Tag Archives: Substance dependence

SEX ADDICTION

July 11, 2014

What’s SEX ADDICTION?

sex addictionWhat is sex addiction? One might ask. Sex addiction is a habitual sexual thoughts and actions which is better described as a progressive intimacy disorder. It’s an impact that progresses as the disorder increase. Usually the victim of addiction intensifies the behavior to get the same result. Addiction varies with each and every addict. Mostly the behavior will not progress beyond things like pornography, internet sex services or just masturbation. Other addictions will involve illicit activities such as rape, obscene calls and even child molestations. Most sexual addiction will however not end in sex offenses and not all people who rape or molest sexually are addicts either. Slightly above 50 percent of people accused or convicted of sexual offenses are sex addicts.

Sexual addiction has also been described as an engagement in persistent and escalating ways of sexual behavior mostly carried out despite increasing negative repercussion to one’s self or to other people. In short, this is an activity that they will engage in not caring whether they will face health risks, being neglected by family and community. They will not even care if they are arrested or not. The issue is not the same with child molestation as this is usually rated as a sexual addiction. Over 70 percent of people who engage in the act of child molestation are sex addicts and it’s always so brutal that serving a jail term is the only way to keep the society safe and free from them.

Society is slowly coming to terms with the fact that people who commit this sexual offenses are not looking for sexual gratification but they are doing it rather for some kind of attention that is always related to power and control. Some even do it for revenge or to convey anger towards a certain towards a certain situation they had faced earlier in life or are facing in their current lives. Not long ago, research showed different reasons for sex addiction. This were related to an awareness of brain changes or brain reward that was associated with sexual behavior that led to an understanding that there is also a prevailing sexual drive that motivates the sex offenses.

Sex addiction is described in the diagnostic and statistical manual of psychiatric disorders in volume four and in the category of sexual disorders as a certain agony over a sample of frequent with lovers who are experienced b the personage only as things to be used. Sexual addiction also involves searching for many partners and masturbation among others. Unlike eating, sexual activity is considered to be necessary for human survival and happiness though some people completely abstain or are celibate. Some will choose to abstain from sexual activities due to different kinds of reason like religion and culture but for a completely healthy human being without these boundaries, it’s completely normal to have feelings for sex. In most cases, lack of interest can mean a very big problem or even a mental disorder.

            Symptoms of sexual addiction

Sexual addiction diagnosis has been described as a disorder where a criteria based on chemical dependency was used. The symptoms mostly include:

–          Too much thought of sex till it affects ones other activities even they really want to stop. For instance, if you love football, your minds starts deviating towards sex more.

–          Sleeping with more than one partners have also been attributed to sex addiction.

–          Watching too much pornography or spending most of one’s time in activities that involve or relate to sex.

If you find yourself battling with the above symptoms then you may be heading for sexual addiction. If you feel like your world mostly revolves around thinking about sex even when you are not supposed to then you are probably an addict that definitely requires treatment fast.

            Treating sexual addictions

Thereare several programs available for people who are looking for help for sex addiction. There is sierra Tucson in Arizona in the United States of America among others. These programs have the same approach and strategy towards sex addiction and they have proven effects in treating chemical dependency but first, did you know that sexual addiction is the most common addiction compared to other addictions? And what are the questions that one should ask themselves when looking for a good program for sex addiction treatment. Well for starters you should ask if there are groups that deal with these issues. If there is any then it’s the place for you to look for your treatment.

You should also ask yourself whether the program is based on a 12 step philosophy and if it’s ok to attend the meetings while on treatment. It’s always not easy for a sexual addict to know between a healthy and a not so healthy sexual acts. These programs will usually encourage abstinence in the early stages of treatment. Residential treatment maybe also be required for a few weeks to protect the addict from sexual exposure and relapse. It is also important to know that in order for one to heal quickly, one has to get rid of the guilt and the stresses associated with this kind of addiction

 

What’s SEX ADDICTION?

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Hallucinogenic Drugs

July 10, 2014

Hallucinogenic Drugs – Drug Addiction

Hallucinogenic

Drug addiction is and will never be good for human life it does not matter whether you are taking hallucinogenic drugs or not

The human senses can be affected in different ways and by different means. Consumptions of various drugs are some of the actions that have the adverse effects in the human senses. Among those drugs are hallucinogenic drugs, this is a collection of drugs with the capabilities of altering the human senses. They are also known as psychedelic drugs and are powerful to affect the perception of the world around us. They can also be very intimidating to the senses or rather change them in such a way that things become more extreme like the affected person can see dull colours much brighter and  occasionally even ‘see’ sounds or ‘hear’ colours. Besides affecting senses these drugs can also change their user’s moods thoughts and even behavior.

Some Hallucinogenic drugs group include

Hallucinogen is a collection of various drugs like: LSD, PCP, Magic Mushrooms, Mescaline, DMT. They also include ecstasy, cannabis especially the stronger varieties such as skunk and ketamine. It must be noted that some of these drugs originate naturally from vegetation’s for example cannabis and magic mushrooms whereas others are produced artificially from laboratories. The examples of laboratory drugs may include ketamine and ecstasy.

Street names of Hallucinogenic drugs

Like any other drug hallucinogenic drugs also have some street names associated with them these street names may include any of the following: Dope, Pot, Mushrooms, Acid, Special K, Angel dust, Trip, Blotters, Northern lights, Smarties etc.

How are hallucinogens used?

  • Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is packaged in small squares of blotting paper or a sheet of small designs which the user drips onto their tongue. It can also be dropped into to sugar cube or used to produce capsules or tablets. When taken in whichever way it brings in alterations in human perception and feelings of being out of one’s body.
  • PCP or ‘angel dust’ is accessible in different forms and kinds which may include powder, tablets, liquid or crystals. It is ingested in the body through inhaling (snorted), smoked in cigarette, taken orally or injected.
  • Magic mushrooms are a wild form of fungus which is cultivated mainly in the UK and other parts of the world. The most common form is the ‘liberty cap’ although the ‘fly agaric’ variety is also used. They may be consumed raw even though many people prefer to add them to food or make them into a drink.
  • Mescaline is a more unusual form of hallucinogen which comes from a cactus plant.
  • DMT (dimethyltriptamine) is very similar to LSD. Besides being similar to LSD they are more powerful than LSD. It can be inhaled (snorted), smoked or injected and is less easy to get hold of than LSD.
  • Ecstasy is obtainable in tablets, capsules or a powder forms and is popular with clubbers as it enables them to dance for long hours. It boosts feelings of intimacy and closeness and is also known as the ‘love drug’.
  • Cannabis can be smoked or added to food e.g. ‘hash cakes’ and is taken as a means of relaxation although stronger varieties such as sinsemilla and skunk can cause mild hallucinations.
  • Ketamine is an anaesthetic drug originally designed for veterinary purposes but has been used by people for its hallucinogenic qualities. It acts in a very similar way to PCP and taken orally, as tablets or injected.
Effects of hallucinogenic drugs

As has been discussed the most noticeable effect one is that of altered perception, affected people report mind-altering effects in what they see, hear, smell or touch things which they think are there but in reality, don’t exist. These effects vary according to the substance taken, the quantity taken, how often, the environment, age and whether it is taken in combination with other drugs e.g. alcohol.

Some people may experience greater effects than others. One person may only have a minor experience which can be absolutely pleasurable often refered to as a ‘good trip’ whereas another person can experience a complete ‘out of body’ experience which is terrifying to say the least known as a ‘bad trip’.  Some of these effects only last for a short time but others can last for many hours.

People who experience altered perception can find themselves indulging in risky or dangerous behavior, for example believing that they are able to fly. It is not unknown for someone to jump from a great height because of a psychedelic experience.

Are hallucinogenic drugs addictive?

They tend to be used on an irregular basis only so addiction doesn’t occur but a tolerance can build up if the drug is used on a regular basis, for example cannabis or ecstasy.

These drugs have a strong psychological effect which often involves a change in the brain’s chemistry and structure which results in dependence.

People also find that they experience some rather unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if they stop which results in them continuing to take these drugs.

Other side effects include anxiety and depression and an unpleasant condition called ‘flashbacks’: this is where someone sees replays of their drug experience, weeks, months or even years after they took the drug. If any drug is causing you the mention side effects of hallucinogenic drugs you must not wait until it wears you down. It will be important that you seek help from the experts. This you can get conveniently at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under Doctor Akoury’s care where total focus is on Neuroendocrine Restoration (NER) to reinstate normality through realization of the oneness of Spirit, Mind, and Body, Unifying the threesome into ONE.

Hallucinogenic Drugs – Drug Addiction

 

 

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Legal High Drugs

July 10, 2014

Legal High Drugs-Drug Addiction

Legal high drugs

A drug is a drug whether legal high or very known hard drugs we must all take the responsibility of stopping their addiction in our lives.

The threat of addiction is not new to us because in many ways we find ourselves being addicted to several things. There are so many elements of addiction that we are associated with and we are not even sure if we are addicted to them. When the word addiction is mention we often think straight to hard drugs and other known social activities that are addictive in nature. This feeling is very much in order because those are also some elements we can be addicted to. What many may not know is that we can be addicted even to some legal drugs that does not necessarily illegal and that is what is going to guide the flow of this article. Known as a collection of drugs which are sold legally and which mimic the effects of illegal drugs such as cannabis, ecstasy and cocaine. Some of these drugs may include herbal smoking mixtures, diet pills (ephedrine), herbal ecstasy and mephedrone. We can also include GHB, BZP (benzylpiperazine) poppers such as amyl nitrite and caffeine drinks/pills.

Legal high 

This are kinds of substances with the same effects as an illegal drug but can be bought legally, and openly. They are not regulated by the Misuse of Drugs Act although changes have been, or are being made to control these substances. Many of these drugs are naturally occurring substances but the most recent one -mephedrone, has been synthetically produced in laboratories.

Legal High Drugs-Appearance

They take different looks in the market with some being are herbal solutions which can be mixed with tobacco and smoked normally while others like mephedrone come in as white powder or in tablets or capsules forms. Poppers such as amyl nitrite or butyl nitrite are inhaled while others like ephedrine are found in over the counter medicines or pills used for weight control.

Legal High Drugs-Methods of Usage

They can be taken be taken in several ways that is: orally, smoked, inhaled, added to drinks or injected though this last method of consumption is very rare.

Legal High Drugs-Their street names

Like any other drugs legal high drugs also have their street nouns. Many of these substances have ‘trade names’ that is to say their brand names for marketing purposes for example the herbal smoking mixture or solution is known as ‘Spice’. Other names may include:

  • Meow Meow (mephedrone)
  • Herbal Viagra
  • Eclipse (herbal ecstasy)
  • Cloud 9 (herbal ecstasy/ephedrine)
  • Liquid gold (poppers)

These drugs are often used by young people and particularly the youth, clubbers and festival goers.

Effects of legal highs

The effects of these drugs vary depending on which substance you are using. For example, if you smoke Spice then you will experience that the effects are similar to those of cannabis also known as marijuana. Such feelings will include:

  • Feeling relaxed and ‘chilled out’ or hyperactive
  • Talkative and giggly

Majority of users will find that their sensitivities have been altered or that they experience mild hallucinations. Drug like mephedrone will have similar effects to those from using ecstasy or cocaine. The experiences may include:

  • Euphoria
  • Increased confidence
  • Lots of energy
  • Empathy with others
  • It can also suppress the appetite
  • Speed up the heart rate
  • Reduce inhibitions.

Spice and herbal Viagra e.g. yohimbine are added to loose tobacco and smoked as a cigarette or through a pipe. They cause hallucinogenic effects and also act upon the body in a similar way to ecstasy.

Herbal ecstasy such as Cloud 9 acts as a stimulant on the body thereby increasing the heart rate and breathing, a sense of euphoria, dilated pupils and being talkative generally. It can also cause hallucinogenic effects such as a heightened awareness of one’s surroundings.

Liquid gold and other types of poppers cause an intense ‘rush’ when inhaled which also includes feelings of disorientation, nausea, dizziness and headaches. They can also improve sexual performance.

How addictive are legal highs?

If these legal highs are legally allowed drugs, one would wonder whether they have any addictive effects and the answer is absolutely yes. Many of these substances are characterized in the same way as synthetic drugs meaning that they can lead to dependency over a period of time of their usage for example a drug like mephedrone is similar to ecstasy in the sense that it is highly addictive and leads to psychological changes in the user. People who use mephedrone find it very difficult to stop. Besides them being addictive, it must be noted that these drugs/substances are more powerful than many people realize and can be as equally as addictive as their illegal cousins or sisters.

Risks factors of legal highs

Because of their sources it is prudent to note that some of these drugs are not regulated under the Misuse of Drugs Act however an amendment to this effect has been made making it illegal to sell or supply them for human use under the medicines legislation.

But it is very easy to assume that because these drugs are freely available that they are safer than synthetic varieties. Even the herbal substances such as Spice or Salvia have side effects.

The technicality is that a good percentage of these substances contain all kinds of chemicals which have not always been tested for human consumption. So you are not quite sure what you are getting and the effect it will have on your system. Currently we do not have authenticate research or studies confirming the duration of risk and so it is not clear the effects of long term health risks if any. However when combined with other substances like alcohol then this increases the risks and such increased risks can be physical risks e.g. hypertension, heart disease, nosebleeds, weight loss, tremors and diabetes.  On the other hand the risks may be psychological risks like anxiety, panic attacks, memory loss, paranoia and even schizophrenia.

Finally when we begin talking of the risks involved then we must also talk about remedies for those risks. If for whatever reason you or your friend is struggling with problems related to legal high drugs then the solution is just a phone call away. Rich out for doctor Dalal Akoury an expert in matter addiction and the founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under Doctor Akoury. Together with her team of experts they will help you get better professionally while focusing on Neuroendocrine Restoration (NER) to reinstate normality through realization of the oneness of Spirit, Mind, and Body, Unifying the threesome into ONE  and you will certainly get your life back and enjoy it to the fullest.

Legal High Drugs-Drug Addiction

 

 

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A Step Further to Controlling Addiction

July 10, 2014

A Step Further to Controlling Addiction-Parental Roles

Addiction

It is all about giving the best to your children. Nothing can be best like an addiction free life

The joy of having children is among other things is seeing them through life and transforming them to be useful and productive people in the society. This is very fundamental to all parents whether biological or foster. The common denominator in the up bring of children is to see them develop into worthy people in the tomorrows society. While this is everyone’s wish and hope, it’s not always the case thanks to addiction and problems related to drug addiction. This is becoming a common phenomenon today and it can affect the child at a very tender age that would ordinarily be seen to be easy to manage. The pain in much more inflicted when what you thought you could manage with ease become a pitfall that you cannot handle. This is what I want to share with you in this article so that we can together have the common approach in tackling addiction especially in our children.

Having been in this line I will be sharing some practical experiences I have had to deal with in this journey of finding solutions to drug addiction. It is becoming a normal practice for children as young as 15 years of age being addicted to drugs and very frustrating to control and advise appropriately by their parents. Many of us parents would put up family rules like imposing curfew but still all these rules are broken leaving us very devastated. Then the next cause of action would be to involve a professional for help. This indeed is necessary and visit to the professional office would engage you in discussion with the professional to get to the root cause of the matter and hence find working solutions to the problem at hand. All that these parents wants is solutions and quite often they will not be interested in the discussions because of fear that when the current situations with their children are out of control, it can be frightening, intimidating, and exceedingly stressful, especially when parents aren’t really sure of what their children is using.

 A Step Further to Controlling Addiction-Educating Parents about drugs

A knowledgeable parent will be able to offer the most immediate help because they will be able to recognize and label the condition. They will be able to notice the warning signs, suspicious behavior and get to know the differences between various drugs and their effects. This may be good for a start but often not enough. It is important to note that there will be no significant result is certain things are not changed because if nothing changes then nothing changes. As a professional how then will you help? It is not just about what you tell your patients it is all about change in thinking, behavior and attitude on the part of the parent and the loved one.

It is all about developing a different kind of mind-set which will help you have some control in situations like that. For instance illustrating from the experience of a given family therapist who specifically worked with individuals and families struggling with alcoholism, drug abuse, and dependence, who introduced an affectionately formula known as the “3-C’s” with this he would simply explain to parents and loved ones that:

  • You didn’t cause this condition.
  • You can’t control it
  • You can’t cure it.

This application might appear strange in some ways, however using rational and logical thought processes when dealing with irrational and illogical behavior e.g. alcoholics, substance abusers and out of control situations don’t usually work very well but here is a different way of looking at it, thinking about it, and managing it.

A Step Further to Controlling Addiction-Working with Addicts

A common scenario in working with individuals and families around alcohol/drug abuse and dependence looks something like this:

  • The abuser of the substance usually ends up in trouble in their environment be it at school, work, legally or in relationships within the family and outside the family.
  • Because of their drinking and drug use, and their out of control behavior they become the focus of attention and considered as the problem or troublemaker.
  • In the treatment world they are called the identified patient but to the family these individuals have issues which need fixing for the family can get their normal lives back.

Much of the energy and attention is put on the addicted patients to change their “crazy” behavior. The problem is that many at times they are not able to at that point in time, meaning that you will be asking someone who is out of control to take control. It normally don’t work that way and the condition continues to deteriorate until someone else take that control normally the court, police or families members.

Therefore if the 3-C’s say “you can’t control it,” what then do you control? Well exercise of control may be done if pressure is exerted upon an individual like threat of being put jail, job loss, divorce or eviction this way they may consent to go into treatment which will, hopefully, begin the process of change desired. Keen note should be taken as consenting to treatment may be used as an escape from the current situation (pressure) and once it ends the individual quickly returns to their prior behaviors and lifestyle.

Treatment is very vital, but it is has its limitations, it is only the beginning. If all the underlying conditions like stressors, relationships, etc. in a persons’ life remain unchanged, returning from treatment and sustaining that positive change may be very difficult. Many families believe that by sending someone for treatment will cures them and that during the treatment period they will be free from the crazy behaviors of the patient. That should not be the case, for lasting recovery it is important that the family get involved in the whole process that is before, during and after treatment.

A Step Further to Controlling Addiction-The family Dynamics

It can be easy to complain of your loved one addiction condition and their state of being out of control. But the families always miss a point it is unusual that one particular family member would be out of control for no reason. The point is appreciating families and family dynamics is always complicated and difficult and to add alcohol and drugs further complicate the already complicated problem. Much as we have these substances around us many families do not full information about alcohol and drug abuse and addiction. This deficiency of information leads to confusion and fear when a member of the family is addicted to any substance and so there is great need of creating awareness in all the family units. Finally realizing that there is an information gap Dr. Dalal Akoury, Founded of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center a facility of plenty you can ask for. Doctor Akoury is a medical doctor with decades of experience in addiction and together with her team of experts they are offering exclusive NER Recovery Treatment to everyone the world over. Your socials status does not matter everybody is welcome including physicians and health care professionals. You will not only be treated but will also be educated through trainings, clinical apprenticeships, webinars and seminars. This is an opportunity for you welcome and be a part of this truly successful and fast addiction recovery treatment.

A Step Further to Controlling Addiction-Parental Roles

 

 

 

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Gender and Addiction

July 8, 2014

Gender and Addiction-Male and Female

Addiction

This is the kind of happiness you will have if you keep addiction a way from your family. Gender does not count in addiction.

It said that addiction is becoming part of life in day to day operations and it is also a fact that addiction does not choose who to affect, it does not discriminate and has no specific time frame when it attacks. With this understanding at the back of our mind dear reader we want to look at addiction and gender in today’s society. For a long time addiction has been associated with men for reasons you may be privy to. However studies on addiction has established the variance impact addiction has in the lives of both men and women thanks to technology today we know about the biological and psychosocial factors affecting how both sexes experience addiction.

We therefore need to ask ourselves that in the battle of among sexes who will have an upper hand in addiction recovery? It will not surprise anyone if you go for men as the possible winners since women often progress quickly into chemical dependency and meet serious consequences faster than men. Nonetheless women may not tussle with addiction than men but respond well to treatment. Whichever way you look at it neither gender is better or worse off they will both respond differently to addiction and its recovery.

Gender and Addiction-Dominance

Drug and alcohol addiction are more dominance with men than women. Findings according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, men are two times likely to meet the criteria of drug addiction in their lifetime than women. The difference appears to be even bigger for alcohol abuse, with men being besieged three times the rate of women.

Gender and Addiction-Risk Factors

Both genders is influenced to addiction differently as is evident in findings from studies that men turn to drugs to resonate good moods and cope with social and behavioral problems while women often use drugs to relieve themselves of the emotional and psychological issues. Anxiety, depression, borderline personality disorder and eating disorders normally affect women and can escalation their risk of drug use. Men on the other hand are more often affected by antisocial personality disorder which may or otherwise increase the risk of drug use.

It must be noted that for women, relationships, childhood trauma, stress, parental drug use and home environment, victimization, and co-occurring psychiatric disorders precipitate substance abuse and relapse. Funnily enough most women are often lead to drugs and matters related to drug use like sharing needles by their boyfriends, spouse or other important people in their lives. This is normally used to strengthen and cement these connections. They (women) will also use substances like nicotine, cocaine or amphetamines to quash appetite purposely to bring their weight to a manageable level.

Science (Biology) plays a vital role in the advancement of addictions and particularly in women. Normally women will get drunk after taking just a smaller quantity of alcohol compared to men. Because of little water in the body and certain metabolizing enzymes they will have higher blood alcohol concentrations after taking the same units of alcohol as their male counterparts. Studies have also established the presence of estrogen in the development of addiction. In addition to affecting dopamine release, hormonal changes impact women’s sensitization to drugs that is the long-term changes that occur in the brain as a result of drug use.

Gender and Addiction-Penalties

There is no absolute winner when it comes to the penalties and consequences of addiction. Since it doesn’t discriminate when it attacks everyone will suffer extreme hardship as a result of chemical dependency. However when we take a side-by-side comparison women, have a habit of to experience more serious drug-related medical, social and psychiatric consequences much faster than men. They then advance more swiftly than men from use to dependence to treatment (a phenomenon called telescoping) and despite using smaller amounts and being addicted for a shorter period of time, their symptoms are often as severe as men’s by the time they get to rehab.

Women are also at risk of specific consequences that are less likely to impact men, including certain physical complications (e.g. women are more likely to develop lung cancer and have a heart attack from smoking) as well as victimization, abuse, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Gender and Addiction-Obstacles to Treatment

Both genders face substantial obstacles to and during treatment, however studies have indicated that most women who abuse drugs normally shay away from seeking help. Some of their reason not seeking for help may include:

  • Practical concerns such as cost
  • Child-care arrangements
  • Lack of social support
  • Responsibilities at home and work
  • Heightened stigma of being a female addict

These are just but a sample of the hurdles women face before they can be said to have willingly consented to seeking for help.

Gender and Addiction-Response to Treatment

The moment women consent to treatment they respond the same way as men by staying there and have comparable abstinence and relapse just as men do. Some research have established that women may have head start in the addiction recovery program with little relapse period and greater willingness to seeking for help after a relapse, and similar to men women may profit/benefit from sensitive services which are very specific to their needs e.g. family/group therapy, parenting education, treatment for mental disorders and other supportive approaches.

It must finally be noted that men and women are different although there are some similarities in their way of responding to addiction. But most importantly when it comes to addiction and mental health, we do not have winners or losers but then again we must appreciate that the differences between men and women certainly impact on the course of treatment and recovery. Dear reader aw we conclude this article it is not just the gender the bottom line is the solution to this problem of addiction. You can get all the answers to your many unanswered question at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center a facility founded by Doctor Akoury who is an addiction professional and has had experience of over two decade. When you get to this facility you will be attended by team of experts who will focus on Neuroendocrine Restoration (NER) to reinstate normality through realization of the oneness of Spirit, Mind, and Body, Unifying the threesome into ONE and your life will never be the same again.

Gender and Addiction-Male and Female

 

 

 

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