Substance Abuse and Mental Health

May 30, 2015

Substance Abuse and Mental Health: Co-Occurring Disorders

Substance Abuse and Mental Health put together can really frustrate your life and immediate solution is very necessary

We are living at a time when substance abuse is becoming the order of the day and drugs are on a daily basis become very accessible to our children. The use of these drugs comes with serious health complications that destroy the very vital organs of the body including the heart, kidney, brain, lungs just to mention a few. When one abuses drugs consistently, the brain will be affected thereby causing mental health complications. The effects of substance abuse can be very frustrating if not dealt with in good time. That is why doctor Dalal Akoury founded AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center to help drug addicts get their life back professionally. We are going to be focusing on the substance abuse and mental health throughout this article so that you and your loved ones can get to know where to start from should there be an addiction and metal health problem in your family. From her over two decade of working experience doctor Akoury says that when you have both a substance abuse problem and a mental health issue such as depression, bipolar disorder, or anxiety scientifically this is called a co-occurring disorder or simply dual diagnosis as is commonly known by many. I have seen so many people struggling with various addictions but surely dealing with substance abuse, alcoholism, or drug addiction is never easy. This problem can even become more complicated and frustrating if the patient is also struggling with mental health problems. However, the good news is that when you visit our facility (AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center) we have highly trained medical staff who will administer treatments that will help you get better. She says that with proper treatment, support, and self-help strategies, you can overcome a dual diagnosis and reclaim your life. Therefore if you are struggling with any form of addiction, you may want to call doctor Akoury to schedule for an appointment for the commencement of your recovery journey.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health: Understanding the link between substance abuse and mental health

In a dual diagnosis, both the mental health issue and the drug or alcohol addiction have their own unique symptoms that may get in the way of your ability to function, handle life’s difficulties, and relate to others. To make the situation more complicated, the co-occurring disorders also affect each other and interact. When a mental health problem goes untreated, the substance abuse problem usually gets worse as well. And when alcohol or drug abuse increases, mental health problems usually increase too.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health: What comes first Substance abuse or the mental health problem?

Addiction is common in people with mental health problems. But although substance abuse and mental health disorders like depression and anxiety are closely linked, one does not directly cause the other.

Alcohol or drugs are often used to self-medicate the symptoms of depression or anxiety. Unfortunately, substance abuse causes side effects and in the long run worsens the very symptoms they initially numbed or relieved.

Alcohol and drug abuse can increase underlying risk for mental disorders. Mental disorders are caused by a complex interplay of genetics, the environment, and other outside factors. If you are at risk for a mental disorder, drug or alcohol abuse may push you over the edge.

Alcohol and drug abuse can make symptoms of a mental health problem worse. Substance abuse may sharply increase symptoms of mental illness or trigger new symptoms. Alcohol and drug abuse also interact with medications such as antidepressants, anti-anxiety pills, and mood stabilizers, making them less effective.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health: Recognizing co-occurring disorders or dual diagnosis

Doctor Akoury says that it may not be an easy task to diagnose a substance abuse problem and a co-occurring mental health disorder like depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. However it takes time to tease out what might be a mental disorder and what might be a drug or alcohol problem. Like it is said that the very first step of treatment of any kind of addiction is the acknowledgement of the problem, this as easy as it may be is one of the most difficult thing to most addicts. Many addicts are in denial and this is hindering treatment by greater percentage. Because of this problem it’s very difficult for addicts to admit how dependent they are on alcohol or drugs or how much the drugs affect their lives. Denial frequently occurs in mental disorders as well. The symptoms of depression or anxiety can be frightening, so you may ignore them and hope they go away. Or you may be ashamed or afraid of being viewed as weak if you admit the problem.

We appreciate that this can be very difficult for you but we want to encourage you that you are not alone and we want to help you in this journey of recovery. Many people have been there and all that you are going through they also went through but with the kind of professionalism approach we give we have heard countless testimonies of great recovery and they are now enjoying their lives free from addiction. You too can be one of them if only you can talk to us today. Pick up the phone and call right now because somebody is waiting to help you start the journey of great recovery. If you are wondering you chose AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, I will help you by giving brief insight of what you will get with us. When she realized that very many people were struggling with substance abuse and mental health with very little help coming, 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. 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. This is the place to be for your recovery.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health: Co-Occurring Disorders

About Substance Abuse and Mental Health

May 30, 2015

About Substance Abuse and Mental Health: Admitting you have a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorders

About Substance Abuse and Mental Health. the two conditions must be addressed simultaneously for any meaningful healing to be realized.

Are you struggling with drugs or is there any of your loved ones or anybody you know who is struggling with drugs? Drug addiction is not by any standard good for anyone’s health. People who have recovered from this scourge will attest to this. Even though this condition is treatable patients (addicts) are always in denial of what they are going through. This is one of the biggest challenges that must first be dealt with before any meaningful treatment can be administered. For sure without acknowledgement of the problem and willful acceptance, there is very little that any professional will do to help. That is why we put more emphasis about substance abuse and mental health so that addicts can own up and get ready for treatment. With that said and done, doctor says that if there is anything you need to remember then remember that substance abuse problems and mental health issues don’t get better when they’re ignored. As a matter of fact any time wasted will cause even much problem when treatment finally begins, in other words when dealing with matters addiction treatment should be immediate to rid of any possibilities of worsening the situation which is already frustrating. While appreciating that you may not want to be associated with drug addiction hence your reason for denial, surely you don’t have to feel this way. It is important to note that admitting you have a problem is the first step towards conquering your demons and enjoying life again. The following will help you come to terms with the problem at hand:

Consider family history – If people in your family lineage have grappled with either a mental disorder such as depression or alcohol abuse or drug addiction, you have a higher risk of developing these problems yourself. Meaning if this is true then you are not the first it had happen before.

Consider your sensitivity to alcohol or drugs – Are you highly sensitive to the effects of alcohol or drugs? Have you noticed a relationship between your substance use and your mental health? For example, do you get depressed when you drink? Interrogate that further.

Look at symptoms when you’re sober – While some depression or anxiety is normal after you’ve stopped drinking or doing drugs, if the symptoms persist after you’ve achieved sobriety, you may be dealing with a mental health problem.

Review your treatment history – Have you been treated before for either your addiction or your mental health problem? Did the substance abuse treatment fail because of complications from your mental health issue or vice versa? These will be very helpful to you in realizing that the problem you have is just like any other problem and treatment must be sought for immediately. Once you have noticed these then the next step is letting the professionals do their part by administering treatment so that the problem doesn’t escalate to some other complications.

About Substance Abuse and Mental Health: Signs and symptoms of substance abuse

Now that you have accepted that there could be some problems with your health and addiction, you need to move a step further and trace any signs and symptoms of substance abuse in your life. In other words if you’re wondering whether you have a substance abuse problem, then the following questions may help. Depending on how you respond to them will give an indication whether you have drinking problem or your drug use is a problem. In other words, when your response has more yes than no then chances are that you have a problem which needs to be fixed immediately.

Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking or drug use?
Have you tried to cut back, but just couldn’t?
Do you ever tell lies about how much or how often you drink or use drugs?
Have members of your family or friends showed concern about your alcohol or drug use?
Do you ever feel bad, guilty, or ashamed about your drinking or drug use?
On more than one occasion, have you done or said something while drunk or high that you later regretted and wished you didn’t?
Have you ever blacked out from drinking or drug use?
Has your alcohol or drug use caused problems in your relationships, as in marriage, work place?
Has you alcohol or drug use gotten you into trouble at work or with the law?

About Substance Abuse and Mental Health: Signs and symptoms of common co-occurring disorders

The mental health problems that most commonly co-occur with substance abuse are depression, anxiety disorders, and bipolar disorder.

About Substance Abuse and Mental Health: Common signs and symptoms of depression

Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness
Loss of interest in daily activities
Inability to experience pleasure
Appetite or weight changes
Sleep changes
Loss of energy
Strong feelings of worthlessness or guilt
Concentration problems
Anger, physical pain, and reckless behavior (especially in men)

About Substance Abuse and Mental Health: Common signs and symptoms of mania in bipolar disorder

Feelings of euphoria or extreme irritability
Unrealistic, grandiose beliefs
Decreased need for sleep
Increased energy
Rapid speech and racing thoughts
Impaired judgment and impulsivity
Hyperactivity
Anger or rage

About Substance Abuse and Mental Health: Common signs and symptoms of anxiety

Excessive tension and worry
Feeling restless or jumpy
Irritability or feeling “on edge”
Racing heart or shortness of breath
Nausea, trembling, or dizziness
Muscle tension, headaches
Trouble concentrating
Insomnia

Finally it amazes me how we often get the best information and fail to implement them. We all want to live healthy lives free from all manner of addictions and mental health complications but on the other hand we find it difficult to conform to certain standards of life that is deemed healthy and productive. That really amazes me, however knowing that these drugs are very addictive, we have a duty to change things professionally. When you visit us at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, we will evaluate your individual conditions and professionally administer treatment to your individual needs that will live you full of life free from addiction and ready to go places. You can talk to us today by calling doctor Dalal Akoury to schedule for you appointment.

About Substance Abuse and Mental Health: Admitting you have a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorders

All illicit drugs are unhealthy for the Skin

May 18, 2015

All illicit drugs are unhealthy for the Skin: How Drug Abuse Affects the Skin

All illicit drugs are unhealthy for the Skin and crushing them out of our societies is the best we can do

The fabric of our body is constantly under threat of destruction from all manner of things including all illicit drugs. Skin care professionals at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury have been in this industry for more than two decades helping people across the globe regain their beauty from the various damages. In their many years of experience, they have discovered that all illicit drugs are unhealthy for the skin, and not just the illicit drugs but also other factors as well. It is interesting how everybody wants to look nice and radiant while on the other hand they are constantly abusing drugs knowing the consequences of such habits on their delicate skin. We want to help you reclaim your lost glory. In the past people were consulting with you about your secret of beauty but this honor is no more. If I have got your attention, then keep reading and get the best information you need to keep your skin more youthful and healthy with the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center.

Doctor Akoury says that the skin is one organ that needs daily care and attention accorded to it must be from well informed and accurate sources. This is very important because any mistake done can be very damaging to the so many tears of efforts. That is why when it comes to skincare, reading the information on the various products labels may not be enough for you to conclude that a given product is appropriate for your skin. In other words you must not be lazy with your skin’s health. Therefore to help you understand the magnitude of being lazy with your skin, we are going to discuss in this article how drug abuse affects the skin in all seasons and doctor Akoury is going to professionally take us through the discussion.

Let no one deceive you that some drugs are beneficial to the good health of your skin, in fact there is no better drug any ware on the surface of the earth. All the drugs known to you are all Illicit and will not add any value to your skin’s health. Some of those illicit drugs may include: heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine. All these and many more can take a severe toll on the health of your skin. Heroin for example is a central nervous system depressant that slows heart rate, blood circulation, respiration and metabolism

Skin popping as it is commonly known or the practice of injecting heroin under the top layer of the skin leaves distinctive round sores along the skin’s surface. These sores can easily become infected, resulting in permanent scars. For users who are anxious, restless or experiencing cravings, the scabs can become the focus of obsessive picking. Picking at the sores increases the risk of cellulitis, or the infection of the soft tissues underlying the dermis.

Skin lesions are common in heavy methamphetamine users. This central nervous system stimulant can cause a condition called delusional parasitosis, or the false believe that the user is infested with organisms that are crawling across her skin. This condition which is also known as “meth mites” or “cocaine bugs” can lead to severe self-mutilation if the user is acutely intoxicated.

All illicit drugs are unhealthy for the Skin: Skin Picking and Heroin Withdrawal

Withdrawing from heroin, a highly addictive opiate is an intensely uncomfortable experience. Restlessness, nervousness, severe cravings and goose bumps can trigger the urge to self-mutilate. Users in withdrawal often say that they feel like they’re crawling out of their skin. In this state, skin picking may provide a momentary sense of release.

Heroin withdrawal affects the skin in several important ways. Goose bumps, along with chills, shivering and cold sweats, occur as the brain adjusts to the absence of this powerful opioid. These bumps are caused by tiny muscles that tighten at the base of the fine hairs that cover the skin. For the user in withdrawal, compulsively rubbing or tugging at the skin may counteract the sensations of cold and restlessness.

Skin picking and self-mutilation can also help the user cope with opiate cravings. The sensations of pleasure or pain are a temporary distraction from the desire to use heroin. Ritualistic picking can provide an outlet for the intense anxiety, nervous tension and restlessness that characterize withdrawal.

But skin picking provides only a temporary relief from the symptoms of opiate withdrawal. Once physical withdrawal symptoms begin, they can last for several days. The best way to avoid withdrawal symptoms like goose bumps, sweats and muscle pain is to enter a medically supervised detox program like AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center. At a detox center, you can receive the physical and moral support you need to minimize the symptoms of withdrawal and avoid a relapse.

All illicit drugs are unhealthy for the Skin: Treatment for Skin Picking Disorders

This is one such treatment which needs a lot of professionalism, when you are suffering from skin picking disorders, never try to self-medicate by all means. You could cause yourself great harm than good. It doesn’t matter how good your intention may be. Seek for professional assistance from the experts in this discipline. It is important to appreciate that during treatment of this condition, the doctor may choose to run some test just to be sure of your psychological soundness before taking any treatment action on such clients. Doctor Akoury says that due to the addictive nature of the drug (heroin) it may become necessary to carry out a comprehensive psychiatric assessment so that the right medication can be administered.

All illicit drugs are unhealthy for the Skin: Hope for Compulsive Behaviors

Skin picking and hair pulling, like drug or alcohol abuses are not conditions to be taken lightly because the consequences of not taking immediate action can be very destructive. Because we are dealing a very delicate organ, when strong substances like heroin are a bused, the effect on the skin can be very wanting. I encourage you to take the beauty restoration of your skin seriously by scheduling for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury today for an elaborate treatment procedure. Dr. Akoury will be waiting for your call to help you regain the life of your skin. Remember that the main objective of doctor Akoury and her team of experts are 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 is very interesting 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. This is the place to be if you are struggling with any of the illicit drugs and this is causing the beauty of your skin to deteriorate, all is not lost for you, all you need to do is to schedule for an appointment with doctor Akoury for a more professional treatment.

All illicit drugs are unhealthy for the Skin: How Drug Abuse Affects the Skin

The family union in fighting Heroin Addiction

May 15, 2015

The family union in fighting Heroin Addiction: The battles of Heroin Addiction in Families?

The family union in fighting Heroin Addiction must start before conception and to continue for life.

It is always said that a family that eat together stays together. Togetherness is one thing that is becoming very elusive in this generation of work and commitment. Parents are never there for their children and even for themselves. We are all looking for means of putting food on the table yet when that food is on the table we are not there to share it. Children eat alone as do the parents. In the previous two articles doctor Dalal Akoury has been taking us through the life and times of what heroin addicts go through either as individuals or as a group. We followed the story of Jimssy family and their struggle with addiction and what they were not able to do well that landed them into more problems. This family has seen it all and we want to sum up this discussion by looking at the family union in fighting heroin addiction and still following up on the conclusion story of the family of Jimssy.

The family union in fighting Heroin Addiction: Quitting or Stopping addiction

From the story of Jimssy, when their son watched her mother crying in pain and her father trying to calm her down by a shot of heroin, they all realize that something had to be done. What did they do? Keep reading and find out what the family union in fighting heroin addiction can do for you and your family. After this episode, Jimssy made effort to quit drugs on her own and each time she did, she failed to have a break through. It was after several attempts that Jim her husband gave a helping hand and she went cold turkey for two days but even this did not help and the condition became unbearable for her. She began shaking and sweating loosing muscle control in the process.

Initially when she was opting for change, she had made Jim promised her never to give her any drug no matter the case, but when she could not control herself and the need for drug took center stage she violently screamed for drugs and looking at her suffering, Jim gave in to avoid having a major seizure. While all this was happening, their son J.J was watching, seeing his mom have to lay there and be that sick and scream and cry, or watching her shoot dope. It then done on them that cold turkey was not working for her. She then remembered that years back when she first found out that Jim was a heroin addict, she had convinced him to seek for professional assistance from doctor Dalal Akoury which he did and for the 10 years with the help of doctor Akoury she had a very happy and productive marriage. Though Jim relapsed at some point, she realized that Dalal Akoury, Founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness under the able leadership of doctor Akoury and her team of experts were her only way out.

She checked into the recovery program at this facility which also included methadone maintenance with counseling. And even though she wasn’t sure if it was going to work but her resolve to try kept her going and Jim was with her when she threw her needles away. She says that they broke them and tossed them away for the very first time.

The family union in fighting Heroin Addiction: Focus on Family

Since she started down the road to recovery, she hasn’t done any heroin. But that didn’t happen until she lost her home, totaled two cars, and almost saw her marriage collapse. Now living with relatives, she and her husband are trying to get their lives back in order. He’s back at work. They enrolled in a family counseling program, Focus on Families, where they were learning to be better parents and help their kids cope with their parents’ addiction.

Unfortunately, Jim relapsed about six weeks after starting the Focus on Families program, and the family dropped out. Jimssy had to go back to work in order to support the family, and her working hours prevented her from being able to take care of the children and continue the Focus on Families therapy sessions. Several months later, fortunately, Jim was able to get back to Dalal Akoury, Founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness for a recovery program on his own, and he is now coping to maintain his sobriety.

Jimssy says she is glad to be getting back her life. She used to get up and, first thing, get a drug fix. Now, she gets up and makes coffee and visits the doctor Akoury office for follow up. “I’m learning to live a whole new way again.” She enjoys getting up with her kids, helping them get ready for school, and doing other routine things like driving her husband to work every day. “We are slowly getting things back to sort of normal,” she says.

Jimssy is not so sure of the effects of their actions and how it will impact on their children and especially for J.J. who knows that what his they did was wrong, illegal, and something they could have been thrown in jail for. He knows what drugs can do, he’s seen it firsthand.” Despite the horror of his finding Jim overdosed, she hopes the scene remains vivid in J.J.’s mind, as a deterrent to doing drugs. “If my son has to see something like that to keep the needle out of his arm, than I’d rather have that than see him someday dead from heroin.” Together they have enrolled their son J.J. into baseball and soccer so that he will become more interested in sports than mind-altering drugs.

Although it’s been a rough two years since she quit using heroin, Jimssy says she is finally starting to see herself as a “normal person” again: “Finally things are starting to open up again. I’m starting to see that there’s more out there to life than sitting around doing drugs thanks to doctor Dalal Akoury and the family of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center.” What a story? Now you know and the decision is yours, choose wisely.

The family union in fighting Heroin Addiction: The battles of Heroin Addiction in Families?

The truth about withdrawal from Heroin Addiction

May 12, 2015

The truth about withdrawal from Heroin Addiction: Quitting Heroin Addiction is Possible

The truth about withdrawal from Heroin Addiction is very essential if we are to defeat this problem of addiction

If there is anything users should have done like yesterday, is to stop their habit of substance abuse. The little euphoric moments are just for a moment but the repercussions are for a life time if one does not quit. If you were to be given an opportunity to choose between life and death in your sober state of life and at your very best moments in your life calendar, what would you go for? Would you opt for life or death? You have the liberty to make that choice but I strongly believe that you will settle for life like I will too. Therefore in this article, we want to look at some of the truth about withdrawal from heroin addiction to help you be ready to face any challenges that may come with your noble choice of quitting. To help us get the facts right, we are going to be talking to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center a heath facility formulated by doctor Dalal Akoury primarily to offer lasting solutions to all drug addicts across the globe among other health complication matters.

Actually there is no secrete concerning the truth about withdrawal from heroin addiction because much has been written about “cold turkey” and the huge trauma of getting a heroin addict off the drug. Doctor Akoury acknowledges that withdrawal can be very difficult, but she is also very quick to register strongly that it is only difficult but not impossible. It therefore means that when there is the willingness and determination, freedom from drug addiction can be realized with a very short time. She says that at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center up on scheduling for an appointment, her team of experience experts will in the most professional way help you to first come to terms with this disturbing condition. They will also work very closely with your loved ones because in this journey everyone is a victim with just small differences in the intensity. Elements like “Clucking” or “cold turkey” is characterized by unpleasant symptoms such as sold sweats, nausea, confusion and intense craving and those are some of the areas that we will help you cope with. Nonetheless it is also very important to note that some of these symptoms are not necessarily physically dangerous.

The truth about withdrawal from Heroin Addiction: The genesis of Effects of Withdrawal

When you have enrolled for treatment our team of experts will evaluate your individual conditions to determine the degree or the magnitude of the problem before commencement of a tailored treatment designed specifically to address the root cause of your individual addiction problem. This will help significantly in fast trucking the recovery process. We are determined to getting you back on your feet and pick up the pieces of your life back and live it to the fullest. And as this treatment process gain momentum, it is equally important to appreciate that the withdrawal effects are likely to start around eight to twenty four hours after the last dose. This will be accompanied with some symptoms similar to flu aches, chills and sweating, sneezing, yawning and muscular spasms. These effects take a week or two to subside but feeling of weakness and loss of well-being can last months. Psychological dependence can be even harder to overcome than physical dependence. As a possible candidate for treatment, it is very important that you are well informed of these challenges and contain with them because they form part of the withdrawal process. If you are not adequately informed, these can lead you into losing the treatment momentum.

The truth about withdrawal from Heroin Addiction: Real treatment obstacles

Despite all this treatment side shows, very many patients have successfully come off high doses of heroin without medication or massive withdrawal symptoms like for instance this has been particularly common in some rehab units run as Christian foundations across the globe. Many factors are involved, not least of all mental state. For example, a heroin user who injects regularly may experience a “hit” even if he or she is injecting medical saline (salty water) so long as the person believes it to be heroin. This so-called placebo effect can be very powerful.

When dealing with heroin addiction, a lot more is involved besides the real object and target the heroin. Many users have gotten so much into the habit that they tend to be so much attached or let me say that they have fallen in love with the needle and the act of injecting themselves. When an addict gets to the position where they take this habit as a hobby, withdrawal is quite a challenge. I know of one patient whom I will name Mr. H, he is such a thin man in his late thirties and a father of three very handsome boys. For a couple of years he lived alone in a government flat and he has used heroin for very many years besides injecting so many other drugs including crush tablets and anything that comes his way. His love for the syringe causes him to sleeps at night cuddling his syringe, holding it in his hand on the pillow by his head. To him, the needle is a symbol of comfort and a source of happiness and hope. That is a serious problem and he is not alone. This gives us even greater challenge to pool together, educate the world on the truth about withdrawal from heroin addiction and all other drugs. The society is grieving and you and I must step up the spirit of defeating this menace. And even as Mr. H is changing the game in that manner, for many others the ritual of passing the needle has a meaning, they see it as a sign of belonging, of being a part of the club something that unite them, can you see the danger? The syringe being used as a bonding factor! Oh what a life? That aside the good news is that much of that is changing in this post-AIDS world. And even though a lot more still needs to be done, most injectors are now using their own equipment, replenished from government funded needle exchanges a practice that is being appreciated by many both as individuals and institutions.

Finally the luck of knowledge is a very bad disease, if you are reading this right now, be an ambassador of change and share what you now know with a friend and better still schedule for an appointment with the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center and get the best treatment that will restore your life back for prosperity.

Tag Archives: Fighting substance abuse