For a healthy life hate drug addiction

June 11, 2015

For a healthy life hate drug addiction: The dangers of substance abuse

For a healthy life hate drug addiction. Seek for help before it is too late

What is good in being alive while in poor health condition? Life without health is painful, frustrating and costly to maintain. There are so many reasons why we often live life that we are not able to enjoy. Sickness is one such obstacle which makes life very unbearable and this is what we need to correct so that we can live and enjoy life to the fullest. For us to do this we have to prevent all the sources of sickness and if in the unlikely event that we fall sick, treatment must be administered immediately. Experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury say that “for a healthy life hate drug addiction” and ideally this principle is very true owing to the fact that drug addiction is very dangerous to human health. The dangers of drug addiction can be very fatal to the point of causing ones death either through prolonged illness, sudden and abrupt death or it can be through suicide. Having mentioned that, you now have a snip preview of the impact of drug addiction if not addressed in good time.

I love my life and I believe that you do too. Therefore if we share this common denominator, then this principle of experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center should be applicable to us. Let us for a little while focus our attention to our topic of discussion which is “for a healthy life hate drug addiction.” Doctor Akoury says that for us to have a productive life, we must voluntarily choose to be sober in our minds, body system and even within our environment. Drugs and other substances will not let us be and because of this, we have a duty both collectively and individually to make all efforts to ensure that our neighborhood is safe and free from any kind of substance abuse. We owe this to our children and the generations to come. It therefore means that as responsible parents, our children must be brought up morally sound and any element of depression avoided by all means. And like I have said before, doing this must be a collective responsibility to everyone because the consequences of drug addiction can be very fatal and suicidal. If you have been caring for an addict of any drug you understand the pain and agony that comes with it like for instance:

The panic of getting serious accident and other body injuries
The anxiety of losing a loved one
The fear of drug overdose and the complications that come with it
The terror of committing suicide and the sudden vacuum left

When we talk about this topic of discussion for a healthy life hate drug addiction suicide tops the list. Suicide is a serious risk for those people who are suffering from mental health problems thereby demanding for special medical attention in the assessment and treatment of addiction. It is therefore very important that every individual must take keen attention on depression and other mood disorders because these are the primary indicators of risk factors for suicide. Alongside that alcohol and the general drug abuse are also influential in triggering suicide. Researchers have actually established that alcoholism is a strong indicator even without being depressed and those suffering from drug use disorders are said to be about six times likely to commit suicide than the population not using drugs.

Dr. Akoury has time and again stated that substance abuse does not only increase the chances that a person will take his or her own life, but it is also used as a means for committing suicide. Statistics indicate that for every three people dying from suicide one will be as a result of influence drugs and specifically opiates such as oxycodone, heroin or alcohol. The other element that is worth considering is poisoning. This is yet another leading method used in suicide deaths again drugs make up to 75 percent of suicide deaths due to poisoning.

For a healthy life hate drug addiction: When Hope Runs Out

Have you ever wondered why suicide is the tragic fate of so many people struggling with addiction? There are a few possible explanations which may include the following:

When under the influence of drugs or alcohol, people may lose inhibitions and take risks they would not do when sober.
Many people abuse drugs or alcohol in an attempt to relieve the symptoms of depression, anxiety or other mental health conditions.
The rate of major depression is two to four times higher among addicts than the general population.

Although drugs may seem to help in the short term, they exacerbate problems over time. When attempting to stop using drugs, people may feel overwhelmed by the return of painful emotions that they had been medicating with drugs. They may also be clear-headed enough to carry out suicidal thoughts and plans. Transitions, such as entering or leaving treatment, relapse, and death, divorce or other major life changes, can be especially vulnerable times.

Abusing drugs, especially depressants such as alcohol or sedatives, can also trigger symptoms of depression, increasing the risk of suicide. As the consequences of addiction pile up, from legal problems and damaged relationships to financial ruin and job loss, individuals may lose all hope that things can get better and for some the feeling of impossibilities may take center stage where victims only see two possible ways of relief i.e. getting back into drugs use or death.

For a healthy life hate drug addiction: Pooling together to find lasting solution

The gift of life is very important and everyone would not want to take it for granted. This life we can only live it once therefore when drug addiction is the problem then we must do all it takes to defeat it. That is why doctor Dalal Akoury founded AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, where she is offering her exclusive NER Recovery Treatment to everyone including other physicians and health care professionals through training, clinical apprenticeships, webinars and seminars. This training often come from time to time and therefore any qualified professional can now be a part of this truly successful and fast addiction recovery treatment. And as for you the patient your condition will be safe with us if only you can schedule for an appointment with the experts at this facility today for the commencement of your treatment program.

For a healthy life hate drug addiction: The dangers of substance abuse

Psychological and other Effects of Cocaine Abuse

June 6, 2015

Psychological and other Effects of Cocaine Abuse: Solutions for cocaine addiction

Psychological and other Effects of Cocaine Abuse including illegality of its administration is killing the moral, social and economic fabric of our societies

The body is very much vulnerable to the use of all these addictive drugs. Like for instance, using cocaine does not only harm the body, but also the mind. These drugs impacts negatively to human health and often cause mental, emotional and psychological damage that can be very difficult to overcome. According to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, the parts of the brain that cocaine directly affects are the areas that reward us, such as the areas associated with good behavior, sex, food or other healthy activities. This is why using cocaine feels so good to most people, and why it is a highly addictive drug that causes intense cravings, tolerance, dependence and ultimately addiction. That is why it is not going to be business as usual until we deal with the psychological and other effects of cocaine abuse expeditiously. Doctor Akoury says that getting into drugs is not very difficult but once in, getting out or quitting becomes very difficult. From experience doctor Akoury recommends that addicts making effort of quitting should do so with the help of an addiction medical professional instruction, and not on their own. This is so because when quitting, it comes with certain complications. The process of withdrawal can be very demanding psychologically and this may cause many people to abandon their efforts of stopping the usage of the drug altogether.

Getting someone into treatment for cocaine addiction can be a life-saving decision. In cocaine rehab, the addict can recognize their addiction for what it is: a chronic disease that requires professional treatment. The goodness of cocaine rehabs centers is that they are most effective in their undertakings especially in their residential setting. While the physical withdrawal symptoms of cocaine addiction are not life threatening and typically pass in a week or less, it is important to note that the psychological drug cravings are intense and may lead many people to relapse. Nonetheless in cocaine rehab, addicts typically have access to the following services, among others:

Medical monitoring and medication, as needed
Individual, group and family therapy
Twelve-Step meetings such as Cocaine Anonymous
Sober recreational activities
Education about cocaine addiction
Relapse prevention planning

Psychological and other Effects of Cocaine Abuse: Pharmacological treatment

While there is no medication to treat cocaine addiction directly, during the detoxification process in treatment, antidepressants are typically used to help manage the symptoms of withdrawal that usually come in the early periods of abstinence from cocaine. Therefore doctor Akoury recommends that when searching for a treatment program for yourself or a loved one, it is important that you go for the treatment programs which will address the physical, emotional, and social effects of drug use on the patient and their families. Remember that getting clean requires more than a stay in cocaine rehab it requires an ongoing commitment to protecting one’s sobriety. Along with the skills learned in treatment, finding interests outside of abusing cocaine and a supportive peer group can help addicts stay on the road to lifelong recovery.

Psychological and other Effects of Cocaine Abuse: Medication for Cocaine Addiction

While there are currently not any mainstream drugs designed specifically to treat people who are addicted to cocaine, research is routinely being performed in an effort to create medications that will help people with this problem. There are some experimental drugs that are being used to treat cocaine addiction, but these come with a certain amount of risk. The majority of them are classified as schedule 4 drugs, which means that they carry a significant risk of addiction. Common medications that are used to treat cocaine addiction include:

Baclofen – a muscle relaxant that curbs cocaine cravings and has been shown to reduce the use of the drug in abusers

Disulfiram – an anti-alcoholic agent that makes using cocaine (or alcohol) very unpleasant

Gabapentin – an anticonvulsant that makes cocaine cravings easier to deal with; it also helps to lessen the severity of relapses

Modafinil – effective in reducing cravings for cocaine, as well as reducing the cocaine high

NAC (or N-Acetylcysteine) – an animo acid that has proven to be effective in reducing the cravings for cocaine; it has also shown promising results in repairing some of the damage done to the brain in animal studies

Since there is no single medication that is designed to specifically and safely treat cocaine users, behavioral treatments are often the favored option. Often, a combination of medication and behavioral therapy is used to treat patients. Fortunately, there are a number of options available for addicted individuals, including outpatient and residential addiction treatment programs.

Psychological and other Effects of Cocaine Abuse: Addiction is a Family Disease

When a person becomes addicted to drugs or alcohol, they become the focus of attention of everyone around them. Parents want to protect their child from harm, sister or brother wants to show the addict the error of their ways, and friends and relatives go to great lengths to convince the addict that they need drug rehab treatment. With all the attention focused squarely on the addict’s needs and issues, what happens to the family? What about their needs? How can they help their loved one while also protecting themselves?

Addicts aren’t the only ones who experience the pain of addiction. It’s all of us the siblings, parents, family, and friends we all feel it. In fact families face a number of obstacles in dealing with a loved one’s addiction. Despite having the best of intentions, it is easy for family members to blame themselves, stay silent and try to fix the problem, get angry or give up. Once people adjust to living in dysfunction, it can be difficult to re-connect in a healthy way.

According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, 10% of the population is addicted, one in four children under the age of 18 live with an addicted parent, and for every addict four others are directly affected. Clearly, there are a lot of people out there dealing with addiction and in desperate need of support and help. But families can learn from each other. And that’s why 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. It is therefore very important that when under such difficult situations, you can schedule for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury for the commencement of treatment professionally.

Psychological and other Effects of Cocaine Abuse: Solutions for cocaine addiction

Meditation in Addiction Recovery

May 24, 2015

Role of Mindfulness Meditation in Addiction Recovery

Meditation During the initial stages of recovery, a person may feel some kind of mental haziness. It takes lots of struggle for them to think clearly after stopping using the drug they are addicted to. They will also experience emotional instability. Failure to adjust to these changes may lead to relapse.

Integrative techniques that foster meditation and mindfulness have shown increasing promise in the successful completion of a drug addiction treatment program. Meditation’s ability to “retrain thought” can serve to alter cognitive processing in the brain, thus leading to healthier interactions in the brain’s reward center. The process of meditation also serves to produce stress-reduction naturally thereby reducing the powers of triggers, cravings and withdrawal symptoms in recovering individuals. In addition, meditation has been found to lower the rate of relapse in recovering addicts.

What is mindfulness meditation?

In mindful mediation a patient pays attention to the present moment. It aims at setting the mind free from thoughts that may rekindle the flame of addiction and cause relapse. Through it a patient learns to be aware of his thoughts and emotions without letting the emotions sway his judgment. As practice by Buddhists it is a non-judgmental form of observation.

It is also known as Sati as was in ancient Pali; which is a language in India. It is essential for those Buddhists seeking enlightment as it involves three elements; awareness, attention and remembering. If you have to succeed you must be aware of the object you are focusing on, pay attention to it and remember it.

How effective is Meditation in Addiction Recovery?

The body of evidence for the power of meditation in addiction treatment is increasing. As a matter of fact, a 2007 research presented that individuals who participated in meditation during addiction recovery gained higher levels of coping skills as well as amplified awareness of substance abuse triggers that aided addiction recovery. In another peer-reviewed study indicated the effects of prayer and meditation on dopamine levels, servicing the mind and body by creating contentedness and calm through the brain’s pathways, this helps as a substitute for the effects the drugs produced in the patient.

Meditation minimizes chances of alcohol and drug relapse

Meditation may also be effective in preventing relapse. Research has repeatedly shown that maximized sobriety is achieved when meditation is incorporated in treatment and recovery programs. Mindful meditation has been shown to assist patients in coping with mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and trauma.

Meditation and smoking cessation

Past researches have shown that mediation has effects on chemical dependency and this can be extended to nicotine addiction. Meditation has great effects in smokers and it has been verified that it increases recovery rates of smokers.

In a 2009 study of close to 160 smokers by M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, it was established that mindfulness practices linked to lower physical addiction levels and floored withdrawal effects. Additionally, those who practiced mindful mediation techniques experienced a greater belief in their ability to quit smoking, showing that mindful mediation therapy may help those struggling with nicotine addiction.

Alternative and Eastern-based meditative practices incorporated into individual alcoholism and drug abuse treatment plans seem to garner some of the most promising findings in relation to emerging research. Another study was done in 2010 and it involved studying the use of the qi gong meditative practices by close to 250 substance abusers and it was found to increase the addiction recovery completion by about 14 percent. The substance abusers who were part of this study showed lower cravings, reduced withdrawal symptoms as well as reduced anxiety levels.

Similar results have been studied in one of the most popular forms of meditative practice in addiction treatment and recovery, known as Vipassana. Vipassana is a Buddhist nonjudgmental, observational practice, it seeks to harness thought positively in relation to cognitive identification with addictive impulses. A 2006 study on addicted and enslaved individuals found that Vipassana meditation minimized rates of alcohol, marijuana and cocaine abuse in released prisoners who learned the meditative technique. As a matter of fact, Vipassana participants also showed fewer alcohol-related side effects as well as fewer mental health conditions and even improved relations in social circles.

Benefits of Mindfulness Meditation in Addiction Recovery

These are some of the benefits of mindfulness meditation for people in recovery:

This practice makes life in sobriety far more enjoyable. The individual is able to get pleasure from even the simplest things.
Those who practice the technique find it easier to manage their interpersonal relationships
Early recovery is like an emotional rollercoaster. By practicing mindfulness, the individual will feel more in control and better able to deal with the highs and lows.
People who practice mindfulness will be better able to spot the warning signs that they are losing their hold on recovery. This way they will be able to avoid a relapse.
Cravings usually continue to arise in recovery. Mindfulness allows the individual to observe such thoughts without being carried away by them. People learn that they are not always responsible for their thoughts, nor do they have to be a victim to them.

Recovering fully from addiction is a challenging process that requires enough support for the recovering addict. Help and hope for addicts is available at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center. Do not hesitate to call on Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) any day for assistance.

Role of Mindfulness Meditation in Addiction Recovery

Naloxone and Sex Addiction

May 23, 2015

The Role of Naloxone in Sex Addiction

Naloxone Sex addiction is not yet recognized by the American Psychiatric Association as a distinct diagnosis and they coat it in names like hypersexual disorder but are just that, it doesn’t reduce the severity that those addicted to sex suffer. Sex addiction is one of the most common addictions today that many teens as well as adults alike are enslaved to. Sex addiction has been on the rise thanks to the digital age that has availed pornographic materials at the click of the button. Just like with other forms of addiction exposure to erotic movies, books and pornographic clips play a role in escalating the rates of addiction generally and increasing an individual’s chances of getting into the bottomless abyss of sex addiction.

However, there is a misconception that sex addiction is just about sex, Robert Weiss the director of Sexual Recovery Institute in Los Angeles is quick to rubbish this, he says that sex addiction isn’t just about sex but rather the obsession about sex. Sex addiction is characterized by compulsive sexual thoughts and actions. If a person has a sex addiction he will no longer have the power to control the sexual desires that will crawl his mind all the time. When a person is addicted to sex he loses his will not only in controlling his/her desire for sex but he will also lose focus on other aspects of life as his thoughts become caged in a sexual abyss.

Just like any form of addiction sex addiction has its share of darkness, when one is addicted to sex, he will suffer the consequences in all his spheres of life; socially, physically and emotionally. As have been evident those who are addicted to sex may never maintain any steady relationship and even they may become withdrawn and find it hard to easily mingle in social circles. Like in heroin addiction, the brain chemistry will be adversely altered; the neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin become dependent on the acts of sex as they will become the only avenue through which the levels of dopamine can be boosted. When this doesn’t happen they will exhibit down feelings and depression and anxiety will find their way in.

However, sex addicts should be treated with care and shown love as most of them never played a part in the events that culminated into sex addiction. Statistics have shown that most of those who are addicted to sex got there because of acts of sexual abuse they were subjected to earlier in their lives. Sex abuse is a leading cause of sex addiction. Nevertheless the cause of sex addiction doesn’t matter what matters is the menace is real and is underrated by the American Psychiatric Association. The addicts need help just like other people addicted to drugs and other behavioral addictions.

Some of the signs and symptoms of sex addiction include;

Like I stated earlier, sex addiction impacts your life in all spheres; socially, physically and emotional. But since I can’t tell all about sex addiction in a single post, I will not delve much into these categories of the signs and symptoms.

Sex with multiple partners– when a person has an obsession for sex he may not draw the redline to demarcate who he involves with sexually and who he doesn’t and so he may engage in sexual activities with even strangers and this may put him / her at risk of venereal diseases.

They may often suffer mental emotional torture as the feelings of guilt loneliness and fear may creep in their thoughts most of the times they are lonely. Feelings of emptiness may even catapult their urge to meet new sexual partners.

Treating sex addiction with naloxone

Today there is little literature on the effectiveness of naloxone in treatment of sex addicts. There have been few research studies that have been done on the same and even the very studies that have been done were done on a much smaller scope to communicate any reliable information. With this said, naloxone isn’t a new drug as it has been used in the past for treatment of heroin overdose and addiction to opioids. This drug has been a favorite for many addicts and doctors as it is non-addictive unlike other opiates like methadone. It has been particularly been found to be effective in treatment of addiction-induced respiratory depression. It is also useful in ultra-rapid detoxifications and helps restore balance in the brain chemistry. Naloxone is an antagonist and works by blocking receptors in the brain hence breaking the chain in reward mechanism.

Today the WHO still maintains that naloxone is an essential drug owing to its effectiveness in treatment of heroin addiction. Its use in health institutions all over the world is approved by the FDA. There is much to be done in order to show the effects of this drug on sex addiction treatment. There has been growing body of interest in its use in the area as it has been found to be free from abuse by those using as it is not addictive.

Sex addiction isn’t about sex, it is the obsession about sex and lots must be done to free anybody caged in this. We at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center are committed to giving help to those addicted to sex. Could you be a victim of this menace, feel free to call on Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) for help.

The Role of Naloxone in Sex Addiction

Sex Addiction Affects the Nervous System

May 21, 2015

Neurobiology of Sex Addiction

Sex addiction is a crucial topic and when anybody has taken time to read very post about it, it is only prudent that I simplify everything and walk along with everyone as know about the neurobiology of sex addiction. This is really necessary as not very person who suffers from sex addiction can understand medicine jargons. To begin with;

What is Neurobiology?

This is the study of cells of the nervous system and how these cells are organized into functional circuits that helps in processing information and influence behaviors. Neurobiology is a sub unit of both biology and neuroscience. In comparison, neuroscience is broader as a scientific study of the nervous system than neurobiology.

The nervous system is very essential in the body owing to its vital functions. Firstly let’s delve into the functions of the neurons that we may validate its relevance in this topic of sex addiction. The neurons are cells that are specialized to receive, propagate, and transmit electrochemical impulses to initiate certain responses that are important for optimum functioning of the body. The human brain has neurons that amount to more than billions. The neurons are specialized to perform different functions; they are also diverse in morphology.

The nervous system is very important owing to its many function, it is therefore essential that it remains healthy all the time as any disorder may affect it negatively and culminate into more serious or even fatal conditions. Anytime there is a defect in the neurotransmitters the person must suffer the effects. Contrary to what people think, imbalances in the neurotransmitters never affect the health of a person only but also it influences the behaviors of a person.

Neurobiological disorders refer to diseases of the nervous system and they may be caused by genetic, metabolic and other biological factors. Most of the disorders termed as psychiatric disorders are neurobiological. They include but not limited to; autism, obsessive-compulsive disorders, Tourette syndrome, bipolar disorders and even schizophrenia. These disorders are common and can affect anybody, it is advisable to adopt good nutrition and avoid substances that may deplete the neurons and interfere with the proper functioning of the nervous system. In this post we will look at the changes or imbalance in the nervous system that may lead to sex addiction and how sex addiction relates to these neurotransmitters.

Neurobiology of sex addiction

For there to be an effective approach in sex addiction treatment, there has to be a detailed understanding of how the compulsive behavior affects the brain. This has led to many researchers to establish the link. In a research done by the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Cambridge, a study that looked into brain activity in nineteen male patients affected by compulsive sexual behavior and then compared them to the same number of healthy controls. The patients that participated in this research study had begun watching pornography at early stages in their lives as opposed to the healthy volunteers.

Dr. Valerie Voon, a Welcome Trust Intermediate Clinical Fellow at the University of Cambridge explained that the patients had been suffering from lack of control of their sexual desires and acts and this had exposed them to adverse consequences that were weighing them down, ruining their lives and relationships. The doctor further observed that these patients exhibited the characteristics similar to those who from drug addictions. Part of the research goals was to show if there were similarities in the brain activity of sex addicts and drug addicts.

For this study, were shown videos some of which were sexually explicit while others were just sport videos, their brain activity was thereafter monitored by the use of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), which uses a blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal to measure brain activity.

The researchers found that three regions in particular were more active in the brains of the people with compulsive sexual behavior compared with the healthy volunteers. Considerably, these regions; the ventral striatum, dorsal anterior cingulate and amygdala were regions that are also particularly activated in drug addicts when shown drug stimuli. The ventral striatum is the part of brain that is involved in processing reward and motivation, while the dorsal anterior cingulate is implicated in anticipating rewards and drug craving. The amygdala is involved in processing the significance of events and emotions.

Brain activity mirrors in sex addiction is similar to that in drug addiction

When the patients were asked to rate their level of desire after watching the explicit sexual videos, they showed higher levels of sexual desire but when asked when they liked them, they didn’t rate them high an indication that they watch porn compulsively but they really don’t like watching porn. This phenomenon is similar to drug addicts who do drugs but they don’t like doing it. Their desire was also correlated with higher interactions between regions within the network identified with greater cross-talk between the dorsal cingulate, ventral striatum and amygdala for explicit as compared to sports videos.

SEx Addiction The researchers verified that the brain activity of those who are addicted to sex is similar to the brain activity of patents who are addicted to drugs and other substances.

“There are clear differences in brain activity between patients who have compulsive sexual behavior and healthy volunteers. These differences mirror those of drug addicts,” concludes Dr. Voon.

There is need to restore the chemical balances in the brain for a successful addiction treatment. At AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center we have made it our priority to ensure that every addict has a place he can call on and find a lasting help. Call on Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for help.

Neurobiology of Sex Addiction

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