Addressing craving challenges in dealing with addiction

October 6, 2015

Addressing craving challenges in dealing with addiction: Coping with cocaine addiction

Cocaine can only be described as the crystal of death and therefore Identifying and addressing craving challenges is very fundamental in finding lasting treatment solution.

In dealing with drug addiction it is important that we first deal with the element of ignorance which can pose a great hindrance towards realizing the success of the objective which is total eradication of addiction from our lives and societies. It is no wonder in the holy book, it is recorded that “our people suffer because of lack of knowledge” meaning that if we are enlighten of the facts around addiction, then we will be comfortable addressing craving challenges and dealing with addiction of cocaine professionally for the betterment of our health. Doctor Akoury acknowledges that it is only after identifying the problem, and then can you start on the modalities of dealing with it. In other words you may not succeed in effectively dealing with addiction if you haven’t identified the kind of addiction you are struggling with. That is why we want to focus this discussion on the identification then we can react to what we now know. Our drug of exploration in this article is going to be cocaine and how users often crave for it even when they are in the treatment process. In our previous articles we did mentioned a lot of negativity of drugs cravings and strategies of coping as and when craving knocks on our appetite. We want to progress on that by focusing on two elements including recalling negative consequences and using self-talk.

Identifying and dealing with hidden craving challenges: Recalling negative consequences

Craving for drugs often make very many users of drugs to lose hope and give up on ever recovering from their addiction. This is so because many at times when one is receiving treatment for any kind of addiction, the urge to continue with the habit never dies and this is further complicated with the abundance of triggers around the users on treatment. Doctor Dalal Akoury (MD) and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center is a veteran addiction expert having been in consistent practice for over two decades says that many at times when people are experiencing craving, they often have a tendency of only remembering the positive effects of cocaine or any other drug they have been craving for or using before; this is often the norm and it is regrettable that users in that state of mind often forget the negative consequences which has far reaching effects on their lives. But on the contrary, doctor Akoury says that it is very important that when experiencing craving, it is often effective for them (users) to remind themselves not just the benefits of abstinence but also the negative consequences of continuing indulgence in cocaine addiction. When this perfectly done, it therefore become much easier for patients to remind themselves that there is actually nothing good in using drugs let alone cocaine.

Because of the difference in feelings, doctor Akoury advices that it is necessary that users document in writing on a piece of paper all the reasons why they want to be abstinent and alongside that all the negative consequences of use. This list will act as their point of reference and therefore must be kept safely and be made available as and when it is needed. Remember that a glimpse of the document when confronted by intense craving for cocaine or a high-risk situation can remind the user of the negative consequences of cocaine use at a time when they are likely to recall only the euphoria. This may sound useless to many but it will impact to you very positively and by being reminded of the bitter consequences of using the drug, you are likely to engage in activities that will help in addressing craving challenges by distract you from causing more harm to yourself by avoiding further usage.

Addressing craving challenges in dealing with addiction: Using self-talk

For many patients, a variety of automatic thoughts accompany craving but are so deeply established that patients are not aware of them. Automatic thoughts associated with craving often have a sense of urgency and exaggerated dire consequences. Some of those automatic thoughts may include the following:

I have to use now
I’ll die if I don’t use or
I can’t do anything else until I use.

Doctor Akoury is of the opinion that in coping with craving, it is important that both the patient and the therapist should collectively recognize the automatic thoughts and take measures of encountering them effectively. To help patients recognize their automatic thoughts, therapists can point out cognitive distortions that occur during your sessions with the client. Like for instances your therapist could point out that a few times today you’ve said you feel like you have to use the drug and then the question would follow that, while you were having that feelings were you really aware of those thoughts when you mentioned them?. That is just one strategy and the other strategy could be when you are using a tape recorder, you could help your patients by slowing down the tape to recognize cognitions.

The good thing about recording the session is because it can be replayed over and over. Like for instance the patient may have said something and so you could play it again saying “when you decided to go out last night, you said that you really weren’t aware of thinking about using cocaine.” That is when he/she said but in your own professional evaluation you think otherwise, in situations like that you could play the tape again and help the user to try to remember what the night was like, sort of play it back like a movie in slow motion, we could find a couple of examples of things you said to yourself, maybe without even realizing it, that led to cocaine use.

Finally once automatic thoughts are identified, it then becomes much easier to counter or confront them using positive rather than negative self-talk which may include cognitions such as challenging the thought like “I won’t really die if I don’t have cocaine” and normalizing craving which can be very uncomfortable if not handled professionally. Remember that if you are having any concerns about craving for any drug and you are wondering where to begin from, you can call on doctor Dalal Akoury today for the commencement of your treatment today.

Addressing craving challenges in dealing with addiction: Coping with cocaine addiction

Drug cravings negativity and coping strategies

October 5, 2015

Drug cravings negativity and coping strategies: A cognitive behavioral approach of treating addiction

Doctor Akoury says that knowing drug cravings negativity and coping strategies without really seeking for help will not be beneficial to you. Once this is known, it must be accompanied with action immediately for good health to reign

We have in the resent past been discussing serious topics touching on the cognitive behavioral approach of treating addiction and in particular cocaine addiction and techniques of coping with craving. We are not about to give it up because we understand the seriousness of the problem in our societies and even closer to our individual families. This is a war we are determined to win by all means and for that reason, we want to further into the discussion by looking at the drug cravings negativity and coping strategies we can adopt to defeat this scourge. Doctor Dalal Akoury an addiction expert of several decades has been sharing with us very healthy information about a cognitive behavioral approach of treating addiction as being one of the best strategies in finding lasting solution to cocaine addiction. She is going to progress from where we left in the previous article for us to have a better understanding of what is before us. She says that in coping with craving for cocaine or any other substance, there are a variety of strategies for doing so and some of those strategies may includes the following.

Distraction
Talking about craving
Going with the craving
Recalling the negative consequences of cocaine abuse
Using self-talk

We appreciate that different professionals may have different view about this like for instance some therapists may wish to point out that these strategies may not stop craving completely, however at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury, we believe that with practice, recovering addicts will reduce the frequency and intensity of craving and make it less disturbing and frustrating when it occurs. It is therefore very prudent that we take keen interest in adopting mechanisms that will enable us to cope successfully with craving for cocaine and other drugs.

Drug cravings negativity and coping strategies: Entertainment and distractions

When under the influence of drugs, all that you will be thinking about is drugs because that is what keeps you going, without it, you will actually fall sick. In that case it is only fair that you get distracted so that your mind can be engaged into other things. Professionally doctor Akoury can now confirms that this has been tested and found to very helpful. It is therefore very necessary that you prepare a list of reliable distracting activities and with the help of your doctor in anticipation of future craving. Such activities might include taking a walk, playing basketball, and doing relaxation exercises. Preparation of such a list may reduce the likelihood that patients will use substances, particularly alcohol and marijuana, in ill-fated attempts to deal with craving. Leaving the situation and going somewhere safe is one of the most effective ways of dealing with craving when it occurs.

Drug cravings negativity and coping strategies: Sharing freely about craving

Talking about drug addiction is not a taboo as some people make it to look like. Doctor Akoury says that when patients have supportive, abstinent friends and family members, talking freely about craving when it occurs, it gives the recovering addicts the confidence to move forward. Sharing is a very effective strategy and can help reduce the feelings of anxiety and vulnerability that often accompany it. Besides that it can also help patients identify specific cues. It’s true that sure family members may become distressed when they hear their loved ones (patients) sharing about craving because of the fear that this might ultimately lead to use of drugs, it is therefore very important that therapists and other lined professionals to spend some time in identifying which patients would feel comfortable to talk with freely about craving, how that person would react, and whether it makes sense to ask that person in advance for support.

Socially isolated patients, or those who have few non-using friends, will find it difficult to nominate a supportive other who can assist with craving, thoughts about cocaine, and other problems. This should alert therapists to the need to consider addressing social isolation during treatment. For example, therapists and patients can brainstorm ways of meeting new, non-using others, reconnecting with friends and family members, and so on. To help patients “own” these strategies and be more likely to initiate positive social contact, therapists might suggest applying the problem solving strategies which we have already dwelt on in our previous postings.

Drug cravings negativity and coping strategies: Going with the craving

Doctor Akoury says that the idea going with the craving technique is to let it (craving) occur, peak, and pass and that is to say experiencing them without either fighting or giving into them. Giving patients the imagery of a wave or walking over a hill may help convey this concept that is, gaining control by avoiding resistance.

Experts through several studies have identified the steps involved which should ordinarily be practiced within sessions or at home before craving occurs. Besides that patients should also be told that the purpose is not to make the cravings disappear, but to experience them in a different way that makes them feel less anxiety provoking and dangerous and thus easier to ride out. The steps are summarized below.

Pay attention to the craving – This usually involves, first, finding someplace safe to let oneself experience craving (e.g., a comfortable and quiet place at home). Next, relax and focus on the experience of craving itself – where it occurs in the body or mind and how intense it is.

Focus on the area where the craving occurs – This involves paying attention to all the somatic and effective signals and trying to put them into words. What is the feeling like? Where is it? How strong is it? Does it move or change? Where else does it occur? After concentrating in this way, many patients find the craving goes away entirely. In fact, the patient may find it useful to rate the intensity of craving before and after the exercise to demonstrate the effectiveness of the technique.

Finally understanding the drug cravings negativity and coping strategies alone will not be helpful if you do not take the next step of seeking for help. Yes you now have the information, but if you don’t apply that information, it will not be helpful. That is the reason why doctor Dalal Akoury founded AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center for every individual who is struggling with any form of addiction to seek for help. You can reach out for her on telephone number 843 213 1480 so that you can have a one on one with her and you will have all your addiction related concerns addressed professionally.

Drug cravings negativity and coping strategies: A cognitive behavioral approach of treating addiction

Addressing mind perception about cocaine addiction

October 2, 2015

Addressing mind perception about cocaine addiction: Coping with craving of cocaine (part two)

Addressing mind perception about cocaine addiction is very crucial in solving the problem of cocaine addiction especially in the teens who would want to explore.

In our part one of this series of articles about the cognitive behavioral approach of treating addiction, we had highlighted some of the areas to focus on as listed below and we were able to explore on the first one i.e. understanding craving. You can actually make reference on that as we progress but for the purpose of this article we want to continue from where we left and see how best we can describe craving which is one of the biggest elements when it comes to solving the problem of addiction. Our team of experts from the home of addiction solutions (AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center) under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury who is also the founder of the facility, we want to explore on the possibilities of addressing mind perception about cocaine addiction with a view of finding lasting solutions to the scourge of addiction.

Understanding craving
Describing craving
Identifying triggers
Avoiding cues
Coping with craving

Addressing mind perception about cocaine addiction: Describing craving

Having understood what cravings is our next point would be to get the essential sense of the patients’ experience of craving. This can be very broad and may include having the knowledge about the following information.

What is craving like for you? – Doctor Akoury says that cravings or urges as it is commonly known is experienced in many different of ways by different patients. Like for instance an individual could say, the experience is primarily somatic that is to say, a patient would just get a feeling in the stomach or the heart races or just start smelling the element being craved for. For others, craving is experienced more cognitively; like for example one would say that “I need it now” or “I can’t get it out of my head” or “It calls on me.” Or it may be experienced effectively; for example, “I get nervous” or “I’m bored.” Depending on your individual experience, it is important that when seeking for help, you let your therapist know your experience with craving, this way they will be able to get to the roots of the problem and offer solutions effectively.

Are you bothered by craving? – There is tremendous variability in the level and intensity of craving reported by patients. For some, achieving and maintaining control over craving will be a principal treatment goal and take several weeks to achieve. Other patients deny they experience any craving. Gentle exploration with patients who deny any craving especially those who continue to use cocaine often reveals that they misinterpret a variety of experiences or simply ignore craving when it occurs until they suddenly find themselves using. Other, abstinent patients, who deny they experience any craving often, when asked, admit to intense fears about relapsing.

How long does craving last for you? – In this journey doctor Akoury says that to make the point about the duration and nature of craving, it is often very important for professionals to point out to their patients that they have rarely let themselves experience an episode of craving without giving in to it.

How do you try to cope with it? – Getting a sense of the coping strategies used by patients will help the therapist identify their characteristic coping styles and select appropriate coping strategies.

Addressing mind perception about cocaine addiction: Identifying triggers

The next point to focus on would be the identification of the triggers to the substance of abuse. It is important that therapists should work very closely with their patients to develop a comprehensive list of their own triggers. Some patients become overwhelmed when asked to identify cues. From experience doctor Akoury says that when handling addicts, you will notice that someone may even associate breathing with cocaine use. Again, it may be most helpful therefore to concentrate on identifying the craving and cues that have been most problematic to the patient in recent weeks. This should commence immediately during the therapy session and this should include self-monitoring of craving so that patients can begin to identify new and more subtle cues as they arise.

Addressing mind perception about cocaine addiction: Avoiding cues

When considering the avoidance of cues it is always advisable that you keep in mind the general strategy of “recognize, avoid, and cope.” These strategies are particularly applicable to craving for all substances and not necessarily cocaine. Doctor Akoury says that real experts would first identify the patients’ most problematic cues then make an exploration of the degree to which some of those could be avoided. This will come with certain sacrifices including breaking ties or reducing contact with individuals who use or supply you with cocaine, getting rid of paraphernalia, staying out of bars or other places where cocaine is used, or no longer carrying money, as in the following example:

Finally in dealing with the minds perception about cocaine addiction one needs not to let any stone unturned. I am saying this because we are all aware that cocaine is an illegal substance but other substances like alcohol which are legal can form a perfect avenue for the consumption of cocaine without being noticed. Besides that the ability to pay for the substance is another point of consideration. When the financial strength allows users to access cocaine could easily form a solution in an alcoholic drink. Therefore experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center recommends that for any meaningful treatment to be realized, therapists and other professionals in the line of substance abuse must spend considerable time exploring the relationship between alcohol and cocaine with patients who use them together to such an extent that alcohol becomes a powerful cocaine cue. Specific strategies to reduce, or preferably, stop alcohol use should be explored. We appreciate that doing this may not be easy for many people and that is why doctor Akoury will be readily available on call for you to schedule for an appointment so that any pending or unclear issues relating to addiction can be attended to professionally.

Addressing mind perception about cocaine addiction: Coping with craving of cocaine (part two)

A cognitive behavioral approach of treating addiction

October 2, 2015

A cognitive behavioral approach of treating addiction: Coping with craving of cocaine

A cognitive behavioral approach of treating addiction is one that should be embraced across the board

The pain of losing loved ones year in year out due to indulgence in drugs is one condition that is overwhelmingly devastating to everyone across the globe. This is actually not going to be the first time for us addressing this scourge neither is it going to be the last. Because of the addictive nature of cocaine and other substances of abuse, we will be on high alert everyday giving useful health information to you on this link and any other that we are associated with so that we can progressively give our contributions towards eliminating the endless problem of alcohol and drug addiction. In view of that and for the purpose of this article, our key substance is going to be cocaine and for a couple of days we are going to be posting blogs touching on the topic “a cognitive behavioral approach of treating addiction” and in particular cocaine addiction. Our area of focus in this series of discussion will be dwelling much on:

The understanding craving
Giving detail description of craving
Identifying various triggers of addiction (cocaine in particular)
Avoiding cues
Coping with craving

A cognitive behavioral approach of treating addiction: Timely intervention

Owing to the technicality of the topic of discussion, we will rely heavily on the expert opinion and advice from the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center. This health facility is the brain child of doctor Dalal Akoury (MD) who is a veteran addiction experts having dedicated her life in transforming people’s live across the globe for over two decades now. Her way of approach makes her one of the best experts in offering addiction solutions to all addicts with the ultimate goal of total recovery and sustainability of sobriety thereafter. It will also interest you to note that doctor Dalal Akoury founded this facility primarily to give her contribution of eliminating drug addiction by transforming each individual’s life through increasing awareness about health and wellness and by empowering them to find their own inner healing power. Besides that Dr. Akoury’s practice are professional and focuses on personalized medicine through healthy lifestyle choices that deal with primary prevention and underlying causes instead of patching up symptoms. This gives her better ground to help her clients in their struggle with various kinds of addiction they may be struggling with. Therefore if you are one of these people suffering from any kind of addiction, this is your chance of liberation and you can reach out for help from doctor Akoury through telephone number 843 213 1480 and she will gladly help you out professionally.

And even as you consider that, we appreciate that craving is such a difficult problem for so many cocaine abusers, and that is why we are encouraging that addicts must seek for treatment early enough to avoid further complications. It is however important to acknowledge that the episodes of intense subjective craving for cocaine are often reported weeks and even months after the inception of abstinence. This experience can be both mystifying and disturbing to the abuser and can result in cocaine abuse if it is not understood and managed effectively and that now brings us to our key areas of focus as we progress into the discussion as follows.

A cognitive behavioral approach of treating addiction: Understanding Craving

It is important for patients to recognize that experiencing some craving is normal and quite common. Craving does not necessarily mean that something is wrong or that the patient really wants to resume drug use. And as I had mentioned before doctor Akoury and her teams of experts are going to be very instrumental to us in bring this discussion into perspective. Therefore we want to encourage you to stay with us on the link and get the best you can in dealing with cocaine addiction and the best possible way of solving that problem.

Now according to the experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury, it is true that because of the frequency and the variety of circumstances in which cocaine is self-administered, a multitude of stimuli have been paired with cocaine abuse. These may act as conditioned cues or triggers for cocaine craving. Nevertheless the following are some of the most common triggers including being around people with whom one used cocaine, having money or getting paid, drinking alcohol, social situations, and certain affective states, such as anxiety, depression, or joy. Triggers for cocaine craving also are highly idiosyncratic, thus identification of cues should take place in an ongoing way throughout treatment.

We can never be settled in life if any member of our family is suffering from an addiction whether it is to cocaine or any other substance, it therefore means that for us to have the comfort we desire in life, we must all play our individual parts in solving the problem of addiction and that is where a cognitive behavioral approach of treating addiction come in handy. Doctor Dalal Akoury is very objective and categorical that lasting solution of cocaine addiction starts with the individual victim. In other words the individual addict must make certain decision before third parties and family members get in to help. By the way that doesn’t mean that members of the family should just sit back and watch their loved ones sink in addiction. Not at all however it is Important that the acknowledgement on the part of the direct victim that he or she has a problem is very crucial in the treatment program. Up on attaining this then the fear of denial shall have been dealt with paving way for the commencement of treatment that will translate to I deal sobriety to the direct victim. This is what doctor Dalal Akoury and her team of experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center does best. Therefore if you or any one you know is struggling with cocaine or any other drug, then help is only a phone call away. You can call doctor Akoury to schedule for an appointment so that all your addiction concerns can be addressed professionally today for a better and more refreshing life thereafter.

A cognitive behavioral approach of treating addiction: Coping with craving of cocaine

Keeping your brain healthy to eliminate addiction

September 26, 2015

Keeping your brain healthy to eliminate addiction: Finding solutions of addiction from the brain

Keeping your brain healthy to eliminate addiction will require serious soul searching so that your motivation to food will be right and to the correct and healthy foods only.

Did you know that life stop the moment the brain stops? Many people often feel the heart to confirm death of a person but the heart is not driving your life. In fact the functions of your life heavily rely on proper functionality of the brain. It therefore means that the brain is the center of everything that makes us alive and healthy. We want to use this plat form to educate us about the need of keeping your brain healthy to eliminate addiction. We are also aware that addiction is a serious threat to health and life in general and the sooner we find means of dealing with it the better for our health and that of our societies. Now we want to invite you to join us in the discussion as we engage the services of addiction expert of several decades doctor Dalal Akoury (MD) and also the founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center. Ideally this facility was formed out of the deepest concern doctor Dalal Akoury after seeing and attending to many addicts of different substances. You can therefore become a part of the solution to this problem by calling doctor Dalal Akoury for a more in-depth and professional redress.

Doctor Akoury reiterates that the concerns of many people are that for any addictive behavior, a good place to start the journey of recovery is and should always be at the end of your fork. Remember that any effort towards beating an addiction and staying committed to sustained recovery will heavily depend on your optimal and perfection of your mental health, besides that there are scientific evidence that your mental health will be powerfully affected by what you feed on. A path to recovery from destructive addictions, including those to drugs, alcohol, compulsive eating or gambling, could start at your next meal. It is therefore very important that no time is wasted in dealing with all manner of addiction. The moment you notice signs of addiction, it is only fear that you seek for treatment immediately before it is too late to make any significance change.

Keeping your brain healthy to eliminate addiction: Effects of relapse to addiction

In my several decades of working with patients, I have seen how the 12-step approach can be very effective more so when there is willingness to be helped. Alongside that I have also established that without dietary changes being implemented on the part of the victim, any attempt of abstinence and recovery is needlessly more vulnerable to relapse. At the heart of the problem are a new set of dietary choices. And because many people are currently feeding on highly-processed foods, foods which are not originally designed by nature but designed in the laboratories, this can cause life to be very complicated in the long run. Remember that the main ingredients of such foods are sugar, refined carbohydrates, and vegetable oils and besides, the producers of such foods have designed them primary to taste good and appealing to the eye for the purpose of luring client into more consumption that is to say they are more of profit oriented than health. Professionally doctor Akoury is of the opinion that feeding on this kind of food will only succeed in lighting up the same pleasure-rewards areas in our brains that are activated by drugs like cocaine and heroin as well as by a variety of addictive behaviors. Ingesting dopamine-triggering foods, in other words, subjecting your brain to the ups and downs, highs and lows, of any addictive substance or activity since you are stirring the same neurochemical pot (no pun intended).

Keeping your brain healthy to eliminate addiction: Nutritional deficiency by substance abusers

Even as we progress into the discussion, it will interest you to note that many substance abusers deeply hooked on drugs and alcohol suffers from serious nutritional deficiencies that magnify the effects of their addictive illness. Alcohol dependency, for example, can lead to thiamine deficiency, and increases the risk of deficiencies of vitamin B12, vitamin D, and magnesium which are all very significant nutrients needed for optimal brain function. Professional nutritionist will tell you that all the processed foods, in particular, have been taken through various stages of manufacturing thereby stripping them of much of their natural nutritional value, so they fail to supply the essential nutrients our bodies need in general and all the more so when substances further deplete our body’s stores. It is also very important to appreciate that the other nutritional deficiencies can also result in the victims feeling rundown, foggy-brained, distractible and depressed. Take note that any diet of junk food combined with addictive tendencies is a combination that robs you of the neurochemical ingredients you need to function, and thus to bring your full capacities to recovery.

Finally in keeping your brain healthy to eliminate weight you will need a lot of commitment and determination if this exercise is to yield any meaningful truth. We appreciate that once addicted, denial and shame of being embarrassed will be a hard nut to crack, but remember that it is your health that is at stake here and the sooner you comes to the realization of the facts as they are the better. Remember that with addiction, there is no element of discrimination; everybody is vulnerable in almost equal measure. Therefore doctor Akoury registers that for us to be of help to you, the very first thing to do is to acknowledge that you have a problem, when this has been done then you can now schedule for an appointment with us for further deliberations. And up on visiting our facility at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, we will professionally carry out an evaluation to your individual health or addiction complications and based on the outcome of the tests and through evaluation, treatments can now be allowed.

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