Underage smoking and the best quitting strategies

August 31, 2015

Underage smoking and the best quitting strategies: Why quitting smoking is not just an option but a must?

Underage smoking and the best quitting strategies. When teenagers begin to smoke this early, there will be greater consequences when they get old and that is why quitting is encouraged early.

Even though smoking is known the world over to be hazardous to human health, it is one of the most abused drugs after alcohol. The rate at which this killer substance is being used is worrying and this is further complicated by the fact that despites its effects on people’s health it is still a legally allowed substance for consumption. We are alarmed by significant increase of teen and children’s getting into the habit of smoking and that is what is forming the basis of our discussion in this article. Therefore with the help of experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury, we are going to focus our discussion on underage smoking and the best quitting strategies with a view of bringing this unhealthy behavior to manageable levels. Professionally doctor Dalal Akoury states categorically that the younger you start smoking, the more damage your body will suffer when you get older. With that naked fact in your mind we can now approach the discussion from a common footing and we want to encourage you to stay with us on the link to the completion of this worth discussion.

According to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, if something is not done now, we may be breeding a generation of smokers and carriers of all health chronic complications that are associated with cigarette smoking. It is true that our young boys and girls are into smoking and this not good not just for our individual’s families but also the societies and the nations at large. Therefore we want to share with us some of the real and immediate benefits of quitting smoking and possible ways of helping yourself do it. Let us begin with the benefits:

Underage smoking and the best quitting strategies: Benefits of quitting smoking

Ordinarily smoking is very unhealthy and therefore the first benefit of quitting is regaining the good health. It therefore means that if you quit you’ll be healthier with a well-functioning respiratory system because smoking decreases your lung capacity.

There will be instant financial benefits in terms of savings realized from cigarette funds. Research has it that the average smoker spends a shocking £27.54 a week and £90,000 over their lifetime on cigarettes. If you were to use this as guideline, you can work out how much money you are saving by quitting smoking.

You’ll have a more rejuvenated skin complexion since all the chemicals in cigarettes restrict blood flow to your skin. Doctor Akoury says that smokers have more wrinkled and saggy faces by the time they’re in their mid-20s something that will not catch up with you.

Quitting impacts positively in the environment and by extension the earth at large. Remember that the deforestation due to tobacco production accounts for nearly 5% of overall deforestation in the developing world.

Someone who starts smoking at 15 is three times more likely to die from cancer than someone who starts smoking in their mid-20s. The younger you start smoking, the more damage there will be to your body as an adult.

Not smoking will make you instantly more attractive. Most people prefer kissing non-smokers. Try quitting and experience the compassionate love that you and your partner will have thereafter.

Underage smoking and the best quitting strategies: How best you can get through quitting

When we are addressing the problems of cigarette smoking, quitting is often the best option that experts will give. But the problem arose on the modalities of quitting and the hindrances of doing so. It all begins from being in denial to relapse after successful recovery. Nonetheless if you have made up your mind that you want to give it up, the question that follows would be “from where do you start?” you may want to consider the following:

The journey of quitting will not be an easy one and the kind of friends you keep will matter most. It is advisable to keep friends who are non-smokers and not your former colleagues in smoking.

It’s very hard to give up by willpower alone. Get all the help you can find: 12 to 18-year-olds get free nicotine replacement therapy (patches, sprays, gum) on the NHS. Ask your GP for help stopping smoking. They won’t be shocked that you’re a smoker.

Take note that all your smoking friends will not want to lose your friendship upon quitting, therefore you must be prepared for a few push and pull. It’s a good idea to have something ready to say when you’re offered a cigarette. You may want to consider the following few reasons even as you think of other better reasons to give on your own, like for instance you could respond by:

Smoking costs me (name a figure) annually. I’m giving up so I can buy myself a new mobile/driving lessons/a holiday.
I am not allowed to smoke in my work place and therefore quitting is the only option I have.
My boyfriend/girlfriend doesn’t like kissing a smoker. It’s true: two-thirds of teenagers say smoking reduces sexual attractiveness.
I’m taking my sport seriously and I need to give up if I want to be an athlete.

You must be ready to face all the challenges that will come in the first few days of your quitting. Initially coping will not be easy but progressively all your withdrawal symptoms should subside after the first four weeks. You could opt for using nicotine gum and patches (NRT) as tools of cope with cravings.

Worried about weight gain while you’re quitting? Load your bag up with low-calorie snacks, such as apple chips, carrot sticks, mints, popcorn or chewing gum, to get you through the cravings. Read more about how you can quit smoking without putting on weight.

Always relay on your family support. Having loved ones a round you at this time is very important in your recovery journey. Remember that letting them know your smoking problem will enable them find ways of helping you in quitting.

Do your best to stay away from alcohol, coffee, sugar and sweets while you quit. Studies have shown that these foods (especially the booze) can stimulate cigarette cravings.

Finally doctor Akoury sounds a warning that it will take about a month for the nicotine cravings to subside. Therefore it is important that you take it one day at a time and soon you’ll be smoke free for the rest of your life. Nonetheless if you face any challenges do not hesitate to calling doctor Dalal Akoury for further assistance.

Underage smoking and the best quitting strategies: Why quitting smoking is not just an option but a must?

Understanding nutrition in drug addiction recovery

August 30, 2015

Understanding nutrition in drug addiction recovery: Sustaining the fight of substance abuse

Understanding nutrition in drug addiction recovery will go along way in bringing the problem of addiction to manageable levels.

If you are one of the many individuals across the globe that is struggling with drug addiction and almost losing hope, this blog is for you and we are also very much available for you at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center. This is a weight lose facility that was primarily established by doctor Dalal Akoury (MD) and one of the most respected addiction expert across the globe. For more than two decades now doctor Akoury and her team of experienced experts have been offering solutions to vary many people and they are not about to stop until this scourge is completely eradicated from our lives. Doctor Akoury acknowledges that there are very many ways of fighting this ware and one of them if through good feeding habit. This is what we want to discuss on this article under the topic of “the understanding nutrition in drug addiction recovery process” we therefore want to request you to stay on the link and get the best nutritional ways of eradicating the problems of addiction from your life and that of your loved ones.

If you have been with us on this link then you will agree with me that this is not the first time we are making comments about this mode of addiction treatment and for that reason, it has been known since time immemorial that individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) usually have significant vitamin and mineral deficiencies. This has cause a lot of investigations to be done by various experts in the past decade, more so to more so with a view of finding out the alterations in both neuro-circuitry and nutrition-related hormones in the SUD population to better understand eating behavior during drug use, recovery, and long-term abstinence. Doctor Dalal Akoury says that the connections between nutrition behavior and addiction recovery have important implications that are not frequently addressed in clinical practice.

Understanding nutrition in drug addiction recovery: Food Addiction

We all need food to keep the body moving. The energy we get for the food we eat enables the body to discharge its function optimally however highly palatable food can stimulate endogenous opioid release and trigger dopamine activity in the brain. And for a better understanding, palatable foods are those processed food that typically contains added sugars, salt, and fat. According to recent studies there is evidence that indicates that depict dopamine circuits as a major site of convergence where metabolic/hormonal and visceral sensory cues interact to regulate eating behavior by way of a “gut-brain dopamine axis.” Nonetheless in many cases, food addiction over the years has been associated with binge eating disorder as well as obesity. Given that weight gain following abstinence from drugs is a source of major personal suffering, there is a pressing need for a more detailed understanding of the effects of drug addiction on dietary intake and that is what with the help of experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center wants to highlight on as we progress into the discussion.

Understanding nutrition in drug addiction recovery: Disordered Eating

Drug abuse is a risk factor for eating disorders and from an expert point of view there is clear evidence that this is both influences genetically and environmentally. Doctor Akoury is reporting that it is very important to appreciate that when it comes to weight complications, even a remote history of SUD can negatively impact weight loss in adults and adolescents. Sobriety time has been positively associated with increased sugar use. Substance abuse linked to low distress tolerance can lead to excessive consumption of food. Like in one of the studies, it was established that nearly 40 percent of women in SUD treatment met criteria for an eating disorder most commonly binge eating disorder followed by bulimia nervosa. Men in SUD treatment reported bingeing and the use of food to satisfy drug cravings during the first six months, with weight concerns and distress about efforts to lose weight during months 7 through 36

Understanding nutrition in drug addiction recovery: Addiction and physical health

According to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, the most substantial health burden arising from addiction normally lies not in the direct effects of intoxication but in the secondary effects on physical health. Doctor Akoury says that there are clear evidence supporting the fact that food and drugs are competing for overlapping reward mechanisms. It therefore means that when the immediate crisis of substance abuse has been resolved, there is a likely compensatory increased drive for food intake to achieve weight recovery and a likely overshoot, leading to increased adipose

Gluttonous food consumption may be due to “rebound appetite” in the wake of the hypothalamic suppression from drug use. Making healthy food choices after abstinence has been achieved may be very challenging. Sobriety is associated with new emotions, anxiety, and uncertainty. It is easy to seek a predictable and comforting response from food. This may lead to overeating, relapse, compromised quality of life, and the development of chronic disease. Besides all these it is equally important that we address the impact of caffeine and nicotine abuse because they are highly addictive substances that can perpetuate substance-seeking behavior. And along-side with that, the impact of stress and adequate sleep should also not be ignored, as they too can have profound effects on the endocrine and reward systems. Given that individuals with a history of SUD are at higher risk for developing food-intake-related dysfunction, there is a substantial need for nutrition interventions in addiction recovery, and very importantly the services of registered dietitian nutritionists will be very vital in the treatment process.

Finally, according to Anecdotal reports it was suggested that most treatment centers allow unlimited or excessive amounts of highly palatable foods to patients. However, while food restriction can lead to relapse, over-indulgence can perpetuate the cycle of addictive behavior and contribute significantly to healthcare burden. The best intervention appears to lie somewhere in between these extremes, which will require additional clinical expertise in treatment settings. The need for firm commitment to intervention protocols as well as ongoing supervision is warranted for successful program implementation in residential treatment facilities. Therefor if you or any of your loved ones is struggling with any form of addiction, our office is always open for you and you can walk in any time or call us on telephone number 843 213 1480 to schedule for an appointment with our team of experts and all your addictions concerns will be readily and professionally addressed.

Understanding nutrition in drug addiction recovery: Sustaining the fight of substance abuse

Seeking for support in dealing with addiction

August 27, 2015

Seeking for support in dealing with addiction: Why it is necessary that you get help from the professionals?

Seeking for support in dealing with addiction from experts is paramount in solving all problems of addiction and avoiding future relapse.

The journey of addiction recovery will not be an easy one and therefore when adding nutrition to your list of elements and tools of fighting addiction, it will be very important for you to find and collaborate with a trained nutritionist who can tailor your diet to your specific needs in recovery. Remember that no matter where you live, seeking for support in dealing with addiction is not optional and for sure it will not be difficult for you finding a trained nutritionist within your locality. The good news to you is that when you reach out for experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury, you will not only find nutritionist but also highly qualified addiction experts who will be able to holistically address all your nutritional and addiction needs professionally and timely leaving you to enjoy your life to the fullest thereafter.

Dr. Akoury is fellowship trained and certified in anti-aging functional and regenerative medicine, as well as having more than twenty years of accumulated experience in emergency medicine, pediatrics, and a master’s degree in public health. She has also served fellowships in pediatric hematology/oncology and has performed research in leukemia and the effects of smoking. Besides that her decision to create a medical center whose main objective is to transform each individual’s life through increasing awareness about health and wellness and by empowering individuals to find their own inner healing power was guided by the enormous struggle that she saw in the faces of those struggling with addiction problems. It will also interest you to note that Dr. Akoury’s practice focuses on personalized medicine through healthy lifestyle choices that deal with primary prevention and underlying causes instead of patching up symptoms. Therefore if you or any of your loved ones is struggling with any kind of addiction, you can reach out for her on telephone number 843 213 1480 and schedule for an appointment with her to have all your addiction needs professionally addressed today.

Seeking for support in dealing with addiction: The sugar saboteur and food as a substitute addiction

In her practice, doctor Akoury strongly emphasizes on sugar regulation because of its addictive nature. It is not uncommon, she says, for people recovering from drug and alcohol addiction to become addicted to sugar. Alcoholics are especially prone to sugar addiction and to the energy rollercoaster that accompanies it, nonetheless that is not all because sugar addiction also affects other addicts too. Akoury believes that eating in a way that promotes blood sugar spikes and crashes is a recipe for disaster when it comes to maintaining your sobriety. She says that when you get that blood sugar crash, your body craves for more sugar. In an alcoholic’s mind, and it works this way in a drug addict’s mind too, when you crave sugar it immediately translates in your brain to alcohol and you get a really strong craving for alcohol. It may be a craving that you can’t control. By regulating their blood sugar, recovering alcoholics can avoid the sugar highs and lows that often send them running for a drink. According to her, in many cases, an addict’s overwhelming urge for his or her next fix is actually a sugar craving in disguise.

The tendency for recovering addicts to develop sugar addiction as they withdraw from alcohol or drugs is an example of a very common phenomenon in addiction recovery. It is not uncommon for those recovering from addiction to turn to food as a replacement. According to a study published in the international research journal Appetite, men in the early stages of recovery often practice dysfunctional eating habits, including substituting food for their drug of choice.

Seeking for support in dealing with addiction: The role of amino acids

Professionals at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center agrees that one of the most promising areas of nutritional therapy for recovering addicts relates to neurotransmitters, amino acids, and how they all affect the brain. Research has also demonstrated that the substantial role neurotransmitters, the chemicals that transmit messages between neurons and other cells in the body, play in addiction.

The connection between neurotransmitters and addiction results from the ability of drugs and alcohol to impact the brain’s output of certain neurotransmitters. For example, cocaine causes the brain to increase its production of the neurotransmitter dopamine which impacts mood and stimulates the feeling of pleasure. A problem arises, however, when the brain has been artificially stimulated to produce a neurotransmitter so often that it no longer produces this neurotransmitter on its own. Essentially, what this means is those recovering from addiction are dealing with a brain that no longer creates neurotransmitters, like dopamine, which play an integral role in their well-being.

According to doctor Akoury, amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein, are precursors to neurotransmitters including those most related to addiction like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. This connection indicates the potential to treat addiction through the targeted consumption of amino acids, which can be done through the intake of certain foods or supplements. Since dopamine is the key neurotransmitter involved with addiction and is associated with ‘reward,’ it is critical to restore depleted dopamine levels through a higher protein intake. Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid which is widespread in food that becomes tyrosine, which is converted to dopamine.

An example of how amino acid supplementation works for addiction can be found in the instance of alcohol withdrawal. Alcoholics going through withdrawal experience an increased turnover of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. The amino acid phenylalanine, however, is a precursor to norepinephrine. If an individual recovering from alcohol addiction eats foods high in phenylalanine, like meat and fish, he will be helping to fulfill the need for this neurotransmitter during withdrawal.

Finally says doctor Akoury, it is important to note that dietary recommendations do vary mostly depending on the substance you are withdrawing from. Alcohol and opiates, for example, negatively impact the stomach it therefore means that people recovering from these substances should work to restore gut health through increased intake of probiotics. Cocaine however is associated with essential fatty acid deficiency, so those recovering from cocaine addiction would benefit from increased consumption of Omega 3. Because of these nuances in each recovering addict’s dietary needs, it is important to collaborate with a trained nutritionist to determine what nutritional approach will help you most on your road to recovery.

Seeking for support in dealing with addiction: Why it is necessary that you get help from the professionals?

Nutrients offer a healing process for substance abuse

August 25, 2015

Nutrients offer a healing process for substance abuse: The effects of nutrition in eliminating addiction

Nutrients offer a healing process for substance abuse and this needs to be embraced

When the body is loaded with toxic elements, it is only fair that something be done to detoxify the unhealthy elements in the body. A lot of time we contaminate our body systems with very dangerous substances bot hard and soft either knowingly or ignorantly. In all these the biggest problem has been the ever increasing substance abuse. Many people are today addicted to so many drugs and yet they live in denial of what is happening to them. As a result of this helping them becomes very difficult. It is a pity that as they live in denial, it is their loved ones who shoulder the burden and pain of caring for them and most painfully is that by the time the come to the full acknowledgement of their addiction problem, a lot of damage shall have been done leaving very little to be done in helping them. Realizing the magnitude of the problem brought to us by addiction, we want to look at the possibilities we have in dealing with this problem. Speaking to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury (MD) and founder of the facility, we are professionally informed that nutrients offer a healing process for substance abuse in very many ways. This is what we want to focus on throughout this discussion, and with the help of doctor Dalal Akoury a veteran addiction expert of over two decades, we are going to have a very healthy learning experience that you don’t want to miss. Let’s begin the discussion with understanding healing and nourishment as far as substance abuse is concern.

Nutrients offer a healing process for substance abuse: Heal and nourish

Professionally doctor Akoury acknowledges that there is nothing good about substance abuse in it’s entirely. It is a well-known fact that substance abuse often lead to vitamin and mineral deficiencies. These deficiencies are characterizing with lots of health threats both to the physical and mental health, thereby damaging vital organs and the nervous system, and decrease immunity. Harmful lifestyles often are associated with addiction, such as poor eating patterns, lack of exercise, and changes in sleep patterns. These compounding factors result in an increased risk of long-term health problems, including metabolic syndrome, diabetes, hypertension, weight problems, and eating disorders. From that narration it is evident that substance abuse is a typical health hazard that can ruin a whole generation if not addressed timely.

Therefore to help the individual members of the societies recover from the effects of substance abuse, it’s important to supply them with well balanced, healthy and appropriate meals. Because of the intensity of individual addiction levels, this may prove to be very difficult during the initial stages when the individual is still undergoing the process of detoxification. However the zeal of finding lasting solutions must never be hampered by this challenge. Therefore the moment the patient is deemed stable for oral intake no time must be wasted in supplying the healthy and well balance diet. Doctor Akoury is very categorical that calculating adequate calories for each patient will help them manage hypoglycemia, improve deficiencies, and achieve or maintain an appropriate healthy weight. We must therefore remain focus in ensuring that our loved ones who are abusing drugs are consistent in their consumption of scheduled meals and snacks and also to increase their level and amount of physical activity. This will go a long way in helping them address all these issues of substance abuse as well as contribute to stress management and improved sleep.

Nutrients offer a healing process for substance abuse: Nutritional deficiencies and medical conditions

It’s vital to correct any nutritional deficiencies and address any medical conditions, as continued malnutrition and instability increase disease risk and will produce cravings for drugs or alcohol. Increased consumption of nutrient-dense foods like fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fish will be very instrumental in correcting any nutritional deficiencies alongside all other important antioxidants. Doctor Akoury says that besides nutritional deficiencies these foods also help a great deal in decreasing levels of inflammation, reduce cell oxidation, and provide the basics of a healthy diet. From the discussion so far it is evident that we can easily deal with substance abuse and all it associates in one single action of sufficiency of nutrients. If this is an avenue of solution, then I want to encourage you to waste no time in seeking for guidelines on how to go about this. Therefore if you are lost on where to start from then you need to call and schedule for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury today so that you can have an opportunity to have all your concerns about how nutrition offers a healing process for substance abuse and any other concern you may be having addressed.

Nutrients offer a healing process for substance abuse: Psychotherapy

Finally as we move towards the conclusion of this discussion, doctor Akoury is registering with us that besides nutrition, psychotherapy is also very important part of the healing process for substance abuse patients. In this regard says doctor Akoury such patients should be encouraged to seek regular help from counselors or support groups since psychological and social problems are common. Nevertheless you can also reach out for doctor Akoury who is passionate about helping people like you get back their lives on track bay calling her on telephone number 843 213 1480 and she will be able to attend to you professionally. And remember that due to her passion in helping the society kick out addiction from their lives, Dr. Akoury made a decision to create a medical center whose main objective is to transform each individual’s life through increasing awareness about health and wellness and by empowering individuals to find their own inner healing power. It will also interest you to note that Dr. Akoury’s practice focuses on personalized medicine through healthy lifestyle choices that deal with primary prevention and underlying causes instead of patching up symptoms. If there is any one to consult with in this discipline, it can only be with doctor Dalal Akoury.

Nutrients offer a healing process for substance abuse: The effects of nutrition in eliminating addiction

Coping with challenges associated with addiction treatment

August 24, 2015

Coping with challenges associated with addiction treatment: Intelligent ways of containing drug addiction professionally

Coping with challenges associated with addiction treatment can be very difficult if you chose to face it on your own however with support from experts and loved ones the burden becomes much easier to bear.

If you have been with us on this very informative journey of delivery health information concerning our health, you must be aware that drug addiction is very dangerous and both socially, physically and psychologically to everyone. It has no boundaries and does not care whom to affect, when and how to attack. From the previous article we have intensively dealt with several mechanisms, pathways, intelligent and mart ways of dealing with complications that come with drug addiction. You can make reference to those articles but for the purpose of this article we want to focus our discussion on the topic “coping with challenges associated with addiction treatment and recovery process.” We therefore want to invite you to stay with us on the link as we engage the services of doctor Dalal Akoury a veteran addiction expert of over two decades to shade more light on the strategies of coping with challenges associated with addiction treatment in our societies.

Coping with challenges associated with addiction treatment: Coping with drug cravings

Experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center a facility founded by Doctor Dalal Akoury are in agreement that sometimes craving cannot be avoided in certain circumstances and therefore in such time it is necessary to find coping ways to the problem. The following are some of the ways you can adopt to cope with cravings:

Get involved in some distracting activity – Distracting activities like reading, a hobby, going to a movie, exercising (jogging, biking) are some of the good examples that can be very effective in helping containing the escalation of substance abuse. This is so because ordinarily once you get interested in something else, you’ll find the urges go away. Another effective response to a drug craving is eating however when implementing this careful attention must be taken of ensuring that you eat a lot of junk food which are likely to add you more stress and inches to your waistline.

Sharing the problem with others – There is a lot of benefits is sharing problems and like it is always said that a problem shared is half solved, it therefore means that talking to your friends or family members about craving when it occurs is indeed seeking for solutions. Talking about cravings and urges can be very helpful in pinpointing the source of the craving. Also, talking about craving often helps to discharge and relieve the feeling and will help restore honesty in your relationship. Craving is nothing to feel bad about.

Urge surf – Many people try to cope with their urges by gritting their teeth and toughing it out. But some are just too strong to ignore. When this happens, it can be useful to stay with the urge until it passes. This technique is called urge surfing. Imagine yourself as a surfer who will ride the wave of your drug craving, staying on top of it until it crests, breaks, and turns into less powerful, foamy surf.

Challenge and change your thoughts – When experiencing a craving, many people have a tendency to remember only the positive effects of the drug and forget the negative consequences. Therefore, you may find it helpful to remind yourself that you really won’t feel better if you use and that you stand to lose a lot. Sometimes it is helpful to have these benefits and consequences listed on a small card that you keep with you for reference purposes.

Coping with challenges associated with addiction treatment: Build a meaningful drug free life

You can support your drug treatment and protect yourself from relapse by having activities and interests that provide meaning to your life. It’s important to be involved in things that you enjoy and make you feel needed. When your life is filled with rewarding activities and a sense of purpose, your addiction will lose its appeal.

Pick up a new hobby – Do things that challenge your creativity and spark your imagination, something you’ve always wanted to try.

Adopt a pet – Yes, pets are a responsibility, but caring for an animal makes you feel loved and needed. Pets can also get you out of the house for exercise.

Get involved in your community – Replace your addiction with drug-free groups and activities. Volunteer, become active in your church or faith community, or join a local club or neighborhood group.

Set meaningful goals – Having goals to work toward and something to look forward to can be powerful antidotes to drug addiction. It doesn’t matter what the goals are whether they involve your career, your personal life, or your health, just ensure that they are important to you.

Look after your health – Regular exercise, adequate sleep, and healthy eating habits help you keep your energy levels up and your stress levels down. When you feel good, drugs are much less of a temptation. The more you can do to stay healthy, the easier it will be to stay sober.

Coping with challenges associated with addiction treatment: Don’t let relapse keep you down

Relapse is a common part of the recovery process from drug addiction. While relapse is understandably frustrating and discouraging, it can also be an opportunity to learn from your mistakes and correct your treatment course.

What causes relapse? – Various “triggers” can put people at risk of relapsing into old patterns of substance use. Causes of relapse can differ for each person. Some common ones include:

negative emotional states (such as anger, sadness, trauma or stress)
physical discomfort (such as withdrawal symptoms or physical pain)
positive emotional states (wanting to feel even better)
testing personal control (“I can have just one drink”)
strong temptations or urges (cravings to use)
conflict with others (such as an argument with a spouse or partner)
social pressures to use (situations where it seems as though everyone else is drinking or using other drugs)
good times with others (such as having fun with friends or family)

Finally doctor Akoury says that the most important thing to remember is that relapse doesn’t mean treatment failure. Therefore instead of giving up, it is important that you get back on the wagon as quickly as you can. Call your sponsor, talk to your therapist, go to a meeting, or schedule an appointment with your doctor. When you’re sober again and out of danger, look at what triggered the relapse, what went wrong, and what you could have done differently. You can choose to get back on the path to recovery and use the experience to strengthen your commitment.

Coping with challenges associated with addiction treatment: Intelligent ways of containing drug addiction professionally

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