Being mindful about alternative treatment for addiction

July 9, 2015

Being mindful about alternative treatment for addiction: The benefits of alternative treatments of addiction

Being mindful about alternative treatment for addiction is just the beginning towards getting lasting solutions about drug addiction.

When the society is hard hit by the prevailing circumstances of drug addiction, the economy of that society suffers immensely. A lot of violence, theft, erosion of peace of mind, family depression and fatigue, lose jobs and source of livelihood, emotional torcher for children due to parents’ separation; child neglect the list is endless. The problem of addiction is a serious threat to our social fabric, it teas apart all that we have worked for and when not addressed promptly, it may become very difficult to remedy the situation in the long run. We have been made prisoners in our own homes and villages because of the behaviors of some of our friends and relatives who have been hooked into drugs and we must choose to change this says doctor Dalal Akoury MD and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center. In fact doctor Akoury founded this facility primarily to make a difference in people’s lives by focusing on Neuroendocrine Restoration (NER) to reinstate normality through realization of the oneness of Spirit, Mind and Body, Unifying the threesome into ONE. Her ways of administering treatment is all inclusive being mindful about alternative treatment for addiction. Previously we have discussed in-depth some of the alternative treatment for addiction and we are not about to stop now. We are actually focusing on more of this because we owe it to you. Therefore for the purpose of this article, doctor Akoury is going to take us through biochemical restoration and nutrition, yoga and exercise as some of the known alternative treatment modes for drug addiction currently. If it is fine with you, allow me to ask for your indulgence of staying on the link to be more educated on the best options you have when it comes to alternatives of treatment for substance abuse.

Being mindful about alternative treatment for addiction: Biochemical Restoration and Nutrition

This mode of treatment may be new to many of you but all the same it is tailored to bring corrective measures and repair the biochemical imbalances that cause cravings, depression, anxiety and the unstable moods that lead to and the perpetuation of addiction. It is very important to appreciate that there are certain biochemical imbalances capable of making a person more prone to addiction and which this form of treatment (chemical nutrient therapy) endeavors to improve. The direct problems to be addressed by this may include imbalances of neurotransmitters in the brain, nutrient deficiencies, amino acid imbalances, hypoglycemia, inflammatory and oxidative stress, and adrenal fatigue.

Once biochemical imbalances are assessed, an individualized biochemical restoration plan can be established. This can include a personal nutrition plan, a micronutrient supplement including amino acids (sometimes with a futuristic approach of micronutrient injections), and prescribed physical activity and relaxation. The moment a balance is restored, the other addiction treatment modalities such as counseling and relapse prevention can be tackled more effectively.

Experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center believe that the single most ignored aspect to treating addiction is treating nutritional deficiencies. Many other nutritionists are also in agreement with this. Recovering addicts tend toward highly palatable foods that can provide a temporary reprieve from negative feelings. These are almost invariably processed foods with added sugar, salt and vegetable oil fats; refined carbohydrates, and caffeine rather than high-nutrient foods. Unfortunately, these foods destabilize blood sugar, spur inflammation, and deplete the brain of essential neurotransmitters that play a large role in stabilizing moods.

Doctor Akoury is very concerned that “nutritional interventions [should be] based on real food rather than supplementation.” And she is of the opinion that one should never be hungry and at the same time never be full approach of eating six small meals a day, or every two to four hours. In other words, people should eat in an interval of two hours small portions of food that will not make them to be too full or leave them hungry either. Therefore it is very necessary that addicts should strive for more protein, fiber, and healthy fats like those found in fatty fish, nuts, and flax seeds. Certainly, learning about nutrition, how to cook healthy meals and making good food choices are accessible options for the majority of people in recovery.

From a nutritional perspective point of view, an individual in early recovery can improve mood and fight off depression, anxiety, and stress by incorporating foods that contain an ample amount of omega-3 essential fatty acids, complete proteins, and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory vitamins and minerals. These foods will also help the recovering addict’s mind provide essential building blocks for depleted neurotransmitters, for example as well as the body, promoting healing of all systems and tissues damaged by malnutrition.

Being mindful about alternative treatment for addiction: Yoga

The meaning of Yoga is union in Sanskrit combining three aspects namely physical postures, breath work, and meditation. Remember that the philosophy of yoga is to bring the mind, body, and spirit together in a united alignment which is one of the main objectives of doctor Akoury to her clients. This actually promotes a state of inner peace that might assist recovering addicts in preventing relapse. Many studies have indicated that yoga can relieve anxiety, stress and depression.

The physical aspect teaches bodily awareness how to release pent-up emotions and stuck energy. For many in recovery, there has been a disassociation from the body through the use of drugs, alcohol, food, or other substances. Through practicing the physical “asanas” recovering addicts can become aware of their outdated behavioral patterns and make the conscious decision to change.

Breath work can be a key aspect of healing and recovery from addiction. The lungs are the link between the circulatory and nervous systems, and they provide detoxification, energy, and a built-in relaxation response.

Meditation is important because it allows recovering addicts a deeper sense of self-awareness. By becoming less influenced by the world around them, addicts can learn to nod off cravings and embrace their inner strength without the need for external validation through substances.

Being mindful about alternative treatment for addiction: Exercise

Daily exercise, even in small doses, can boost mood what most recovering addicts need in the absence of their substances of abuse. Starting an exercise regimen can help fill the void of using, lending a sense of purpose and offering a substitute, but natural, high. Doctor Akoury says that generally speaking exercise, whether aerobic or otherwise, has well-known health benefits, including improvements in the function of the cardiovascular, pulmonary, and endocrine systems. Physical exercise has many cognitive benefits that can specifically help recovering addicts. For one, it leads to increased neurotransmitter levels, improved oxygen and nutrient delivery, and increased neurogenesis in the hippocampus. It can have a positive effect on learning and memory. Executive control processes—working memory, multitasking, and planning is more positively affected in comparison to other regions of the brain.

Being mindful about alternative treatment for addiction: The benefits of alternative treatments of addiction

Finding the valuable alternative treatments for addiction

July 8, 2015

Finding the valuable alternative treatments for addiction: The introduction of alternative medicine

Finding the valuable alternative treatments for addiction is not only helpful in treatment of addiction, but is also very economical for many.

The problem of drug addiction is one that is causing serious health threats to many people globally today. We cannot pretend that everything is alright when it is not. For this reason it will be noble to work together with one common goal of kicking out the problem of addiction out of our lives. It is true that today there are so many treatment methods both scientific and the alternative treatment methods. In order to defeat this problem besides the scientific medication, we must also embrace other treatment methods. That is why doctor Dalal Akoury and her team of experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center are working round the clock in finding the valuable alternative treatment for addiction that will supplement the scientific solutions being offered currently.

You may be wondering about the safety of some of these alternative medications, it that describes you then you are just right however I want to let you know that as things stand today, it is actually safe to say that alternative treatments for addiction are no longer alternative in the “outside of the mainstream” sense. These days, many treatment facilities and therapists offer an array of these types of “supplemental” therapies, including acupuncture, equine (horse) therapy, neuro-feedback, biochemical restoration, hypnotherapy, yoga, watsu (water therapy), meditation, ropes courses, sound therapy, and the list is endless. Nonetheless, research findings are providing real evidence that proves that experimental treatment with psychedelic drugs though still illegal in most states including U.S. can have profound effects on reducing cravings and preventing relapse.

There still remains controversy among many recovery professionals as to whether “alternative” treatments can hold their own. The dominant view in the profession is that such treatment modes can be highly effective complements to traditional treatment, helping recovering addicts and alcoholics to muscle through early sobriety. But these techniques can’t do the recovery job alone; a “holistic” therapy such as meditation, for example, should be used in conjunction with traditional treatment-as-usual approaches. Actually there is no known research finding that is supporting the sole use of holistic treatments for chemical dependency.

Even so, advocates of many of the treatment modes argue they can have a profound if not crucial influence on recovery. What follows is a guide to some of the dominant and most promising alternative treatment modes and the evidence of their effectiveness, either as stand-alone or supplementary treatment strategies. Doctor Akoury is going to be with us as we progress with the discussion of all the listed alternative addiction medication above, and so you do not want to left out in finding out more about this health information. Keep reading and stay on the link for more and more of these informative health solutions.

Finding the valuable alternative treatments for addiction: NAD (Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide)

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is a coenzyme derivative of vitamin B3 – also known as niacin which is commonly found in all living cells. NAD is a key agent in metabolism, as well as many other basic cellular processes. Because it is essential to the production of energy in our bodies, it has become a valuable resource for helping addicts, especially when used in mega-doses, for rapid detox. In many cases of substance abuse, the body’s reserves of protein and vitamins precursors to NAD are low, resulting generally in low energy.

Doctor Akoury says that the mega-dose treatment is in IV form. Experts believe that it is effective in reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms in patients without using replacement therapies. Available statistics indicate that, it has been used successfully to treat addictions to prescription drugs including opiates, benzodiazepines, and stimulants, alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, suboxone, and methadone. Results may include improved mental clarity, increase in cognitive function, returned focus and concentration, more energy, better mood, and more positive outlook. I believe that as the discussion progresses, you are beginning to appreciate why it is important for everyone to take lead role in finding the valuable alternative treatment for addiction. Besides that advocates claim it opens addicts up to participate in effective therapy. Bill Wilson, the founder of AA, became an advocate of large doses of vitamin B and once claimed that it was the most effective help he had ever received. The AA board refused his appeal that AA should promote the concept to its members.

Finding the valuable alternative treatments for addiction: Neuro-feedback

According to the experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center neurofeedback is a process by which electroencephalography (EEG) sensors are attached to one’s head which allows the brain’s activity to be fed back into a computer that displays brain waves in real time. The subject can then interact with her brain waves in order to alter them, directly impacting their frequency.

The procedure is a form of biofeedback, and it has been used for treating a variety of conditions, including PTSD. Over the past years, neuro-feedback has been gaining traction as a form of alternative treatment at leading recovery and rehab centers. Some addicts claim that it helps with everything from anger to insomnia key triggers for relapse. The limited science on it is positive but funding for a range of credible controlled studies has been hard to come by.

In essence, neurofeedback can increase or decrease states of arousal—a level of neural activity linked to brain wave frequency. An anxious person would obviously aim for a calmer state (a lower frequency) in a neurofeedback session; someone depressed would seek to create higher frequency and more neural arousal. “It can help keep [addicts] from leaving treatment early.” While neurofeedback has a 40-year history, it is still in its infancy as a treatment form for substance disorders. Morgan says there is “no medication out there with such a wide [therapeutic] use.”

Finally we are going to continue further with this discussion in our subsequent article for you to get the full knowledge about defeating drug addiction. Remember that drug addiction is actually a process and not really a destination. Therefore if you have any problem, then you need to seek for immediate help by scheduling for an appointment with the professionals.

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