Tag Archives: Dr. Dalal Akoury

Creating Understanding of Sex Addiction Therapy

June 22, 2014

Understanding Sex Addiction Therapy

sex addictionSex addiction can be a highly dangerous and destructive condition. Like drug or alcohol addiction, sex addiction is a common, but infrequently diagnosed, condition that affects the addict’s mental health, personal relationships, quality of life, and safety.

In general, sex addiction is referred to as an obsessive need to perform sexual acts in order to achieve the kind of “fix” that an alcoholic gets from a drink or an addict from a drug. Usually, a sex addict seeks out manifold partners or may also have relations with children, animals, or inanimate objects. The addiction may obvious as a compulsive need to masturbate, view pornography, or be in erotically stimulating situations. Sex addiction may require the addict to significantly alter his life and activities in order to perform sexual acts multiple times a day. A sex addict cannot stop his or her behavior, despite severe negative penalties.

  • Symptoms and Signs of Sex Addiction

Sex addiction can be problematic to spot from the outside. Most addicts become skilled at hiding their behavior and can even keep the addiction secret from spouses, partners, and family members. However, a discrete might have a sex addiction if he or she exhibits some or all of the following behaviors: Chronic, obsessive sexual thoughts and fantasies, Relations with multiple partners on a frequent basis, especially with strangers, Preoccupation with having sex, even when it interferes with daily life, productivity, work performance, Inability to stop compulsive sexual behaviors or restrain sexual activity, Putting oneself or others in danger due to sexual behavior, Engaging in illegal sexual activity with prostitutes, minors, or children, Need for dominance and control in sexual liaisons, Sensation remorse or guilt after sexual episodes, Negative personal or professional consequences due to sexual behavior.

Since sex addiction can be difficult to diagnose, it’s important to remember that enjoying sexual activity does not make one a sex addict. A sex addict is typically someone who has a compulsive need to achieve sexual acts and appears to have no controller over these instincts.

Unlike other addictions, behavior for compulsive sexual behavior cannot require the addict to give up sex for life. Sex is a normal, healthy, and compulsory human function. However, a sex addict must learn the difference between healthy and non-healthy sexual behavior. This process can often take months or years. Treatment for sex compulsion usually includes one or more of the following devices.

  • Inpatient Treatment Programs

There are many different inpatient conduct centers that offer sex addiction recovery programs. Often times, sex addicts must be removed from their normal daily lives for at least 30 days but often longer to help them regain control of their impulses and start the recovery process. These types of programs typically include comprehensive separate counseling and group therapy sessions.

  • 12-Step Programs

Programs such as Sex Addicts Anonymous follow the same recovery model as Alcoholics Anonymous and can be incredibly helpful for many sex addicts. Associates are not required to give up sex entirely, but are heartened to refrain from compulsive and destructive sexual behavior.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

This type of therapy can help a sex addict recognize triggers for sexual impulses and eventually teach Medication.

Some sex addicts may benefit from a course of drug therapy treatment, as certain antidepressants might help alleviate urges.an addict how to cope with them finished social changes.

Expectations

addictionUnlike with other addictions, a sex addict faces a unique set of challenges. It is not truthful for a sex addict to give up sensual activity entirely, but it may be necessary for him or her to abstain from sex for up to a year. This period of self-denial can often help sex addicts learn to identify the reasons of their needs and to explore deeper emotional issues that might contribute to the appearance of the addiction. Like a compulsive eater, a sex addict must learn the difference between natural, healthy urges and addictive ones. For sex addicts, there is not necessarily a “cure,” but there are ways to achieve the condition and still live a normal, balanced life. Spouses and family members of a sex addict should be ready to deal with the possibility of relapse, as it is often a normal part of the recovery process.

Resources

More information about sex addiction, as well as information for family members or loved ones, can be found by contacting the following governments: Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous, The Society for Advancement of Sexual Health, Sexual Recovery Institute.

Promoting Sexual Health

Sexuality should be an essential and balanced part of our life experience. However, when sex becomes all consuming, or when we deprive ourselves of healthy sexual expression, our sexuality acts as a barrier filled with disgrace and self-contempt. It isolates us from attachment with others. Healthy sexual behavior, on the other hand, creates familiarity and closeness. It is characterized by trust, respect, joy and safety.

Learn More at New Frontier Medicine Academy

New frontier provides assessment and evidenced-based treatment in a safe, confidential, and respectful atmosphere. We offer a variety of programs for sexual health and addiction and are committed to providing state-of-the art services that help our clients lead lives filled with more joy and satisfaction.

Creating Understanding of Sex Addiction Therapy

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Addiction Medicine; Natural Treatment

June 20, 2014

Excel In Addiction Medicine Specialty 

 

Addiction medicine is a medical specialty that deals with the treatment of addiction. The specialty often crosses over into other areas, since various aspects of addiction fall within the fields of public health, psychology, social work, mental health counseling, psychiatry, and internal medicine, among others. Amalgamated within the specialty are the processes of detoxification, rehabilitation, harm reduction, abstinence-based treatment, separate and group therapies, oversight of halfway houses, management of withdrawal-related symptoms, acute intervention, and long term therapies designed to reduce likelihood of relapse . Some specialists, primarily those who also have expertise in family medicine or internal medicine, also provide treatment for disease states commonly associated with substance use, such as hepatitis and HIV infection.

addiction medicine

Addiction Medicine

Physicians specializing in the field are in general agreement concerning applicability of treatment to those with addiction to drugs, such as alcohol and heroin, and often also to gambling, which has similar characteristics and has been well described in the scientific literature. There is less contract concerning definition or treatment of other so-called addictive behavior such as sexual addiction and internet addiction, such performances not being marked generally by physiologic tolerance or withdrawal.

Doctors concentrating on addiction medicine are medical authorities who focus on addictive disease and have had special study and training focusing on the prevention and treatment of such diseases. There are two routes to specialization in the addiction field: one via a psychiatric pathway and one via other fields of medicine. The new frontier Society of Addiction Medicine notes that approximately a percentage of its members are psychiatrists while the remainder have received medical training in other fields.

Studies have found that, despite the prevalence of addiction, the enormity of its consequences, the availability of effective clarifications and the evidence that addiction is a disease, both screening and early intervention for risky substance use are rare, and only about 1 in 10 people with addiction involving alcohol or drugs other than nicotine receive any form of treatment.

Of those who do receive treatment, few receive anything that approximates evidence-based care. This compares with seventy% to eighty% of people with such diseases as high blood pressure and diabetes who do receive treatment. This report exposes the fact that most medical professionals who should be providing addiction action are not sufficiently trained to diagnose or treat the disease, and most of those providing addiction care are not medical professionals and are not equipped with the knowledge, skills or credentials necessary to provide the full range of effective treatments

The time has come for addiction medicine to be fully integrated into health care systems and medical practice. Health care providers, especially physicians, are our front line in disease prevention and treatment. They must understand the risk factors for addiction, screen for risky substance use and intervene when needed, and diagnose, treat and manage addiction just as they do all other diseases.

The Treatment Options for Addiction.

addiction medicine

Addiction Medicine

The first step for the addicted individual is to acknowledge that there is a substance dependency problem addiction problem. The next step is to get help. In most of the world there are several support groups and expert services available. Treatment options for habit depend on several factors, including what type of substance it is and how it affects the patients. Typically, treatment includes a combination of inpatient and outpatient programs, counseling, psychotherapy, self-help groups, pairing with individual sponsors, and medication.

  • Treatment programs – these typically focus on getting sober and preventing relapses. Individual, group and/or family sessions may form part of the program. Depending on the level of addiction, patient behaviors, and type of material this may be in outpatient or residential settings.
  • Analysis – there may be one-to-one (one-on-one) or family sessions with a specialist.

Help with coping with cravings, avoiding the substance, and dealing with possible relapses are key to effective addiction programs. If the patient’s family can become complicated there is a better probability of positive outcomes.

  • Support groups – these may help the patient meet other people with the same problem, which often boosts motivation. Self-help groups can be a useful source of education and information too. Examples comprise Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. For those dependent on nicotine, ask your doctor or nurse for information on local self-help groups.
  • Help by withdrawal symptoms – the main aim is usually to get the addictive substance out of the patient’s body as quickly as possible. Sometimes the addict is given gradually reduced dosages (tapering). In some cases a substitute matter is given. Depending on what the person is addicted to, as well as some other factors, the doctor may recommend treatment either as an outpatient or inpatient.

The doctor or addiction expert may recommend either an outpatient or inpatient residential treatment center. Withdrawal treatment options vary and depend mainly on what substance the individual is addicted to:

  • Addiction to depressants – these may include dependence on barbiturates or benzodiazepines. During withdrawal the patient may experience anxiety insomnia, sweating and restlessness. In rare cases there may be whole-body tremors, seizures, hallucinations, hypertension (high blood pressure), accelerated heart rate and fever. In severe cases there may be delirium, which according to the Mayo Clinic, USA, could be life-threatening.
  • Addiction to stimulants – these may include cocaine and other amphetamines. During withdrawal the patient may experience tiredness, depression, anxiety, moodiness, low enthusiasm, sleep disturbances, and low concentration. Treatment focuses on providing support, unless the depression is severe, in which case a medication may be prescribed.
  • Addiction to opioids – Opioids are a class of drugs that are commonly prescribed for their analgesics or pain killing, properties. They include substances such as morphine, codeine, oxycodone, and methadone.

The addiction medicine physician is a key member of the health care team at New Frontiers in Medicine Academy are trained to coordinate and provide consultation services for other physicians and to use community resources when appropriate. Some addiction medicine physicians limit their practice to patients with addiction or other patterns of unhealthy substance use for the wellbeing of human affected.

Excel In Addiction Medicine Specialty

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Learn To Fight Off Your Addiction Problems

June 19, 2014

Are Your Addiction Problems Taking Control Of Your Life?

Several people do not understand why or how other people transform or get addicted to drugs. It is often mistakenly assumed that drug abusers lack moral principles or resolution and that they could stop using drugs simply by choosing to change their behavior. In reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting takes more than good intentions or a strong will. In fact, because drugs change the brain in ways that foster compulsive drug abuse, quitting is difficult, even for those who are ready to do so. Through scientific advances, we know more about how drugs work in the brain than ever, and we also know that drug addiction can be positively treated to help people stop abusing drugs and lead productive lives. Drug abuse and addiction have undesirable consequences for individuals and for society.

addiction problems

What Happens to Your Brain When You Take Drugs?

There are at least two ways that drugs cause this disruption: one- by imitating the brain’s natural chemical messengers and two-by over stimulating the “reward circuit” of the brain. Some drugs like marijuana and heroin have a similar construction to chemical messengers called neurotransmitters, which are naturally produced by the brain. This similarity allows the drugs to “fool” the brain’s receptors and activate nerve cells to direct abnormal messages.

Other drugs, such as cocaine or methamphetamine, can cause the nerve cells to release abnormally large amounts of natural neurotransmitters mainly dopamine or to prevent the normal recycling of these brain chemicals, which is needed to shut off the signaling between neuron. The overstimulation of this reward system, which normally responds to natural behaviors linked to survival eating, spending time with loved ones produces euphoric effects in response to psychoactive drugs. This reaction sets in motion a reinforcing pattern that “teaches” people to repeat the rewarding behavior of abusing drugs.

As a person lingers to abuse drugs, the brain adapts to the overwhelming surges in dopamine by producing less dopamine or by reducing the number of dopamine receptors in the reward circuit. The result is a lessening of dopamine’s impact on the reward circuit, which reduces the abuser’s ability to enjoy not only the drugs but also other events in life that beforehand brought pleasure. This decrease compels the addicted person to keep abusing drugs in an attempt to bring the dopamine function back to normal, but now larger amounts of the drug are required to achieve the same dopamine high an effect known as open-mindedness.

Long-term abuse causes changes in other brain chemical systems and circuits as well. Glutamate is a neurotransmitter that influences the reward circuit and the ability to learn. When the optimal concentration of glutamate is altered by drug abuse, the brain attempts to compensate, which can impair cognitive function. Brain imaging studies of drug-addicted individuals show changes in areas of the brain that are critical to judgment, decision making, learning and memory, and behavior control. Together, these changes can drive an abuser to seek out and take drugs compulsively despite opposing, even devastating penalties—that is the nature of addiction.

Drug Addiction and the Brain

addictionAddiction is a complex sickness characterized by compulsive drug use. While each drug harvests different physical effects, all abused substances share one thing in common: repeated use can alter the way the brain looks and functions. Taking a recreational drug causes a surge in levels of dopamine in your brain, which trigger spirits of pleasure. Your brain remembers these feelings and wants them repeated, If you become habituated, the substance takes on the same significance as other survival behaviors, such as eating and drinking, Changes in your brain interfere with your ability to think clearly, exercise good judgment, control your behavior, and feel normal without drugs, Whether you’re addicted to inhalants, heroin, Xanax, speed, and caffeine the uncontrollable craving to use grows more important than anything else, including family, friends, career, and even your own health and happiness, The urge to use is so strong that your mind finds many ways to deny or rationalize the addiction. You may drastically underestimate the amount of drugs you’re taking, how much it impacts your life, and the level of control you have over your drug use.

Adjust Your Thinking…

People with addiction problems are not weak, they are ill, addiction is an illness, with symptoms that may be difficult to control (just the way someone with bronchitis may have an uncontrollable cough, the behaviors you see are symptoms of the illness. The person with addiction does not have the same clear selections about their addictive behavior as does someone without addiction, Denial and lying about the addictive behavior are symptoms of addiction, Consequences at work can provide the employee with meaningful incentive to work towards recovery, addiction and mental illness often co-occur. Retrieval for both is possible, and takes a lot of hard work. Relapse is also part of the illness and may occur at any time, but particularly when stressors increase, the addictive behavior may be an attempt to cover up feelings, thoughts and memories that are too painful to deal with. It may be an attempt to self-medicate to cope with the symptoms of mental illness, an old adage: it takes twenty nine times for help to be offered before a person with addiction can accept. Experts at the New Frontier Medicine Academy are ready to help you to restore your soul, heart, mind and body. You don’t know where you are in that scheme, but your offer of help does register!

Are Your Addiction Problems Taking Control Of Your Life?

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Addiction Services You Need To Know

June 17, 2014

Addiction Services helps to improve the lives of those who are harmfully involved with alcohol, gambling, tobacco, or other drugs.If you are struggling with dependence, thank you for starting to think about getting help. It is your choice to start big, start small, start tomorrow, today or next year. Thinking it’s time, it’s the first step congratulations! Please visit again and again until you are ready to start. Programs at New Frontier are staffed with professionally trained counselors. Some programs have eligibility criteria but there are no restrictions related to age or gender, youth, adults and seniors are welcome.A range of services are provided from NEW FRONTIER through Addiction Services Authorities, it provides a continuum of care and service relating to health promotion, addiction prevention, early intervention, and treatment.

addiction services

Continuing Care

Continuing Care Services are provided to suitable people who need care outside of the hospital in their home and community. Maintenance can be provided on a long or short-term basis.Continuing Care Programs and Services include: Home Care that is: Nursing, Home Support, Respite and Palliative Care, Long-Term Care like Nursing Home or Residential Care Facility, Home Oxygen Facilities, Adult Protection Services, Protection for Persons in Care, Aboriginal Continuing Care, Caregiver Benefit Program, Treatment Dispenser Assistive Technology Program, HELP-Bed Loan Program, Personal Alert Assistance Program, Self-Managed Care Program,  Supportive Care Program, Particular Equipment Program ,Long Term Care and Respite Care at home or in Long Term Care.

Emergency Health Services is responsible for the continual delivery, development, implementation, nursing and evaluation of emergency care and out of hospital primary and urgent care through the ground ambulance.Looking for a Family Doctor? The NEW frontier Department of Health and Wellness has an online directory listing physicians within the sphere who are taking new patient.

New frontier health programs are designated to provide eligible populaces with coverage for medically required hospital, medical, dental and optometric services with some limitations. New frontiers are eligible for health insurance and should have a new frontier Health Card. This location includes answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the new frontier Health Card.

Primary Health Care

Primary Health Care is where patient centered care starts. From the first visit to enduring supports, follow-up and management, the goal is safe and quality services for patients and families.

We help persons think about change and support them in making healthy choices. Each person’s path is different. Our staffs are trained health care specialists who are here to offer caring and non-judgmental support along the way. All of our services are free, completely confidential and available through self-referral; no exterior referral source is required.

Some of the services offered are:

Counseling, Community groups, Support for family members and others who are affected, Recovery groups, Inpatient Treatment Program, Day Treatment Program, Opioid Treatment Program

Visit New Frontier Medicine Academy & Learn More about The Programs

Individual, couple or group counseling, Support for family members and others affectedWorkshops and instructive sessions, Recovery and Structured Relapse Prevention groups and Recreational Therapy, Driving While Impaired and Interlock Program, societies and others affected recovery groups, Inpatient Treatment Program, Day Management Program, and Opioid Treatment Program.

Self Help and Valuation

At this time, here are some self-help and assessment tools you can use to explore your participation with tobacco, alcohol, other drugs and gambling.

Tobacco: Are you concerned about your smoking?Tobacco Intervention, Workbook, Ask yourself these questions about your tobacco use are you ready to quit smoking?

Why Addiction Services At New Frontier?

At new frontiers, we know that there is no single formula for repossession. There are certain principles that we all should abide by, but they are administered in a variety of solutions. We know that when you call and ask for help, you need to get answers right on the spot. What sets us apart from most behavior centers is our exclusive treatment evaluation that we conduct with you right over the phone. This allows our experienced treatment counselors to get to know you right away.

awaremed

Once we know a little about your dependence and specific situation, we can make immediate arrangements and quickly admit you to the treatment center that is going to be the best fit and provide you with the best chance for a full and long term recapture. It doesn’t matter whether you want to stay local or go somewhere across the country; at NEW FRONTIER we have relationships with the finest specialist and treatment centers across the country.

Addiction Services You Need To Know

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How Alcohol Affects Your Health

June 16, 2014

Effects of Alcoholism on Your Body

Ever known the effects those bottles of beer, wines and spirits could do to your health after an extended span of continuous consumption? Well, its deleterious, the result could be bizarre and if not dealt with in time one might sadly succumb to the complications that come with it. Don’t get it twisted; even moderate drinking could possibly lead to short time impairment. Below please find the most commonly known negative effects of excessive alcohol consumption over a long period of time.

Drinking heavily and excessively over a long period of time could easily lead to brain damage. Imagine being a slave to alcohol so much so that you always seem drunk even after getting back to sobriety? You don’t want to have blurred vision, seen staggering, have sluggish response or speech even after being sober. People always think of you as drunk even when sober?

This is exactly where veteran drinker is bound to end up to if they don’t stop drinking. Alcohol literally alters the neurotransmitter system of the brain. By so doing, the transmission of impulses to the brain falls short of their work and in turn interrupts with daily activities.

  • Long time effects of alcohol.

This varies from our age to gender to weight. Though as time goes by and the abuse and use of alcohol increases, gender does not really mater. Alcohol also contains chemical that can harm one now and in future. With all the chemicals used in alcohol nowadays, the damage can come rather sooner than later. Alcohol if not consumed in moderation and in full stomach can cause liver and kidney damage alongside other organs in our body.

1

Alcohol can also cause damage to our heart if u take it in heavy and frequently. It gets riskier every time you consume it. It can also earn you high blood pressure and as we all know, high blood pressure has been branded as the silent killer. It shuts your system slowly but surely killing and destroying most organs in our system. Who can survive without this most vital organs?

  • High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure caused by effects of alcohol can also lead to stroke. It doesn’t need rocket science to know what stroke is and how it affects us. Stroke as we all know is rarely treated or cured so to say. It can also mess up our cardiovascular system, heart beat irregularities have also been linked to effects of alcohol. The irregularities of the heart beat can also lead to chest pain that go as far as deny you the most precious, expensive yet very FREE thing in this life. BREATHE!!

Alcohol can also slap you with a reward called CANCER. It could be cancer of the breast, colon or the bowel. Please note the keyword here, CANCER. Who would want to know or try and find out which cancer effects of alcohol can cause. Cancer is already bad enough as it is. No one want their livers inflamed or their breast cut off over something they can avoid or the can have control over. The good thing is that it can be reversed if you stop drinking once diagnosed.

3. Other effects

Effects of alcohol comes with age, especially as you get older is something that should be a must knowledge to all alcohol consumers. As we age, our muscles gets weaker so alcohol consumption is not about to make it any better for us. The older we get, the slower the alcohol takes to move on our blood stream which will eventually affect our liver. Excessive alcohol intake can also affect ones appearance negatively causing wrinkles and bad skin texture which is normally due to dehydration after consuming too much alcohol.

Do you love children or even want to have one your own someday? Even if it is just adding onto the one that you already have? Well, did you know that alcohol intake can ruin your body’s reproductive system? Meaning it can cause infertility in both men and women alike. It can cause menstrual cycle irregularities which in turn will interfere with the ovulation period in a woman leading to problem with conceiving. It can also damage men’s testicles causing them to shrink

However, at the New Frontier Medicine Academy institution, we can help take you through your healing process. We will help you with a comprehensive education and treatment that you need and require. For any information, please get in touch with us be you a victim or a physician and get your adequate help and knowledge as concerns effects of alcoholism. Our team of experts will work towards changing your life for the better, from the physical to the psychological aspect of it. Come to the New Frontier Academy for steadfast outcomes.

How Alcohol Affects Your Health

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