Tag Archives: Denial

Addiction consequences

Drug addiction warning signs for remedial action

May 12, 2016
Drug addiction warning signs

Drug addiction warning signs for remedial action will help establish willingness for treatment and recovery

Drug addiction warning signs for remedial action: Unexplained needs

Because of the stigmatization associated with drug addiction, many often conceal their habits and suffer in silence. This suffering is not necessary because treatment is available conveniently and affordably. At AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, which is an addiction recovery center established by doctor Dalal Akoury, professional treatment is being offered to all victims of addiction from all walks of life. It is therefore very essential that you are aware of all the drug addiction warning signs for you to take immediate remedial action. It will interest you to know that doctor Akoury is a veteran addiction expert who has for more than two decades now been dedicating all her life and energy in offering addiction solution to the victims who need it the most.

Drug addiction warning signs for remedial action: Indicators of emerging drug addiction

Together we can help all addiction victims but first we must be informed of the drug addiction warning signs. This way we will be able to notice if a friend or a loved one is abusing drugs. Therefore, if you are worried that somebody you know might be involved in drugs, you need to be very observant on some of the following warning signs:

  • Behavioral warning signs of drug abuse
  • Physical warning signs of drug abuse
  • Psychological warning signs of drug abuse

Drug addiction warning signs for remedial action: Behavioral signs of drug abuse

  • Deterioration in academic or efficiency in place of work. This may also include consistent lateness and absentism
  • Always being reserved and engaging in secretive or suspicious behaviors
  • Frequently topping the list of trouble makers by way of fighting colleagues, causing accidents or rubbing shoulders with the authorities by engaging in illegal activities
  • The fellow having all over sudden begun associating with new friends, favorite hangouts, and hobbies
  • Unexplained need for money or financial problems in other words your friend without a good reason borrows or just steal to get the need met.

Drug addiction warning signs for remedial action: Physical warning signs

  • Strange and unpleasant smells on breath, body, clothing or emanating from their rooms
  • Tremors, slurred speech, or impaired coordination
  • Sudden drastic weight loss or weight gain
  • Deterioration of personal hygiene and physical appearance as well as personal grooming habits
  • Changes in appetite or sleep patterns
  • Bloodshot eyes, pupils larger or smaller than usual

Drug addiction warning signs for remedial action: Psychological warning signs of drug abuse

  • Appears fearful, anxious, or paranoid, with no reason
  • Lack of motivation; appears lethargic or “spaced out”
  • Periods of unusual hyperactivity, agitation, or giddiness
  • Sudden mood swings, irritability, or angry outbursts
  • Unexplained change in personality or attitude

With the above information we can all pool together to help our societies come out of their addiction cocoons. But take note that sometimes this signs may not necessarily mean that your friend is into drugs. It is therefore important that you consult with the experts so that the right steps are taken. On the same note you can schedule for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury MD, President and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, for further professional direction on telephone number 843 213 1480 today.

http://www.awaremednetwork.com/

 

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The frustrations of drinking problems and denial

August 17, 2015

The frustrations of drinking problems and denial: Are you almost alcoholic?

The frustrations of drinking problems and denialEven though alcohol consumption is legally acceptable in all societies, the frustrations of drinking problems and denial by alcohol consumers is becoming an impediment in the effort of alcohol addiction management. According to the experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury’s care, denial is one of the biggest obstacles when it comes to getting help for alcohol abuse and alcoholism. Professionally it has been established that the desire to drink is so strong that the mind finds many ways to rationalize drinking, even when the consequences are obvious. By keeping you from looking honestly at your behavior and its negative effects, denial also exacerbates alcohol-related problems with work, finances, and relationships. When an addict is in denial, treatment becomes very difficult and that is why before any treatment can be administered, it is always very vital that the patients gets to acknowledge the existence of the problem and be willing to be helped fix the problem. Doctor Akoury is pointing out at certain pointers that allude to the fact that one is in denial as we progressed into the discussion as follows:

The frustrations of drinking problems and denial: If you have a drinking problem, you may deny it by

  • Extremely underestimating how much you drink
  • Downplaying and underrating the negative consequences of your drinking to your health and that of your loved ones
  • Complaining that family and friends are exaggerating the problem
  • Blaming your drinking or drinking-related problems on others

When it comes to denial, users will always have a host of reason to validate their position of drinking. But the question is will this change the facts about their drinking habits? Certainly not and just take a close look around you and you will notice that our surrounding offers a lot more elements to pass the blame on. It will not surprise you to have an addicted alcoholic refusing to acknowledge the fact that they have a problem by blaming it on their ‘unfair and un accommodative boss’ for trouble at work or the married men passing it on their ‘nagging wife’ for your marital issues. These are common grounds for denial says doctor Dalal Akoury. Instead of them looking at the real problem which is their drinking habit as a contributing factor to the problem, they would rather lean on someone or something. Doctor Akoury is confirming that while elements like work environment, relationship, and financial stresses do happen to everyone, an overall pattern of deterioration and blaming others may be a sign of serious trouble and should not be overlooked. Therefore if you find yourself rationalizing your drinking habits, lying about them, or refusing to discuss the subject, it is very important that you take a moment to consider why you’re being so defensive. Remember that if you truly believe that you don’t have a problem, there should be no reason for you to cover up your drinking or make excuses says doctor Akoury.

The frustrations of drinking problems and denial:  Myths about alcoholism and alcohol abuse

Another serious problem that may bring the frustration of drinking problem and denial is that of myths or concoctions. There are so many myths around drinking and we are going to share with you just but a few as follows:

I can stop drinking anytime I want to – How I wish that this was true but more likely, you can’t but the bottom line is that this is yet another excuse to keep drinking. The truth is you don’t want to stop. By telling yourself that you can quit makes you feel in control, despite all evidence to the contrary and no matter the damage it’s doing.

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

I don’t drink every day, so I can’t be an alcoholic OR I only drink wine or beer, so I can’t be an alcoholic – Remember that alcoholism is NOT defined by what you drink, when you drink it, or even how much you drink. It’s all about the EFFECTS of your drinking that define a problem. Therefore if your drinking is causing problems in your home or work life, you have a drinking problem it therefore means that whether you drink daily or only on the weekends, down shots of tequila or stick to wine, drink three bottles of beers a day or three bottles of whiskey if they produce the negative effects then you have a problem which needs to be fixed.

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

Drinking is not a “real” addiction like drug abuse – Alcohol is a drug, and alcoholism is every bit as damaging as drug addiction. Alcohol addiction causes changes in the body and brain, and long-term alcohol abuse can have devastating effects on your health, your career and your relationships. Alcoholics go through physical withdrawal when they stop drinking, just like drug users do when they quit.

Finally alcohol is a killer substance and the fact that it is legally consumable even makes it more dangerous. The little controls put by different authorities are very inconsequential when it comes to the real damages associated with alcohol abuse. We have discussed a lot but believe you me your health must come first and not the little pleasure you get when taking alcohol with your friends. Experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury care illustrates this with the wise say that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Therefore you can either begin the journey of destruction by taking the first sip or start the recovery journey by acknowledging that you have a problem that needs to be fixes and then calling doctor Akoury to schedule for an appointment with her for the commencement of your recovery journey.

The frustrations of drinking problems and denial: Are you almost alcoholic?

 

 

 

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Facing addiction after overcoming denial problem

July 16, 2015

Facing addiction after overcoming denial problem: Preparing for your appointments

Facing addiction after overcoming denial problem

Facing addiction after overcoming denial problem becomes easy since the patient is now willing and is being treated voluntarily. This way all the addiction related consequences can easily be addressed more professionally.

One of the biggest obstacles in addiction treatment is the endless problem of denial. Many addicts are never willing to consent to treatment for various reasons. As a result of this the recurrence of this problem is and will continue to be a thorn in our flesh every time we are dealing with drug addiction. However, when denial is beaten and the patient comes to the point of acknowledgement of the existing problem, then and only then that meaningful treatment can begin. Remember that I have said meaningful that means that treatment can still take place with or without denial. The only difference is that when you are attending to a patient who knows the problem he is suffering from and has accepted to be helped, treatment becomes very easy says doctor Dalal Akoury MD and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center. Nonetheless after all this is done the real work now begins by facing addiction after overcoming denial problems. The question that now comes to mind is that how do I you start? Doctor Akoury says that objectively it may be of great help for such a patient to get an independent perspective from someone they trust and who knows then too well. Opening up should be the initial starting point. It therefore means that you can start by discussing your substance use with your physician, or if you are not comfortable with this, they you may want to ask for a referral to a specialist in drug addiction, such as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor, or a psychiatrist or psychologist. The most important thing to note continues doctor Akoury is that many at times these people are isolated in themselves and therefore it will take the hand work of their loved ones to assist them in this worthy journey of addiction recovery. Besides that if you are struggling with an addiction you can take a relative or friend along with you when you are going for your appointment with your doctor.

Facing addiction after overcoming denial problem: What you can do

There are a lot of things you can do to prepare for your appointment including some of the following:

Be honest about your drug use – When you have a drug-use problem, it can be easy to downplay or underestimate how much you use and your level of dependence. To get an accurate idea of which treatment may help, be honest with your doctor or other mental health provider.

Make a list of all medications, vitamins or other supplements – that you’re taking and the dosages. Tell the doctor about any legal or illegal drugs you’re using.

Get ready to ask all your questions to questions to your doctor – this will help your doctor to identify the best recovery state the best treatment method to you. The following are some of the questions you may address to your doctor:

  • What’s the best approach to my drug problem?
  • Should I see a psychiatrist or other mental health provider?
  • Will I need to go to the hospital or spend time as an inpatient or outpatient at a recovery clinic?
  • Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can have? What websites do you recommend?
  • What are the alternatives to the primary approach that you’re suggesting?

Don’t hesitate to ask questions anytime during your appointment.

Facing addiction after overcoming denial problem: What to expect from your doctor?

Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Be ready to answer them to reserve time to go over any points you want to focus on. Your doctor may ask:

  • What drugs do you use?
  • When did your drug use first start?
  • How often do you use drugs?
  • When you take a drug, how much do you use?
  • Do you ever feel that you might have a problem with drugs?
  • Have you tried to quit on your own? What happened when you did?
  • If you tried to quit, did you have withdrawal symptoms?
  • Have any family members criticized your drug use?
  • Are you ready to get the treatment needed for your drug problem?

Facing addiction after overcoming denial problem: Tests and diagnosis

Depending on how your doctor will respond to your questions he run several test before making any judgment of coming up with a diagnosing drug solution. Remember that the problem of addiction can be compounded to the point that when seeking for solutions, you may engage the services of various experts including a psychiatrist, a psychologist, or a licensed alcohol and drug counselor. Blood, urine or other lab tests are used to assess drug use, but they’re not a diagnostic test for addiction. These tests may be used only for monitoring treatment and recovery. However for diagnosis of a substance use disorder, most mental health professionals use criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association, to diagnose mental conditions. This manual is also used by insurance companies for the purposes of reimbursement for treatment.

Remember that DSM-5 criteria for substance use disorder will include a behavior pattern of drug use that causes significant problems and distress, regardless of what drug is used. Experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center in their study of addiction pattern have concluded that and individual is likely to have and addiction to any substance if at least two of these listed issues happen to them with one year:

  • You often take larger amounts of the drug over a longer period of time than you intended
  • You want to cut down or quit, but haven’t been successful
  • You spend a good deal of time getting the drug, using the drug or recovering from the effects of the drug
  • You have intense urges for the drug that block out any other thoughts
  • You aren’t meeting obligations and responsibilities because of your substance use
  • You keep using the drug, even though you know it’s causing problems in your life
  • You give up or cut back important social, occupational or recreational activities because of your substance use
  • You use the substance in situations that may be unsafe, such as when driving or operating machinery
  • You use the substance even though you know it’s causing you physical or psychological harm
  • You develop tolerance, which means that the drug has less and less effect on you and you need more of the drug to get the same effect
  • You have physical or psychological withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking the drug, or you take the drug (or a similar drug) to avoid withdrawal symptoms

Finally if any of these questions speaks anything to you, then it is very important that you contact the house of experts (AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center) for lasting solutions today.

Facing addiction after overcoming denial problem: Preparing for your appointments

 

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Helping Addicts Accept their Addiction Problem

June 3, 2015

Helping Addicts Accept their Addiction Problem: Eliminating the spirit of denial

Helping Addicts Accept their Addiction Problem

The problem of denial is negatively affecting the success in the treatment of drug addiction therefore helping addicts accept their addiction Problem is for a worthy course

The spirit of denial is one big problem that we must deal with expeditiously if we have to make any meaningful progress in the fight of drug addiction and alcohol abuse. Dealing with all stumbling blocks in addiction recovery begins and ends with denial. It is very difficult to effectively take a patient who is in denial through the treatment programs because acknowledgement of the problem is one big step in the healing process. In fact it is the first step to be overcome in the process of addiction recovery. Therefore by all means we all have a duty in helping addicts accept their addiction problem for commencement of a meaningful treatment. Nonetheless it is important to note that dealing with addiction problem is not to be left for the medical experts alone. Family members of the addicts has a role in the healing process, it therefore means that this is a collective responsibility for the experts, loved ones and the victims themselves. According to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, friends and relatives of the victims can do a lot more in helping their loved ones get better. However when faced with such challenges of addiction, many are lost and do not know what to do. Doctor Akoury who is also the founder of this facility is going to help us understand some of the concerns people do have when helping their loved ones recover from drug and alcohol abuse.

Helping Addicts Accept their Addiction Problem: How Do I Help Someone Understand That He or She Has a Problem?

This question is often very common especially with the rampant denial by the victims. While we are appreciating that this is a genuine concern, it is very crucial that you step in up on noticing signs of substance abuse in your friend. Remember that charity begins at home and therefore friends and family members must brace themselves for the task and we are not promising that it is going to be easy. It is possible that friends and family members may feel that they constantly express concerns about a loved one’s substance use but never see any changes. When evaluating the efforts you have made in trying to bring some changes it may occur to you that you may have reached this point after weeks or months of giving lectures, making threats, ignoring behaviors, accepting promises of change, giving second chances or imposing consequences. But in these entire nothing seems to be working and so discouragement sets in, doctor Akoury says that it is very normal to feel that way but one thing that you must not do is giving up. Remember that this is a journey and not a destination keep the spirit and soldier on the break through is coming and you are almost getting there no matter the circumstances.

In an effort of helping loved ones keep to the task, experts have recommended developing and repeating a consistent, positive message: like for instance the message could read “we care about you and we want you to get help.” Define substance use as a problem for you and others who care about the person. And in doing all these, ensure that you avoid blaming, arguing and reproaching. And at the back of your mind create room to accommodate their denial, distortion, avoidance, rationalization and intellectualization of the problem. This is very important because unless you understand them beyond their habit you may not achieve much. Besides that when talking to the victims, it is very important that you understand the dos and don’ts as follows:

Helping Addicts Accept their Addiction Problem: DOs and DON’Ts

Doctor Akoury recommends that as you continue to talk to the person in need of help, the following important details are worth taking into consideration:

  • Don’t try to talk when either one of you is under the influence of any drug.
  • Do protect yourself and others around you from physical harm.
  • Do call police if there is violence.
  • Do set limits that will protect your home, finances and relationships, and stick to those limits.
  • And if you are at your wits’ end, you might consider a formal intervention.

Helping Addicts Accept their Addiction Problem: How do i help someone who may need treatment?

Mention the word “treatment” in relation to substance use and many people think of long-term residential facilities or detox. In fact, treatment includes both of these options and a variety of others.

Treatment addresses the individual’s physical, psychological, emotional and social conditions. Sustained reduction in alcohol or other drug use and sustained increases in personal health and social function are the primary goals.

The type of treatment is based on the severity of the problem. For risky users, treatment can be as simple as a screening and a brief intervention. For people exhibiting signs of dependence or addiction, a screening will probably lead to a referral for more intense level of care.

All treatment starts with a screening, which is a series of questions about the amount and frequency of alcohol or other drug use and the consequences it may be causing. Screening can be done by many types of professionals, including a physician in a hospital or an office, a nurse, a clinical social worker, or a licensed substance abuse counselor.

After a screening, some people may need a brief intervention, usually done by a health professional. During a brief intervention, people receive feedback on their substance use based on the screening results. Frequently, people are asked to cut back or stop their use. If they are ready to cut down, the health care professional will work with them to set a goal based on lower consumption. They may also be encouraged to reflect on why they use and how their lives will change by lowering their use. People who want to stop substance use will most likely be referred for additional evaluation or treatment.

To help someone you know who you think may have a substance use problem you first need to get them screened. Your best bet is to talk to your own physician or employee assistance professional about referring you to someone who can help, such as a licensed substance abuse counselor or family therapist.

Helping Addicts Accept their Addiction Problem: How do i help someone who needs treatment?

Formal treatment takes many forms, and no one type of treatment is best for everyone. There are many roads to recovery. Like for instance you may think that you need to choose just the right program for your family member and if you don’t, treatment will fail. But experts believe that any of a number of programs can lead to success if the person is willing to accept help from others and invest energy in working on recovery. A physician or another health care professional can also help you choose where someone should go for treatment.

Helping Addicts Accept their Addiction Problem: Eliminating the spirit of denial

 

 

 

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Intoxication, Reward and Tolerance

November 25, 2014

Neurobiology of Intoxication, Reward and Tolerance

RewardAs stated earlier, neurobiology is the study of cells of the nervous system and how these cells are organized of these cells into functional circuits that process information and influence behavior. Neurobiology is a sub unit of both biology and neuroscience. Neuroscience is much broader as a scientific study of the nervous system than neurobiology. Neurobiology helps us to understand how the neurons are affected by whatever we ingest. The neurons as you and me now know are very crucial as they are the chemical messengers that transmit signals to initiate certain crucial responses. However these neurons are often affected by drugs of abuse that in most cases depletes them rendering them incapable to function normally. As studied earlier in our brain there are different neurotransmitters that perform different purposes to ensure that all functions of the brain are well attended to. There are inhibitory neurotransmitters as well as excitatory neurotransmitters and the balance between these neurotransmitters must be achieved for better functioning of the brain but these drugs of abuse interferes with these balance by causing depletion of certain neurotransmitters creating an imbalance between the different categories of the neurotransmitters in the brain. In this article we try to find out how intoxication, reward and tolerance come about to users of alcohol and other drugs.

Intoxication

According to World Health Organization (WHO) intoxication is a condition that follows the administration of a psychoactive substance and results in disturbances in the level of consciousness, cognition, perception, judgment, affect, or behavior, or other psychophysiological functions and responses. The disturbances are related to the acute pharmacological effects of, and learned responses to, the substance and resolve with time, with complete recovery, except where tissue damage or other complications have arisen. They further explain that the term intoxication is a term that is commonly used in alcoholism and is the same in meaning to the common term drunkenness. Alcohol intoxication manifests in such symptoms as slurred speech, unsteady gait, disorderly conduct, impaired judgment, slowed reactions, loss of memory, vomiting, euphoria and insensibility among others. Alcohol has contents of ethanol among other fermented stuff. When taken ethanol will produce its depressive effects on certain areas of the brain resulting in physical and mental impairments. These problems will continue as the level of alcohol consumption is increased, therefore more alcohol means more intoxication.

Here is what happens in the brain

When alcohol is taken it increases the effect of the body’s naturally occurring neurotransmitter gamma amino butyric acid (GABA). As I mentioned earlier neurotransmitters are substances that chemically connect the signals from one nerve to the next allowing a signal to flow along a neural pathway. An inhibitory neurotransmitter (alcohol) reduces this signal flow in the brain. This explains how alcohol depresses both a person’s mental and physical activities. When you take alcohol 20% of ethanol will be absorbed into the bloodstream from the stomach while 80% is absorbed from the small intestines. However the more the ethanol stays in the stomach the slower it is absorbed into the bloodstream and the lower the peak in blood alcohol concentration. This is why when a person takes alcohol with empty stomach he will be intoxicated within such a short time. The food in the stomach normally slows the rate of alcohol absorption lowering the peak in blood alcohol concentration.

The reward system

The reward system is mainly dominated by the excitatory neurotransmitter known as dopamine. This hormone gives the brain its ‘high’, the euphoric feelings that is commonly sought by people who use drugs of recreation. Close to all addictive drugs directly or indirectly target the brain’s reward system by flooding the circuit with dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter present in regions of the brain that regulate movement, emotion, cognition, motivation, and feelings of pleasure. The overstimulation of this system, which rewards our natural behaviors, produces the euphoric effects sought by people who use drugs and teaches them to repeat the behavior. The persistent release of dopamine during chronic drug use progressively recruits limbic brain regions and the prefrontal cortex, embedding drug cues into the amygdala through glutaminergic mechanisms and involving the amygdala, anterior cingulate, orbitofrontal cortex, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in the obsessive craving for drugs Despite dopamine being the dominant neurotransmitter in the reward system there are also other neurotransmitters that work to modulate both the reward system and the psychomotor effects of addictive drugs. However there is still little literature to support this and so dopaminergic system is still the biggest consideration when reward system is to be tamed. Naturally the balance between the excitatory neurotransmitter and the inhibitory neurotransmitters enables proper functioning of the brain but with drugs the drugs will suppress the inhibitory neurotransmitters flooding the brain with dopamine which is the fuel behind reward.

RewardUnderstanding tolerance

Tolerance refers to a situation when a person ceases to react to a drug in initial doses and therefore higher dosage is needed for the effects to be achieved. This normally happens when a person has been using the drugs for a long time. This is common in the use of opioids in pain management, the patient will cease to respond to initial dosages and therefore need higher dosages to calm the pain. For example, morphine is often used for pain. It works by binding to opiate receptors where it triggers the inhibition of an enzyme called adenylate cyclase that orchestrates several chemicals in the cell to maintain the firing of impulses. After repeated activation of the opiate receptor by morphine, the enzyme adapts so that the morphine can no longer cause changes in cell firing. Therefore higher dosages will have to be administered for the pain to be calmed.

Finally, Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center is committed to helping all people trapped in drug addiction. Call on her today at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for help.

Neurobiology of Intoxication, Reward and Tolerance

 

 

 

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