Skin picking and illicit drugs effects

March 10, 2017

Skin picking and illicit drugs effects on your beauty can cause serious health complications too

Skin picking and illicit drugs effects: 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. Goosebumps, 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 under the leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury MD. At a detox center, you can receive the physical and moral support you need to minimize the symptoms of withdrawal and avoid a relapse.

Skin picking and illicit drugs effects: Treatment for skin disorders

This is one such treatment which needs a lot of expertise that is why doctor Akoury carries out an assessment on all her patients to evaluate their psychological soundness before taking any treatment action. It must be noted that this substance is very addictive and a comprehensive psychiatric assessment is very vital. Under normal cases an initial, personalized assessment should cover the following areas:

What triggers the behavior?
What does the individual get from the behavior?
Does the individual have co-occurring mental health problems, like anxiety or depression?
Does the individual have an alcohol or drug problem?
Does the person have a family history of mental illness?
Has the person tried any medications or therapies in the past?

Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have not approved any medications specifically for the treatment of BFRBs, several drugs have been used successfully to control the impulse to pick or scratch the skin. The following are some of the medications which can be essentially helpful:

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine (Prozac) and escitalopram (Lexapro), have been approved for the treatment of depression and/or obsessive-compulsive disorder
Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline (Elavil) and imipramine (Elavil)
Opioid antagonists, such as naltrexone (ReVia), are used to reduce the pleasurable effects of alcohol and certain narcotics
Neuroleptic medications, such as olanzapine (Zyprexa) and risperidone (Risperdal), are used to treat repetitive, compulsive behaviors

Along with these medications, behavioral modification therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) can help reduce the urge to self-mutilate. These therapies have also proven to be valuable in the treatment of drug addiction. You can benefit from all these by scheduling an appointment with doctor Akoury now.

Skin picking and illicit drugs effects: Heroin withdrawal

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Healing addicted brain from cocaine abuse

November 28, 2015

Healing addicted brain from cocaine abuse: Why is this necessary?

Healing addicted brain from cocaine abuse is not only essential for addiction recovery but also a must do if this scourge of addiction is to be eliminated from our societies.

The adverse effect of drug addiction in human health is increasingly becoming a global disaster yet very little is being done to bring this to a stop. Many of the illicit drugs have been licensed for consumption and both the various governments and the business enterprises are reaping the profit of death every year at the pronouncement of the annual returns. Our streets are equally saturated with all manner of illicit drugs to the satisfaction of our hopeless and jobless youths and teens. Families are broken because of the consistent abuse of drugs by their bread winners and the grief is overwhelmingly destroying the moral fabric of our societies. This article alone is not enough for me to address all the issues and complications associated with drug use and therefore, we are going to zero in on one segment of this wide topic. I therefore want to welcome you to the discussion bout healing the addicted brain from cocaine abuse. If this is your first time being on this link, I want to encourage you to stay on the link and receive healthy tips of healing addicted brain from cocaine abuse straight from the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center. This is one of the best addiction recovery facilities with highly trained and qualified professionals of our time and they are up to the task if only you can schedule for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury MD, President and also the founder of the establishment.

Healing addicted brain from cocaine abuse: Cocaine users

Cocaine is one of the most dangerous opioids commonly used by many addicts to attain certain high feelings and for cocaine users, every high is often not enough even if the effect will cause them to pass out. This is so because these are stimulants which have greater effects on the brain thereby making each unit consumed a little less great to the intended user. Because of that they will continue to go back for another dose high intensity not withstanding in order to try and match their last high. According to the experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, doctor Akoury is registering that the horribly tragic thing about that quest of using more and more of cocaine is that they will never reach those highs again meaning that every next high results in lower highs and higher lows. And that now brings us to the focus of our discussion about healing the addicted brain from cocaine abuse. When there is a problem, the only logical thing to do is to seek and find solution to the problem and that is what we want to address progressively.

Healing addicted brain from cocaine abuse: Seeking for solutions

Over the past decades there has been a great deal of discussion about healing the addicted brain and whether or not true healing of an addicted brain is possible. This discussion is still on today because each day people are being lured into drugs and someone is also dying of the same. Experts are working around the clock and actually some progress is being realized. Studies have revealed that brain scans findings have established that in the short term, the revival of dopamine transporter (DAT) binding is not good. In one of the studies it was established that one month of discontinuance still shows an unambiguous drop in DAT binding. Nonetheless, in their further illustrations and in just fourteen months of abstinence there was clear evidence of an almost full return of dopamine transporter binding. It therefore means that when cocaine is first used, the dopamine levels in the brain will abnormally increase or skyrocket by two or three times. However, it is important to note that the moment this short high normally lasting approximately 12 hours, wears off, then dopamine levels will be depressed to lower than normal levels. Doctor Akoury explains that it is because of these occurrences that make the cocaine users to continually seek for more and more of the substance to satisfy the next high and to get their dopamine levels back above normal; just never quite as high as previous.

Healing addicted brain from cocaine abuse: Serotonin the neurotransmitter

Professionally and according to the experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury, serotonin is another neurotransmitter that is very significant in playing the motivational role in the addicted brains inclination towards continued cocaine use. For better understanding of this fact, doctor Akoury is registering that it is important to appreciate the fact that serotonin is involved in a variety of physiological states impacting sexual behavior and even being culpable for things like depression. It therefore means that each time drug users indulges in the habit of alcohol drug abuse, serotonin will automatically be elevated and that implies that when they (drug users) makes an attempt of stopping their habit of drug use, their serotonin levels get depressed.

Finally and in relation to this discussion, doctor Akoury is reporting that there has been a lot of pharmacological use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) to raise a depressed individual’s serotonin levels without the use of the drugs that first elevated their high, like cocaine. She adds that professionally that has been helpful for many people, but besides that it is still very important that users’ needs to have their addicted brains treated for a complete healing. This is very essential if any meaningful and permanent solution is to be arrived at. Studies have actually established that it’s really the behavioral effects of the addicted brain that never fully return to normal, in some cases. However while the brains serotonin can be regulated through the use of SSRIs, and DAT binding returns to quasi-normal levels after prolonged discontinuance, there is always the X factor of whether or not these users will return to their prior behaviors. And that explains why it will always be necessary that recovering addicts continually consult with the experts on any new development that may crop up in their recovery process. This service must be done by qualified, trained and experienced professionals in all matters of alcohol and drug addiction. If you are wondering where to run to, then you now have a solution because doctor Dalal Akoury and her team of experts are always ready and willing to help on demand. All you need to do is to schedule for an appointment with her today and you will have a life time experience.

Healing addicted brain from cocaine abuse: Why is this necessary?

Treating brain impairment caused by cocaine abuse

November 25, 2015

Treating brain impairment caused by cocaine abuse: Is healing of addicted brain possible?

Drug addiction is very dangerous to human health and therefore treating brain impairment caused by cocaine abuse is very essential in the recovery process.

The human brain is the engine of life and any infringement to its proper functionality is not only a problem to the brain but to the whole body. The brain can be affected in several ways but one emerging common fact that cause damage to the brain is the use of drugs. There are so many drugs in the market both the legal and illegal once capable of causing damage to our social well-being by infringing on the brain and for the purpose of this article; we want to narrow our discussion on one substance that is among many substances raising havoc to the brains operations. Therefore cocaine is going to be our key focus even as we explore on treating brain impairment caused by cocaine abuse or addiction. This is a very interesting topic you do not want to miss and therefore if you are joining us for the first time, we want to encourage you to stay with us on the link and get the best you need to know about the impact of cocaine in your health and how best you can be on top of it for the betterment of your life and that of your loved ones. And now to set the ball rolling, we want to engage the services of experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center which is a health facility founded by doctor Dalal Akoury MD and also the President of the establishment. It will also interest you to note that doctor Akoury is a veteran addiction expert who has offered addiction treatment very passionately to millions of people across the globe for several decades now making her to be one of the most experienced and qualified to handle your condition. You can therefore seek for her professional advice by scheduling for an appointment with her today by calling her on telephone number 843 213 1480 and she will be able to address all your concerns in confidence and with high standard of professionalism.

Treating brain impairment caused by cocaine abuse: The lifestyle of a cocaine user

Ideally cocaine users are living a very disturbing life owing to the complications that come with the usage of this substance. These are people who need our help and that is one of the reasons why doctor Akoury founded this establishment (AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center). It is however regrettable that for cocaine users, every high is a little less great. Thus they continue to go back for another high even as they try to match their last high. Professionally doctor Akoury registers that the most horribly tragic thing about this habit is that even though they repeatedly use more units every time, they will never reach those highs again and frustratingly every next high results in lower highs and higher lows. Because of this reasons, there has been a great deal of discussion about healing the addicted brain and whether or not true healing of an addicted brain is possible.

Brain scans have indicated that in the short term, the revival of dopamine transporter (DAT) binding is not very healthy. One month of discontinuance still shows a stark drop in DAT binding. However, in their example, 14 months of abstinence shows an almost full return of dopamine transporter binding. When cocaine is first used, the dopamine levels in the brain are found to skyrocket by two or three times. However, once this short high of approximately 12 hours wears off, then dopamine levels are depressed to lower than normal levels. This actually explains the reason as to why users (drug addicts) are often yarning for that next high to get their dopamine levels back above normal. Even though this is a push and pull event, the truth is that the end result is just never quite as high as the previous one.

Treating brain impairment caused by cocaine abuse: The role of serotonin in solving the problem of addicted brain

Looking at the topic of discussion before us, it is equally important to note that serotonin is another neurotransmitter that plays a significant role in the addicted brains inclination towards the continued cocaine use. It therefore means that Serotonin is involved in a variety of physiological states impacting on sexual behavior and even being culpable for things or conditions such as depression. Doctor Akoury registers that when drugs are abused in whichever way, the impact of that action is that the levels of serotonin will be elevated. It therefore means that each time when the drug users make an attempt to stop their serotonin levels are depressed. And besides that there has been a lot of pharmacological use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) to raise a depressed individual’s serotonin levels without the use of the drugs that first elevated their high, like cocaine. Even though that has been helpful for many people in the past and even currently, many users are still out in the exploration field wanting to try and get their addicted brain fully healed.

Finally these research findings that it is really the behavioral effects of the addicted brain that never fully return to normal, in some cases. While the brains serotonin can be regulated through the use of SSRIs, and DAT binding returns to quasi-normal levels after prolonged discontinuance, there is always the X factor of whether or not these users will return to their prior behaviors. This is very important in securing a permanent solution to the problem and therefore, if you are not so sure of your position or that of your loved ones, you can schedule for an appointment with the experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury today for further direction. Up on receipt of your appointment, doctor Akoury will professionally take you through all the process you need to know in order to be on the right path when it comes to curing the addicted brain from the effects of cocaine abuse.

Treating brain impairment caused by cocaine abuse: Is healing of addicted brain possible?

Dealing with depression and chronic pain specifically

July 21, 2015

Dealing with depression and chronic pain specifically: The best ways of managing pain and depression

Dealing with depression and chronic pain specifically is a sure way of restoring the comforts of life for absolute happiness and life enjoyment to the fullest.

Dealing with depression and chronic pain specifically can be a tall order for many people owing to the many life demands and challenges. But all the same we must all do something about these two conditions despite those known challenges. That is why we as professionals from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury we are on the front in creating awareness to all people about depression and chronic pain so that people can take timely actions to defeat all the consequences that comes with late responses of these conditions. Therefore it would be very important for all of us to appreciate that depression doesn’t only affects our brains and behavior but it also affects our entire body. Doctor Akoury says that depression has been linked with other health problems like chronic pain and therefore if we have to address depression, then it would mean that we will be dealing with more than one health problem at a time which can be very difficult at times, but all the same it must be done professionally for timely treatment. Besides these it is important to note that depressive disorder or depression is a serious mental illness which can interfere with your daily activities, life and routine by impacting negatively on the quality of your life.

Pain on the other hand can also come in different kinds. The major types of pain we have include acute and chronic pain:

Acute pain – this kind of pain can be intense and short-lived, in which case we call it acute pain. Acute pain may be an indication of an injury however when the injury heals the pain usually goes away.

Chronic pain – this sensation lasts much longer than acute pain. Chronic pain can be mild or intense (severe). Therefore knowing how to deal with these conditions is very important and to get more about the approaches to take, we are going to respond to some of the questions that have been raised so that we can be up to speed with the modalities of dealing with depression and chronic pain specifically as we progress into the discussion.

Dealing with depression and chronic pain specifically: Is there a whole-life approach to treating pain and depression?

Like we had mentioned before, chronic pain and depression can affect a person’s entire life. Consequently, an ideal treatment approach addresses all the areas of your life that are affected by chronic pain and depression. Because of the connection between chronic pain and depression, it makes sense that treatments for these conditions overlap.

Dealing with depression and chronic pain specifically: How do antidepressants help both chronic pain and depression?

Because chronic pain and depression involve the same nerves and neurotransmitters, antidepressants are used to treat both chronic pain and depression. Antidepressants work on the brain to reduce the perception of pain. There is adequate evidence of the effectiveness of tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil and doxepin. However, because of side effects, their use is often limited. Newer antidepressants known as serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (Cymbalta, Effexor), on the other hand, seem to work well with fewer side effects.

Dealing with depression and chronic pain specifically: How can physical activity help both chronic pain and depression?

Many people with chronic pain avoid exercise. But, if you don’t exercise, you get out of shape and have an increased risk of injury and worsened pain. Consult with a physician to design an exercise plan that’s safe and effective for you. Remember that exercise also helps in easing depression by releasing the same kind of brain chemicals that antidepressant medications release.

Dealing with depression and chronic pain specifically: Why is taking control important for healing?

Chronic pain affects your ability to live, work, and play the way you’re used to. This can change how you see yourself sometimes for the worse as you feel victimized by the pain and depression. Getting busy and taking control of your life is important. Working with a health care provider who refuses to see you as a helpless victim but sees you as a healthy person with pain is important.

Dealing with depression and chronic pain specifically: How does talk therapy help chronic pain and depression?

Research clearly shows that, for many people, certain kinds of mental training can help improve chronic pain. Like for instance, cognitive therapy is one approach. In cognitive therapy, a person learns to notice the negative “automatic thoughts” that surround the experience of chronic pain. These thoughts are often distortions of reality. Cognitive therapy can teach a person how to change these thought patterns and improve the experience of pain. Besides that cognitive therapy has also been proven as an effective treatment for depression and can reduce symptoms of anxiety in those with chronic pain.

Dealing with depression and chronic pain specifically: What’s the best way to manage chronic pain and depression?

The best way to approach managing chronic pain is to consult regularly with a pain specialist or even your family doctor to create a treatment plan. When chronic pain and depression are combined, the need to work with a doctor is even greater. When you visit your doctor’s office, tell him/her that you want to gain control over your chronic pain and depression. As you develop a plan, keep in mind that the ideal pain management plan will be multidisciplinary, which means it will address all areas of your life that are affected by the pain. Therefore empower yourself by tapping into available resources such as the American Chronic Pain Association, the American Pain Foundation, and the Academy of Cognitive Therapy. It is important that when you’ve started the treatment process, you must stay committed to the treatment plan until you feel in control of your pain and depression and can fully live your life, doing the activities you enjoy.

Finally to defeat this problem, don’t wait for too long but find a cognitive therapist near you with experience in the treatment of chronic pain. If you are in doubt then you can locate one by contacting AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center or alternatively you could settle for any of the cognitive therapists’ professional groups mentioned above.

Dealing with depression and chronic pain specifically: The best ways of managing pain and depression

Antidepressants and Sexual Desire

September 23, 2014

Use of Antidepressant Drugs And Decreased Sexual Desire In Men And Women

Introduction

For years, studies have indicated that the use of different types of antidepressant drugs causes high incidence of decreased sexual desire in both men and women who take them. The incidence, intensity and distribution of this condition vary from place to place and largely depend on the specific drug that is being used. In this article, a number of common antidepressant drugs that are responsible for decreased levels of sexual desire in men and women will be examined. This will be followed by a brief description of how this process actually occurs. Lastly, various solutions that are used to treat the condition will be briefly discussed.

Some common antidepressant drugs that cause decreased sexual desire

Before we look at specific antidepressant drugs that are responsible for decreased sexual desire among men and women, it is perhaps important to point out at this stage that there are many types of drugs that when used have been known to cause decline in sexual desire in individuals. Generally, drugs that are meant to be used to cure psychiatric problems may have an effect on the level, frequency and intensity of sexual desire in men and women who use them. Therefore, drugs such as triazolam and diazepam which are used to treat conditions such as insomnia and excessive anxiety have been found to reduce the level of sexual desire in men and women who use them. The same effect has been found for drugs such as sparine which are used in the treatment of general psychotic conditions.

In the case of antidepressants, many of the drugs that are used as first line of treatment for the condition have been shown to cause decreased sexual desire in both sexes. The Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, as they are commonly called, have been found to cause a wide range of problems which generally interfere with the overall sexual desire in men and women who use them. Also, tricyclic antidepressants which are used to treat depression have been found to decrease the level of sexual desire in both sexes.

How use of antidepressant drugs causes decreased sexual desire

The manner in which different antidepressant drugs reduce the level of sexual desire in men and women who are using them is complex and varies with the specific drug that is being used. However, in simple terms, the drugs interfere with the secretion, distribution and effect of special hormones which are associated with sexual drive. The result of this is that a man experiences different sexual issues such as delayed orgasm or failure to initiate an erection. For a woman, the failure to experience orgasm is a common occurrence.

The manner in which Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors cause decreased sexual desire in men and women is fascinating. First, when used, the drugs cause a sudden rise in the level of serotonin in the body. This leads to a decrease in the level of dopamine, an important neurotransmitter, in the body. Following the decrease of dopamine, the amount of cortico-limbic 5-HT is suddenly increased. This condition is what leads to decreased sexual desire in individuals. Of course the manifestation of decreased sexual desire varies with the sexes. Whereas men may fail to erect or take long to ejaculate, women usually experience it in the form of failing to reach an orgasm

What is important is that many different antidepressant drugs cause a decrease in sexual desire by affecting specific aspects of sex. Depending on the way in which they work, the drugs may inhibit orgasm in men and women, mess up with the erection process in men, inhibit lubrication in women and reduce overall libido in men and women.

Solutions to decreased sexual desire resulting from use of antidepressants

There are several strategies that can be used to treat decreased sexual desire resulting from use of antidepressant drugs in men and women. Each of the strategies, though, presents a number of possible challenges which need to be handled. For instance, decreasing the dosage of the antidepressant drugs will definitely reduce the severity of the side effects in the form of decreased sexual desire. However, this may compromise the outcome of the treatment regime being used.

In the same vein, using alternative drugs may help one overcome the effects of the earlier one at least for a while. But since many antidepressant drugs have been known to have different effects on the sexual drive of men and women who use them, it will only be a matter of time before a different set of problems occurs.

Using drugs that directly combat sexual dysfunction may help. But then interactions have been known to occur between such drugs and active ingredients that are found in a wide range of antidepressant drugs. Further, such drugs do present their own side effects over the long term, thus complicating matters further.

This leaves natural alternatives as the only viable option of handling the issue of decreased sexual desire arising from the effect of antidepressant drugs. There are a wide range of natural methods that can be used to help one regain sexual desire after suffering from the effects of antidepressant drugs. For instance, use of specific diet as well as natural products can help one regain the lost sexual drive without worrying about possible interactions with the drugs that are being used to treat depression.

Therefore, since decreased sexual desire is a highly sensitive issue, you need to see your doctor immediately the issue is detected. Dr. Dalal Akoury of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center can help you regain your libido by use of a wide range of safe and effective natural methods. Contact us today or pay us a visit in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for effective and personalized services.

Use of Antidepressant Drugs And Decreased Sexual Desire In Men And Women

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