Tag Archives: Substance abuse

Crashing addiction

Aromatherapy effectiveness in addiction recovery process

November 24, 2015

Aromatherapy effectiveness of in addiction recovery process: What role can aromatherapy play during rehabilitation?

Aromatherapy effectiveness

Aromatherapy effectiveness in addiction recovery is a powerful tool for crushing drug addiction to its knees.

When we talk of the effectiveness of aromatherapy in addiction recovery, we must ask certain question and get straight answers to them. Like for instance we may want to know what role can aromatherapy play during addiction recovery in a rehabilitation facility? Doctor Dalal Akoury the MD and president of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center is registering that recovery and rehabilitation are holistic processes in which an individual physical, mental, emotional and spiritual dimensions can all be considered. This consideration can be done in several ways and aromatherapy effectiveness in addiction recovery has proven to be a successful ingredient in offering solutions for many people. Which then brings us to the question once again that “what role can aromatherapy play in your rehabilitation and efforts to stay clean and sober?” with the help of doctor Dalal Akoury a veteran addiction expert of several decades we are going to discuss with you a simple rehabilitation guide of the effectiveness of aromatherapy and how it can help you during rehabilitation. But first thing first let us define aromatherapy.

It is important to note that aromatherapy stimulates the central function of your brain where the sense of smell originates. In other words we can say that anytime you are enjoying any smell that you find pleasant or relaxing, you are actually engaging in a form of aromatherapy. Besides essential oils and aromatic plant substances are typically used in successful aromatherapy. And like we had mentioned before, it is widely believed that the more natural the ingredients are, the healthier the therapy will be and the better the results achieved will be. Inhaling safe, organic aromas that you find enjoyable is the essence of aromatherapy which is very essential for soothing addiction and minimizing chances of relapse. It is believed that the inhaling of these aromas stimulates the brain to release chemicals that make you feel relaxed, calm, happy or positively stimulated to achieve what you desire in life. With this achievement, one is able to contain and cope effectively with all the withdrawal symptoms and live a normal and happy life says doctor Akoury.

Aromatherapy effectiveness of in addiction recovery process: Aromatherapy and recovery from alcohol and drugs

Following the achievements listed above, it is evident that aromatherapy is a fine tool for minimizing most triggers of addiction and alcoholism. Such triggers may include anxiety, apprehension, pain, stress, hurtful memories, fear, depression and insomnia. As a matter of fact many studies while applying large sample groups have demonstrated quite clearly that aromatherapy alleviates all of these triggers. Like for instance in one of the studies where women were involved, it was demonstrated that depression reduces the ability to smell. Aromatherapy increases olfactory functioning and alleviated symptoms of depression.

Aromatherapy effectiveness of in addiction recovery process: Essential oils effective in recovery and rehabilitation

There are many oils that can be used in aromatherapy to alleviate the triggers to drinking and drug use. When this occurs, you will be able to stay sober and drug-free more easily. Some of the more common essential oils used in aromatherapy may include:

Lavender oil – this is sometimes is also known as the oil of peace due to its ability to help people become calm and relaxed. It is a good option for people who want to be comfortable and in good mood for a peaceful sleep time or just want to peace of mind after a busy day.

Ylang Ylang – this is another essential oil that is believed to be good for relaxation in many ways.

Lemon oil – this is believed to enhance mood and trigger the feelings of sufficiency of energy to face the day’s challenges. Besides that there are is also some evidence to suggest that it can help people deal better with stress.

Peppermint oil – this is said to be good for helping people deal with minor body discomforts including mild headaches. It is also good for relieving nausea which is often a problem for people going through withdrawals.

The smell of Sandalwood – it is commonly found in Buddhist and Hindu temples where it is used in incense. It can be good for putting people in the mood for contemplation.

Bergamot oil – this is believed to help alleviate mild symptoms of depression.

Eucalyptus oil – is actually good for opening up the airways and it can make people feel like they have more energy.

Chamomile oil – this is another essential oil that is good for promoting relaxation and sleep.

Clary Sage – this is said to be good for reducing levels of anxiety and promoting sleep.

Dill oil – this is said to help people deal with feelings of being overwhelmed, and it is also good for general relaxation.

Ginger oil – this is said to be a mild stimulant. This means that it may lift mood and increase mental clarity.

Jasmine – this is said to lift the mood and can be used as a mild antidepressant.

Aromatherapy effectiveness of in addiction recovery process: Things to consider with aromatherapy

Even though aromatherapy is generally considered safe, the following elements are worth considering before using any of these products:

  • Take note never to ingest any essential oil unless it has been specifically designed for that purpose.
  • Aromatherapy is like most things in life – best in moderation.
  • Always follow the instructions for the use of the different products keenly.
  • If you have any type of respiratory problems such as asthma you will need to be very careful when opting for these oils. It is advised that they avoid them completely unless given the ok by their physician.
  • It is important to be aware of any potential side effects related to these products – for example, rosemary can sometimes lead to a rise in blood pressure and should be avoided by people who have hypertension.
  • Hyssop oil may trigger seizures in those people who have a history of convulsions.
  • Pregnant women are usually advised to avoid aromatherapy.
  • These products can be dangerous if they get into the eyes. People need to be careful to wash their hands if any of the oil has gotten onto their skin – otherwise they could accidentally rub the oil into the skin.
  • It is advised that those people who have any type of estrogen dependent cancers should avoid oils such as aniseed, fennel, and sage which are estrogen like compounds. This would include breast and ovarian cancer.
  • The cost of essential oils can vary a great deal so it is advisable to shop around. Some products cost far more than others, but the only real difference will be the brand name.

Finally these are points not to ignore if you want to get the best out of aromatherapy. And in case you have any further concern that you need to be addressed, you can use this opportunity to call the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center and all your concerns will not only be addressed, but they will be handled professionally.

Aromatherapy effectiveness of in addiction recovery process: What role can aromatherapy play during rehabilitation?

 

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Nutrition benefits

Nutritional benefits enjoyed by recovering addicts

November 23, 2015

Nutritional benefits enjoyed by recovering addicts: Doing the right thing to escape addiction

Nutritional benefits

What do you drink? and what flows in your glass? Whatever the answer remember that there are numerous nutritional benefits enjoyed by recovering addicts if you feed well.

Previously while we were exploring on the good nutrition and diet for recovering people with addiction we noted that there are applicable factors which when applied with the guidance of addiction experts, real time solutions can be realized. Those factors included exercise, relaxation, spirituality and adaptation of a balanced living. We were however able to discuss the exercise portion and now while focusing on the nutritional benefits enjoyed by recovering addicts, we are going to look at the remaining three, and with the help of professionals from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury who is also the MD founder and president of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, we are going to give to details all that you need to know about these three factors and so stay tuned and invite a friend to the link so that we move together as a committed team in the elimination of drug addiction by all means.

Nutritional benefits enjoyed by recovering addicts: Relaxation

Relaxation is very crucial and actually there are several things you can do to readily reduce or escape the stress you feel. Doctor Akoury is registering that when you are unable to change a situation or to better cope with the stress of everyday living some of the applicable solutions are very simple and very common such that people often ignore the power behind them. Take for example simple things like laughing, playing, listening to music, storytelling, fantasizing, reading and massage are some methods of natural stress reduction yet we often ignore them. Besides that deep relaxation can be a way of relaxing the body and mind. The objective of this is to reduce stress and produce a sense of well-being. Deep relaxation rebalances the body and reduces the production of stress hormones. What happens when you relax is the opposite of the “fight or flight” reaction. When you relax, your muscles become heavy, your body temperature rises and your breathing and heart rate slow down. Remember that tension hinders muscle relaxation and that is why it is impossible to maintain tension while physically relaxing. A visit to the home of solutions (AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center) will equip you with all the needed techniques which will allow your body to relax effectively. You can therefore schedule for an appointment with doctor Akoury for further professional direction on the relaxation modalities. And even as you do that it is important to note that the distress resulting from thought process impairments, emotional process impairments, memory impairments, and stress sensitivity can be reduced or relieved through proper use of relaxation. There are a variety of relaxation exercises that you can use including:

  • You can get a book that will offer you a selection of exercises or you can purchase tape-recorded exercises.
  • You can close your eyes in a comfortable position and repeat a pleasant word over and over to yourself.
  • You can imagine yourself in a soothing environment such as by a quiet lake or in a green meadow.

Pick a method that is relaxing to you and use it often. The experience will be very productive since you will find it a helpful aid for reducing stress and creating peace of mind and serenity.

Nutritional benefits enjoyed by recovering addicts: Spirituality

Spirituality can be defined as “an active relationship with a power greater than yourself that gives your life meaning and purpose.” When you work a spiritual program, you consciously, actively attempt to become a part of something bigger, greater, and more powerful than yourself. The effectiveness of this is that believing in a Higher Power will take you out of the center of your universe and offers peace of mind and serenity by awareness that there is a power that is not restricted by your weaknesses and limitations. Through spiritual development you can develop new confidence in your own abilities and develop a new sense of hope. It is through a spiritual program that you can reach with hope and a positive attitude toward the future.

In working on your spirituality it is important for you to use the principles of the AA/NA program. AA/NA provides guidelines for “increasing your conscious contact with your higher power.” You do not have to have any one image of your higher power to increase your conscious contact. You do have to be open to the possibility of a Higher Power and be willing to experiment with communicating with that Power. It is important to structure your life in such a way as to spend time alone each day to interact with your Higher Power. It is important to examine your values and look within yourself to determine whether your life is in harmony with those values. And take note that spiritual discipline is a consciously chosen course of action. Discipline is uncomfortable for many recovering addicts. They have lived lives of immediate gratification, and discipline is the reverse of that. The purpose of spiritual discipline is freedom from the slavery of self-indulgence. Spiritual discipline includes prayer and meditation, spiritual fellowship, and regular inventory of your spiritual growth.

Nutritional benefits enjoyed by recovering addicts: Balanced living

Balanced living can be defined in several ways including:

  • Balanced living means that there is bio-psycho-social-spiritual harmony in your life.
  • It means that you are healthy physically and psychologically and that you have healthy relationships.
  • It means that you are spiritually whole.
  • It means that you are no longer focused on one aspect of your life.
  • It means you are living responsibly, giving yourself time for your job, your family, and your friends as well as time for your own growth and recovery.
  • It means allowing a Higher Power to work in your life. It means wholesome living.
  • It means having a balance between work and play, between fulfilling your responsibilities to other people and your need for self-fulfillment.
  • It means functioning as nearly as possible at your optimum stress level, maintaining enough stress to keep you functioning in a healthy way and not overloading yourself with stress so that it becomes counterproductive.

Finally a balanced living requires proper health care so that the body is functioning well. Nutrition, rest, and exercise all receive the proper focus in your life to provide energy, manage stress, allow freedom from illness and pain, combat fatigue, and rebuild a damaged body. Freedom from physical distress allows psychological growth. When you feel good it is easier to think about your attitudes and values and to work on eliminating denial, guilt, and anger. Balanced living requires doing things to develop self-confidence and self-esteem and learning to feel good about your-self. All these factors are geared towards ensuring total elimination of addiction by putting aside all triggers of addiction and you can get more information on this and other nutritional benefits enjoyed by recovering addicts by visiting AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center and all your concerns will be addressed professionally.

Nutritional benefits enjoyed by recovering addicts: Doing the right thing to escape addiction

 

 

 

 

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Oxycontin

Oxycontin the addictive pain killer of all ages

November 23, 2015

Oxycontin the addictive pain killer of all ages: What is oxycontin and why is it so addictive?

Oxycontin the addictive pain killer

Oxycontin the addictive pain killer is often misused by its users to attain certain high which makes it quite addictive for health

The need to eradicate pain from our life has made us to be very innovative and a lot of drugs are being produced daily into the market. Some of these drugs are available across the counter while another set can only be issued on the doctor’s advice. However, the world is suffering from substance abuse, some of which are prescription drugs which have not helped either. When they are prescribed to us for use, sometimes we often miss use them thereby causing further addiction related complications to us. In that regard, we want to narrow this discussion to one of the drugs available in the market under the topic “Oxycontin the addictive pain killer of all ages.” Experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury MD and the president of the facility says that OxyContin is a type of medication that can actually relieve pain. It is commonly prescribed to patients by doctors and this prescription is not just to any patient but to those who have severe injuries, arthritis or cancer. Doctor Akoury registers that this is a morphine-like drug which is classified under schedule II controlled substance, which means that people need a prescription to obtain it. She adds that in relation to other painkillers, OxyContin has a long-acting formula and it works well for those who need round-the-clock relief.

The other problem with pain killer drugs like Aspirin and Tylenol is that they are not strong enough to help people who are suffering from moderate to severe pain and as a result of that users will often opt for opioids to make the pain more bearable. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of oxycontin is what makes it to be a popular street drug. Even though the allowed mode of administration of this drug is through oral consumption, miss use has always led to many people to abuse OxyContin by either crushing the tablets so that they can swallow or snort them or sometimes, they even dilute the tablets in water to for a solution which they then inject into their veins. These methods destroy the time-release mechanism, which allows the user to experience the drug’s full effect immediately.

Oxycontin the addictive pain killer of all ages: The dangers of oxycontin addiction

Like with other drugs, if the procedure is not followed dully on acquisition, it becomes a major problem to the drug enforcement officials. It therefore means that if this drug (oxycontin) is obtained illegally it will be a major issue for drug enforcement officials. This drug is commonly known in the street as Kicker, OC and Hillbilly Heroin. The danger of an addiction to OxyContin is that it will make its users feel like they can tolerate more. Remember that too much use of this drug can lead to respiratory failure and the drug can become even more dangerous when people combine it with alcohol or benzodiazepines. And besides that just like with other opiates users can develop a tolerance if they use OxyContin on a regular basis. And once they develop a tolerance for the drug, they will require larger doses to elicit the drug’s euphoric effects. Besides taking larger doses, the users also need to take the drug more often to stay high. Over time, users begin to develop a dangerous OxyContin prescription addiction which causes them to become more and more addicted each time they use the drug.

Doctor Dalal Akoury also registers that it is important to appreciate that OxyContin addiction also occurs when people use the drug in a way that the manufacturer did not intend. Like for example, those who snort or inject the drug are likely to become addicted since this is not the proper ways of administration of this drug. When people snort or inject the tablets, they feel an intense high right away. The high that people experience while abusing OxyContin is similar to the euphoria that heroin users also feel. Once they experience an intense high, their body starts to crave more of the drug. Those who abuse OxyContin regularly are likely to need to professional help.

Oxycontin the addictive pain killer of all ages: Who is vulnerable to oxycontin addiction?

When it comes to vulnerability, it is worth noting that anyone who uses OxyContin can develop an addiction indiscriminately however, in most cases it often affects those who are prone to addictive behaviors in their lifestyle. Doctor Akoury is reiterating that OxyContin drug addiction is particularly prevalent among young adults in the rural areas in relation to their counterparts in the urban centers. This is so because in some cases those who have a legal prescription often resell the tablets to other people for a profit thereby making the drug easily available to the wrong people. Alongside with that it is emerging that some people also acquire the drug by visiting multiple doctors to have more than one prescription written out so that they are in possession of enough to distribute to their illegal clients.

Many chronic pain patients worry when their doctor increases their dosage of OxyContin, but this worry need not to be there because they are under medical supervision. Nonetheless it is worth noting that the body can develop a tolerance for the drug over time. It is therefore necessary that all patients take OxyContin as directed by their physicians so that they do not get a high from using it. Finally we must also note that those who worry about becoming addicted can suffer needlessly if they refuse to take painkillers. That is why doctors always examine each patient’s history before implementing a treatment plan and if the patient has a history of drug abuse, then the doctor is likely to prescribe something other than OxyContin. Abuse of oxycontin is risky and users risk respiratory failure since the drug depresses the respiration which may lead to slowness of breath beside causing users to feel weak, tired and dizzy. In conclusion it is always very important that when it comes to addiction, everyone needs to be in close touch with addiction professionals so that any emerging problem can be addressed in good time. And for that reason, I want to encourage you that if you have any point that you need to be clarified, then you can schedule for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury for a professional direction.

Oxycontin the addictive pain killer of all ages: What is oxycontin and why is it so addictive?

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Post Acute withdrawal symptoms management techniques

November 23, 2015

Post Acute withdrawal symptoms management techniques: Stress management

Post acute withdrawal symptoms

Taking early precaution in managing post acute withdrawal symptoms is the best thing you can do for comfort during treatment

Did you know that failing to effectively take part in managing post-acute withdrawal symptoms is actually promoting the wide spread of alcohol and drug addiction? This is practically true because the less you do to strengthen yourself against an episode of post-acute withdrawal, the weaker your resistance becomes. In other words you will become very vulnerable and may not succeed in your targeted objectives. Doctor Dalal Akoury a veteran addiction expert compares this with a tetanus shot. That is to says that the longer it has been since you have had one, the more risk it is for you becoming seriously ill if you get an accident and cut yourself on a piece of rusty metal. Conditions that put you in high risk of experiencing post-acute withdrawal symptoms are usually lack of care of yourself and lack of attention to your recovery program. If you are going to recover without relapse you need to be aware of stressful situations in your life that can increase your risk of experiencing PAWS and that is where experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury comes in to help. Doctor Akoury is registering that post acute withdrawal symptoms management techniques are very paramount nonetheless it can also be affected by harboring stressful situations in your life. It therefore means that stress management must be done hand in hand with PAWS. Nevertheless we do appreciate the challenges that can be involve and so doctor Akoury suggest that because you may not be able to remove yourself from all stressful situations, it is only fair that you prepare yourself on how to handle them when they occur. This is very important because it is not always the situation that makes you go to down, but your reaction to the situation.

Experts are of the opinion that since stress triggers and deepens the symptoms of post-acute withdrawal adopting some useful stress management skills to control PAWS can be very important. With the help of professionals from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, you can learn to identify sources of stress and develop skills in decision making and problem solving to help reduce stress. In that regard proper diet, exercise, regular habits, and positive attitudes all play important parts in controlling PAWS. Besides that relaxation can also be used as a tool to retrain the brain to function properly and to reduce stress.

Post Acute withdrawal symptoms management techniques: Stabilization

If you are experiencing post-acute withdrawal symptoms, it is important to bring them under control as soon as possible. Here are some suggestions that may help you be aware of what is going on and help you to interrupt the symptoms before they get out of control.

Sharing with the right people –Sharing is very important, remember that a problem shared is half solved but even as you do this, it is important that you be very selective on who to share with. They must be people of high integrity and those who are not going to accuse, criticize, minimize or cause you to be ridicule. Sharing what you are experiencing will help you look at your situation more realistically. It will help you bring internal symptoms to your conscious awareness. And it will give you support when you need others to rely upon.

Ventilation – Express as much as you can about what you are thinking and feeling even if it seems irrational and unfounded.

Reality testing – Be accountable by ask someone if you are making sense. Not just what you are saying but your actions and behaviors. This is very necessary because your perception of what is happening may be very different from reality.

Problem solving and goal setting – What are you going to do right now about what is going on? You can choose to take action that can change things.

Post Acute withdrawal symptoms management techniques: Education and retraining

Learning is the endless debt we have and therefore seeking for information about addictive disease, recovery, and post-acute withdrawal symptoms is essential as it will helps in relieving the anxiety, guilt, and confusion that tend to create the stress a factor that intensify PAWS symptoms. As a recovering patient, you need information in order to realize what symptoms are normal during recovery. Besides that you also need to learn management skills so that you can be informed of what to do to put into properly control the stress and the symptoms when they occur. Through retraining you can improve your ability to remember, to concentrate, and to think clearly. Retraining involves practicing certain skills in a safe environment as you build confidence. It includes learning to take things step by step and to handle one thing at a time so that you do not feel overwhelmed in the process. It includes writing down what you want to remember and asking questions when you think that need to have something clarified. Remember that learning about the symptoms of post-acute withdrawal, knowing what to expect, and not overreacting to the symptoms increase the ability to function appropriately and effectively.

Post Acute withdrawal symptoms management techniques: Self-protective behavior

When all is said and done, you are responsible for protecting yourself from anything that threatens your sobriety or anything that triggers post-acute withdrawal symptoms. Reducing the stress resulting from and contributing to the symptoms of post-acute withdrawal must be of prime consideration for you. You must learn behavior that will protect you from the stress that might put your sobriety in jeopardy. This self-protective behavior is what will enable you to be firm in accepting your own needs and not allowing other people or situations to push you into reactions that are not in the best interest of your sobriety. In order to protect yourself from unnecessary stress, doctor Akoury is reiterating that you must first identify your own stress triggers, particularly those situations that might bring about an overreaction from you. Then learn to change those situations by either avoid them, change your reactions, or learning how to contain them before they get out of control.

Post Acute withdrawal symptoms management techniques: Nutrition

Finally nutrition is also very instrumental in managing post-acute withdrawal symptoms in very many ways. First of all the way you eat has a lot to do with the level of stress you experience and your ability to manage the symptoms of post-acute withdrawal. Poor health normally contributes to stress, and malnutrition contributes to poor health. You may be malnourished because of poor eating habits or because your body is damaged by alcohol or drugs thereby hindering your body from using the nutrients that you consumed effectively. Abstinence from alcohol and drugs is essential as it will bring about some improvement however this alone is not sufficient to rebuild damaged body tissue and maintain good health. New eating habits must be established and practiced regularly and permanently. Your daily diet should contain a well balance diet rich in vegetables, fruit, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and dairy products. This is an area where you will need a lot of expert’s input and together with the discussed points above, doctor Akoury can be of great help to you if only you can schedule for an appointment with her today.

Post Acute withdrawal symptoms management techniques: Stress management

 

 

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10 days Easy outpatients detox

Behavior therapy effectiveness in drug addiction treatment

November 23, 2015

Behavior therapy effectiveness in drug addiction treatment: Humans can change their behavior for good health

Effects of behavior therapy in addiction treatment

Effects of behavior therapy in addiction treatment will yield serious positive result that brings hope and joy to the affected families

With the persistence prevalence of drug addiction in our societies and the world over, anything that will offer relief is worth trying. Professionally it has been established that behavior therapy is one of the treatment solutions for substance abuse, and because of that we want to explore into some of the productive effects of behavior therapy in addiction treatment. We appreciate that the impact of addiction is very disturbing and to help you understand the best possible ways of handling this phenomenon, we spoke the experts from the home of addiction solution at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury MD and also the President of the facility. Remember that doctor Akoury is a veteran addiction expert of several decades and has been offering relentless addiction treatment to millions of people across the globe. Her expertise is all we need even as we get to the discussion about the effects of behavior therapy in addiction treatment. Therefore if you are or anyone you know is struggling with addiction or addiction related complications, then this is the place to be for a solution with a professional touch.

In the meantime it is important to appreciate that behavior therapy one of the treatment mechanisms based on the idea that maladaptive behaviors can be eliminated by the adoption of new healthier behaviors. If we can all understand this, then one very important idea is that under this frame work the individual will choose to do things based on past consequences of their actions. In other words they will have to learn to behave in a certain way that will be productive for them and if this is achieved then they will be able to put aside any negative behaviors that can jeopardize treatment of addiction. Doctor Akoury is registering that in the event that the past experiences of doing some things may have led to a positive outcome, then the individual will be more likely to do it again in the future. This explains why people begin abusing substances; once they associate alcohol or drugs with reward they will have an increasing desire to abuse again in the future. Careful attention should be taken in all this exercise because in many instances the reward and punishment can be used as tools to encourage people to adopt healthier behaviors. It has led to techniques such as aversion therapy and token economy.

Behavior therapy effectiveness in drug addiction treatment: The goals of behavior therapy to treat addiction

Owing to the devastation of addiction in our systems, it is only fair that when seeking for solutions, we must opt for the goals and objectives that will offer remedies. The following are therefore some of the goals of behavior therapy for treating addiction:

  • Modify behavior in relation to substance abuse
  • Improving the skills for healthy living by all standards
  • Modify attitudes towards alcohol and drug abuse
  • Help the individual get more from rehab and other treatments
  • Encourage people to stay in treatment longer and indirect victims to offer moral support to the direct victims
  • To enhance the effects of medications

Behavior therapy effectiveness in drug addiction treatment: Types of behavior therapy used to treat addiction

When opting for behavior therapy for addiction treatment, choice of the therapy will be of great significance. This is so because there are a variety of different behavior therapies that can help any individual dealing with addiction. Some of these may include the following:

  • Overt sensitization involves pairing maladaptive behavior with undesirable consequences. A good example of this would be the drug Ant abuse which is given to alcoholics to encourage them to stop drinking. If they touch alcohol while taking this drug it will make them very sick. Electrical shocks can also be used and this method may involve less risk than Ant abuse.
  • Covert sensitization is another type of aversion therapy. Here there is no attempt to pair an actual negative consequence with the behavior, but instead the individual just mentally pictures a negative consequence.
  • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy works by helping the client understand their thoughts and emotions. The point here is that the individual addict will come to the realization that even though they may not always be able to control what happens in the outside world, they will be able to be in charge or take control of their thoughts and feelings about it.
  • A token economy is where the individual receives rewards for good behavior. This is usually in the form of tokens which they can later exchange for items or privileges.
  • Motivational interviewing involves challenging and encouraging the addict to take action to change their behavior. The client is encouraged to gain a deeper understanding of their addiction, and the means by which they can escape.

Behavior therapy effectiveness in drug addiction treatment: Behavior therapy techniques

There are a variety of techniques that the behavior therapist can use. Doctor Akoury emphasis is that the usefulness of these activities can increase the patient’s understanding of their present circumstances and get motivated into adapting new behaviors. Some of these useful behavior therapy techniques may include:

Engagement – this can be done by assigning certain roles to the clients/patients will allow them to improve their understanding of social interactions and alter their behavior in response to this problem. Like for instance this could be applied in the development of skills that will enable alcoholics decline to take a drink when offered.

Behavior modification – this is another technique and it is where the client appreciated by way of giving a reward for desirable behavior.

Self-monitoring – this is where the individual details their actions in a journal throughout the day. This journal is then shared with the therapist. A good example of this would be the client who is asked to record how much they are drinking.

Scheduling of activities – this involves the client agreeing to take part in certain activities before the next session. These activities will be of a positive nature where the individual will be encouraged to change their normal behaviors.

Behavior contracts – this is very interesting and it involves the individual making commitment by way of signing a contract not to engage in the undesirable activity again. The contract will have some attached consequences if there is any breach. The consequences may include losing certain benefit which is usually detailed as incentives for sticking to the terms of the contract. Finally nurturing behavior to defeat addiction is not easy and that is why we have the experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center to help you out in case of any difficulties. You can therefore call doctor Dalal Akoury today to schedule for an appointment with her and all your pending concerns will be addressed professionally.

Behavior therapy effectiveness in drug addiction treatment: Humans can change their behavior for good health

 

 

 

 

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