Rehab Center - Practicing Evidence-Based Treatment Programs

by: Diana Martin

Rehab Center - Practicing Evidence-Based Treatment Programs - Millions of people die due to addiction from alcohol, drug, heroin, opiate, cocaine, etc across the world. In developing nations, the above-mentioned ratio is quite high but gradually being reduced due rehab centers providing their best to cure the addictions from mind, body and life. Alcohol and drug are the most commonly used substances across the developing nations. Parties, celebration, enjoyment and entertainment is said to be incomplete unless guest they get intoxicated. The mindset has invited several road accidents, health issues and even criminal offence.

Thankfully, drug rehab centers and inpatient treatment for substance abuse have helped cure the addiction by restricting the mind to think and practice healthy activities in life. The major impact provided after the rehab centers started practicing evidence-based treatments programs. These treatments based and formed on practical approach of a patient. Firstly, the expert therapist understands the daily life cycle and background of the patients, and accordingly the solutions and medicines are provided to help the treatments get its easy way to the solution. No hard rules or strict disciplines are asked to follow or practice to avoid addiction syndrome.

Team building, leadership and co-operation are the main themes of the activities and solutions provided for treatments. Residential drug treatment centers are offered to critical patients requiring immediate recoveries. Such practices help the patients get contemporary and advanced treatments that are called evidence-based treatments and programs. The rehab centers providing inpatient treatment for alcohol and drug addiction treatment help to cure several others substance abuses such as heroin, cocaine, opiates, etc. Entire inpatient programs and treatments are based on the evidence-based that help patients to avail easy and fast recoveries forever.

Doctors, specialists and others medical practitioners work on the medicinal approach along with curing the mental issues to build strong moral in the patients to fight against the addictions. Addictions are the type of chemical disorders that start generating from mind. Thus, keeping the mind healthy and balancing the chemical equation in body provides strong resistance from substance abuses. Evidence-based treatments include all the real life practicing method to avoid and cure the addiction syndrome.

There is no age restriction or limit provided to join the rehab centers. Joining to any of the rehab centers never involves any embarrassment. In fact, to keep the mind and body healthy everyone should opt for inpatient treatment for substance abuse as soon as addictions start developing. Keeping yourself fit is the born right, and federal government is trying best to make the society and nation addiction free.

To learn more about drug rehab centers, feel free to visit: residential drug treatment programs.



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Source : http://www.amazines.com/article_detail.cfm/6113493?articleid=6113493

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Holistic treatment centre: A hope for addicts

by: Charles Brue

Holistic treatment centre: A hope for addicts - Nutritional therapy, healthy and nutritional food, meditation, exercise and self discipline training might take some time in showing results but it is certain that this treatment provides real help.

Addiction of drugs and alcohol is a bad habit. It is dangerous for your overall health as it affects both physique and mind. Many times, people start experimenting with drugs for fun and end up with getting addiction to the spurious substances like nicotine. Holistic treatment center is the only hope for addicts. It treats addiction in a natural and easy way. It’s easy to quit drugs and alcohol if an addict is determined.

Millions of people take drugs and alcohol and everyone has a reason for taking drugs but a day comes, when he wants to quit this bad habit.Holistic treatment centre is the right place to learn good habits and start a drug free life. Here addicts are trained to control their desires with the help of their inner strengths. They get mental training and also they do physical exercises that improve their body metabolism. Together with a healthy diet and balanced lifestyle, they are able to behave like normal people.

Nutritional therapy, healthy and nutritional food, meditation, exercise and self discipline training might take some time in showing results but it is certain that this treatment provides real help. Greatest advantage of nutritional and behavioral therapy is the addicts start relying on their inner strengths for everything. Taking a nutritional diet not only makes them so strong that they don’t find any need for drugs.

What addicts get in a holistic treatment centre is counseling by trained counselors and company of likeminded people. They live under the watchful eyes of the counselors, who are always ready to help addicts. They need moral support to remain committed to their goal of quitting drugs. They need confidence to go back to society and prove their worth. Counselors behave like friends with the addicts. They listen to the problems of the addicts and help the addicts find drug free ways to solve the problems.

Holistic treatment center shows a natural way and adopts a healthy approach to treat addiction. Physical training, individual therapy, good food and drug free environment make alcoholics strong and optimistic for life. But it is mandatory that an addict or alcoholic is willing to quit his bad habits. When addicts want to go back to society and live an addiction free life, they should choose a program that suits to their needs. This center offers both individual and group rehabilitation programs to suit individual needs.



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Source : http://www.amazines.com/article_detail.cfm/6117152?articleid=6117152

About Author
Charles Brue has understood the importance of healing and thus has emphasized strongly on holistic recovery. With the benefit of such techniques, individuals can come close to nature and reach a scale of self actualization. With the different therapeutic inventions, people can truly rejuvenate their body, mind and soul.For more information please visit here Holistic treatment centre And Drug rehab miami.

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How To Become a Substance Abuse Counselor

by: Andrew Stratton

How To Become a Substance Abuse Counselor - If you are interested in starting a career focused on helping other people, consider becoming a substance abuse counselor. This professional works with people who are seeking treatment for a variety of addictions. People who are addicted to alcohol, illegal drugs, or prescription drugs, and are seeking guidance, can get the help they need from a substance abuse counselor. This professional uses therapy to identify and treat patients. This profession is ideal for people who are compassionate and wants to make a heartfelt difference in someone's life. Being a counselor can be a rewarding career when clients overcome their problems and live better lives than they did before.

Unlike other professions, there is no one-way to become a substance abuse counselor. The more you research, the more paths you'll discover to landing this career. The necessary qualifications may be different depending on the state of practice and the clinic. Some people going into this field have significant experience as therapists or social workers, while others only have a certification. In order to find more information, one must research specific requirements in the state or region of practice.

Regardless of where you wish to practice, getting a thorough education and gaining experience is always a good idea. Obtaining a bachelor's degree from a four-year program will certainly be a good start. At a four-year university, you can study social work, sociology, or psychology. You should also do what you can to gain experience while you are in school. Volunteering at local drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers, hospitals, or other treatment centers can be very educational. Sometimes, simply going to school isn't enough to give you a day-by-day experience with real patients. Experience is just as important as obtaining a degree; take the time to volunteer!

In some cases, further education may be necessary to be a substance abuse counselor. If you want to obtain a master's degree, study social work, therapy, or professional counseling. Most states actually require a master's degree in order to become a licensed drug addiction counselor, and he/she has to also complete a number of hours of supervised work in a clinic setting. After your training, you will need to obtain the proper certification in order to practice. Once you are qualified to work as a substance abuse counselor, you can either work in a residential facility that treats addicts or work in an outpatient community center or doctor's office. Don't hesitate to get started on a career that you'll be happy to wake up to everyday.

Are you or someone you know suffering from substance abuse? Grand Rapids, MI residents can visit our site to learn how we can help. http://www.westbrookrecovery.com.


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Source : http://www.amazines.com/article_detail.cfm/6133762?articleid=6133762

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Best Therapy for De Addiction

by: Sachin Kumar

Best Therapy for De Addiction - Chances of recovery from the addiction increases dramatically when there is a healthy involvement of the family members. The reach of smoking, alcoholism and other drug addictions will go far beyond the individual. In case of addiction the family members often recognizes the addicted individual’s problem and able to give complete warmth and relief according to the degree of addiction. When it is very difficult to get recovery from the addiction even after the care of the family members then the certified physician’s intervention is highly needed.

To provide recovery hands to the drug addiction individual two main movements or plans were started in the early 1960’s.  They are:

- Codependents Anonymous (CODA), and
- Family therapy

It was observed that the addiction was not taking in all the families. The families who are more educated are also happening to be addicts and the poor or middle group families are with good characters without any addictions. Hence the addiction habit starts mainly due to the unhealthy and distressed family environment and not by the self alone. This laid the base for starting the Codependents Anonymous (CODA) movement which not only supports the patient in changing and healing but also helps the family members of those addicts to get improvement in personality.

The other main movement is the family therapy or family addiction therapy, which is a fast and healthy growing movement, by which the family members were trained with proper knowledge regarding the various addictions, its severities, complication, signs and symptoms, recovery techniques, care and cure for addictions, etc. Mainly the family members were educated how to manage and assist the addicts during the treatment or recovery time. This family addiction therapy showed a lot of improvement and results with the addicted individuals.

The family addiction therapy was implemented not only with the outpatients; it was also implemented and worked better with the inpatients where the family environment will be provided for the addicted individuals to get the recovery.

On the whole the family addiction therapy has two main goals. They are:

- To introduce effective changes in the lifestyle of the family and to support such changes in an ongoing fashion
- To make the family members to experience their worldly commitments and responsibilities in the way of perception,    values and emotions that helps in anchoring the changes for a prolonged time

The family addiction therapy also governs the drug rehab programs by which the drugs usage, its side effects and the dosage reducing techniques were explained to the addicted individuals so that it will help them for further speedy recovery.

International Jewish addiction rehabilitation is a Israel based Jewish rehab center which provides a unique combination of the most essential aspects of both inpatient and outpatient programs. Check out more about these programs at their site and know how these programs can really benefit.



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Source : http://www.amazines.com/article_detail.cfm/6131717?articleid=6131717

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Drug Rehab. Which is Better, Private Drug Rehab or Public Drug Rehab?

by: Christian Shire
After admitting to a problem with substance abuse, and deciding to get help, and after deciding that a residential drug or alcohol rehab offers you the best chance at sobriety, you still have to decide between the thousands of available rehabs within the country.

Even when you narrow down the search by rehabs close to home, depending on where you live, you may still be left with many options, and of those options, there will likely be both for profit, and non profit rehabs available.

So which is better, a non profit, or a for profit rehab?
At first glance, the non profit rehab seems to the better choice, and in some cases it may be. The non profit rehab ideally uses all of the admission fees directly into your care, and does not exist to make a profit off of the suffering of others.  A non profit is likely staffed by dedicated and impassioned professionals and recovering addicts, and may offer good value for the money, and it will almost certainly be cheaper!

A private facility, by definition is looking to make a profit, and as such a percentage of the admission payment is not going to your care bills, but to the ownership of the facility. Additionally there are some private operators that do run substandard programs, and although they may promise great things, do not offer nearly as much once they get your check cashed and you're in the door.

Why a private facility is often the better choice
But, if you have good insurance coverage (which should pay for a majority of your care) or have the means to fund your own treatment, a quality private facility is probably the better choice, and offers you the best chance at sobriety.

A quality private facility will charge far more, but will offer greater comfort and more private accommodation, will offer better staff to patient ratios, will offer more individual therapy with a trained and licensed therapist or psychologist, and are often set in beautiful and tranquil environments, ideally suited to the self reflection and medications of rehab.

A private facility is also more likely well equipped with peripheral programming and equipment very beneficial to recovery. More likely to have a good gym, yoga and meditation classes and other programming which does not sound all that necessary, but can actually contribute quite a lot to the experience.

The first step is making sure that any private facility under consideration is worthy of your dollars, does enjoy a good reputation, and offers quality and comprehensive programming. But if it does, it is probably the best available option.

If you have insurance coverage (about insurance for drug rehab) that minimizes your total contribution into the treatment costs, you should almost certainly seek out a quality private facility.

Any rehab is better than no rehab!
Of course any treatment is better than no treatment, and if your financial reality does not allow for participation in a better private facility, you need to evaluate the available options and select the best, which may well be a non profit or public institution.

The best private facilities are far better than anything else on offer, and if you have the money or coverage, they are well worthy of an investment in your future sobriety and happiness. Do your research, ask around (ask your doctor, ask the local health board) and get the best treatment you can reasonably afford.

The best non profit is FAR better than the worst for profit Computer Technology Articles, but in general and on average; you get what you pay for.



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Source: http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/health/drug-rehab-which-is-better-private-drug-rehab-or-public-drug-rehab.html

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Christian shire is an addictions professional writing about all matters pertaining to treatment and recovery. If you need help making a decision about treatment visit Choose Help to read more.

Read the daily addiction blog, Troubleblog for stories of recovery and the latest news on treatment options.

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What is Drug Rehab Program?

by: Ricky Hussey

Before starting a drug rehab program for your loved ones, you should have sufficient information about it. This article will help you to choose the right drug rehab program. Drug abuse has become a serious problem these days. If you discover drug addiction in your family then straight away look for the drug rehab center.

Initially it’s tough for the patient to undergo treatment at the drug rehab centre. A drug rehab program should highlight the adversaries that a patient is undergoing due to severe affects of drug and alcohol abuse. According to the duration of drug addiction the intensity and type of rehab program is formulated. There are several types of programs available which can help the patient in many ways. Rehabilitation program is decided according to type of drug addiction. As per research drug addiction can be cured easily and smoothly under strict medical supervision. Before undertaking the drug rehab program, spend some time looking for the best treatment according to your needs. Look for a reputed drug rehab center, all the centers have many programs with varied length of treatment and duration. The type of staff a rehab centre has can also be vital when it comes to smooth and quick recovery of drug abuse. With help of skilled professional and caring staff patient can get best treatment and support which can help in speedy recovery. Wisely choose the drug rehab centre, it must have proper license to treat the drug addicts. To get the detailed information about the rehab center either visit the place personally or search the website thoroughly for best description of type of treatment, length of treatment and the cost. Most of drug rehab centers are located near natural resorts and beaches; this is the best way for holistic and natural drug addiction treatment. With such rehab centers patient can enjoy the cool and warm climate along with natural treatment. Usually people have this misconception that drug rehab programs are executed in small and dark places. You can plan drug rehab treatment for your loved one in a special way. With lots of new experiences drug rehab is a smooth treatment these days. All the drug rehab centers provide same treatment Health Fitness Articles, but there are some factors that you must consider before choosing the right rehab center. Study all the recovery components and then choose what is best for your loved one.


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Source: http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/health/what-is-drug-rehab-program.html

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Serenity Manor East is leading alcohol and drug rehabilitation center in New York. At Serenity Manor East we are dedicated professionals who are graced with the ability to see the transformation of the human spirit. We exist to provide a safe, nurturing, and effective course of alcohol and drug treatment , in a serene, high end environment, that will empower all who walk through our doors to go on to live a productive and happy life.

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Drug Rehab Techniques

by :  Ricky Hussey

There are different types of drug rehab programs, with different modes of recovery and rehab models one should choose wisely the best rehab program according to drug and alcohol addiction. In this article we will discuss different rehab and detox program for drug prevention.

There are different types of detox treatments available these days. Medical detox is one of the most prominent programs for drug rehab. This type of treatment used medications luke clondine, benzodiazepines, suboxone and many more which helps in smooth withdrawal from drugs of abuse like methadone, alcohol and opiates. It is recommended that this type of drug rehab program should be administered in supervision of medical staff and doctors for best results. Lack of medical supervision might hamper the withdrawals of drug abuse.  For best results medical detox can be used in conjunction with holistic and natural detox techniques. With conjunction of these methods drug withdrawal becomes smooth and comfortable with speedy recovery. Another famous rehab technique is Non-Medical Detox, advantage of this method is that there is no need of medications for drug withdrawal. Patients usually prefer this technique as they don’t want to take medications which are another form of drug, and this might affect the body system. With non-medical detox one can use natural therapy and nutrients for smooth and comfortable drug withdrawal. Drug rehab techniques like non-medical detox and medical detox are very sophisticated methods. To choose the best method one needs to undergo many testing and evaluation procedure in order to choose the best treatment according to needs of body. Usually medical centers have allergy testing, vitamin testing and nutrient testing which gives detailed analysis of body needs. Bio-Physical detox is another natural drug abuse treatment. Usually the residuals of drugs are accumulated in the fatty tissues of human body. Drug residue is most commonly found in brain, liver, muscles and kidney. Medical and non-medical detox sometimes fail due to physical carvings and body addiction to drug abuse, with bio-physical detox whole body goes under detoxification with help of holistic techniques like vitamins and nutrition supplements, sauna bathsPsychology Articles, rigorous exercise and diet routines etc. Some drug addicts have some great response to bio-physical detox. With health improvisation techniques and complete spiritual betterment this method is amongst new age drug rehab program. According to needs of body one should wisely choose the most appropriate drug rehab program from above listed techniques.



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Source: http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/health/drug-rehab-techniques.html

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Serenity Manor East is leading alcohol and drug rehabilitation center in New York. At Serenity Manor East we are dedicated professionals who are graced with the ability to see the transformation of the human spirit. We exist to provide a safe, nurturing, and effective course of alcohol and drug treatment , in a serene, high end environment, that will empower all who walk through our doors to go on to live a productive and happy life.

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Detox as a Part of a Cocaine Rehab Program

by: Abigail Aaronson

Before any cocaine rehab program can really get underway detoxification must first occur. With detox comes withdrawal. Here we look at what that is like for a cocaine user.

One of the most crucial elements of a cocaine rehab program is detoxification. In fact detox goes hand in hand with treatment for cocaine addiction. Rehabilitation from this drug cannot get underway in any true fashion until detox has occurred.

Why is this the case?

Detoxification is a process that is undertaken to eliminate harmful toxins from the body that are there because of the cocaine use. All of these toxins must be removed from the body before further healing and recovery can take place. Detox must come before cocaine rehab because if it does not then the potential for relapse to occur is very high and the work done in rehab will be for nothing.

Detox before cocaine rehab is important because you do not want anything to derail the hard work you are doing to cope with your cocaine addiction. You want to get back on track with your health and to do that properly you need the supervision of a professional who works in this field of the medical profession.

The reason that cocaine detoxification is best performed under the close monitoring of medical professionals is due to withdrawal symptoms. At a cocaine rehab center getting through the withdrawal symptoms can be one of the toughest parts of the whole process.

Withdrawal sets in as soon as a cocaine user stops using the drug. The person's body has become so accustomed to the effects of what the drug does to it that it reacts in a negative manner when the drug is no longer present in the person's system. This is when withdrawal shows itself.

At many cocaine rehab centers dealing with withdrawal symptoms is the starting point and it can be a difficult transition for many people. There is any number of symptoms that can accompany withdrawal from cocaine addiction.

Insomnia can happen when a person is going through withdrawal. You may find that a few sleepless nights happen after your last dose of cocaine. Knowing that this can happen ahead of time to you can be a load off of your mind.

But that is only the start for some people. Many cocaine addicts experience anxiety and irritability. They may also feel very tired. Cocaine can give you a false sense of energy and then without it you can feel terribly fatigued. They may also feel an incredible craving for the drug. It is for this reason that relapse often takes place when withdrawal is occurring.

At a rehab center you may also find that depression is a withdrawal symptom that you will go through. You may feel a sense of helplessness and hopelessness and even shame because you must come to terms with the fact that the drug is now gone from your life for good. But that is progress in and of itself.



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Source: http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/health/detox-as-a-part-of-a-cocaine-rehab-program.html

About  Author
Santa Ana cocaine rehab programs are difficult but worthwhile. If you know someone who could use the help, learn more by visiting http://www.phoenixhouse-orangecounty.org

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Dental Assistants Working With Drug Users

Dental Assistants are used to working with patients who are suffering from poor dental hygiene. Statistics show more than 10.5 million people in the United States are affected by drug and alcohol use. Substance abuse is easily recognizable by Dental Assistants. Many parents are left completely dumbfounded when the Dental Assistant has to inform them that their child appears to have a drug dependency and it is affecting their oral health. Types of drug abuse Dental Assistants encounter include sedatives, barbiturates, and narcotics.

The effects of drug use in relation to oral health care include missing dental appointments, fear, anxiety, cravings for sweets, the risk of infection from Hepatitis B and HIV, oral neglect, periodontal disease, gingivitis, and painful gums. It is easy to see from this list how taking drugs can lead to ongoing oral health issues. If the drug use continues tooth lose and inflamed gum areas may increase.

Dental Assistants are often consulted when individuals call the dental office or come in complaining of severe tooth pain. This can be a ploy on the patient’s behalf to obtain drugs from the dental facility, either in the office or in the form of a prescription. Dental Assistants need to watch for such scenarios and listen to their gut reaction in such cases. Often, these individuals will come in at closing time, get a prescription and an appointment to return the next morning. They get the prescription filled, but never show up for the appointment.

Since drug use is so common, Dental Assistants and other dental staff should be properly trained in the areas of drug use, drug interactions, and promoting drug treatment. If your employer does not offer such training, it is important that you bring it to their attention. In the mean time, it is your responsibility to train yourself by educating yourself in these areas. You can do so with textbooks or online materials.

Dental Assistants can provide patients with education, early intervention, and motivation to seek treatment for drug use. Often Dental Assistants can help the patient find a treatment program to look into. It is important for the Dental Assistant to treat the patient with respect, but fully disclose the risks involved in continued drug use as well as they affects to their dental health. This is where those valuable communication skills come in to play.

Dental Assistants need to be very careful when providing dental care to drug users. Since the types of drugs they use generally aren’t disclosed, it is unknown what types of behaviors they will display. They may become violent or experience a chemical reaction when treated with a local anesthetic.

Treating patients who use drugs also raises the risk of being exposed to communicable diseases. All precautions need to be taken to protect yourself. Most dental facilities have policies and procedures in place for dealing with individuals who come in for appointments under the influence of drugs and other substances. However, for ongoing drug users, you might not even know they have been using anything prior to treating them.

As a Dental Assistant, if you suspect a patient has been using drugs, approach the situation confidentially and carefully. Your main goal is to make sure other patients and staff members are not at risk of being harmed. You have the right as a Dental Assistant to refuse treatment to anyone for any reason. While most Dental Assistants don’t exercise this right often, there is not reason to put yourself or others at risk.

Drug use can adversely affect an individual’s oral health. Dental Assistants can offer then assistance with getting treatment for drug use. They can also educate the patient on the Treating patients. However, this is a gray area where Dental Assistants need to procedure based on the observations of the patient and the policies and procedures in place for the dental facility they work for.

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Anabolic steroid use and abuse treatment

In quite a few illnesses, medical practitioners prescribe anabolic steroids. Use of it is however suggested with caution since the drug is known to show harmful side effects. Ironically, anabolic steroids are used more for non-medical reasons than otherwise, and this has been so ever since its utility for performance enhancement has become widely known among athletes and body-builders. Glossing over what prompts people resorting to anabolic steroids’ use – or is it misuse – here are some main reasons:

Professional athletes in their attempts to over-perform use anabolic steroids. One remembers Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson winning the 1988 Olympic 100-meter dash in Seoul to make a new world record, but later stripped of the title when tests revealed that he partook banned steroid, stanozolol.

Men suffering from behavioral syndromes, believing they look small and insignificant even though they are muscular, use anabolic steroids. Similarly, women with this problem take the drug as they tend to think they are flabby, though in actual they are quite lean and muscular.

It is seen that people who have suffered physical or sexual abuse in the past often take recourse to the drug with the belief that it will make them look stronger and abler thus discouraging any future attacks.

Adolescent youth get a kick out of doing risky things, like driving fast, drinking atrociously and suchlike. They are easily attracted to anabolic steroids’ use.

Are anabolic steroids not used for medicinal purpose? But yes they are. Some examples are:

Helping patients gain weight after a severe illness, injury, or continuing infection. They may also be administered when patients do not gain or maintain normal weight because of unexplained medical reasons.

Treating certain types of anemia and also some kinds of breast cancer in women.
Treating hereditary angioedema that causes swelling of face, arms, legs, throat, windpipe, bowels, or sexual organs.

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Depression natural treatment options

Man is the social animal who has come with his own development. He has come to this phase with his own thoughts and ideas. He not only got the compensations with his progress but also got some of the negative aspects like he was exposed to many diseases that came in the way of his progression. One among them is this depression. This is a curable disease and can get treated as early as possible at its early stage. It has a natural and herbal remedy.

This depression is one of the diseases having an anxiety disorder that attacks especially the adult population. No matter what the age is or where we are from. The depression is a mental disorder that prevails in the person and may attack at any moment. Here in this condition he undergoes a mental disorder that affects his mood. In this situation he has abnormal feelings or normal feelings, which fall in the category of calm and deep which in turn makes him to get or fell into the attack of this disease. If a person gets deeply attacked with this disease then he is away from performing his daily activities or he is away from his normal life and this can be considered as the symptoms of the depressive order. This in turn leads to personality disorder and lacks in self-improvement.

When the man gets this at the initial stage then it just sadness and gloom. But this must not go deeper as he will become abnormal from his daily activities. So, he should get treated at its initial stage. He may get upset for the small things but these should not contribute as a major part for his depression disease. Now there is a good news for this disease that it can be cured with the proper treatment given by the physician whom you consult for the treatment.

The cause for this depression is not found exactly. In the previous days the main cause was that the man was disturbed with his thoughts and emotions. But the for this there are many factors and it may depend on any of these factors like biological, environmental and the genetic also. It can also occur when a person is affected with the chronic diseases that take some period to get cured. There is chance of getting affected with this disease when the medication does not cure the affected disease.

One can say that he is affected with this disease when he has these signs like tension, sadness, lack of interest in new things or habits or daily activities, feels tired unnecessarily, inactive in what he does, unable to concentrate, feels guilty about himself, attempts or thinks about suicide.

A person can come out of this depression with the regular intake of the medications which are prescribed by the physician that may be natural or herbal. The patient may also undergo counseling if needed. It is better to turn your attention towards the natural or herbal treatments as they don’t have any side effects to you. The disease can be cured by the remedies are natural so that they don’t harm you and cures you as soon as possible.

The primary thing what you can do is you can consult the doctor as early as possible. The check ups that are needed should be regularly as it should be narrowed at its first stage. Keeping oneself with enthusiasm and being away with the tiredness. To have confidence in doing the works which are daily activities or others. This depression can be helped when we encourage the people active in their work, thinkings. He should have a loved atmosphere that can cure the disease.

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Depression Symptoms Causes And Treatment Options

Depression is a complex of psychological and physical symptoms. Low mood level or sadness is often the most prominent symptom. The common property of these symptoms is a decreased activity level in parts of the brain.

THE SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION

Depression may give one or more of these symptoms:
-Low mood level or sadness.
-Lack of joy or interest in activities that were joyful before.
-Pessimism.
-Feel of guilt of something without any substantial reason to feel so.
-Inferiority thoughts.
-Irritability.
-Slowness in the thought process.
-Slowness in interpreting sensorial stimuli.
-Slowness of digestion or other internal physical processes, and symptoms caused by this slowness, for example inflated stomach, constipation or difficulties by urination.
-Slow physical reactions.

Depression can be a mild disease that only causes some annoyance in the daily life, but can also get very serious and make a person totally unable to work and unable to participate in social life. By depression of some severity, there is also a greater risk of suicide.

Depression can occur in all age classes. In teenagers lack of interest in school work, withdrawal from social life and difficult mood can be signs of depression.

THE PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES THAT PRODUCE THE SYMPTOMS
By depression there is a decreased amount of neurotransmitters in parts of the central nervous system, mainly deficiency of serotonin, but also to some extend of noradrenalin, acetylcholine, dopamine or gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA), or the nerve cells do not react properly by stimulation from neurotransmitters. A neurotransmitter is a signal substance that transmits the nerve signal through the junctions between two nerve cells.

Serotonin and noradrenalin cause nerve cells to send impulses along to other nerve cells, and thus increase the activity in the brain. Deficiency of these substances causes slowness in parts of the brain, and that again causes the depressive symptoms.

The role of GABA is the opposite, namely to slow down some nerve impulses, mainly those causing anxiety and panic response. Lack of GABA causes higher anxiety and easier panic response. Yet, lack of this transmitter also seems to cause depressive symptoms. This is because a too high activity in some brain processes may slow down other processes.

There are many causes and subtypes of depression with different physiological mechanisms involved.

TYPES OF DEPRESSION

Depression is often divided into subtypes according to exhibited symptoms.

1. Mono-polar depression and dysthymic disorder
By mono-polar depression there are pure depressive symptoms. Mild cases of mono-polar disorder that do not affect a persons ability to work and to participate in social activities are often called dysthymic disorder.

2. Bipolar disorder (manic-depressive disease) and cyclothymic disorder
In this condition there are periods with symptoms of depression – the depressive phase, alternating with periods of elevated mood level with increased mental and physical activity – the manic phase. In the manic phase, the affected person also sleeps poorly and has concentration difficulties. A mild form of this disease is called cyclothymic disorder.

3. Manic disorder
This condition is characterized by abnormally elevated mood, by unrealistic optimism, by lack of sleep and by hyperactive behaviour. Many psychiatrists think that this disorder is simply the same disease as bipolar disorder where the depressive face has not yet occurred.

4. Depression with mainly physical symptoms
Sometimes the physical symptoms of depression are alone or dominant, as for example: Digestive problems, constipation, difficulties with urination, slow response to sensorial stimuli or slow physical reactions.


CAUSES OF DEPRESSION

Two or more factors can have an effect simultaneously to cause depression. Depression can be an independent disease, or a part of other disease. Depression is also divided into different subtypes according to cause.

1. Reactive depression
This disease is simply a result from psychological stress, physical struggle or mental straining without proper rest or sleep over a long time period. The straining will simply wear out the nervous system or deplete the organism from nutrient necessary for the nervous system to work properly.

2. Endogenous depression
When there has not been any period of stress, straining or lack of rest that can explain the condition, the condition is often called endogenous depression. Inheritance is thought to be a part of the cause.

3. Depression by physical disease
Depression or depressive symptoms may be a symptom of physical disease. This is perhaps the most common cause of depression. Generally there are three categories of diseases that give depression:

Diseases often associated with depression are: Heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, hypertension or Cushing’s syndrome. Mononucleosis or flu may trigger depression that continues after the infection has gone.
By lack of thyroid hormones, hypothyroidism, the metabolism in the whole body is slowed down, including the production of neurotransmitters in the brain. Therefore depression is an important symptom of hypothyroidism.

4. Depressive symptoms as a consequence of unsound lifestyleA general unsound lifestyle with too less exercise, too much of stimulants like alcohol, coffee or tea, too less of important nutrient and too much of sugar and fat may give depressive symptoms, as well as physical problems.

5. Postnatal depression
Women will often have a period of depression after pregnancy and berth of the baby Pregnancy and berth is physically and mentally exhausting, and may drain the body for nutrient. This in turn can cause depressive symptoms.

6. Seasonal affective disorder
Depression can occur in cold and dark periods of the year and go away in warm and light periods. Light stimulates brain activity, and lack of light is a causative factor.

TREATMENT OF DEPRESSION

Serious or prolonged depression is often treated with anti-depressive medication. Medicines used against depression generally increase the level of neurotransmitters like serotonin in the central nervous system, or they mimic the neurotransmitters.

The medications mostly used today increase the serotonin concentration by decreasing the removal of serotonin from the space around nerve cells. Examples of this medication type are: Fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), escitalopram (Lexapro, Celexa), sentraline (zoloft).

By bipolar disorder in the manic face, heavy tranquilizers (neuroleptica) are used to stop the manic symptoms. By bipolar disorder, lithium salts are sometimes used to stabilize the condition, and prevent new outbreak of depressive or manic faces.

Psychotherapy is sometimes used by depression, usually in combination with medication.

Sometimes serious depression is treated by applying electric shock through the head, electroconvulsive therapy. The shock induces epileptic eruption of nerve signals through the brain and this gives cramps throughout the body. The cramps are alleviated or stopped by applying anaesthesia before the electroshock. This form of treatment is controversial, since it can cause memory loss and is suspected of causing brain damage. The possibility of brain damage is however denied by most psychiatrists.

By seasonal depression, light therapy maybe useful.

Adjustment of lifestyle should always be considered by depression or depressive symptoms. Lifestyle measures can sometimes be enough to cure depressive symptoms before a serious depression develop. Lifestyle adjustments can be:

- To slow down a stressful life with too much work or activities.
- Enough rest and sleep.
- A good diet with enough of necessary nutrients.
- Some physical exercise.
- Meditation.
- Supplement of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, lecithin, amino acids and essential fatty acids.
- Stimulants like coffee or tea may help against depressive feelings in moderate amount. However, if you are a heavy user of these stimulants, you should cut down on your consumption.

There exist nutritional products in the marked to help against depressive symptoms. These contain ingredients that the brain uses as building blocks for neurotransmitters, for example amino acids and lecithin. They also often contain vitamins and minerals that the brain uses as tools to produce neurotransmitters, especially vitamin B6.

Supplements may further contain herbal extracts that trigger higher brain activity much like anti-depressive medications, but may have fewer side effects.

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Understanding Abuse Substance Abuse

As a form of abuse, substance abuse is a disease and not just an addiction. Substance abuse ranges from adults to teenagers alike. People abuse substances like alcohol and illegal drugs for many reasons that are complicated. It is clear that our society pays a significant cost.

Linked to child abuse, substance abuse has also been linked to prisons, mental health institutions, hospitals and emergency room visits. Abuse can also be linked to murders, deaths and suicides. It is a very common addiction that effects many people nation-wide and abroad. Abused substances such as cocaine have been on the decline, while drugs such as heroin and acid are reaching a critical point of abuse.

Abused substances may impair and have effects on driving, jobs and daily activities as simple as getting up in the morning. Other effects can be shaking and tremors, stumbling, intoxication, and difficulty concentrating. Many substances of abuse have withdrawal problems such as that seen with tobacco products. The substance abuser may find they are easily angered, violent and have tremors, depending on the drug involved.

As a part of substance abuse, substance abusers can afford a high tolerance to the drugs which are taken in over time. The substance abuse increases as the addict brings more drugs into their system to have a better “high” or intoxication. This is dangerous because the more drugs existing in the body, the more deadly they become. The danger to this is a leading cause of death for abusers, which is drug overdose. More than 500,000 deaths occur that are related to drug overdosage in the United States alone. This is a drastic number and is on the rise ever year. Alcohol related car accidents are also on the rise due to the “party nature” of teens.

One of the legacies of abuse, Substance abuse is a deadly disease. It can be treated at many placed or also at “detox” units such as hospitals and drug related rehabs. Abuse of substances is an increasingly giant risk amongst teens that are under pressure from their peers and also adults who enjoy the party club scene.

Abuse of Substances at times can be treated during short term therapy, but many addicts may seek long term care and admission into many different rehabs that are needed to clear the addiction which, in some cases, never heals accept through a series of support and love from programs such as AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) or other programs exist such as CA (Cocaine Anonymous) and NA (Narcotics Anonymous) that can be used to help an addict in his or her full attempt to recover. During this process, an addict who is an abuser of substances may get set back or even “relapse” in his or her attempt to survive the addiction and fully recover.

Recovering fully is a very long process and may take years. Depending on the type of abuse, substance abuse of most substances has no cures other than the love and support of groups, hospitals, peers and family. Most substance abusers are able to recover if they are willing to do so and may live longer during this time but as stated, substance abuse is dangerous and should be well taken care of before death overtakes the abuser.

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How Antidepressant Drugs Work Effects Us

While not necessarily addictive, antidepressant drugs can cause serious side effects that lead to erratic behavior. Such side effects create a dangerous situation in the workplace, the home, while driving and in many other instances. Those antidepressant drugs of particular concern are tricyclic antidepressants.

Amitriptyline is an antidepressant drug that goes by the brand name Limbitrol. Nortriptyline is also a part of the tricyclic antidepressant family and is prescribed as Aventyl and Pamelor. Doxepin is used to treat both depression and anxiety and can be found under the names Adapin and Sinequan. Desipramine is sometimes also prescribed to treat eating disorders and withdrawal symptoms from cocaine addiction. It is sold under the name brands Norpramin and Pertofrane.

How Do Tricyclic Antidepressants Work?

Antidepressants work by helping to maintain certain levels of neurotransmitters, chemicals called serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. These chemicals help to regulate mood and modes of thinking. By elevating a person suffering from depression’s mood, antidepressants alleviate the feelings of hopelessness, sadness and the general lack of interest in living associated with their condition. The medication is typically taken as an antidepressant pill, but is also available in syrup form.

Effects of Antidepressant Drugs

Antidepressant drugs, especially tricyclic antidepressant drugs can cause a whole array of side effects. Side effects include, upset stomach, dry mouth, increase in skin sensitivity, insomnia, drowsiness, changes in sex drive, changes in appetite and confusion. Serious antidepressant side effects that require medical attention include constipation, difficulty in speaking, irregular heartbeat, trembling, stiffness of limbs and hallucinations. Tricyclic antidepressants also create an increased likelihood of thoughts of suicide and attempts in children and adolescents. Any sudden behavior changes, mood swings or extreme agitation should be relayed to your child’s doctor.

Signs of Tricyclic Antidepressant Overdoses

Someone overdosing on tricyclic antidepressants exhibits many signs and should be taken to a medical facility immediately. Warning signs of a potential overdose include seizures, dilated pupils, pounding or irregular heartbeat, hallucinations, difficulty breathing, severe drowsiness, and vomiting.

How To Test For Antidepressant Drugs
While antidepressant drugs are a prescription medication with legitimate uses, they can be potentially dangerous to those who work in fields that require the operation of heavy machinery and other hazardous activities. There are many different kinds of drug testing kits that test for tricyclic antidepressants in one’s system, such as urine drug tests, saliva drug tests and hair follicle drug tests.

Having an employee that is under the influence of antidepressant drugs such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline or doxepin can be potentially dangerous, not only to themselves, but to other employees and the health of your company. That is why performing drug tests at your workplace to detect antidepressant use can keep your workers safe, your reputation sound and your company producing to the best of its ability.

As a parent, the prescription drugs your child or teenager is taking is obviously of concern to you. But the potential side effects of some drugs like tricyclic antidepressants are astounding and should be carefully monitored. To test your teen for amitriptyline use, nortriptyline use, doxepin use, desirpramine use and other antidepressant drugs that have been shown to increase the likelihood of suicidal thoughts in adolescents, a drug test kit can help to calm your mind and decide what is best for your child.

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How To Overcome Alcoholism or Drug Addiction In Four Steps

By C-P Lehmann

Beating an addiction to drugs or alcohol doesn't require special intellect, some unique formula, or heavily guarded secret. There is no miracle cure, magic pill, or expensive medication. On the contrary in fact, because the steps you need to follow are mostly about using common sense.

Yes, getting professional help or going through an addiction treatment program can be a massive help. Not so much because the treatment and help provided is rocket science, but because it provides you with a safe and supportive environment for making the changes that need to be made.

Keep hanging out with drunks and drug users, and that's what you'll remain. Surround yourself with healthy, supportive, loving, successful, humble and grounded folk... and that's what you'll become.

Step 1: Responsibility

Until you take absolute and total responsibility for your addiction, you'll never recover. Because until you do, you always leave yourself with a 'back door' or excuse to keep using. No one else can make you pick up that drink or drug... so blaming a spouse, parent, partner your childhood, work or whatever just won't cut it.

Accepting total responsibility is about humbling yourself and saying, 'this is my mess and the only person that can fix it is me.'

Step 2: DWIT

DWIT stands for 'Doing Whatever It Takes.' That needs to be your attitude - you'll do whatever it takes to recover from your addiction to drink or drugs. Too many people think they can negotiate their way to sobriety.

'I don't feel like doing this,' or 'That isn't really for me.' If you're serious, you'll simply do the things you need to do. Once you've turned your life around and have recovered from your addictions, sure drop NA or AA if you think working your own Spiritual Program is something you're more comfortable with.

But don't use the excuse, 'AA isn't really my thing' as justification to keep drinking. If you're desperate enough, you'll go to AA or whatever other recovery program can help you whether you like it or not.

Step 3: Reach Out

Many people stay stuck in a life of addiction because they're too scared or ashamed to ask for help. Unfortunately alcoholism and drug addiction still carry a certain social stigma so nobody wants to be thought of an alcoholic or drug addict. Who cares what anyone else thinks?

Would you rather kill yourself than get the help you need to start living a healthy, prosperous and fulfilling life? Doesn't make sense. Living the life of addiction is an incredibly lonely and isolated place. That's why treatment programs are so powerful because suddenly you realise you're not alone and there are others going through exactly what you are.

Having that support is incredibly powerful. So if you take nothing else from this article - ask for help! There are loads of people out there ready and waiting to help you.

Step 4: Unlock Your Potential

Unlocking your potential is about making the decision that you want to go beyond just thinking about survival, because that's essentially what living the life of drugs and alcohol entails.

This is about embracing your recovery to the full and becoming all you can be. Decide that you want to fulfil your potential spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically. Join programs, read books, take classes, learn how to meditate, make new friends, start a new hobby.

That can sound scary, but remember it's about taking baby steps. This is where recovery programs can help and make such a difference. Because integrating with people in the same boat as you who are also there to support you, makes the world seem a much less scary place, especially initially.

There is nothing particularly new or revealing in anything I've just said. But sometimes we over complicate things and make it seem harder than it needs to be. So it's about getting back to basics and reminding ourselves of the timeless principles that lead to lasting and permanent change.

C-P Lehmann is the owner of an alcoholism help and drug addiction help website at http://www.alcoholism-and-drug-addiction-help.com that offers guidance, advice, help and support from former addicts to anyone affected by drugs or alcohol.



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Understanding and Curing Drug Abuse

By Jay A. Parekh

Drug consumption has genuinely become a social problem in the world today. This addiction has spread across all levels of our society from teenagers to adults and is considered as a criminal offense. Long term drug addiction results into a variety of fatal disorders in the human body and hence it is essential that drug addicts be cured of this addiction in order for them to lead a healthy life. Drug abuse cannot be confined just to over usage of drugs. Prolonged usage of drugs constrains brain metabolism and also creates a sense of pleasure and relaxation in individuals who consume it regularly. Over a period of time, this becomes a need and drug users slowly fade into a state of addiction due to a strong craving of these substances.

However, drug rehabilitation centers help individuals to overcome this craving of consuming drugs and eventually leading to repulse from it. Drug rehab centers provide customized treatment methodology that is invented based on needs of each drug addict. Drug rehab center can help an individual to completely overcome the cancer of addiction and go back to living a healthy and peaceful life.

Treatments provided by drug abuse centers not only help individuals suffering from these problems, but also helps society in the long term. A successful functioning drug rehab center reduces crime rates and violence in the society. Moreover, it also curbs spread of dreaded diseases like AIDS, thereby contributing to the overall wellness of the society and its people. Treatment also begins with understanding methodologies of preventing drug abuse. Effective treatments from drug rehab centers include practices that involve use of immediate family, society, educational institutes and other means of social groups effectively. However, prevention is always better than cure and hence it is advisable to continuously educate children at a young age about the hazards of drug abuse and its related repercussions.

Drug rehab centers offer types of treatment depending on how long a person has been subjected to addiction. Most common treatment offered is known as community reinforcement, which works well on those who have not been exposed to drugs over a long duration. The method involves providing vouchers or rewards for every targeted improvement achieved by the addict. These vouchers can be traded for buying basic food, clothing and shelter at local stores.

With significance advances in science and technology, there is a lot of scope on improving the current drug rehabilitation process and also in spreading an understanding on how to treat people with excessive drug addiction. It is quite usual for such individuals to be labeled as social outcasts or even criminals although drug rehab centers helps the society understand that ignoring drug users and considering them criminals is not going to help the cause of fighting drugs in any way. It is, in fact, the opposite! Providing aid and assistance to addicts and understanding their problems is the need of the hour. It is only by such methods, that you will be able to restore faith in them about overcoming addictions.

Need more articles on this topic? Contact me: writersparadize@gmail.com


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The Most Effective Forms of Drug Addiction Treatment

By Hannah S Watson 
 
Drug addiction is one of the main causes of the downfall of millions of people around the world. It has been one of the main concerns of parents or relatives for numerous people throughout the world. Drug addiction does not only spoil an individual's life, but it also takes away all the happiness from an addict's family. Once addicted, a person cannot help taking drugs on a regular basis. However, it is highly important to help an addict and provide them with a solution so that they can get rid of their addiction. A mistake is always a mistake. There can be thousands of reasons why a person gets addicted to drugs. In fact, it is not worth talking why or how a person became addicted, but it is highly essential to provide an addict with a proper treatment so that they can regain his or her normal life back.

There is no other way but to go for drug addiction treatment once addicted to drugs. Depending on the severity of the effect in a person, the method of treatments may vary. The most common treatment is the rehab centers. There are rehab centers in almost every city. However, some people are quite skeptical about the services provided by these centers. Despite this, the centers are where patients can expect to get the kind of services needed for drug addiction treatment. In fact, rehab centers are where the effects of alcohol and drug are cured. Therefore, it is highly recommended to go for drug addiction treatment in rehab centers. A specific person may have a better experience while being in a rehab center. But it does not mean that all the rehab centers are meant to be providing the patients with the same experience.

Rehab centers are different in size, structure, or facilities. Therefore, addicts should research on where to get admitted. Along with facilities, prices may also vary. The location and environment of the rehab centers are also highly important. It is wise to put all these things together into consideration and decide what to do.

The most common strategy of curing drug addiction problems is to give therapy to the drug addicts. It may be painful but quite effective. The therapies will help the drug addicts to get out of their usual habits and thus throw away the addiction of drugs. Patience is the key here. As it is well-known, success does not come cheap. Patients have to be brave and patient enough to pass a period of 30-90 days in a rehab center and undergo all the therapies or treatments required. If a person can stay with it, then the chances of them reverting back to a normal lifestyle are increased dramatically.

There are many benefits to curing a drug addiction. It provides a person with a new life. It helps a person to throw away a miserable past. And most importantly, it encourages a person to dream a new life with new adventure, aim and ambition. Therefore, drug addiction treatment is something that cannot be ignored if someone wants to get their life back on track.

Founded in 1993, Palmetto Addiction Recovery Center is a Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation facility that provides specialized programs for addiction treatment. This rehab center has been effectively treating, for more than 15 years, male and female patients with alcohol and other Chemical Dependency. If you, or someone you know need help, Call Us Now 800-203-6612 or visit our site PalmettoCenter.com


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Will You Ever Learn How to Cure an Addiction?

By Tony Lit  
 
Everyone has their own ideas about how to cure an addiction. The problem is that most of the suggestions don't really work. In fact, they often make things even worse. This is more true than ever with the #1 fastest growing addiction thanks to the internet- pornography addiction. This affects as many as 70% of men surveyed-but because we shame this behavior, people don't know where to get help.

Pornography addiction is different than other negative behaviors. If you really want to learn how to cure an addiction, it's critical that you get an understanding of the behavior. Otherwise, you just make the issue worse. This is not just a bad habit. The brain studies have shown that when someone views porn, it releases chemicals in their brain that are one hundred times stronger than the strongest street drugs. It creates a reaction in the brain that nothing can compete with. It combines the very natural sex drive that people have with this rush of chemicals. And then, since the culture shames it, the person has to keep their behavior a secret, which drives the addiction even deeper.

People usually wait to learn how to cure an addiction after they have deeply entrenched the behavior into their brain. It becomes their favorite emotional coping tool. By the time they get into trouble, their brain is already hooked on this regular dose of chemicals.

Another reason an addict just doesn't have any idea how to cure an addiction, is that his brain keeps telling him to get more of the drug. And every time he acts out, it releases a new wave of the brain drugs. But it takes a lot for the body to make these complex chemicals, and an addict uses them up. It leaves the body exhausted. It takes weeks, or even months to recreate all the endorphins they've been tripping on. This leaves the body feeling really down. The brain only knows that it wants to feel good again, so it creates cravings to look again. This becomes a crazy cycle of cravings and binges, and the addict can't seem to get themselves out. Each time they dig their own pit a little deeper, and their own brain keeps them going back and getting more stuck.

It really is insane that the person with a pornography addiction is emotionally convinced that they will get some sort of long term satisfaction by just acting out a little bit more. The next episode is going to leave them full. And the further they get into the addiction, the emptier they feel, and the more intense the cravings are to go back and get another fix. They can never get what they're looking for with porn. It will always disappoint them in the end.

The addict might be aware of this in his mind, but when he gets on the computer, all of a sudden there is an intense impulse to get another fix, and before he or she knows it, they are caught in the cycle again. Only to be disappointed again. When he tries to quit, his life becomes miserable, so he goes back- and finds misery there too.

Its important to learn how to cure an addiction in ways that actually work. It doesn't work to just stop the behavior. The brain will revolt. You have to find tools that help you replace the old chemicals with what the addict really needs. You also have to take away all the shame around this issue and give him support to know he's not the only person caught in this vicious trap. He needs to get help for addiction.

Cure The Craving is a non-profit devoted to teaching families impacted how to cure an addiction. Free support programs for wives, parents and addicts.

Join the Free Anonymous Recovery program today.


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How To Begin to Cure Drug and Alcohol Addiction

By Colin Swift

Simply put, addiction is easy. Rehabilitation is hard. I should know. I've been a rehabilitation counselor for over thirty years and an addict for over fifty. That's right, an addict. Just like you. Just like your wife or husband, mother or father. Just like your sons and daughters. An addict like your friends and neighbors, aunts and uncles, doctors and lawyers, or your cashiers and waitresses. Peace Officers, firefighters, the rich, the poor, government workers, elected officials, celebrities, sports figures--addicts us all.

Throughout my lifetime, I've tried about every drug on the street and most in the pharmacy. In the past, I've been addicted to cocaine and, as a teenager, speed. Today my addictions include the mind altering, perception bending and hard-on-the-body but perfectly legal, drugs like refined sugar and caffeine. Some of my addiction are medically related, prescribed medications (as many of you can understand) that have been given to me by my well-intending physicians. Marijuana, prescribed to me due to the adverse effects of PTSD, is such a medication.

As a student, I consumed my share of alcohol - the last real blitz in celebration of Richard Nixon's resignation. It's been several decades since that bleary night and I haven't had more than a couple dozen beers or sips of wine since, so alcohol is not difficult for me to manage. But I was an addict long before I gained my postgraduate degree as a rehabilitation counselor. Knowledge does not make you immune from the foibles of addiction.

My eldest daughter, though a beautiful and talented actress, is an opiate addict. Opiate addiction among our young is a more common phenomenon than the general public would suspect. So, even years of experience dealing with drug and alcoholic patients didn't prevent my own flesh and blood from becoming addicted to a near fatal lifestyle.

Gambling. Sex. Speed. Shopping. Your morning doughnut. An after dinner cigarette or brandy. Screens. Cell phones. MP3's, HDTV, video games on your home PC. Electronics hypnotize and enslave millions of us as they suck up our time and money, just like opiates, while we often ignore our own family and friends.

Violence. How many of us are addicted to the many forms of violence? This listing could go on forever. Addiction is rampant and getting worse.

Addiction is and will continue to be one of the chief social concerns of the 21st Century.

How did this happen? Was it always this way? Why can't we stop doing the things we do excessively that, most likely, we needn't be doing at all? What is wrong with us and why does it produce so much guilt?

Holistic practitioner and author Dr. Andrew Weil once proposed that altering consciousness was an innate process. That means we have a built-in urge to see and experience things differently than we normally see them. That would certainly explain why we love to turn in fast circles as children, or roll down hills to get dizzy. It would also explain why, as we grow, the simple turning circles or rolling down hills becomes riding a roller coaster or speeding at one hundred miles per hour.

It would stand to reason this instinct we have to experience an offset reality may be the basis for alcohol consumption, drug use, and other extreme, perhaps life-threatening behaviors.

However, addiction is a human condition designed to keep us alive. Think about the attraction we have to our mother's teat, returning again and again for the sweet milk provided with a warm and soothing touch. This natural addictive process melds with our innate need to alter perception, and it explains why these two create a very potent combination that is the precursor of all addiction.

And, we humans are great copycats. In fact, it is not too much of a generalization to say that humans simply love to copy one another. From fashion to what we read or watch, to the activities we play, humans relish in imitation. If one person has a fetching new hair style, you can bet that within a short time that new hair style wil be seen on magazine covers and televisions shows. With knock-off garments and look-alike accessories, humans copy each other as a matter of course. No wonder designer drugs catch on so quickly and addiction to these new drugs is rampant. If one person is getting high on the latest and greatest drug, you can rest assured that an entire city will be consuming that new drug within a short period of time.

Recently, I counted five out of six television commercials during an evening national newscast commercial break were ads from drug companies pushing their latest and most potent products. We are inundated by pharmacology and constantly persuaded that pills can cure our ills. This message subliminally gives us an unconscious okay to delve into drugs and the highs they provide.

Yes, addiction is easy. Rehab is hard. Can we meet this challenge?

Rehab is not for every addict. Too many of us are involved with life-threatening addictions. Some of us are in great physical peril and have gone beyond the ability to make rational choices for ourselves. These addicts need immediate intervention and treatment.

Most of us know someone who needs this sort of help. When we are so far removed from our true selves, we may need someone or some entity (government, religious, spiritual) or something to read this book for us, to help us prepare for the rigors of rehabilitation.

INTERVENTION SAVES LIVES!

Colin Swift is a rehabilitation counselor and vocational consultant with over thirty five years experience working with diverse populations, from rock star to street walker. A unique world view allows for his eclectic therapeutic style that has evolved into PREHAB. A published poet, screenwriter, musician, and producer, Mr. Swift has three daughters and lives with his youngest in Sacramento.


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