Leaving nothing to chance in quitting smoking

September 1, 2015

Leaving nothing to chance in quitting smoking: Unheeded reasons to quit smoking

Leaving nothing to chance in quitting smoking is a must for all people not just for smokers but to every body including nonsmokers.

With the ever increasing complications that come as a result of cigarette smoking, it is also increasingly becoming necessary for smokers to quit their smoking habit in mass. This is the best thing that can happen to any smoker owing to the countless benefits that will come with this single act of quitting smoking. Experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center have established that from the ongoing campaign about quitting cigarette smoking, many people are taking the heed of quitting smoking primarily because of the fear of contracting chronic health complications like heart disease, lung cancer that are likely to lead in premature death. As professional is addiction says doctor Dalal Akoury (MD) and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center that this is a step in the right direction in the resolve of leaving nothing to chance in quitting smoking. However besides the known chronic health complications, there are also other reasons which are often ignored by many and that is what we want to focus on so that we can have more people making that very important decision of quitting. Like we have already mentioned that besides the chronic illnesses, there are many other reasons why one should consider quitting smoking a health priority. To that point dear reader if you are smoking and still not very sure whether you really want to quit, we want to bring to your attention some additional reasons which are otherwise ignored by many and we hope that these will help you decide to stop now without any further hesitation.

Leaving nothing to chance in quitting smoking: Exposure to tobacco smoke increases the baby’s risk of colic

According to a review of more than 30 studies, too much exposure to tobacco smoke increases the baby’s risk of colic. Colic starts after a few weeks of birth, peaking at the age of 5 to 8 weeks. Usually, it goes away at the age of 4 months. Irritability, inconsolable crying, red face, clenched fists, drawn-up legs and screaming are among the most common symptoms of colic. Maternal smoking has also been linked to premature birth, miscarriage, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and mental/behavioral problems in children.

Leaving nothing to chance in quitting smoking: Smoking raises risk of age-related macular degeneration

It is thought smoking reduces the skin’s natural elasticity by causing the breakdown of collagen and reducing collagen production. (Collagen is a protein that supports skin strength.) Collagen naturally degrades as we get older, leading to the formation of wrinkles. Smoking makes this happen sooner. And besides that smokers are more likely to become blind someday because of age-re slated macular degeneration. Meanwhile, quitting smoking can lower the risk of blindness. While all the risk factors are not fully understood, research has pointed smoking as one major and modifiable cause.

Leaving nothing to chance in quitting smoking: Smoking or even living with a smoker raises risk of snoring

Cigarette smoking can damage your nasal cavity, causing swelling and therefore congestion. This makes it more difficult to breathe through your nose in your sleep. As a result, you may snore and according to a study conducted by experts where more than 15,000 men and women took part, it was established that, snoring affects up to 24% of smokers, 20% of ex-smokers, and 14% of people who had never smoked. Also, nonsmokers were more likely to snore if they were exposed to secondhand smoke in their homes. Almost 20% of these nonsmokers snored, compared with nearly 13% who had never been exposed to secondhand smoke at home. Doctor Akoury says that in view of these findings, it is important to appreciate that quitting smoking will not only help you to stop snoring but also your partner will be absolutely thrilled with your newfound serenity. If this section of the discussion suits your situation, then it should motivate you to quit smoking as soon as yesterday says doctor Akoury nonetheless if you are finding it difficult doing so and you need further consultation with the experts, the doors of doctor Dalal Akoury are ever open for you and all you need to do on your part is to call and schedule for an appointment and she will accord you audience to professionally handle your problems.

Leaving nothing to chance in quitting smoking: Smoking speeds up mental decline

According to a study of 9,200 men and women over the age of 65, the rate of mental decline is five times faster than in nonsmokers. Participants took standardized tests used to detect mental disorder at the start of the study. Two years later, higher rates of mental decline were found among men and women who smoke, even though they didn’t have a family history of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

Leaving nothing to chance in quitting smoking: Heavy smoking is linked to heartburn

Researchers found that people who smoke for more than 20 years are 70% more likely to have acid reflux disease than nonsmokers. If people smoke for more than 20 years, they have 70% likelihood of suffering from this disease. One study which involved more than 40,000 people suggests that acid reflux is affected by several key factors including diet, exercise, alcohol consumption, and the use of tobacco.

Leaving nothing to chance in quitting smoking: Smoking speeds up sexual decline

Aging is usually blamed for the downhill decline in sexual performance for men. But for some men the decline in sexual function can occur as early as in their late 20s. This is especially true in men who smoke cigarettes or chew tobacco. Specific declines associated with tobacco use include, increased time to achieve a full erection, a less firm erection, a lower libido or sex drive, a decline in sexual stamina, decreased or inadequate sensation, and unsatisfactory ejaculation. Fortunately, declines in sexual function associated with smoking are usually reversed with quitting.

Finally doctor Akoury says that these among many others are some the reasons that might be overlooked when it comes to making decisions of quitting smoking but are nevertheless very important as well. This according to several studies suggest that over the long term, smoking leads people to develop a wide range of health problems like heart disease, snoring issues, acid reflux, Alzheimer’s disease, and much more. Worse still it affects the health of even those who don’t smoke. We therefore hopes that with these revelations of potential consequences you can now make a very informed decision of quitting smoking today and not tomorrow says doctor Dalal Akoury who is more than willing to help you further upon scheduling for an appointment with her at any time of choice.

Leaving nothing to chance in quitting smoking: Unheeded reasons to quit smoking

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

Medical nutrition therapy for Substance Abuse

August 26, 2015

Medical nutrition therapy for Substance Abuse: Specific nutritional threats discussed

Medical nutrition therapy for Substance Abuse is a very effective way of dealing with toxic substances in the body for a better, healthier lifestyle using natural nutritious food elements.

The dangers of substance abuse can be very fatal and life threatening if action to address them is not expedited. Over the decades we have been on the first lane of delivering solutions to this problem with a lot of professionalism, care and excellence. It is our commitment to see this problem eradicated in it’s entirely in our life time and that is the reason why we have not relented in our zeal to its elimination. For that reason, we the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury will remain in the forefront of the fight of drug addiction applying all the tools at our disposal until we can say that the war is worn. Nonetheless this is not an easy assignment and we are acknowledging that and that is why our team of professionals are well trained to the task. Over the past few weeks we have been looking at the effect of proper nutrition in the fight of this problem and we want to further that discussion today in this article by the effects of medical nutrition therapy for substance abuse elimination and how it works.

Doctor Dalal Akoury says that depending on the variance of the substances abused by different individual, their nutritional status, weight problems and disease, we are likely not to have similarities the ways such substances affects them. It is therefore very important that when seeking for the best avenues, we must conduct out a full assessment and evaluation primarily to determine the individual requirements. And that is what we want to first explore in this article with a view of examining the common needs for medical nutrition therapy (MNT) in substance abuse and then discuss the specific nutritional threats each substance poses as well as the recommendations for addressing those threats. By the end of the discussion you will be well equipped to face any nutritional challenges that may come your way even as you fight off addiction. We therefore urge you to stay on the link for much more information about this way of fighting addiction.

Medical nutrition therapy for Substance Abuse: Malnutrition

Malnutrition is a serious health problem that comes into the body due to the deficiencies of several food nutrients. It causes the body to be pale, weak and being vulnerable to any attacks by chronic health complications. Nonetheless for the purpose of our discussion, malnutrition that is related to addiction is categorized either as primary or secondary malnutrition.

Primary malnutrition – this normally occurs when the substance replaces other dietary nutrients in the body thereby causing a lot of intoxication to the body system.

Secondary malnutrition – under normal circumstances this will results from improper nutrient metabolism, absorption, utilization, or excretion even though the diet may be adequate. Even though malnutrition is categorized in either primary or secondary, they both have one common denominator which are both types of malnutrition can result from any substance use.

Medical nutrition therapy for Substance Abuse: Effects of malnutrition

Doctor Akoury registers that even though malnutrition can affect any body, it is important to note that patients who are struggling with multiple addictions show increased deficiencies due to malnutrition. Like for instance in one of the studies it was revealed that up to 70% of addicted drug users suffered vitamin D deficiency and low levels of vitamin C, and yet in another research it was also established that some 50% of addicts were deficient either in iron or vitamins (vitamins A, C, and E being most common) during detox.

It is also important to note that MNT for malnutrition roles includes correcting any deficiencies, providing an adequate diet, and addressing any alterations that need to be made to the diet due to oral, digestive, or metabolic issues. A once-a-day, low-potency multivitamin/mineral supplement may be useful for those unable to consume a calorically adequate diet and those with dietary limitations or severe gastrointestinal damage.

Medical nutrition therapy for Substance Abuse: Metabolic syndrome

According to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, substance abuse, especially alcohol abuse, is closely associated with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome, which consists of increased abdominal obesity, hyperglycemia, abnormal cholesterol, and hypertension. The mechanisms through which substance abuse contributes to this condition includes increased cell damage, reduced energy production, cells’ reduced antioxidant potential, and enhanced excitotoxicity. Some substances, including alcohol and marijuana, lead to higher calorie intakes, increased weight circumference, and poorer nutritional profiles, all of which will lead to an increased metabolic syndrome risk.

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in substance abusers is reported to be 5% to 31%, with a higher risk for those who abuse alcohol and opioids. Higher risk is thought to be associated with an increased period of dependence on a substance. To reduce this considerably, it is important that we take such patients through counseling particularly on the subject of lifestyle changes. The effectiveness of this will go a long way in decreasing their risk of contracting chronic health conditions like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Besides this such patients should also be encouraged to engage in healthy practices like exercise, weight loss and dietary changes to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol and quitting smoking.

Before we come to the conclusion of this discussion, I want to give some assurance to you concerning the best way forward even after leaving this sight. But before you go remember that we have only looked at malnutrition and metabolism and we are yet to explore on pharmacotherapy, weight management and eating disorders which are also very instrumental in medical nutrition therapy for substance abuse. Because of that we are going to proceed with the two in our next article and it is going to be very healthy for you to be there. Finally as a possible way forward whenever therapy is mentioned, people often think of resources and the cost implications. Remember what we said in the introduction that we are determined in seeing you through this process of eliminating addiction all through. That is why doctor Dalal Akoury founded this facility (AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center) so that you can get the much needed assistance conveniently and at a very competitive rate. Therefore if this description suits your situation, then you need to schedule that appointment with doctor Akoury today for the commencement of your recovery journey today.

Medical nutrition therapy for Substance Abuse: Specific nutritional threats discussed

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

Tag Archives: Drug addiction and stress