Alcohol the trigger of Violence

July 23, 2014

Alcohol the trigger of Violence – Drug Addiction

Alcohol the trigger of violence. The effects of alcohol in families an society is worrying. Solutions must be found soon

Alcohol is currently leading among substances being abused the world over and because of this it is one of the substance that triggers violence the most. The frequency with which violence triggered by alcohol consumption are being aired on the different media platform is just a confirmation of the seriousness of the matter. While it is true that this substance is widely abused it must be made clear that not everyone using alcohol in whatever units becomes aggressive or provoked to violence, and in fact it is only a few people who will be violent after drinking. The most painful thing is that these violent acts and behaviors normally have far reaching effect or consequences to the family members and friends and by extension the general membership of the public.

Who’s at risk?

The character of being violent when drunk is not an excuse in anyway, in most cases the people who become violent when drunk are those with questionable personalities meaning that these people are also capable of being violent even when sober. Studies of alcohol and aggressive behavior have established that individuals who are more short-tempered are poor managers of their anger in other wards they are those people who cannot control emotions and they display lower levels of compassion towards others when sober these people are more likely to be aggressive when they have alcohol in their system. Gender also a factor and has an influence where men are more likely to be aggressive than women when drunk.

Out of control

There is reasonable proof that elusive variations in the brain functions in some individuals act abnormally than others when under influence of just a little drink and we can measure the effects of alcohol in one’s brain is by examining how individuals use their brain’s executive system. This is the section of the brain tasked with issues like decision making, problem solving and reasoning. It serves like the command centre of the brain which instructs people to slow down and evaluate the possible consequences even as they steer themselves towards seeing the best long-term results. When the brain executive system fails to regulate our behaviors, we often become vulnerable to our instincts which for many resolve to violent instead of being remorseful and taking deep breath when we feel irritated and insulted. It is important noting that some people have poor executive control than others, and if these are male, then they are more likely to be aggressive after drinking alcohol.

Young adults

We could be guided to reach conclusion that luck of executive control could be the reason why adolescents and young adults are so quick into violent behavior when drunk. It has been made known to us that our brains continue to develop well into our 20s and that one of the last parts of the brain to develop is the prefrontal lobe, the section tasked with reigning in impulses through executive control.

People who have a dependence on alcohol have a “double whammy” when it comes to executive control and whenever they consume alcohol their executive functioning is impaired due to the alcohol in their system. But their consistent use of alcohol also leads to poorer executive function even when they aren’t drinking, an effect that may prolong up to a year even after they stop drinking.

Attentive and alarmed

When someone accidentally bumps into you in a crowded bar or at a sporting event, most of us are able to quickly shrug it off as a gentle interruption to our day. But add alcohol to the equation and an innocuous bump can suddenly be interpreted as a serious threat, or even a deliberate act of aggression. Alcohol can affect information processing and your ability to determine how much threat is actually present in the environment.

Alcohol can alter our perception of the world and explains that any increased sensitivity to apparent threats isn’t just about what’s going on in the brain. Alcohol’s effects on the heart can also play a role. You can get palpitations, or what is known as tachyarrhythmias, as a consequence of alcohol and a racing heart can often be misinterpreted as a threat.

Expectations matter

Much as we would want to see a violent free society the indulgence of alcohol betrays this fact and therefore can begin seeing the possibilities of future violence in our children behaviors especially when they are being brought up in violent prone neighborhood. When the children observe violence from their drunken parents or watch programs associated with alcoholic violence then this is likely to propagate in their minds and the evidence may be revealed when children resort violence among themselves when solving their own disputes.

Let’s look further for example a society where the number of bars and drinking joints are more than schools, churches, and retail shops put together there is likelihood that there will be frequent alcohol related violence to the point of condoning the acts. As sad as it may be this is true because this is what the society is used to and in fact in such places you will not be surprised to see people spectating when a fight breaks out this is so because what they expect in their daily lives is drinking and violence after all that is what their neighborhood is all about.

However the power of expectation can also play a part in influencing how people behave when they consume different alcoholic drinks, quite different from the physical impact of differing alcohol concentrations. People have different expectations for what happens when they drink wine, liquor or beer. None the less it is not very clear whether certain drinks like these ones mention help to increase aggression even though drinks rich in caffeine can lead people to take more risks than they would otherwise do.

Reducing violent behavior

This can be very challenging in many ways however professionally one of the greatest challenges for psychologists when attending to people who are more likely to be aggressive when they drink is teaching them about temper control. Nonetheless it is important noting that introducing anger management programs should be the starting point for those who end up seeking help when alcohol gets them into trouble with the law enforcement agencies and their families. This can be done by creating safety plans which enables them to study the internal sensations of anger, how to identify them and the solutions necessary to turn down the volume and be moderate when things are a bit hot.

Because alcohol is that addictive the kind of professional to be engaged must be one with great experience in addiction and has the capacity to contain the problem. Doctor Dalal Akoury is one such professional who has had great experience of more than two decades in matters addiction. She is also the founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center where together with her team of experts they focus on Neuroendocrine Restoration (NER) to reinstate normality through realization of the oneness of Spirit, Mind, and Body, Unifying the threesome into ONE this is an effective way of ensuring reduction of alcohol related violence in the most natural way.

Alcohol the trigger of Violence – Drug Addiction

Moderate Drinking and the consequences attached

July 22, 2014

Moderate Drinking and the consequences attached: Drug Addiction

Moderate drinking is key to controlling addiction and a voiding life-threatening diseases resulting from alcohol addiction.

Drinking alcohol is one major cause of addiction and one which is proving difficult to quit despite knowledge of the consequences associated with it. In our desire to get rid of addiction from our societies we will be discussing moderate drinking as a step in the right direction toward achieving our objective. There is a very thin line between moderate drinking and how much should be taken within a given period of time. People who have been drinking for some time whether addicts or not will attest to the fact that they have had or witnessed some embarrassing situations in their lives while under the influence of alcohol instances like having humiliated themselves at their work stations or in a party somewhere, having hangover that ruined their plans, being met on the wrong side of the law while driving when they shouldn’t have and many other circumstances. When reality down on them the next day when the effect of their intoxication is settling they are always full of regrets and wishing to cut down on their drinking.

These are real life situations we are often faced with on a daily basis and while we are appreciating that not everyone is keen to cutting alcohol out of their lives, nor do they need to categorized alcohol users with some history of addiction or mental illness like various diseases of the liver or pancreas, or who are pregnant or taking certain medications shouldn’t drink at all, however as for others, there is an elusive middle ground called moderation which brings us to the big question what is “moderate drinking” and how can it be accomplished? As big as the question is so is the boldness in certain decisions you may consider taking to get your drinking under control as illustrated here in.

Moderate Drinking and the consequences attached: Avoid the Pre-Party

Various studies has established that “pre-drinking” before a party or social event, is normally characterized with cheap alcohol which is taken hurriedly and in large quantities, almost doubles total alcohol consumption as well as negative outcomes such as hangovers, blackouts and unprotected sex. This practice is particularly common among adolescents and young adults who not legally allowed taking alcohol let alone buying alcohol drinks or being in such places where alcoholic beverages are sold. Nonetheless most alcohol consumers are known not to be stationery in one given join. This habit of changing drinking locations during the night out is a powerful ingredient of increased quantity of alcohol consumption and it works well in defeating the intentions of moderate drinking.

Moderate Drinking – Record keeping

The human brain and especially that of an alcohol consumer is likely to forget almost everything while drinking bringing in the need of taking notes and keeping records. This is a practice which has worked in other areas like in weight lose journal which is very helpful to people concern in sticking to their diet. Research has established that a drinking diary can help people get honest about their alcohol intake and identify problem areas. Counting drinks is very key irrespective of how you do it, whether on paper, a smartphone or with the help of a sober friend, this will help you remember the nasty truths of your drinking which you’d prefer addressing and hopefully avoid in the future.

With the records you will be able to identify your patterns and make a decision on an ideal number of drinks per day and per week and test your ability to stay within those limits. According to Dietary Guidelines for Americans they describes moderate drinking as up to one drink each day for women and two drinks each day for men and a standard drink is 12 ounces of beer, five ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of hard liquor.

Always Have a Drink in Hand – as Long as it’s Non-Alcoholic

A number of challenging scenarios may arise when you’re socializing at a party, club or other event. Swapping alcoholic drinks for a non-alcoholic variety has two major benefits: If you’re drinking water, juice or soda, you’re likely not drinking as much booze. Also, with some type of beverage in hand, your choice to drink less (or not at all) will likely go unnoticed by friends who want a drinking companion.

Moderate Drinking – Slow Down

When out drinking whether alone or in company of friends it is worth noting that drinking too much too fast will defeat any efforts to moderate your drinking. It’s advisable to take time and only pace yourself by sipping rather than guzzling also do not participate in drinking games and purpose to be taking one drink per hour and if possible take even less than a drink in an hour and in between drinks take food and non-alcoholic drinks doing this helps you commit to moderate drinking.

Moderate Drinking and the consequences attached: Mind Your Drinking Cues.

If you track your drinking patterns long enough, you may discover certain trends. Maybe you always overdo it when a particular friend or family member is around or at a specific time of day such as when you get home from work. Or perhaps the nostalgia of a certain bar or club makes you vulnerable to bingeing, or you turn to alcohol every time you feel sad or angry. These patterns will clearly show you your triggers and with this information you may choose which people, places and things to avoid and find other activities to replace them.

Finally drinking in moderation has both risks and benefits, but drinking too much poses a clear threat to your health and well-being. Heavy drinking can cause:

Stroke
High blood pressure
Accidental injuries
Cirrhosis of the liver
Certain cancers among other problems

If you find yourself routinely drinking more than you planned, unable to quit or uninterested in anything but drinking, your problem may go beyond occasional overindulgence and cross into alcohol abuse or addiction. In this case, attempts at moderation will perpetuate a frustrating cycle until you seek appropriate treatment and support usually from addiction professionals like doctor Dalal Akoury who founded AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center an institution where care is given professionally to all addicts in the most natural way while focusing on Neuroendocrine Restoration (NER) to reinstate normality through realization of the oneness of Spirit, Mind, and Body, Unifying the threesome into ONE

Moderate Drinking and the consequences attached: Drug Addiction

DRUG INDUCED LIVER DISEASE

July 21, 2014

The cases of liver diseases have recently recorded an acute rise. A recent study in
London found that hospital admission for liver disease as a result of
drinking has risen an alarming 112 percent in the past decade among
women under thirty. The question is, “why is it on a rise for women especially?” one of the possible reason and what the researchers have pointed out is the denial
about their drinking habits.

What Is Drug Induced Liver Disease?

This refers to the diseases of the liver, which unlike the naturally occurring ones, they are caused by drugs. These drugs can be prescribed medication, over the counter medication, vitamins, hormones, herbs, illicit drugs or environmental toxins.

Why is denial being associated with the increase in drug induced liver diseases in women?

Drug Induced Liver Disease Before we answer this question, we need to understand the meaning of denial first. What is denial in relation to drugs/ addiction? Denial is a defense mechanism in which a person doesn’t want to admit to a problem. In this case for example, admitting to the problem of drug taking would force an individual to handle his/her drug addiction and this would have to make significant changes and admit wrongdoing.

Addiction to alcohol and related drug substances has been on a rise. Women have also been involved in drug taking (especially alcohol) in the recent past. Alcohol which is among the highly addictive drug substances is known to cause liver diseases. This addiction poses one to high chances of getting these diseases since the rates of consumption of alcohol rises. Admitting to addiction can be too difficult especially to women and hence seeking recovery assistance becomes paralyzed. In this respect, women will deny the fact that they are taking drugs which are usually followed by effects, one of which is drug-induced liver disease. This means the chances of women who are addicts of alcohol remaining in the situation are higher above those of men. This could be a good explanation of why many women are now reported to be admitted of liver drug induced diseases.

Which are the symptoms of liver disease?

Liver diseases will rarely have symptoms which are observable immediately after one has a liver disease. For patients with mild liver disease may have a few or no symptoms at all. For the case of patients with severe liver disease, symptoms develop which may or not be specific.

Non-specific symptoms – there are symptoms that even after seeing them depicted on a given person we cannot conclude that the person has a liver disease. These are the symptoms we term as non-specific symptoms since they can be seen in many other disorder or diseases. These non-specific symptoms may include:- Abdominal pains, loss of appetite, fatigue and weakness of the body.
Specific symptoms – this refers to symptoms which will specifically indicate that a person is a victim of liver disease. These symptoms may include;
- Yellowing of the skin – this is normally as a result of the accumulation of bilirubin in the blood.
- Itching associated with liver disease may be evident
- Easy bruising may occur due to the decreased production of the blood clotting agents by the diseased liver.
- Others may include:- fever, joint pains, sore muscles, nausea, vomiting etc.

Note that in severe case such as in advanced liver disease with cirrhosis can depict symptoms that are related to cirrhosis such as:-

Accumulation of fluid in the legs and abdomen. This is due to the increased pressure in the blood vessels that goes to the liver.
Another symptom that may occur is mental confusion or coma. This is from hepatic encephalopathy due to the increase in ammonia.
The patient of liver disease will be highly vulnerable to bacterial infections and gastrointestinal bleeding.

How is drug-induced liver disease diagnosed?

The process of diagnosis of drug induced liver disease will always begin with examination of the complete history and physical wellbeing. On top of that examination, other diagnostic procedures will follow. These procedures inclue;

Specific blood testing in the lab such as:-

o Study of liver functioning

o Cellular blood count

o Determination of bleeding times

o Electrolyte tests

o Chemical substances presence in the body tests

o And finally drug screening tests.

Liver biopsy – this refers to the procedure in which blood samples are removed from the liver from the body for examination.
Ultrasound diagnostic methods – this involves use of a diagnostic imaging technique which uses high frequency sound waves to create images of internal organs in the body.

Is there treatment for liver disease?

Yes, liver disease is curable. The procedure of treatment will differ from one person to the other. The specific treatment for the patient of drug induced liver disease will be determined by the physician based on the following:-

The physician will enquire about your age, overall health and medical history.
Another concern will be your tolerance on specific medications
Expectations for the course of the disease will also be another factor to be considered.
Your opinion or preference may sometimes form part of things to be considered by the physician but this will in most cases be a rare case.

What Is Drug Induced Liver Disease?

The Magical Power of Vitamin A in Cancer Management

July 21, 2014

Vitamin A Transforms Pre-Cancerous Cells Back to Healthy Cells

Vitamin A Precancerous cells are a term that hurt very many years as to most people it means that you are on your way to the dangerous cancer infection. However this is not always the case as not all precancerous cells turn cancerous. In fact most of the precancerous cells do not turn cancerous. Precancerous cells are the abnormal cells also known as the malignant cells that may turn cancerous but are not invasive on their own, meaning they cannot spread to other body parts and multiply in other regions.

During pap smears many women are found with precancerous cells in the uterine cervix. Precancerous cells can also be found in every other part of the body such as the breast, the skin, the colon, the liver and even in the prostate. Many people do not much about precancerous cells and this has caused fears in many women when they are notified of existence of the precancerous cell in their breasts and cervix.

In the past it was believed that when a cell has become precancerous then it could not be reversed back to normal and had to grow into a cancerous cell but today researchers have proved that other factors come to play to determine whether the precancerous cell is reversed to normal cell or becomes cancerous. Such factors include carcinogens, hormones’ activities and body stress levels. All these factors work together to determine what is created from the precancerous cell.

The precancerous cells however can coexist with the cancerous cells. A fact that has increased fears in many people as they think that the cells share same structures and so will obviously turn cancerous. The precancerous cells can be found even right within the tumors where both cell malignant and precancerous can coexist. However malignant cells do nothing to induce the premalignant cells to turn cancerous.

Classes of precancerous cells

The precancerous can be classified into the following three groups depending on their degree of abnormality. Some of the precancerous cells may just be ‘Slightly spoilt’ hence can easily reverse into healthy cell while others are severely abnormal hence can easily turn cancerous.

Mild dysplasia

Dysplasia is a term that is used to refer to precancerous cell. In the case of a mild dysplasia, it means that the cell is slightly abnormal and may not turn cancerous. At Mild dysplasia the cells rarely turns cancerous.

Moderate dysplasia

At moderate dysplasia, the cells are moderately abnormal and have higher chances of turning into cancerous cells. These cells need to be treated to avoid the disease.

Severe dysplasia

This is the stage where the precancerous cells are just about to be cancerous. It has the highest possibility of becoming cancerous

When precancerous cells are found in a person it is advisable that necessary measures be taken to help the situation. Without intervention to turn the precancerous cells into healthy cells, even the mild dysplasia type cells can easily turn cancerous.

Vitamin A component turns precancerous cells back to healthy cells

A research headed by V. Fernandez, Ph.D., assistant research professor of medical oncology at Thomas Jefferson University on the effect of retinoic acid on four different types of cells the normal cells, the precancerous cells, the cancerous cells and the fully blown cancer cells. The found out that the retinoic acid was very effective in turning precancerous cells back to normal healthy cells. The retinoic acid changed the genetic composition of the precancerous cells to that of the normal cells completely doing away with the possibility of the precancerous cells turning cancerous.

Vitamin A

However the vitamin A component, Retinoic acid failed to make any change on the cancerous cells. Therefore Vitamin A can only help in fighting cancer at one stage; at the precancerous stage. The study also found out that the most effective concentration of the retinoic acid in fighting cancer is about 1 micro molar. Lower concentrations do not produce any positive change. Higher concentrations are also not effective in this course.

Vitamin A is abundantly found in carrots and sweet potatoes. Eating these vegetables may help you in keeping away from cancer as they contain retinoic acid that has been proved to turn precancerous cells back to healthy cells limiting your chances of getting cancer.

Symptoms of precancerous cells

Precancerous cells do not normally show any signs and so it is not easy to know whether there are precancerous cells in your system until screening is done. However in some cases there may be symptoms of the presence of the precancerous cells but these are influenced by the exact place they inhabit. In case the precancerous cells are available in the cervix, the cells may begin to slough easily, a condition that may lead to uncontrolled uterine bleeding.

Precancerous cells can be treated naturally by eating those foods that are rich in vitamin A which contains retinoic acid that helps in restoring precancerous cells back to healthy normal cells by altering their DNA. Precancerous cells can also be treated by cryotherapy which involves freezing of the cells. Removal of precancerous cells can also be done by surgery, cutting body tissues that contain the abnormal cells. However doctors warn that even after surgery, if the root cause of precancerous cells in not tackled then they may reoccur.

To be able to live a cancer free life you need to get empowered on how you can keep away from the unhealthy habits that may put you at risk. You also need to know the better alternatives to cancer treatment therefore contact Dr. Dalal Akoury(MD) who is dedicated to availing vital information about cancer to all those who seek them. Check her website for regular updates.

Vitamin A Transforms Pre-Cancerous Cells Back to Healthy Cells

Podcast: Dysplasia
Can vitamin A turn back the clock on breast cancer?
Precancerous Cells on Cervix Tied to Higher Risk of Disease, Death
Can vitamin A turn back the clock on breast cancer?
Abnormal Pap and Cervical Dysplasia
Precancerous Cells on Cervix Tied to Higher Risk of Disease, Death

Minors and College Drinking

July 21, 2014

Minors and College Drinking – Drug Addiction

We have a duty to protect our young people from living wasteful life in alcohol and drug addiction by pooling together for a better society.

By now if you have been with us on this link you must be aware that alcohol is widely available and aggressively marketed throughout society across the globe. It is the most frequently used and abused drug among youth in the United States and the world over compared to tobacco and other illicit drugs and although drinking by persons under the age of 21 is illegal, people as young as aged 12 to 20 consume about 11% of all alcohol consumed in the United States for example. The available statistics is worrying notwithstanding the consequences of early use of alcohol. We are experiencing lots of problems with minors drinking and records indicate that about 5000 young people below age 21 die as a result of underage drinking including some 1600 homicides, 1900 from motor vehicle accidents and other like suicide, burns and many others.

According to NCADD (National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence) an estimated 600000 college students are accidentally injured while under the influence of alcohol, 700000 are assaulted by their drunk colleagues and a further 100000 students are victims of alcohol-related sexual assault and date rape. Yet over 11,000 teens in the United States try using alcohol for the first time every day and more than four million drink alcohols in any given month. When I said that the statistic is worrying I believe you now understand the magnitude.

Minors and College Drinking – Why do young people drink alcohol

Parents are a worried lot if these statistics are anything to go by. The question I beg you to answer is “is your child enclosed in the bracket of these finding?” like their seniors young people also drink for various reasons however it is very difficult comprehending the feelings behind their reasons. For instance:

Some young people often drink to forget about the family problems or issues with school performance.
Loneliness, low self–esteem, depression, anxiety disorder and other mental health issues lead many young people to drink alcohol
Young people turn to alcohol to deal with the pressures of everyday social situations
Young people may drink for a sense of belonging or to fit in when moving to a new school or town
Young people may drink to gain confidence or lose inhibitions
Young people are more likely to start experimenting with alcohol if they have parents who drink and if they do not get parental guidance about alcohol consumption.

Minors and College Drinking – What are the Risks

Irrespective of how they get into drinking the risks are dare once they start drinking they will be subjected to various health and safety risk like:

Young people who drink are more likely to be sexually active and to have unsafe, unprotected sex.
They are more likely to be involved in a fight, commit violent crimes, fail at school, use other drugs, and experience verbal, physical, or sexual violence.
Those who start drinking before age 15 are five times more likely to develop alcoholism later in life than those who begin drinking at age 21

Minors and College Drinking – Preventing Underage Drinking

This is very dynamic and requires a comprehensive and collective approach by all stakeholders. Currently there are three basic approaches which have been applied and are yielding positive results in prevention of the problem:

Controlling the availability of alcohol;
Consistent enforcement of existing laws and regulations; and
Changing norms and behaviors through education.

The enforcement of these three is working well in attempting to bring this problem into manageable levels.

Minors and College Drinking – Alcohol Poisoning

Many people die each year from acute alcohol intoxication known as alcohol poisoning or alcohol overdose with other thousands of others are being admitted to emergency rooms in various health facilities. Alcohol poisoning is becoming rampant in high schools and on college campuses. These are all explained by young people drinking too much and too fast.

Minors and College Drinking – Alcohol poisoning is a medical emergency

Alcohol is a depressant drug, once ingested it works to slow down some of the body’s functions like heart rate, blood pressure and breathing. When the vital centers have been depressed enough by alcohol, unconsciousness occurs. The amount of alcohol that it takes to produce unconsciousness is precariously close to a lethal dose. People who endure alcohol poisoning sometimes suffer irreversible brain damage.

Many students are surprised to learn that death can occur from acute intoxication. Most think the worst that can happen is they’ll pass out and have a hang-over the next day therefore knowing the signs and symptoms of acute alcohol intoxication and the proper action to take can help you avoid a tragedy.

Minors and College Drinking – Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning

Unconsciousness or semi-consciousness
Slow respirations (breaths) of eight or less per minute, or lapses between respirations of more than eight seconds.
Cold, clammy, pale, or bluish skin.
In the event of alcohol poisoning, these signs and symptoms will most likely be accompanied by a strong odor of alcohol.
While these are obvious signs of alcohol poisoning, the list is certainly not all inclusive.

In an attempt to bringing alcohol and drug addiction Dr. Dalal Akoury founded AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center a facility in which she administer addiction treatment by offering exclusive NER Recovery Treatment to addicts the world over. Doctor Akoury is an expert who has been in this addiction discipline for two decades now and together with her team of experts they are also offering addiction treatment to other physicians and health care professionals through training, clinical apprenticeships, webinars and seminars. This is the place of choice for anyone suffering from addiction of any kind therefore any qualified professional can now be a part of this truly successful and fast addiction recovery treatment.

Minors and College Drinking – Drug Addiction

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