Tag Archives: Drug

Understanding withdrawal

November 24, 2014

 

Neurobiology of withdrawal

WithdrawalThe biggest challenge to all addicts that makes it hard for them to quite using drugs is withdrawal. Most addicts are not using the drugs because the like using the drugs but rather because they are enslaved to the drugs in such a way that whenever they try to boycott the drug the withdrawal symptoms will be too overwhelming to deal with and so they end up succumbing to the intense craving of their drug of abuse, some choose to go back to their old life where drugs matter simply because they want an instant relief from the withdrawal symptoms. The instant relief will be achieved but this will escalate the problem even further as the patient will be following the same tradition.

To walk with everybody, we need to understand this whole topic, the term withdrawal is not new as it has been defined in previous articles. However we need to define neurobiology so that we all are on one ground.

What is Neurobiology?

Neurobiology is the study of cells of the nervous system and how these cells are organized of these cells into functional circuits that process information and influence behavior. Neurobiology is a sub unit of both biology and neuroscience. Neuroscience is much broader as a scientific study of the nervous system than neurobiology.

It is crucial to understand the functions of the neurons. Firstly, the neurons are cells that are specialized to receive, propagate, and transmit electrochemical impulses to initiate certain responses that are critical for proper functioning of the body. The brain of a human being has more than a hundred billion neurons. These neurons however are diverse in morphology and function.

The nervous system is very important owing to its many function, it is therefore good to note that it should be healthy at all times since any slight effect on the neurotransmitters goes a long way in affected not only the health of a person but also his behavior. Illnesses that affect the nervous system are known as neurobiological disorders. These neurobiological disorders are often caused by genetic, metabolic and other biological factors. Most of the illnesses termed as psychiatric disorders are neurobiological. These may include; bipolar disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, autism, Tourette syndrome and even schizophrenia. To avoid most of the neurobiological disorders, it is good to maintain a good nutrition and avoid substances that may deplete the neurons and interfere with the proper functioning of the nervous system. In this article we will explore what happens to the nervous system that causes withdrawal.

What causes withdrawal symptoms?

A person using any type of recreational drug risks suffering from its severe withdrawal symptoms and each drug of abuse has its own unique withdrawal symptoms that those who depend on the drug have to suffer. However it is good to note that you cannot suffer any withdrawal symptom however long you use a drug until you become dependent on the drug. You first have to depend on the drug to suffer its withdrawal symptoms. Without dependence there is no withdrawal.

Neurotransmitters are naturally synthesized in the cell body and migrate down the axon to the presynaptic terminals. Here they are stored in little packets called vesicles which fuse with the synaptic membrane. When a depolarizing current is received, these vesicles release their contents into the synaptic cleft. These happen naturally without dependence on any drug.

The neurotransmitters relay signals between nerve cells, called neurons. The brain uses neurotransmitters to tell your heart to beat, your lungs to breathe, and your stomach to digest. They can also affect mood, sleep, concentration, weight, and can cause adverse symptoms when they are out of balance. However neurotransmitter levels can be depleted many ways. One of the biggest contribution to the depletion of the neurotransmitters is the use of drugs both prescription and recreational.

When you use drugs, especially the recreational drugs for a long time there are neurotransmitters that are affected. The neurotransmitters in the brain have specific purposes that together ensure the right balance in the brain for proper functioning of the neurotransmitters. There are both inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters in the brain. There must be balance between these neurotransmitters if the brain is to work normally. However when a person has become dependent on drugs, the balance between these neurotransmitters is interfered with. The inhibitory hormones include:

 

Serotonin- this neurotransmitter is anti-stimulant. It suppresses all the effects of drugs recreation that works to stimulate the brain. It should be available in good levels to ensure balance in moods too. When you become dependent on recreation drugs serotonin becomes depleted and so the ‘highs’ of the brain will be unregulated making the brain dependent on the drugs. Any attempt to stop using the drug will cause withdrawal. Plus it is serotonin that controls cravings for carbohydrates and even responsible for sleep cycles when it’s depleted the withdrawal symptoms become inevitable.

WithdrawalGABA –this also regulates the excitatory neurotransmitter firing to the brain, however when drugs of recreation are used for a long time this neurotransmitter becomes depleted further creating an imbalance in the brain.

Just like inhibitory neurotransmitter excitatory Neurotransmitters are also very important but are also affected by drugs of abuse. These include;

Norepinephrine- is an excitatory neurotransmitter that is responsible for stimulatory processes in the body. Norepinephrine helps to make epinephrine as well. Drugs suppress your brain’s production of neurotransmitters like noradrenaline. When you stop using drugs or alcohol it’s like taking the weight off the brain, and your brain rebounds by producing a surge of adrenaline that causes withdrawal symptoms. Plus when the levels of inhibitory neurotransmitters are low it means the levels of excitatory neurotransmitters are increased and this causes anxiety and low moods which are common symptoms of withdrawal. Other excitatory hormones that are subject to drug abuse include dopamine and epinephrine. The imbalance between the excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters is responsible for withdrawal in drug users. We at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center are committed to availing help to addicts by availing some of the most integrative approaches to healing an addict. We advocate for natural healing to all kinds of addiction. Call on Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for help.

Neurobiology of withdrawal

 

 

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Dextromethorphan (DXM) As a Drug of Abuse

September 25, 2014

Dextromethorphan (DXM) As a Drug of Abuse

Dextromethorphan (DXM)As a known fact, most of the drugs that are now commonly abused began as clinical drugs. There are clinical drugs that might have recreational properties in that when a person takes more than recommended dosage he may experience some of the effects of the drug. These may include hallucination and euphoria. For this reason these drugs can be misused in large scale if measures are not taken to strictly regulate their use. Dextromethorphan is one of the drugs that have been used in clinical setup but are known to be rich in recreational properties.

Dextromethorphan (DXM) was used as a cough depressant in the past. Most of the over the counter cough medicines has it as an ingredient. It works in these drugs as an antitussive (cough suppressant) and expectorant in other words it works as an agent that promotes the removal of mucus from the respiratory tract. It also has other medical uses. These may include the temporary relief of sinus congestion, runny nose, cough, sneezing, itching of the nose and throat, and watery eyes caused by hay fever, allergies, cold, or flu (influenza). In fact most of the over the counter cough medication has DXM as the most active component. When the recommended dose is taken, DXM has few adverse side effects, and has a long history of safety and effectiveness. However when taken in huge doses beyond the description it has some serious side effects. It causes hazy images and poor vision plus it also causes hallucinations. This drug, owing to its hallucinatory effects has been highly abused.

Over the past few years, cases related to use of DXM for non-medical purposes has risen and still very many people are using this drug for all the wrong reasons. Experts opine that the rise in abuse of this drug is attributed to the ease of purchasing nonprescription cough drugs from drug stores and in the internet. The drug is also legal and so even those who use it for wrong purpose are not afraid of the authorities even if they are found to be in possession of DXM. This gives it a more reason to be used as opposed to other hallucinogens that are considered illegal in most states. The FDA approves the use of DXM for medicinal purposes basing on the fact that when it is used within the prescribed doses then it can not cause any health hazard. However, it can be a damaging substance. Recreational users intentionally exceed suggested doses to experience a sense of heightened perceptual awareness, altered time perception, and/or visual hallucinations. Also, users often abuse the drug in combination with other drugs. The interaction between DXM and other substances e.g., alcohol, acetaminophen, MDMA/ecstasy, and other OTC cough medicines. When DXM is used with other drugs for recreational purposes, it produces a synergistic effect that can be very dangerous. Ingredients of cough medicines other than DXM, like acetaminophen, are extremely hazardous when consumed in high doses and can cause liver damage, heart attack, stroke, and death. For these reasons it is very important to restrict oneself to the prescribed dosage to avoid all the other undesirable effects.

DXM as Sigma receptors agonists

This drug works in a number ways in suppressing coughs. Firstly it has pharmacodynamic similarities to the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist ketamine. It is used as a cough depressant as it has been found to be effective yet very safe when used within the required doses. However this drug does not bind on the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors only but also binds to sigma-1 (σ1) receptors, which are believed to be protein targets for a potential new class of antidepressant medications.

Due to its hallucinatory effects it has become abused in that instead being used for medicinal purposes people now use it as a recreational drug. When taken a person will experience visual hallucinations and radically altered states of consciousness, often experienced as pleasurable and illuminating. This intense feeling of happiness and euphoria is what make many people to abuse DXM. It takes a person to a mental trip where every boundary of the mind seems overcome. However in case of overdose with the good feelings of happiness and euphoria a person may get feelings of anxiety and revulsion after using DXM. However there are other side effects associated with it.

Dextromethorphan (DXM)

Dextromethorphan side effects

Every drug has a side effect when abused. However the drugs will induce different reactions in people. As for DXM, it is very safe when used within the prescribed doses. However when a person uses this drugs in higher doses he will have to go through certain problems that are induced by the drug. There is however an innocent unintentional overdose under which a person may suffer such symptoms as; difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.  When this happens, you should stop using dextromethorphan and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects: severe dizziness, anxiety, restless feeling, or nervousness, confusion, hallucinations and slow, shallow breathing.

Apart from the unintentional overdose that may be termed accidental a person may overdose to get the feelings of euphoria and hallucinations from this drug. However this may result in serious health problems both short-term and long-term.

Finally, Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) is an experienced doctor who has been in the frontline fighting drug addiction. He runs a website that equips readers of better ways to overcome not only drug addiction but also serious health problems that have caused nightmares to the world population. Get in touch with her today and learn more.

Dextromethorphan (DXM) As a Drug of Abuse

 

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The US Drugs Control Strategy

August 16, 2014

The Us Drugs Control Strategy May Favor Physicians

The 2014 US drugs control policy came as an advancement of the 2013 National Drug Control Strategy, which emphasized for an approach based on scientific research on addiction, evidence-based prevention programs, increased access to treatment, a historic emphasis on recovery, and criminal justice reform. This policy seeks to reduce the increasing rates drug addictions triggered deaths which have been on a rise.

This policy is actually an incentive and a sure new income stream for Physician who are professionals in drug addiction recovery. Physicians need to take advantage of this law to learn about the natural treatment of addiction and implement it in their offices for realization of great psychological and financial rewards.

The US National Drug Control Strategy 2014 is a continuation of the approach of the Obama administration’s earlier strategies with an emphasis on early intervention, treatment, recovery support, criminal justice reform, effective law enforcement, and international cooperation. While the overall framework, goals, and the agency responsibilities set out in Obama’s first Strategy remain in effect, the 2014 Strategy seeks to address issues such as declining perceptions of harm and increases of use of cannabis among young people, problem opioid use disorders and new synthetic drugs. The strategy has goals to be attained by 2015 including a decrease in the 30-day prevalence of drug use among 12- to 17-year-olds by 15 percent and a reduction of drug-induced deaths by 15 percent.

Why should physicians take advantage of this policy?

The physicians should actually take advantage of this policy to research on the natural treatments for addiction. The process of researching on new ways through which a given disease can be treated is obviously an expensive adventure. Many physicians may not afford to conduct sufficient research due to the limitations in resources required in the process of conducting the research.

The intervention of the US government has not only given the physicians a go ahead to conduct these researches but also allocated resources to sponsor any physician who seeks to contribute to the achievements of the drugs control strategy‘s objectives. Some of the treatments when discovered need to be piloted on. The right to administer a medication on a human being to determine its effectiveness requires authorization. With the US government’s drugs control strategy, it is very unlikely that such rights will not be granted, and thus the physicians’ experimentation process receives a boost.

What does the drug control strategy entail?

The drugs policy strategy has its key issues outlined. These are the key issues that must be addressed for the realization of the strategy’s objectives. The following are these key issues outlined by the strategy:-

  • Strengthening the Efforts to Prevent Drug Use in the Communities

The strategy here, looks at addiction as controllable if prevented in the first place. It focuses on the community and the role which each of the persons in the community can play in controlling the drug substance use and hence controlling addiction. It seeks to strengthen the community’s norms against drugs abuse. It also views the personal educational achievements as one of the causations of drugs abuse. It therefore emphasizes on the need to ensure self-sufficiency in the community.

  • Seek Early Intervention Opportunities in Health Care

The strategy emphasizes on the needs to diagnose the disorder drug usage and control it before it causes disorders to the patient. This makes the health care costs lower than treating the disorders when left to occur. This can be helpful to the physicians if they device a natural treatment which can diagnose and control the early symptoms of the drugs’ disorders.

  • Integration of substance use disorder treatment into health care

The US government also strategized to Integrate Treatment for Substance Use Disorders into Health Care and to Expand Support for Recovery. Since the process of recovery from drug addiction is a long process, this strategy seeks to make it possible for the patients to be able to get support from health care professional. It also discourages the use of opioids in the treatment of pain, since it is known to be addictive. If the physicians can exploit this opportunity by researching on the natural effective natural treatment, they can get the backup of the government as offering the appropriate medication and hence realization of great financial rewards.

 

  • Break the Cycle of Drug Use, Crime, Delinquency, and Incarceration

Drug addiction may lead to the abuser being charged before a court of law especially if the addiction is from an illegal drug. Even after the sentence, the person is likely to repeat the punishable behaviors and form a crime cycle. To end this cycle, breaking of the drug cycle is importanr. This strategy proposes that during the sentence, the addict should be put under recovery scheme which should continue even after the sentence.

If you need help with addiction or know of a friend suffering from this addiction, call in live or email us and we will help you get trusted treatment and advice. We are true professionals with proven track records and are very reliable in treatment.

The Us Drugs Control Strategy May Favor Physicians

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Is Herbal Therapy Effective for Alcohol or Drug Addiction Treatment?

August 3, 2014

Herbal Therapy Treatment For Alcohol Or Drug Addiction

What is herbal treatment?

Herbal treatment is one of the oldest treatment methods, but still in use all over the world. This refers to the treatment which bases on the medicine obtained exclusively from plants. The medicine is obtained from varied plants known to have medicinal values. The plants used to give a given medicinal value may vary from place to place depending with the cultural practices of the area. Different cultures may though used the same plant but differ in how they use it or the specific part that they use.

Advantages of herbal treatment in Drug addiction recovery

addictionIt is now a fact that herbal medicine is being preferred by many all over the world. The big question is, “why do many people prefer herbal medicine over the pharmaceutical medicines?” many researches have been conducted to determine the credibility of herbal medication, though this medication has been one of the oldest. Herbal medication has obviously preferred due to its many benefits to the human body. The following are some of the benefits of herbal medicine;

  • They have negligible side effects – many pharmaceutical medicines have been proven to have a side effect to the patient who uses them. The case is different with herbal medicines. Almost all the researches which have been conducted on the herbal medicines, have indicated that it has very low or no side effects at all. This is one of the reasons why herbal medication is highly preferred in the drug addiction recovery process since it leaves the patient with no side effects.
  • They are cost effective – the drug addicts may not be very productive in the community, and therefore for relatives or well-wishers to offer material support to help the addict look for treatment for the addiction may be difficult especially when the medication cost is high. Herbal medication becomes the better option for many, since its cost is highly affordable by far that the prescription medicine. This is due to the low cost in the process of research, testing and marketing of the herbal medicines as compared to the prescription medicine.
  • They are effective with chronic condition- herbal medicine has proven to be effective than many of the traditional prescription medicine. This medication is for this case a good medication option for people suffering from addiction effects such as chronic fatigue.
  • Widespread availability – one of the most important factors that make herbal medicine highly preferred in the treatment of drug addiction is its availability. The herbal medicines are readily available all over the world and hence accessing them is much easy. Some of the simple herbs that are known to have medicinal values can be grown at home and hence when they are required in the treatment they can be easily accessed from there.
  • Non-habit forming – herbal medicines have been proven not to cause any habit formation and hence no chances of addiction resulting from the medication.

 

What makes herbal treatment effective in drug addiction treatment?

Herbs have the capacity to ease some alcohol or drug withdrawal symptoms (i.e. from anxiety to insomnia) and they can also help in the detoxification of the body. One of the challenges that a drug addict will face during the recovery period is the craving for the drugs. Herbal medication has been effective in the reduction of the intensity in the addicted person’s craving for alcohol and other drugs.

  • Nervous system correction

Among the helpful herbs, are herbs that influence the nervous system or by gently encouraging a relaxed and sedated state. Some of the herbs that are known to bring this sedation are: – catnip, chamomile, peppermint, and skullcap. The good thing with these herbs is that they provide a wide range of ways through which they can be taken by a patient. One of these convenient ways is that it can be used together as a tea or with any other fluid. In most cases, to replace mild depression with a state of calmness, St. John’s wort is often prescribed to the patients.

  • Detoxification

Many addictive drugs will always leave toxins in the body even after the patient recovers from the addiction. These toxins are known to have a negative to the patient in the long run. It is therefore very important for detoxification to be done to the patient despite the recovery medication. For this detoxification to be done, there are several herbs which contribute to cleansing of the blood. These herbs may include burdock root and echinacea (purple coneflower). Some other herbs such as milk thistle, which is known to contain silymarin, support the liver which is the main toxin-filtering organ in the body. This may thus help in prevent drug-induced damage to the liver.

The Chinese herbal medicine
Kudzu root, which is often prescribed as a bitter tea, has long been used by traditional Chinese doctors to reduce the appetite for alcohol. This helps the alcohol addict who is in the process of recovering by avoiding craving effects. The recent animal research suggests that alcohol-free kudzu root extract can cut the consumption of alcohol in half. (The patients in this study, however, were a breed of hamsters.) Based on such a research, we can conclude that herbal medicine has many advantages in helping the drug addicts in the recovery.

Herbal Therapy Treatment For Alcohol Or Drug Addiction

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Buprenorphine

July 30, 2014

Buprenorphine – Addiction treatment

Buprenorphine

Buprenorphine drug may not be the best for addiction treatment and it has to be prescribed by a doctor and not across the counter

The prevalence of drug abuse in our streets is in the rise and unless something is done fast to contain the increase then the dangers are likely to be fatal. Besides rehab centers we can also use certain medications like buprenorphine which is helpful in keeping off drugs like heroin from the streets by reducing the bad withdrawal symptoms when one ceases to use drugs. This medicine closely related to heroin and often administered as treatment replacement. It is the choice drug for many even though some people choose to progressively limit their dose and eventually come off it. Normally this drug last longer in the body system and therefore its prescription is a once daily dose. To regulate its use users may be required to be taking buprenorphine in the presence of a supervisor normally the pharmacist dispensing the drug to the user. This close supervision is to ensure that only the right dose is taken and with time the user can be allowed to be taking it all by themselves after ascertaining regular dose maintenance.

Buprenorphine – Side Effects

Just in like all other medications buprenorphine drug treatment equally has side effects for instance when you start using buprenorphine you may not get it out of your system with ease irrespective of what option you went for be it inpatient or outpatient in a rehab program.

As with all medications, Buprenorphine (Suboxone) drug treatment also has some disadvantages. It is still a medication and if you prefer to break free from any kind of addiction immediately, then Buprenorphine may not be the way to go. Also, you may not be completely Buprenorphine-free by the time you leave drug treatment, even if you opt for an inpatient drug rehab program.

  • Some may consider these disadvantages while others consider them well worth the advantage of avoiding opiate withdrawal symptoms.
  • Initial studies on long-term use of Buprenorphine suggest that there are anti-depressant effects of the drug as well.
  • The dosing schedule is also relatively easy to maintain as most don’t even have to take it every day.
  • Additionally, you can’t abuse Suboxone, get high off of it or overdose on it like you can with some other opiate addiction maintenance or detox drugs, like methadone.

Much as this may offer treatment for addiction, it is in itself addictive and should not be encouraged. Its shortcomings far much out ways the advantages as illustrated in the paragraphs below.

Buprenorphine – Before using buprenorphine

Certain medications are so reactive to people and especially to those with certain health conditions. Buprenorphine is such medicine that needs to be used with extra care being taken therefore before this medication is administered, your doctor must be aware of the following to help them make a decision whether to allow or not.

  • Do you or have you ever had liver or kidney problems.
  • Do you or have you ever had prostate problems or any difficulties passing urine.
  • Do you have any breathing problems like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Have you ever been told that you have low blood pressure
  • Do you have any problems with your thyroid or adrenal glands
  • Are you epileptic?
  • Do you have any problem with your bile duct
  • Are you pregnant or breast-feeding
  • If you have been constipated for more than a week or have an inflammatory bowel problem.
  • Do you have a condition causing muscle weakness, called myasthenia gravis?
  • Have you in the recent past had a severe head injury
  • Have you ever had an allergic reaction to any medicine
  • Are currently taking any street drugs or medicines including any medicines you are taking which are available across the counter without a prescription like herbal and complementary medicines.

Buprenorphine – Achieving the best from your treatment

  • Occasionally when using buprenorphine you may experience some discomfort during the first 3 days, this is a normal reaction and you must not attempt taking heroin on top, and again do not take more than what the doctor instructed.
  • Periodically keep regular consultations with your doctor or clinic for proper review of how you’re progressing. During these meetings you are likely to be requested to give specimen of urine from time to time for the evaluation exercise.
  • You cannot get Buprenorphine without a doctor’s prescription and you will not be able to ask for any changes to be made to your supply because your pharmacist can only dispense the prescription exactly as per the instructions of your doctor.
  • There are several different brands and strengths of buprenorphine tablets, so each time you collect a supply, check to make sure it contains what you are expecting.
  • You are more likely to succeed in staying off heroin if you have support and counseling in addition to taking buprenorphine. Local drug community teams, self-help groups and other agencies may be of help.
  • You must refrain from any street drugs or drinking too much alcohol while using buprenorphine because other street drugs such as benzodiazepines (benzos) and alcohol can affect buprenorphine and increase the chance of unwanted effects.
  • You should tell the DVLA that you are taking buprenorphine if you are a driver. You are likely to be banned from driving at first, although you may be allowed to drive again later, subject to an annual medical review. Your doctor will tell you when you can resume driving.
  • When there is need to stopping using buprenorphine discuss this with your doctor before stopping. It is important that buprenorphine should be taken regularly to reduce the risk of withdrawal symptoms occurring. When you are ready to consider becoming drug-free, your doctor will be able to help you decide on the best way to do this in order to keep withdrawal effects to minimum and manageable levels.
  • If you are planning any visit abroad, you should carry a letter with you from your doctor to explain that you have been prescribed buprenorphine. This is because buprenorphine is classed as a ‘controlled drug’ and is subject to certain restrictions.
  • If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are suitable for you to take with buprenorphine. Many other medicines have similar side-effects to buprenorphine and taking them together will increase the risk of unwanted effects.
  • If you are having an operation or dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are taking buprenorphine.

Finally you have had all the attached effects and conditions while using this drug, you may wonder why use such medicine with so much conditions and believe me you are right therefore for good healthy and user friendly alternatives talk to Dr. Dalal Akoury, Founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center. She is a medical doctor with over two decades of addiction treatment and together with her team of experts she is offering her exclusive NER Recovery Treatment to all patients across the globe as well to other physicians and health care professionals through training, clinical apprenticeships, webinars and seminars. Your condition will be safe at this facility and you will be among many individuals and qualified professional joining this truly successful and fast addiction recovery treatment.

Buprenorphine – Addiction treatment

 

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