favorably to smoking cessation treatments.

Donny and Clark study on rats

A preclinical study on rats done by Donny and Clark with other researchers provided information that is Consistent with the above findings. In preclinical studies, adolescent and adult female rats showed faster acquisition of intravenous nicotine self-administration and higher break points on a progressive-ratio schedule compared with adolescent and adult males. Similarly, female mice showed a greater preference for nicotine in a two-bottle choice task compared with male mice indicating greater sensitivity of females to nicotine’s reinforcing effects. These studies point to important gender differences in initiation and maintenance of nicotine use that may contribute to smaller gains in curbing nicotine addiction in women.

Progesterone and GABA receptors

Several research findings point out that Progesterone and its metabolites interact with multiple neurotransmitter receptors including GABA, glycine, sigma1, kainate, serotonin3, and nicotinic cholinergic receptors. However, most relevant for nicotine addiction are interactions with GABA. Progesterone’s active metabolites, pregnanolone and allopregnanolone, have positive modulatory effects on GABA receptors which enhance GABAergic transmission. GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain and has significant influence on multiple central nervous system (CNS) function. The positive modulatory effects of progesterone metabolites on the GABA receptors have been proposed to weaken drug reward. Remarkably, the effects of progesterone and its metabolites on GABAergic signaling vary with menstrual cycle phase and at hormone transition phases including during adolescence and during pregnancy. For instance, during puberty, allopreganolone’s effects on GABAergic transmission are opposite to those seen before and after puberty with results showing a reduction in GABAergic transmission.

nicotine addictionIt has also been reported that progesterone also affects signaling at nicotinic receptors. Specifically, both progesterone and allopregnanolone are negative modulators of the α4β2 nicotinic receptors. Progesterone has also been reported to increase mRNA expression of α5 nicotinic receptors.

Despite the research findings that have been published on this issue, the available literature is still insufficient to anchor a strong decision on the use of progesterone hormone in fighting nicotine addiction. Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Center is an expert in integrative medicine for addiction. Call her on (843) 213-1480 for help.

Role Of Progesterone In Nicotine Addiction In Females

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Progesterone And Nicotine Addiction

January 7, 2015

Research Shows Progesterone Influences Nicotine Addiction in Women

Nicotine addictionNicotine is a common substance in certain drugs. In fact we interact with nicotine most of the time without even stopping to think that it is really an addictive substance. Nicotine can be found in tea but again the level of nicotine will be different depending on which drug you are using. However nicotine has always been associated with tobacco and this is because it forms a bigger content of tobacco. Unknown to many, nicotine is the addictive substance in the tobacco and so should be avoided as much as other drug contents that are often considered more dangerous. Today, Nicotine addiction is on the rise and it continues to be the main cause of preventable death in developed countries. Despite of use of tobacco by people of all genders, it has been found that women and teen girls appear to be more vulnerable on certain aspects of nicotine addiction compared with men and boys. While the mechanism of gender differences in nicotine addiction is not yet clear, evidence suggests that while estrogen may underlie enhanced vulnerability in females, progesterone may protect females. Thus, progesterone may have therapeutic use for tobacco addiction, especially in female smokers. Researchers are working to establish the reason for this gender variation in nicotine addiction and the revelation will pose a greater understanding of the role of progesterone in nicotine addiction is important not only from a treatment purposes but also from a prevention perspective. The changes in hormones in the body of women such as those that occur at adolescence and during pregnancy and following birth. The changes in hormones that are also caused by hormonal manipulation like using methods of hormonal birth control may all contribute to changes in vulnerability to nicotine addiction.

In this article we will explore in reference to recent evidences from clinical studies how progesterone affects the health of a woman in relation to nicotine addiction. Depending on the data already availed from past researches we will find out the effects of progesterone during the initiation stage and even during the later stages of nicotine addiction process as a potential relapse prevention treatment.

Several studies have indicated that in spite of the public knowledge that nicotine addiction can be dangerous to one’s health, tobacco use has been on the rise especially on young women and teens. In a 2007 study results on National Survey on Drug Use research done by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration often shortened as SAHMSA found that Females aged 12–17 are also more likely than males initiate smoking. It has also been found out that women take shorter time to develop tobacco dependence syndrome after their initial use of tobacco.

Similar reports of enhanced vulnerability in females versus males have been reported among adult smokers. For example, among adults (18 years and over), although more men than women smoke, women take less time to become dependent after initial use, report shorter and less frequent abstinence periods and smoke for longer periods of time in their lives compared with men with the median cessation age of 33 years for males versus 37 years for females. This finding was reported by a research done by Pierce and Gilpin in 1996 in a study titled: How long will today’s adolescent smoker be addicted to cigarettes?

Of all the studies that have been available on tobacco use it has been found that women are more vulnerable to nicotine addiction as they also appear to respond less favorably to smoking cessation treatments.

Preclinical studies on rats

A preclinical study on rats done by Donny and Clark with other researchers provided information that is Consistent with the above findings. In preclinical studies, adolescent and adult female rats showed faster acquisition of intravenous nicotine self-administration and higher break points on a progressive-ratio schedule compared with adolescent and adult males. Similarly, female mice showed a greater preference for nicotine in a two-bottle choice task compared with male mice indicating greater sensitivity of females to nicotine’s reinforcing effects. These studies point to important gender differences in initiation and maintenance of nicotine use that may contribute to smaller gains in curbing nicotine addiction in women.

Progesterone interacts with GABA receptors

Nicotine addictionSeveral research findings point out that Progesterone and its metabolites interact with multiple neurotransmitter receptors including GABA, glycine, sigma1, kainate, serotonin3, and nicotinic cholinergic receptors. However, most relevant for nicotine addiction are interactions with GABA. Progesterone’s active metabolites, pregnanolone and allopregnanolone, have positive modulatory effects on GABA receptors which enhance GABAergic transmission. GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain and has significant influence on multiple central nervous system (CNS) function. The positive modulatory effects of progesterone metabolites on the GABA receptors have been proposed to weaken drug reward. Remarkably, the effects of progesterone and its metabolites on GABAergic signaling vary with menstrual cycle phase and at hormone transition phases including during adolescence and during pregnancy. For instance, during puberty, allopreganolone’s effects on GABAergic transmission are opposite to those seen before and after puberty with results showing a reduction in GABAergic transmission.

It has also been reported that progesterone also affects signaling at nicotinic receptors. Specifically, both progesterone and allopregnanolone are negative modulators of the α4β2 nicotinic receptors. Progesterone has also been reported to increase mRNA expression of α5 nicotinic receptors.

In conclusion

Progesterone may avail a skeleton for nicotine treatment in women but more research need to be done on this issue so as the potential of nicotine addiction with progesterone can be examined. Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Center is an expert in integrative medicine for addiction. Call her on (843) 213-1480 for help.

Research Shows Progesterone Influences Nicotine Addiction in Women

 

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Hippocampus and addiction

January 3, 2015

The Hippocampus Is Central To Many Aspects of Addictive Process

HippocampusDuring childhood the brain will naturally produce the adequate amounts of nerve cells known as neurons which work to power the main coordination and control functions of the central nervous system. In medical terms, the process of neuron production is known as neurogenesis. During adulthood, neurogenesis essentially comes to a halt in almost all areas of the brain except for a region called the hippocampus, which plays a primary role in certain functions related to memory and learning. According to findings reported in 2011 by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, use or abuse of the illegal stimulants cocaine and methamphetamine can interfere with adult neuron growth inside the hippocampus. In turn, disruption of neuron production in this brain region can increase overall risks for the onset of a stimulant addiction.

Neurogenesis is a crucial process in the brain as it helps to populate or re-populate the brain with neurons. These neurons form the core of the communications network that makes the brain the center of all nervous system activity within the rest of the body. The primary period of neuron production occurs before birth during the process of fetal growth and development. The process of neurogenesis also continues during childhood and adolescence in a less extensive form. However, by the time an individual reaches adulthood, the production of new neurons comes to a halt except inside the hippocampus and in a region called the subventricular zone, which is located near fluid-filled chambers in the brain known as the lateral ventricles.

Getting to know hippocampus

Hippocampus belongs to a pathway called the limbic system together with other crucial structures in the brain. The hippocampus is a paired structure that assumes a resemblance of bananas. The whole of the limbic system plays a prime role in the human ability to experience rewarding or pleasurable sensations. However, as a distinct structure, the hippocampus functions largely as the brain’s center for taking in new memories, arranging those memories and creating an index that makes the newly arranged memories easy to find in the future. Other vital tasks carried out by this brain region include coordinating emotion-based responses to internal or external situations, helping the body orient itself spatially to its surroundings and providing the ability to remember and navigate the details of previously encountered physical environments.

This part of the brain plays very important roles but it can be adversely affected by the use of stimulants and other drugs of leisure. Substances such as cocaine and methamphetamine produce their primary effects inside the brain by boosting the presence of dopamine which is a neurotransmitting chemical that activates the pleasure-producing neurons contained within the limbic system. As stated above the limbic system includes the hippocampus, along with several other brain structures. According to the results of two separate studies published in 2008 in the Journal of Neuroscience and Biological Psychiatry, the presence of either cocaine or methamphetamine alters normal adult neurogenesis inside the hippocampus and damages this region’s ability replenish its neuron supply. It has been found that stimulants as well as other drugs of pleasure interfere with the basic processes of neurogenesis at an early, critical stage known as proliferation. In particular cocaine also interferes with the ability of existing immature neurons to grow into their normal mature forms.

Owing to its vital roles, the hippocampus has since become an area of particular interest, as it is central to many aspects of the addictive process, including relapse to drug taking. A recently appreciated hippocampal neuro-adaptation produced by drugs as diverse as opiates and psycho-stimulants is decreased neurogenesis in the sub-granular zone (SGZ). Stem cell Adult-generated neurons and drug-induced alterations of adult neurogenesis advance our understanding of the complex mechanisms by which opiates and psycho-stimulants affect brain function.

How drugs addiction affects Hippocampus

In a research that was done by researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in 2011, the results of this study that examined the addiction risks related to the disruption of normal neurogenesis inside the hippocampus indicated that cocaine abuse led to decreased production of neurons in the hippocampus. During this study, adult rat were deprived of their normal ability to produce new hippocampal neurons. These rats were then given free access to cocaine for four hours a day. When compared to adults rats not robbed of their ability to produce new neurons in the hippocampus, these neurogenesis-impaired rats consistently increased their cocaine intake by 60 percent. The neurogenesis-impaired rats also had a much greater tendency to seek out cocaine between the sanctioned periods of drug access; substance abuse specialists typically view this type of drug-seeking behavior as a critical indicator of a developing drug addiction.

HippocampusThese researchers also measured neurogenesis-impaired rats’ susceptibility to a drug relapse. During the first phase of this stage of testing, the rats were removed from the cages where drug use had taken place, blocked all drug access for a month, and let the rats go through withdrawal. At the end of the month, the rats were returned to their old cages but still received no access to cocaine. Compared to rats with normal rates of neurogenesis which also went through the same process, the neurogenesis-impaired rats showed more prominent signs of drug craving and a desire to continue drug use as often the case in relapse.

Finally, Drug abuse, addiction and independence are problems that people grapple with every day. These problems need to be treated effectively through integrative medicine. Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) is an expert at this. Call her on (843) 213-1480 for help.

The Hippocampus Is Central To Many Aspects of Addictive Process

 

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The Need For Private Residential Rehab Clinics

December 17, 2014

The Need For Private Residential Rehab Clinics Provide To Personalized Treatment

The way people respond to treatments differ. The fact that a person went successfully through an alcohol or other drugs treatment doesn’t mean that you can also go through the same treatment successfully. The standard treatment methods may not work well at certain times but this doesn’t mean that they no longer work. This therefore calls for more personalized, structured, planned program of psychotherapy and other treatments to effectively fight addiction in rehab centers.

Alcohol addiction among executives and professionals is a growing problem in Ireland. Alcohol addiction has a hugely negative impact on individuals, their families and on their workplace environment. There are many people who have lost jobs because of alcohol addiction. Very many families have also been broken because of failed alcohol addiction treatments. This is why private alcohol residential rehab treatment is necessary as it can transform the life of someone with alcohol addiction, rebuild their family relationships and change them from an unproductive employee and a liability in the workplace into a positive and fulfilled employee. This will not only help him health wise but will also improve his social relationships as the stigma that is associated with addicts will be no more.

private-rehab-clinics

There are people who have been through alcohol addiction recovery centers but still did not stop drinking; this doesn’t mean that you can never be free from alcohol. There are alcohol rehabs centers that are offering more personalized treatment that are structured and tailored to suit your condition and correct every nerve dysfunction that you might have suffered as a result of the addiction. If you are related to such a person it is important that you help him seek professional help that may first help him change that perception that he can’t be saved from alcohol use and have him put in a personalized program that will yield desired results. Private alcohol rehab treatment is a better option as compared to the haphazard treatment that may not put in consideration different conditions that the addicts may be battling with as a result of the alcohol use.

Alcohol addiction is one of the most common addictions in the world today. Thanks to ready availability of distilled and fermented beverages that addicts can access whenever they need. There are also different brands that cater for the different tastes of the alcohol drinkers. Unfortunately many alcohol drinkers do not seek help until the problem is severe and they are faced with problems at work, broken family relationships and financial ruin. This may be too late to be solved by standard alcohol recovery procedures.

The benefits of residential rehab treatment

A person who has gone for private residential rehab treatment will enjoy some of the following benefits; Personalized treatment- Private residential rehab clinics offer patients a personalized, structured program of psychotherapy and other activities that are geared towards achieving efficiency and effectiveness in alcohol addiction treatment.  The person will also be available on a 24/7 basis to the staff who will have to will have to do medical assessments on the progress of the program. The program usually includes medical assessments, detoxification, psychotherapy, medical care, psycho-educational lectures, exercise, relapse prevention skills and aftercare planning. Importantly residential rehab clinics provide accommodation for drug and alcohol addicts in a drug-free environment, away from the temptations and distractions of the outside world. The patient is thus able to fully focus on their recovery. When triggers are evaded in a recovery program the patient is likely to succeed in quitting alcohol drinking.

Consistency- in private residential rehab clinics a patient will be consistently getting treatments as the medical staff is there to offer support and guide the patients throughout the whole process unlike in other rehab centers where the patient will be prescribed medicine go home with them to take them alone. In case there is unexpected reaction to the medicine the patient will stop using the drugs or may not use them as prescribed breaching consistency. There are also aftercare programs in private residential clinics and this ensures the patient of ongoing support to desist from alcohol use.

How costly are private residential rehab treatment?

Different private residential rehab clinics charge different prices for their services but there are some factors that are looked into before deciding on what price to charge a client. These factors may include; the length of stay. When your treatment takes longer it is more likely that you will pay more. Expertise of staff also has a influence on pricing as more experienced experts charge more for their services.

private-rehab-clinics

The other crucial factor that affects pricing is the medical therapies offered. The facilities that are available in the clinic for use by the patient will also affect pricing these facilities may include gym among other extra facilities.

Alcoholism is a vice that should be fought by all means that is why we at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center are committed to availing help to addicts and offering them a place to call home. We offer NER Treatment and Amino acid therapy that are the most effective approaches to addiction treatment and recovery. You call on Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) today and begin your journey to victory against addiction.

The Need For Private Residential Rehab Clinics Provide To Personalized Treatment

 

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Severe Mental Illness and Substance Abuse

December 1, 2014

Persons with Severe Mental Illness Are Prone To Substance Use

Severe Mental illnessPeople with severe mental illness (SMI) are more prone to substance abuse than those who are not suffering from severe mental illness. Both epidemiological and clinical studies that have been done on this have attested to this fact. The findings of these researches have also pointed out that Individuals diagnosed with SMI are also at greater risk of hospitalization, homelessness and suicide and experience more difficulty in different spheres of their lives. Most studies have shown that individuals with SMI are more prone to substance abuse. However other studies that have been done on the same issue have not linked the two phenomena. The substances used most frequently by persons with SMI are alcohol, followed by cannabis and stimulants. Sedatives and hallucinogens are used less frequently by those with SMI. Amphetamine use is greater in persons with psychotic disorders compared with the general population. Studies have shown that both cannabis and, to a greater extent, amphetamines can provoke psychosis. Because individuals do not use cannabis or amphetamines alone, but use them in combination with several other substances, examining the effects of the use of a specific substance on mental illness is particularly challenging. A review showed that substance use has adverse long-term effects on cognitive functions in persons with SMI. The substance that has been found to affect the individuals most negatively is alcohol while cannabis use has little influence on the cognitive functions of the individuals.

Several studies have shown that many people with SMI tend to achieve full remission of their substance use while others relapse frequently. Research from different treatment settings indicate that 30 per cent of those with less severe mental illness and heavy substance use attain sustained remission, while up to 60 per cent of those with SMI and less severe substance use attain sustained remission.

There is however a lack of studies on how persons with SMI experience abstaining from substance use. Nevertheless, research on substance use by clients without the comorbidity of mental illness indicates that social support is important to successful change in behavior of these people. Clients claim that they benefit from interventions that address their multiple recovery issues as opposed to ones that emphasize recovery strictly in sobriety terms. Another qualitative study has noted the participants’ view that highly structured programs and cognitive behavioral techniques are crucial to achieving abstinence. Not only is sobriety a lifelong struggle for many clients, but also is perceived as a challenging state because of the risk that the person becomes complacent after achieving sobriety. This may indicate a need for substitute dependency to maintain the abstinence.

It is of importance to examine how individuals with a psychotic disorder experience quitting substance use and to investigate reported experiences of former abstinence periods by participants still using substances. Two qualitative studies with a primary focus on how persons with SMI experience abstaining from substance use have reported that clients view substance use as one of many sources of difficulty over a troubled life course and that social support is critical to staying clean, lack of support in most cases makes it difficult for these individuals to quit using these drugs. One ethnographic study of clients’ perspectives showed that giving up substances was seen as a source of both pleasure and pain, and presupposed a certain level of rationality.

Study findings

In a study done by Henning Pettersen, Torleif Ruud, Edle Ravndal and Anne Landheim with an objective to find out experiences of abstaining from substances of persons diagnosed with SMI. They examined both the reasons given and the requirements and strategies used when abstaining. The main reasons for quitting substance use were social relationships and meaningful activities. It was found that the stated requirements and strategies used in the search for sobriety were detachment towards people and places, positive thinking, controlling feelings and emotions, and fear of dependency. A qualitative study with semi-structured interviews was conducted, and a descriptive and explorative design was applied. This study included a purposeful sample of 11 patients with SMI and substance use being treated by assertive community treatment teams. Henning et al concluded that the results from this study are consistent with those from other qualitative studies on the importance of social relationships and meaningful activities as expressed reasons for abstaining. The strategy of actively avoiding a former adverse milieu to reach sobriety is consistent with findings from one similar study. The strategies of fear of adverse consequences, positive thinking, and controlling feelings and emotions found in the present study have not been reported by other qualitative studies.

The study had eleven participants of which nine were men and two were women. The ages of the participants were between 27-63 years. Most of the participants had a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, but persons diagnosed with bipolar disorder or an unspecified psychotic disorder also participated. For most participants, SMI had preceded their substance use. The treatment of the participants took duration of between 14-30 months after the first interview.

Severe Mental illnessCannabis and amphetamine were the main substances used in the study but alcohol and other prescription drugs were also used to a lesser extent. However most of the participants used a combination of the substances. At the time of the study four of the participants were abstaining from substance use. Their abstinence periods ranged from 3 to 18 month. At the time of the first interview seven of the participants were still using substances. By the second interview, the abstainers were still abstinent and the users had continued their use. The abstaining group and the group of users did not differ significantly in their psychiatric diagnosis or history of substance use. The 11 participants shared their experiences of shorter and longer periods of abstaining from substances. Some of them talked of their abstaining periods retrospectively, and some were abstaining at the time of the interview. From the findings of this study it is therefore safe to conclude that people suffering from SMI are more prone to substance abuse than people who don’t.

Finally, We at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center are committed to availing help to addicts by availing some of the most integrative approaches to healing an addict. We advocate for natural healing to all kinds of addiction. Call on Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for help.

Persons with Severe Mental Illness Are Prone To Substance Use

 

 

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