Addiction Rehab | Rehab Therapy | Rehab Recovery | Mental Health Addiction

Is There a Cure For Alcoholism?

2008-09-09T21:09:00.000-07:00

There are many treatments for alcoholism. However, the popular belief and the majority of information over the last few decades has been that there is no permanent cure. Once an alcoholic always an alcoholic. Now however many products have been introduced to the market which claim to be a complete cure for alcoholism. Is there indeed a magic cure?

To accurately evaluate this question one must first decide what defines a cure. Is a person cured once they no longer drink? If so AA has been providing cures for a decades, but AA itself teaches this is not a cure. AA teaches that there is no cure for alcoholism because the person will always have the urge to drink. Is a cure then when one has no urge to drink? Is a cured alcoholic capable of ever drinking again or is a cured alcoholic one who never drinks again? Without answers to these questions it is difficult to determine whether there is a known cure for alcoholism.

There is now a shot called Vivitro that alcoholics can take once a month to combat the physical withdrawal symptoms and cravings of a recovering alcoholic. The shot is used in conjunction with ongoing therapy which is meant to combat the psychological problems causing the depression and drinking. This claims to be a cure for many alcoholics, but doctors are careful to warn that this medicine is not suitable for all patients. Furthermore, one must wonder if a person who is forced to take a shot every month and attend weekly counseling in order to remain sober is truly cured. It seems to be more of an extended treatment plan than a cure. Would a true cure not allow a person to return to normal life?

Another program that claims to be a cure for alcoholism works by altering the chemistry of the brain and turning on the same feel good reaction that alcohol produces without the alcohol. This is done through the use of herbs and vitamins. Interestingly, this "cure" does not promise to stop the alcoholic from drinking. In fact, this program promises that the person will in the end be capable of social drinking without addiction. This is a controversial program as it chemically alters the brain. If it produces the same effects in the brain as alcohol might it not cause the same dangerous effects of brain damage? It has been proven that people can and do become addicted to their own endorphins and often as an effect they become unable to truly experience joy. This program has yet to be backed by the medical community but in a case study was found to have at least decreased the amount of drinking in most of their clients. Does this constitute a cure? If the patients were truly cured would they still have the urge to drink?

If there is a true cure for alcoholism it seems that the cure too has negative side effects. Also, the alcoholic seems to always have an urge to continue drinking no matter which "cure" is used as treatment. As such, abstinence from drinking seems to still be the best therapy. AA seems to be correct in their belief that an alcoholic is never truly cured but simply recovering or in remission.

By : Stanford Smith

How to Quit Smoking

2008-09-09T20:53:00.000-07:00

Stopping smoking is the single most significant lifestyle change you can make to improve your health both today and tomorrow. Soon after you quit, your circulation begins to improve, and your blood pressure starts to return to normal. Now is a good time to substitute healthy habits for your unhealthy smoking.

You've heard all of the warnings. Quitting smoking is tough and remaining quit is tougher, but is certainly worth the effort (and anger and hunger and tears). There is no point in sugar-coating it - it is a painful process. It's hard because your body becomes addicted to the nicotine in tobacco. Giving it up is more than just kicking a bad habit.

Stopping smoking is possible. Every year two million Americans stop smoking. Quitting is a process, not an action. It is something that will be tough at times and remarkably simple at others.

Many hardcore smokers end up quitting after years and years of heavy smoking. Smokers may have a physical addiction to nicotine, the substance found in cigarettes. Another reason could be a psychological addiction to having something in their hands or mouth, or an addiction to a routine that includes smoking cigarettes at different times throughout the day.

All in all, it's not an easy task and many people struggle for years as they try to quit. Most former smokers made several attempts to quit before they were finally successful. It took a while to learn to smoke; it takes a while to learn not to smoke. Quitting your smoking habit is both a mental and a physical undertaking. Mentally, you should be ready and relatively stress-free.

Smokers who want to quit are constantly looking for the best advice and techniques that will help them quit for real this time. Quitting is worth 10 percent off all future doctor bills. Smokers who quit at younger ages realize greater life extensions. The few kilos gained after quitting smoking is not as bad as it sounds. Smoking cessation represents the single most important step that smokers can take to better the length and quality of their lives.

Analogically speaking, quitting smoking is like taking a chair leg away - the chair will always be wobbly unless you put something in its place. Putting an end to smoking, is far and away the single most powerful step you.

By : Brian Schwartz

Alcoholism Addiction Treatment – What Really Works?

2008-08-11T00:52:00.000-07:00

Any kind of addiction is and has always been difficult to treat. This is true also for alcohol addiction. Alcoholism is today, the most common form of addiction one of the most common forms of addiction. According to recent statistics, more than 18 million Americans are addicted to alcohol, but sadly, only a small percentage of them accept this fact and seek alcoholism addiction treatment. Successful alcohol treatment requires the analysis of different aspects of the addiction and treating each aspect on the basis of its merit.

There are various kinds of treatment available for alcoholism addiction. Some of these like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) have been practiced for years while others are comparatively new and developing. According to a study conducted by NIAA, self help programs like AA, psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy are the most effective ones, either alone or in combination, in reducing the use of alcohol.

In the AA alcohol treatment program, participants engage in a series of mental, written and verbal activities that lead to recovery and abstinence. The basis behind AA is to provide a new social network to the alcoholic from his usual group of drinking buddies and a fellowship that inspires motivation and lends support to push them towards reaching and maintaining abstinence. It also provides certain constructive steps to the alcoholic to help his turn his mind away from alcohol when under stress.

Several other alcoholism treatments have shown promising results and are currently being actively developed. These include Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET); couples therapy; Brief Intervention Therapy; dual-addiction treatment; and pharmacotherapy.

While all of the above methods do help, alcoholism addiction treatment can only be successful when a number of factors are investigated and brought under control. The first and perhaps the most important step is to get the alcoholic to admit he/she has a problem with alcohol. Unless and until this is recognized, the desire to recover from the addiction will never really take root.

Another important factor for alcoholism addiction treatment to be successful is the full and undivided attention and willpower of the patient. There are multiple factors at play with alcoholism but willpower and support from those around the patient including family and friends have a great impact on the overall results of the chosen alcoholism addiction treatment.

Using proven methods of evaluating medical therapies, research has revealed many effective treatments that help people stop drinking and maintain abstinence. But the first step must always come from the patient.

By : Ian Koch

What Is A Panic Attack?

2008-08-05T21:48:00.000-07:00

It is normal, natural and common to get panicky from time to time. You may be late for work, think you can hear a burglar downstairs, or be ready to sit an exam. These feelings are normal and pass fairly quickly. They are simply down to our ‘flight or fight’ responses that our body has been equipped with to prepare for potentially threatening situations. The heart beats quicker and the digestive system closes down in order to allow the body to concentrate on the perceived threat.

A panic attack has similarities with this, but there are notable differences. A panic attack often occurs when there is no obvious physical threat, and the feelings are stronger than ‘normal’ panic. However panic attacks are not dangerous and therefore nothing bad is actually going to happen to you. It is very important that you accept this. It is simply like a false alarm – like an annoying smoke detector that goes off at the wrong times. The problem is that our ‘alarm system’ was designed millions of years ago when we had many more potential dangers to deal with. We have a lot less potential threats to deal with now, but our body does not know this. Instead today we also have lots of different stresses that we are not designed to deal with (see article on stress).

A large number of people have experienced panic attacks at some point in their lives. Some people may get them daily, whereas others may get them every few months or even years. They are fairly common and are not a sign of mental illness.

Some of the symptoms include:

Heart pounding, beating fast, or missing a beat
Chest pains
Breathing fast or feeling short of breath
Numbness or tingling in the fingers toes or lips
Feeling sick
Feeling faint
Feelings of terror
Feelings of unreality, like you are not really there
Feeling anxious in situations where you have had a panic attack before

People often think negative thoughts, which are untrue, such as:

I am having a heart attack
I am going to be sick
I cannot breath
I am going to make an idiot of myself
I have to get out of here now

After experiencing a panic attack people sometimes escape the situation and avoid it in the future. This can be detrimental and may re-enforce the fear. The mind will realise that something ‘bad’ happened the last time you were in a particular situation, and the longer you leave it before facing the situation again, the more the mind is convinced the same will happen again. This can become a self fulfilling prophecy.

It is better to quickly face the situation again, even if you need to ‘dilute’ it at first. For example if you had a panic attack in the supermarket, you may wish to initially travel to the supermarket but not even go in. For the next step you may wish to go inside, but not buy anything. Next you may wish to do a small shop, or have a friend to go round with you. After returning from these exposures, notice how you have returned and you are OK – you are still alive and well! Some of you may wish to simply return to the scene and carry on as normal. By challenging your fears you can become more in control, and the attacks should become less and less common.

It is also useful to not quickly escape the situation. If you can, try and remain in the place you are having a panic attack until it passes. This is really helpful in breaking the cycle of fear. Remind yourself that you have had panic attacks before and nothing bad is going to actually happen.

Author: Jon Rhodes

Alcoholism In The Family

2008-07-28T23:01:00.000-07:00

The effects of alcoholism in a spouse can be devastating not only for the marriage but for the children as well. Because the alcoholic spends an inordinate amount of time thinking about and consuming alcohol, it robs the other family members of his attention and love.

How can you tell if your spouse is an alcoholic? There are several signs to look for:

1. A history of alcoholism in the family. People inherit a hereditary predisposition for alcoholism. All of us can become addicted to alcohol if we drink enough of it, but those with a history of alcoholism in their families become addicted more easily than those without this history.

2. A history of heavy drinking. The earlier a person began to drink, the more years he has been drinking, the more frequently he drinks and the more he consumes, the more likely it is that he has become addicted to alcohol. Any amount beyond two drinks each time alcohol is consumed suggests the potential for a problem.

3. Denial about one's drinking. Alcohol has become the alcoholic's best friend because it always provides her with a high or temporary relief from stress. As a result, she will do anything to protect her use of it. Even when it is obvious to everyone else, the alcoholic will vigorously deny she has a problem. One person with a twenty year history of heavy drinking and five alcohol-related arrests told me with a straight face he didn't have a drinking problem. End of discussion. Another who admitted he had been drinking a six pack of beer every day for twenty-five years denied he was addicted to alcohol. Alcoholics show us how great is the human capacity for denial and self-delusion!

4. Problems caused by drinking. DUI arrests, bad fights at home, absenteeism at work, complaints of friends, spouses and children, medical conditions caused by drinking--all are indications that alcohol has become a serious problem.

5. Blackouts. Blackouts are a loss of memory, but not a loss of consciousness, which occur when a person is intoxicated. Others remember, perhaps all to painfully, what she did last night, but the alcoholic can't recall a thing.

6. Preoccupation with drinking. Making sure there is an adequate supply of alcohol at a party or in the house. Also, drinking before a party.

7. Gulping alcohol. Drinking quickly to get the high as soon as possible.

8. Sneaking drinks. Hiding bottles in the house.

9. Loss of control of drinking. If a person plans to stop at the local bar for two beers and often stays much longer until he's intoxicated, chances are he has a drinking problem. The bottom line question about alcohol is, "Do you control it or does it control you?"

10. Failure to stop drinking. Let's assume a person has become concerned about her drinking and so vows to stop or control it. The fact that she can't is another sign that drinking has become a serious problem for her.

For an alcoholic to seek help, he has to decide himself he has a drinking problem.

Alcoholism And Drug Addiction-change To Recovery

2008-07-23T23:03:00.000-07:00

The American Psychiatric profession believes, Once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic. Once a drug addict, always a drug addict. Alcoholism/drug addiction is a disease and Relapse is part of recovery.

Not true says, Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD, Holistic Healer.Using a holistic approach. Body, Mind and Spirit people can be healed of alcoholism and drug addiction without relapse and without cravings by healing the underlying causes which precipitate the need to use alcohol or drugs to cope. A holistic approach incorporates life coaching, massage therapy, acupuncture, hypnotherapy, yoga, physical fitness, spiritual awakening, as well as Chinese herbology.

The Once an addict always an addict and Relapse is a Part of Recovery? paradigm has crippled and doomed many people to a life of struggle and self-deprecation throughout the world. You are not an alcoholic or an addict. You are not incurably diseased. You have merely chosen a substance to cope with the underlying conditions that you can heal, at which time your dependency will cease completely and forever.

Today, having healed hundreds of people labeled?alcoholics and drug addicts, I speak with complete certainty that alcoholism and addictions are not diseases.

If not a disease, what are they? The answer is that they are labels used to describe the states in which you find yourself after you have used alcohol or addictive drugs in large quantities or long enough period of time to have developed a dependency on them, meaning that someone addicted can?t permanently discontinue their use without help.

Alcohol and drugs are not the problems; they are what people use to numb the internal pain, thus helping oneself cope. These issues have both physical and psychological components?anything from anemia, hypoglycemia, or a sluggish thyroid to attention deficient disorder, brain-wave pattern imbalances, or deep emotional pain?Depression, Anxiety, Panic, OCD, Anger, Sadness, Fear.

There are Seven Steps to recovery, which address these causes, but foundational to them all is this key premise: When the underlying painful issues are discovered and healed, the need for alcohol or drugs disappears.

The Seven Recovery Steps include: Recognize, Re-Look, Re-Feel, Re-Experience, Respond, Release and Renew.

This process will open your mind to new ways of thinking that will cause you to see your dependency, and perhaps your entire life, in a whole new light. It will help you understand that all dependency is a symptom, not a problem. Seeing your dependency in this new light will enable you to heal yourself more quickly and more effectively than ever before?and permanently.

Author: Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD

Can Drug Treatment Help Our Teens..?

2008-07-21T01:17:00.000-07:00

All drug abusers will have a medical condition of his/her own only one of its kind drug treatment and psychoanalysis. They all share a general aim: to become physically and mentally free from drugs. How they go regarding achieving that objective, however, is as diverse as snowflakes.

Like everything else, a procedure for booming addiction cure relies seriously on atmosphere. Individual make a decision and brainpower are necessary, but atmosphere is typically the deciding reason between an optimistic prediction and a pessimistic one. Drug treatment for young adults is no different.
Drug treatment and therapy centers propose a second chance and not just from the failures of drug dependence. Booming treatment through practicing everyday determination and a dedication to serious living, offers youthful adults a changed enthusiasm for life.

The initial factor in efficient drug treatment is biological isolation. It is not exceptional to send drug or alcohol abusers to boarding schools, where they are cut off from the attraction to drink or do drugs. Some rehabilitation centers take it a step further, providing residents with the pleasure of being in beautiful surroundings. Such locales are, in a way, essential for the change of a young person's life. As addiction is rinse out from the body, attractiveness is once again realized in itself.

Out-of-the-way from atmosphere, a drug treatment and therapy center should offer young adults an array of optimistic back up, like group therapy and individual analysis, arts, youth actions, and vocational instruction. This comprehensive approach is more efficient than a shorter program, which strong point focus exclusively on detoxification. In young adults, addiction put away much of their power and energy. When an addiction is broken, the vacant space left by substance-abuse must be replenished with encouraging elements. Mental treatment is, in the long run, more significant than corporal improvement.

As you can observe, it is enormously essential to classify a dual diagnosis, as opposed to severely a drug or alcohol trouble. If an inhabitant is recognized as having a dual diagnosis, either his or her mental troubles and substance-abuse must be addressed independently. Only by doing so can development will be measured in each department

Remember, addiction generally takes grip over a young adult after they have put down the lid themselves off from the external world. Drugs become an alternate for normal forms of helpful support, like peer relationships, family bonding, and school grades.

Drug addiction cure are just as much about judge in oneself as about physically detoxifying the body. One of the major aims of treatment should be to replant the thought that every inhabitant is only one of its kinds. Over the track of drug cure and treatment, residents should be positioned in situation of responsibility, where they are reintroduced to the eternal concepts of teamwork, faith, and determination.

Recovery And Healing

2008-07-18T22:12:00.000-07:00

Victims of abuse in all its forms – verbal, emotional, financial, physical, and sexual – are often disorientated. They require not only therapy to heal their emotional wounds, but also practical guidance and topical education. At first, the victim is, naturally, distrustful and even hostile. The therapist or case worker must establish confidence and rapport painstakingly and patiently.

The therapeutic alliance requires constant reassurance that the environment and treatment modalities chosen are safe and supportive. This is not easy to do, partly because of objective factors such as the fact that the records and notes of the therapist are not confidential. The offender can force their disclosure in a court of law simply by filing a civil lawsuit against the survivor!

The first task is to legitimise and validate the victim's fears. This is done by making clear to her that she is not responsible for her abuse or guilty for what happened. Victimisation is the abuser's fault – it is not the victim's choice. Victims do not seek abuse – although, admittedly some of them keep finding abusive partners and forming relationships of co-dependence. Facing, reconstructing, and reframing the traumatic experiences is a crucial and indispensable first phase.

The therapist should present the victim with her own ambivalence and the ambiguity of her messages – but this ought to be done gently, non-judgementally, and without condemnation. The more willing and able the abuse survivor is to confront the reality of her mistreatment (and the offender), the stronger she would feel and the less guilty.

Typically, the patient's helplessness decreases together with her self-denial. Her self esteem as well as her sense of self-worth stabilise. The therapist should emphasise the survivor's strengths and demonstrate how they can save her from a recurrence of the abuse or help her cope with it and with her abuser.

Education is an a important tool in this process of recovery. The patient should be made aware of the prevalence and nature of violence against women and stalking, their emotional and physical effects, warning signs and red flags, legal redresses, coping strategies, and safety precautions.

The therapist or social worker should provide the victim with lists of contacts – help organisations, law enforcement agencies, other women in her condition, domestic violence shelters, and victims' support groups both online and in her neighbourhood or city. Knowledge empowers and reduces the victim's sense of isolation and worthlessness.

Helping the survivor regain control of her life is the over-riding goal of the entire therapeutic process. With this aim in mind, she should be encouraged to re-establish contact with family, friends, colleagues, and the community at large. The importance of a tightly-knit social support network cannot be exaggerated.

Ideally, after a period of combined tutoring, talk therapy, and (anti-anxiety or antidepressant) medications, the survivor will self-mobilise and emerge from the experience more resilient and assertive and less gullible and self-deprecating.

Author: Sam Vaknin

An Introduction to Mobile Psychiatric Rehabilitation

2008-07-17T22:11:00.000-07:00

People who are mentally ill also seem to be chronically afraid of hospitals, or at least seem to want to avoid medical attention in a hospital setting. Looking at it from the perspective of someone who is confused or otherwise mentally unstable, the sterile and instrument-laden halls of a hospital are indeed terrifying, and can even be considered "creepy" by a person who is not suffering from a mental condition.

Mentally ill people do not want to come to a hospital, and they do not want to seek treatment, making it difficult to get that treatment to them. This is why mobile psychiatric rehabilitation units have been established. Mobile psychiatric rehabilitation is designed to help people who are suffering from a mental illness regain or maintain the skills that will help them function in society, allowing them the comfort and security of being treated in an individualized fashion by a caring person in their own homes.

The mobile psychiatric rehabilitation program is individualized to each person, with a specialist conducting an assessment of each person to whom the mobile psychiatric rehabilitation unit is assigned. They work with the mentally ill individual to determine their strengths, and their personal and community resources. From there they work to determine a plan of service to help outline the tasks and goals of the individual. Both the patient and the representative have tasks between each visit to make progress toward these goals.

The mobile psychiatric rehabilitation units are tailored to meet the wants as well as the needs of each individual. They can meet an individual in their own home, at their school, their work, or even in their neighborhood. These services are short term and are goal oriented, allowing people, through their own personal choice and at their own speed, to develop the skills and the support that they need to become self-sufficient and to have a more satisfying life.

Mobile psychiatric rehabilitation can help to allow a person to manage their own home through the acquisition of new skills such as budgeting, nutrition, and other self-care skills, as well as skills in areas such as the use of public transportation. Mobile psychiatric rehabilitation can help to teach mentally ill individuals or mentally deficient individuals to use their time more productively, both in the community and at home, and can help them to manage mental health issues like their medications.

Mentally ill people can also benefit from mobile psychiatric rehabilitation to help them use community resources such as employment specialists, advocacy groups, program participant groups, and other community support to their advantage. They will learn how to enjoy and make use of the love and support of their family, friends, and community, even co-workers, and will work on their ability to coordinate their care between their service providers and their support systems at or near home.

Mobile psychiatric rehabilitation focuses not on medicating or treating mentally ill patients, but on helping individuals medicate themselves and assisting them in managing their own diseases so that they can live out their lives as best as they can. A mentally ill individual could make use of mobile psychiatric rehabilitation to learn how to live on their own and how to use the features available to them, from busses and trains to employment specialists.

People working with mobile psychiatric rehabilitation can learn how to utilize their co-workers as a support system, and about how to reach out for the help that they need in managing their everyday life. The mobile psychiatric rehabilitation programs can also help people to learn about their own homes and lives, allowing them to learn about things such as budgets so that they can become even more independent.

It feels good to work with a friendly person to reach a goal that you personally have set. Whether your goal is to learn how to get to work all by yourself or how to buy groceries or clean your own house. Mobile psychiatric rehabilitation is a wonderful service for the mentally ill, and can help people who might otherwise fall apart to get on their feet and learn to move forward, perhaps for the first time in their lives.

Mobile psychiatric rehabilitation is for anyone who is a functional mentally ill person. This program, if it is available in your area, can help you or a loved one learn to make use of their functional capacity to live independently.

by: Megan Hazel

Smoking Addiction

2008-07-09T19:21:00.000-07:00

The addiction to smoking, which implies addiction to the substance nicotine has several components. The better one is aware of these components and understand them, the better is the chance for succeeding in stopping the smoking habit. Here is a survey of the components that addiction to smoke consist of.

THE SOCIAL COMPONENT

To some extend the habit of smoking is a product of socialization. Socialization is simply the tendency to repeat patterns of behaviour one sees other persons in the society exhibit. Socialisation is one major way children and young people learn social skills. Children and teenagers learn skills necessary to live and work in the society by a socialisation process.

If one lives or works together with other smoking individuals, one will more or less automatic adopt these individuals? smoking habits.

If the other individuals also make moves to threaten or freeze out an individual trying to brake this bad social standard, the difficulty of breaking out of the habit will be even greater.

THE NEED FOR SUCKING AND CHEWING

Every person have a need for sucking and chewing. This need is necessary in early infanthood, but it also persists into adult life to some degree. Some persons use cigarettes or other smoking devices and the smoke as a means to satisfy this need.

If you want to stop smoking, you can try to satisfy this need by other means, for example by always keeping something in your pocket that you can put in your mouth to chew at when the need for smoke appears.

AUTOMATIC REPEATING

When a person have done something many times and frequently enough, there will be created a pattern of automatic repetition of that particular behaviour. This is especially true if the particular action is done in a distinct recognizable situation.

Then try to avoid these situations or environments where you use to smoke, or to deliberately alter these situations.

NICOTINE USED AS A SELF MEDICATION

Nicotine has a tranquilizing effect upon nervous feelings. A person suffering from nervousness or from depressive symptoms may feel that the smoking helps him against his mental symptoms.

However, gradually there will be a need for steadily higher doses of nicotine to give these good effects, and if there is a lack of nicotine in the body, the nervous or depressive feelings will be greater than before.

This gratification, but with the need for steadily higher doses to get the good effects is a major incentive for the smoking habit. You should consider if this anti-depressive or tranquilizing effect is a reason for your smoking. If the depressive feelings are more serious, some appropriate treatment can be necessary.

THE PLEASURE COMPONENT

There is to some degree a plain and direct pleasure connected with smoking.

If the plain pleasure of smoking is a main reason for your habit, then you should try to find other sources of pleasure instead, for example some good food, some good music or some erotic action.

THE GENETIC COMPONENT

Not all people get equally easy dependent of nicotine. Perhaps some persons have receptors on their nerve cells that more easily get trigged by nicotine than others, or perhaps some people have more receptors with the ability to get trigged by nicotine, and this is inherited in the genetic code.

THE NERVOUS MECHANISMS WORKING BY ADDICTION

The normal brain has signal substances with a tranquilizing effect, and substances with a stimulating effect upon nerve cells. Like most narcotic substances, nicotine act like a signal substance by fitting into receptors on some brain cells.

Nicotine attaches itself to some receptors and thus give the nerve cell having these receptors a signal. The cells getting such a signal from nicotine, will react by secreting another signal substance, dopamine that influence still other cells. Dopamine will tranquilize some brain cells and stimulate others, and the total effect of this is the pleasurable effects of smoking.

However, when nicotine steadily induces dopamine release, the brain will gradually decrease the production of dopamine when nicotine is not present, and the brain will feel a steadily greater need for nicotine to work normally and feel well.

Managing Your Fears, Anxieties, Depression, Ocd, And Panic Attacks

2008-06-17T22:50:00.000-07:00

What do you do when your fears, anxieties, and depression are stronger than what you can handle? There are times that no matter what you do, your fears have the best of you. As a result, here is a brief list of techniques that a person can use to help manage their every day anxieties, stresses, and fears.
When facing a current or upcoming task that overwhelms you with a lot of anxiety, divide the task into a series of smaller steps and then complete each of the smaller tasks one at a time. Completing these smaller tasks will make the stress more manageable and increases your chances of success.

Sometimes we get stressed out when everything happens all at once. When this happens, take a deep breathe and try to find something to do for a few minutes to get your mind off of the problem. A person can get some fresh air, listen to some music, or do an activity that will give them a fresh perspective on things.

Sometimes we encounter a scary situation that gets us all upset. When encountering these events, always remember to get all of the facts of the given situation. Gathering the facts can prevent us from relying on exaggerated and fearful assumptions. By focusing on the facts, a person can rely on what is reality and what is not.

In dealing with your anxieties, learn to take it one day at a time. Instead of worrying about how you will get through the rest of the week, try to focus on today. Each day can provide us with different opportunities to learn new things and that includes learning how to deal with your problems. You never know when the answers you are looking for will come to your doorstep. We may be ninety-nine percent correct in predicting the future, but all it takes is for that one percent to make a world of difference.

At times, a person might encounter a fearful thought that may be difficult to manage. When this happens, visualize a red stop sign, which can serve as a reminder to stop thinking about that thought. Regardless of how scary the thought may be, do not dwell on it. This technique is good in dealing with obsessive and scary thoughts.

Sometimes, it helps to be able to talk to someone about our stressful situations. Talking to a trusted friend, counselor, or clergyman can not only make us feel better, but they can give you additional advice and insights on how to deal with your current problem. Managing your fears and anxieties takes practice. In time, you will become better able to deal with your stressful problems.

As a layman, I have over fifteen years of experience in dealing with fear and anxiety. At times, my fears had the best of me, however I never gave up and I was always determined to find the answers to my problems. Regardless of how difficult it may be to manage your fears and anxieties, the answers are out there if you look hard enough.

How You Can Eliminate Anxiety and Stress

2008-06-17T22:41:00.000-07:00

Let’s face it – if you live in the past or the future – if you constantly think about the past or the future then you are going to be continuously stressed out. The key is to start focusing on the present moment – which we are constantly experiencing and is always changing.

The events that cause stress all have one thing in common – you have to think about those events. If you don’t think about them – you eliminate stress. Easier said than done – I know. But it is the single act of thinking about them and not the present that causes stress. At this point – right now – as you read this newsletter – only the present moment exists. The past – which consists of events that have already occurred no longer exists – it’s over. The future – which consists of events that have yet to take place and is undetermined, does not exist – it hasn’t happened and may not happen – so why worry about it?

However, as human beings we exist in the present moment – we exist here and now. This present moment is the only thing that is real. The past doesn’t exist today and therefore is not real. The future, which has not yet happened, is also not real – only your life today and what takes place now is real and this should be where you live and this is what your mind should concentrate on.

I know you’re probably saying: “Sounds great Karim – but what the heck do you mean? And how am I supposed to do this when I’ve got bills to pay, a family to feed and a job that I hate?” Okay – so what are you stressed out about? My point is that you’re not stressed because of the situations that exist – you’re stressed because you don’t think you can pay the bills, you don’t think you can feed your family and you don’t think that your job is going to get any better. How do you eliminate the stress? Focus on what is happening now. You have a job – do the work. You have a family – enjoy their company – you can feed them today – feed them today. You can save some money today – save some money today so that you can pay the bills tomorrow. Get the mind to think this way and you’ll eliminate the stress. Once you start doing this – you stopped thinking about the past or the future and you have shifted your focus to the present – your thoughts and life is focused on the present – suddenly there is nothing to stress about because the present is perfect.

When you start focusing on the present moment you will begin to realize that the stress and anxiety that you experience in life comes from a mind that is focused on the past or future – but never focused on the present moment. Is it possible to stay focused on the present moment all the time? No – in fact it’s virtually impossible to stay in the present all of the time and thus it is the challenge of life to stay in the present for as long as you can. However, if you stay in the present moment more often than you focus on the past or the future – then you will eliminate most if not all of your stress and anxiety.

When you work with the Creating Power system you learn how to shift your focus away from the problems of the past and away from the concerns of the future. With Creating Power you’ll learn how to eliminate stress while creating the life you want. Creating Power even offers a special bonus section to show you how to eliminate fear, stress and anxiety – all of which are caused by negative thinking.

What is Stress?

2008-06-17T22:27:00.000-07:00

I know you’re probably saying stress is stress. I know I have it because I just know. Okay – but what exactly is stress – it’s important to understand what stress is so that you can address it, change it and eliminate stress. Let’s go by the proper Definition, which says: “Stress is the by-product of thoughts. These thoughts that cause stress fit into 2 categories: 1) they are thoughts related to an event that has already taken place – better known as the past and 2) they are thoughts that relate to a situation or event that may or may not take place – also known as the future.” For example: when you think about an argument with a friend that took place recently – your thoughts are focused on a passed event – you are in the past. If you think about the bills that have to be paid tomorrow or next week – then your thoughts are on the future. You may worry about the stock market – your thoughts are on the future. You may recall a troubling experience – your thoughts are on the past. In all situations your thoughts that cause the anxiety, and stress are thoughts of the past or the future.

I know you’re probably saying stress is stress. I know I have it because I just know. Okay – but what exactly is stress – it’s important to understand what stress is so that you can address it, change it and eliminate stress. Let’s go by the proper Definition, which says: “Stress is the by-product of thoughts. These thoughts that cause stress fit into 2 categories: 1) they are thoughts related to an event that has already taken place – better known as the past and 2) they are thoughts that relate to a situation or event that may or may not take place – also known as the future.” For example: when you think about an argument with a friend that took place recently – your thoughts are focused on a passed event – you are in the past. If you think about the bills that have to be paid tomorrow or next week – then your thoughts are on the future. You may worry about the stock market – your thoughts are on the future. You may recall a troubling experience – your thoughts are on the past. In all situations your thoughts that cause the anxiety, and stress are thoughts of the past or the future.

If you find you are experiencing stress or anxiety – make note of your thoughts and you’ll find that a majority of them are focused on the past or the future. With this being the case there is little or no opportunity to have thoughts that focus on the present moment. If you’re mind is not in the present moment, if you’re thoughts are not in the present moment – then you are sure to experience stress and anxiety.

Your mind is not where it should be – in the present moment – and you’re subconscious is only getting more confused because it is trying to create opportunities for you in the present moment – but you’re not there – so you can’t see them. Then you get angry or frustrated because things don’t improve – but you’re not there anyway – so even if they did improve you wouldn’t know. Here’s an example: Say you’re at a park – waiting for a friend who is going to repay you some money. You wait for an hour – then you start worrying about your car – you had parked at a meter and can’t remember if you had put enough in for an hour or 2 hours. So you decide to go back to your car and check. Sure enough – you had enough for 2 hours. You come back – wait another hour and your friend never shows. So you leave. Hours later you talk to the friend who tells you he was running late – he came by the park an hour late – didn’t see you and assumed you had left. You missed the opportunity because you were worrying about something you did an hour earlier. Get the idea. I’m not saying don’t check the meter – I am saying pay attention and live in the moment – then you’ll see new opportunities and eliminate stress. Be here now and the stress will disappear.

Students who work with my Creating Power system learn to shift their thoughts to focus on what they want, what is happening now and focus on all the positive aspects that are taking place in their life right now. If you’re not doing this – then you’re not living – you’re simply wasting time stressing out and filling your life with anxiety. If you want to start enjoying life then take control of your thoughts – Creating Power shows you how to start living, eliminate stress and achieve your goals.
"How You Can Eliminate Anxiety and Stress"

Alcoholism Treatment

2008-05-20T20:33:00.000-07:00

Alcohol abuse knows no age or economic barriers. People from all walks of life struggles with their addiction to alcohol that can ruin families and careers. Thanks to innovative new treatment options for alcoholism more and more people are finding the strength to put down the drink and regain control over their lives.

Most people take for granted that they know what alcoholism really is. They have an image in their back-head that almost automatically appears each time they hear this word. But can we really be sure that our perception is right? Before we elaborate any further about treatment methods, let's make sure that we are on the same page. To accomplish this, lets take a closer look at the definition of alcoholism:

"A disorder characterized by the excessive consumption of and dependence on alcoholic beverages, leading to physical and psychological harm and impaired social and vocational functioning. Also called alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence.
1. The compulsive consumption of and psychophysiological dependence on alcoholic beverages.
2. A chronic, progressive pathological condition, mainly affecting the nervous and digestive systems, caused by the excessive and habitual consumption of alcohol. Also called chronic alcoholism.
3. Temporary mental disturbance and muscular incoordination caused by excessive consumption of alcohol. Also called acute alcoholism. "

Treatment for alcohol problems has been around almost as long as alcohol itself has been a part of our culture. Centuries ago treatment consisted of barbaric methods of imprisonment and starvation in attempts to help cure those who were in a constant state of drunkenness. Today, a variety of programs exists that help people understand why they are drinking and help them find ways to put down the bottle and enjoy their life naturally. Many programs operate with dedicated support groups that will stay the person seeking treatment for the rest of their lives. These support groups are there to help them overcome temptations and to find alternative ways of dealing with problems or stress other than using alcohol.

A vast majority of people who have a dependence on liquor don't realize they have it. Intervention is an important part of many alcohol abuse programs. The first step often isn't taken by the alcoholic but rather by friends, family or co-workers who are concerned for their health and well-being and seek out treatment options.

If you know anyone who has a problem with alcohol help them take the first step. Seek out treatment options and discuss them with the person. Most importantly, remember that they need your help now more than ever and your intervention no matter how hard they may resist it may be the single most important event that ever takes place in their lives.

When Your Fears And Depression

2008-05-07T02:26:00.000-07:00

What do you do when your fears and depression are stronger than what you can handle? There are times that no matter what you do, your fears have the best of you. Here is a list of techniques and suggestions on what to do when this happens.The first step is to learn to take it one day at a time. Instead of worrying about how you will get through the rest of the week, try to focus on today. Each day can provide us with different opportunities to learn new things and that includes learning how to deal with your problems. You never know when the answers you are looking for will come to your doorstep. We may be ninety-nine percent correct in predicting the future, but all it takes is for that one percent to make a world of difference.

When a person is feeling depressed, he or she should take a few minutes to write down all of the things that he is thankful for in his life. This list could include past accomplishments and all the things that that they take for granted. The next time you feel depressed, review your list and think about the good things that you have in your life.

Remember that there is one power that is stronger than your fears and depression and that is the power of God. A person does not have to be religious to use the power of God. When the going gets tough, talk to God about your problems as if you were talking to a friend. Review the Bible and pray hard. Be persistent and be open in the avenues that God may provide to you in solving your problem. It is not always easy, however God is in control and he will help you if you ask him.

If you decide to use the services of a professional, get into the habit of reviewing with your counselor what techniques work for you and which ones don?t. Dealing with your fears takes practice so use this situation as a learning experience in improving your skill sets. In every anxiety-related situation you experience, begin to learn what works and what doesn?t work in managing your fears and anxieties.

As a Layman, I realize it is not easy to deal with all of our fears, however there are all kinds of help available. The key is to be patient and not to give up. In time, you will be able to find those resources that will help you with your problems.

Effective Goals in Recovery

2008-05-07T02:10:00.000-07:00

Twice a week I encourage and coach each client to participate fully in an exercise of learning and putting into practice the technology of well-formed outcome. Participating in the goal setting exercises allows for clients to learn the technology of setting well formed goals and also to begin learning about the internal constraints and barriers that stop them from achieving their goals.
On Monday afternoon I enroll the clients into setting a goal that they will complete or accomplish by Friday morning. The coaching is to make the goal simple and attainable. On Friday morning I conduct another session to process their progress towards completing their chosen goal. The processing of what stops them or how they achieved their goal can be very powerful. Powerful breakthroughs can appear for clients in this process. On Monday afternoon the client’s progress from the weekend is processed and the goal setting exercise starts over again. The repetition of this exercise will allow the client to utilize the technology of setting effective, well formed goals in his or her recovery program and also learn about how he she sabotages himself in the process.

The goal setting exercise is initially about answering three questions:

1. What goal I am committed to achieving by Friday morning?

2. What I will need to do everyday to achieve my chosen recovery goal by Friday.

Question one is about the planning stage. The planning stage is about creating a goal or a well-formed outcome, that which a person will go about achieving. The conversation about well-formed outcome is primarily from the field of Neuro Linguistic Programming. Many people do not achieve the goals that they set for themselves because they are not well formed.

The seven criteria for setting effective goals are taught as apart of the sessions that I conduct. There are seven criteria for creating a well-formed outcome:

1. Is your chosen goal specific?

2. Is your goal within your personal control?

3. Do you have with it takes to achieve your goal?

4. How will you know when you have achieved your goal?

5. Is your goal expressed positively?

6. Is your goal at the right level?

7. What else in your life might be affected by your goal? Question Three is about accountability.

The client is given the opportunity to choose another client to hold them accountable for their chosen goal. It will be the responsibility of the individual chosen to check with the client everyday to see if the client is doing what he or she has said they would do to achieve their goal.

The entire exercise process gives a client the opportunity to repeatedly practice creating and achieving a particular goal or well formed outcome and will assist them in their recovery process. If the goal is recovery oriented it will be vital that the individual create a specific goal in alignment with being well formed.

10 Powerful Tips To Stop Smoking

2008-04-29T21:37:00.000-07:00

Powerful Hints to Stop Smoking
Whether you are using Nicotine Replacement Therapy, Hypnosis or just Cold Turkey, these strategies and hints are for aiding you to stop smoking and are sure to assist you in helping your neurology change and thus enable you to stop smoking with ease. It is up to you to ensure that you do these things to really enhance what you are doing, the more effort you put into these exercises, the easier it is to stop smoking for good.

Powerful Stop Smoking Hint 1

Being a smoker is like cycling with stabilisers attached to the wheels, you can find it hard to be balanced without smoking. Now, when you cycle freely again, the natural balance returns.

When people smoke, more than half of what they breathe is fresh air - pulled through the cigarette right down into the lungs. So if you feel any cravings you can instantly overcome them by taking three deeper breaths. Imagine breathing from that space just below your belly button. Whenever you do this you put more oxygen into your bloodstream. This means you can use deep breaths to change the way you feel instantly and give you power over the way you feel and help you let go of those old cravings and thus making it easier to stop smoking.

Powerful Stop Smoking Hint 2

Next, think now of all the reasons you don't like smoking, the reasons that it's bad and the reasons you want to stop smoking. Write down the key words on a piece of paper. For example, you experience breathlessness, it's dirty, filthy and your clothes smell, your friends and family are concerned and it's expensive, unsociable and so on. Then, on the other side of the paper, write down all the reasons why you'll feel good when you've succeeded in stopping. You'll feel healthier, you'll feel in control of your self, your senses are enhanced, your hair and clothes will smell fresher and so on. Whenever you need to, look at that piece of paper.

Powerful Stop Smoking Hint 3

Next, we are going to programme your mind to feel disgusted by cigarettes. I want you recall 4 times when you thought to yourself "I've gotta quit", or that you felt disgusted about smoking. Maybe you just felt really unhealthy, or your doctor told you in a particular tone of voice 'You've got to quit' or somebody you know was badly affected by smoking. Take a moment now to come up with 4 different times that you felt that you have to quit or were disgusted by smoking.

Remember each of those times, one after another, as though they are happening now. I want you to keep going through those memories and make them as vivid as possible. The more vivid you make those memories, the easier it will be to stop smoking. See what you saw, hear what you heard and feel how you felt. I want you to take a few minutes now to keep going through those memories again and again, overlap each memory with the next until you are totally and utterly disgusted by cigarettes.

Powerful Stop Smoking Hint 4

Have a think to yourself about the consequences of you not stopping smoking now, if you just carry on and on. Imagine it, what will happen if you carry on smoking. What are the consequences? Imagine yourself in 6 months time, a years time, even 5 years time if you do not stop smoking now. Think of all the detrimental effects of not stopping right now and how a simple decision you make today can make such an impact on your future.

Next, imagine how much better is your life going to be when you stop smoking. Really imagine it's months from now and you successfully stopped. Smoking is a thing of the past, something you used to do. Keep that feeling with you and imagine having it tomorrow, and for the rest of next week. In your mind, imagine stepping in to that non-smoking version of you and feel how it feels to be a non-smoker.

Powerful Stop Smoking Hint 5

Also, your mind is very sensitive to associations, so it's very important that you have a clear out and remove all tobacco products from your environment. Move some of the furniture in your house and at work. Smokers are accustomed to smoking in certain situations. So, for example, if you used to smoke on the telephone at work move the phone to the other side of the desk. Throw away ashtrays, old lighters and anything that you used to associate with smoking. Make your environment conducive to stopping smoking.

Powerful Stop Smoking Hint 6

Smokers sometimes use their habit to give themselves little breaks during the day. Taking a break is good for you, so carry on taking that time off - but do something different. Walk round the block, have a cup of tea or drink of water, or do some of the techniques on this programme. In fact, if possible drink a lot of fruit juice. When you stop smoking the body goes through a big change. The blood sugar levels tend to fall, the digestion is slowed down and your body starts to eject the tar and poisons that have accumulated. Fresh fruit juice contains fructose which restores your blood sugar levels, vitamin C which helps clear out impurities and high levels of water and fibre to keep your digestion going. Also try to eat fruit every day for at least two weeks after you have stopped.

Also when you stop, cut your caffeine intake by half. Nicotine breaks down caffeine so without nicotine a little coffee will have a big effect. Drink 8-10 glasses of water (ideally bottled) to help wash out your system.

Powerful Stop Smoking Hint 7

You were used to using cigarettes to signal to your body to release happy chemicals, so next we are going to programme some good feelings into your future. Allow yourself to fully remember now a time when you felt very deep ecstasy, pleasure or bliss, right now. Take a moment to recall it as vividly as possible. Remember that time - see what you saw, hear what you heard and feel how good you felt. Where abouts in your body were those feelings, imagine turning them up and spreading them through your body to make them more intense.

Keep going through the memory, as soon as it finishes, go through it again and again, all the time squeezing your thumb and finger together. In your mind, make those images big and bright, sounds loud and harmonious and feelings strong and intensified. We are making an associational link between the squeeze of your fingers and that good feeling.

Okay, stop and relax. Now if you have done that correctly when you squeeze your thumb and finger together you should feel that good feeling again. Go ahead do that now, squeeze thumb and finger and remember that good feeling.

Now we're going to programme good feelings to happen automatically whenever you are in a situation where you used to smoke but now you stop smoking.

So, next I'd like you to squeeze your thumb and finger together, get that good feeling going and now imagine being in several situations where you would have smoked, but being there feeling great without a cigarette. See what you'll see hear and take that good feeling into those situations without a need for a cigarette.

Imagine being in a situation where someone offers you a cigarette and you confidently say 'No thanks, I don't smoke'. And feel fantastic about it!

Powerful Stop Smoking Hint 8

Get social support. Your commitment to stopping smoking for the rest of your life can be made much easier by talking about it to friends and family and letting them support you. They will congratulate you on doing so well too! You really did stop smoking.

Powerful Stop Smoking Hint 9

Be aware of making excuses for yourself. Some people talk themselves into smoking, especially if they encounter a stressful situation and in the past they used to deal with it by smoking. If those old thoughts pop into your head, shout the word "STOP" in your head, to stop the thoughts from progressing. Nicotine just stresses your body more and is like that itch that can never be properly scratched; the more you smoke, the more you have to. So say "STOP" and steer clear of old slippery slopes.

Powerful Stop Smoking Hint 10

Reward yourself. Congratulate yourself. Feel how good it feels to stop smoking and be a non-smoker. Treat yourself each time you get past a certain milestone; the first week or first month, the six month target. Let yourself know that you did something really special here.

Keep on using your brain, stretching it and helping your self, by running through these exercises time after time; you are sure to be able to make it easier and easier and successfully stop smoking for good.
Author:Adam Eason

Smoking Effect

2008-04-29T21:20:00.000-07:00

Smoking - effects on your body
Nicotine is the addictive drug in tobacco smoke that causes smokers to continue to smoke. Addicted smokers need enough nicotine over a day to ‘feel normal’ – to satisfy cravings or control their mood. How much nicotine a smoker needs determines how much smoke they are likely to inhale, no matter what type of cigarette they smoke.

Along with nicotine, smokers also inhale about 4,000 other chemicals in cigarette smoke. Many of these compounds are chemically active and trigger profound and damaging changes in the body. There are over 60 known cancer-causing chemicals in tobacco smoke. Smoking harms nearly every organ in the body, causing many diseases and reducing health in general.Tobacco smoke contains dangerous chemicals
The most damaging compounds in tobacco smoke include:

* Tar – this is the collective term for all the various particles suspended in tobacco smoke. The particles contain chemicals including several cancer-causing substances. Tar is sticky and brown and stains teeth, fingernails and lung tissue. Tar contains the carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene that is known to trigger tumour development (cancer).
* Carbon monoxide – this odourless gas is fatal in large doses because it takes the place of oxygen in the blood. Each red blood cell contains a protein called haemoglobin; oxygen molecules are transported around the body by binding to, or hanging onto, this protein. However, carbon monoxide binds to haemoglobin better than oxygen. This means that less oxygen reaches the brain, heart, muscles and other organs.
* Hydrogen cyanide – the lungs contain tiny hairs (cilia) that help to clean the lungs by moving foreign substances out. Hydrogen cyanide stops this lung clearance system from working properly, which means the poisonous chemicals in tobacco smoke can build up inside the lungs. Other chemicals in smoke that damage the lungs include hydrocarbons, nitrous oxides, organic acids, phenols and oxidising agents.
* Free radicals – these highly reactive chemicals can damage the heart muscles and blood vessels. They react with cholesterol, leading to the build-up of fatty material on artery walls. Their actions lead to heart disease, stroke and blood vessel disease.
* Metals – tobacco smoke contains dangerous metals including arsenic, cadmium and lead. Several of these metals are carcinogenic.
* Radioactive compounds – tobacco smoke contains radioactive compounds, which are known to be carcinogenic

The male body
The specific effects of tobacco smoke on the male body include:
* Lower sperm count
* Higher percentage of deformed sperm
* Reduced sperm mobility
* Changed levels of male sex hormones
* Impotence, which may be due to the effects of smoking on blood flow and damage to the blood vessels of the penis.

The female body
The specific effects of tobacco smoke on the female body include:
* Reduced fertility
* Menstrual cycle irregularities or absence of menstruation
* Menopause reached one or two years earlier
* Increased risk of cancer of the cervix
* Greatly increased risk of stroke and heart attack if the smoker is aged over 35 years and taking the oral contraceptive pill.

The unborn baby
The effects of maternal smoking on an unborn baby include:
* Increased risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth.
* Low birth weight, which may have a lasting effect of the growth and development of children. Low birth weight is associated with an increased risk for early puberty and, in adulthood, is an increased risk for heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and diabetes.
* Increased risk of cleft palate and cleft lip.
* Paternal smoking can also harm the foetus if the non-smoking mother is exposed to secondhand smoke.
* If the mother continues to smoke during her baby’s first year of life, the child has an increased risk of ear infections, respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia, croup and bronchitis, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and meningococcal disease.

Diseases caused by long-term smoking
A lifetime smoker is at high risk of developing a range of potentially lethal diseases, including:
* Cancer of the lung, mouth, nose, voice box, tongue, nasal sinus, oesophagus, throat, pancreas, bone marrow (myeloid leukaemia), kidney, cervix, ureter, liver, bladder and stomach.
* Lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
* Coronary artery disease, heart disease, heart attack and stroke.
* Ulcers of the digestive system.
* Osteoporosis and hip fracture.
* Poor blood circulation in feet and hands, which can lead to pain and, in severe cases, gangrene and amputation.

Nicotine Effects on the Body, Effects of Cigarettes
After a relatively short time, a smoker is often already significantly dependent on nicotine. Smokers who have an addiction problem usually smoke a cigarette in the morning - often within half an hour of waking up. They can stop smoking, if they try, but only for a few weeks at a time. Addiction is an emotionally charged word that is often associated with using drugs. But smoking also shares all the effects on the body of other addictive drugs. When a smoker feels the need to smoke and feels uncomfortable, the reason is that the level of nicotine in the body has been reduced below some value. After the first puff on a new cigarette, nicotine is back in the brain within 7 seconds. So the effect of a new dose of nicotine is quickly noticeable. This way the nicotine causes physical dependence. The body wants to get the new substance over and over again.

However, an addiction to nicotine can be cured. Most smokers can even do it without help. It's clear, though, that the will to stop and the effort to succeed are very important.

The smoker often deals with a double addiction. In addition to the direct effect of nicotine on the body, as described above, there are all kinds of moments, all day long, that more or less ask for a cigarette. It is very hard for many smokers to break that pattern; it is a form of mental dependence. Because smokers smoke after eating, when drinking coffee, while having a drink, during a phone call, in the car, at work, during a break, after having sex, in front of the television, after a game, when not? And even if there is not a direct reason to smoke, they do. Just because they are used to it. A smoker who stops smoking sits with empty hands on many occasions, and at first, that feels very uncomfortable.

Early smokers notice the nasty effects of the nicotine, and are initially discouraged from smoking another cigarette. Youngsters who just started smoking often resolve not to get addicted or to quit smoking before they become addicted. When you haven't yet started to smoke every day, this seems a good plan, and maybe also when you smoke less then 2 or 3 cigarettes a day, but you rarely stop at those few cigarettes. Influenced by the people around you (smoking friends who softly urge you to smoke along), smoking gradually becomes a normal thing. A night out, at a movie, a disco or a bar; smoking is still standard in many places. That way young people start to smoke more often. Gradually, the body gets more and more used to the nicotine, the need to smoke increases and you develop the habit and addiction that adult smokers know so well and that means that you can't function without your cigarette anymore.
Please stop smoking right now..!! View for the step..

Effects of Marijuana

2008-04-28T21:00:00.000-07:00

Effects
The effects of marijuana will vary from person to person depending on:
*How much taken
*How strong (potent) the marijuana is
*How the marijuana is taken (joint, bong, food)
*Size, weight, health
*Mood
*Individual experience with marijuana
*If marijuana is taken with other drugs
*Whether alone or with other people, at home or at a party.

Because marijuana users often inhale the unfiltered smoke deeply and then hold it in their lungs as long as possible, marijuana is damaging to the lungs and pulmonary system. Marijuana smoke contains some of the same carcinogens and toxic particulates as tobacco, sometimes in higher concentrations. Long-term users of cannabis may develop psychological dependence and require more of the drug to get the same effect. The drug can become the center of their lives.

The Effects on the Male:
Marijuana is the most common drug used by adolescents in America today. Marijuana affect the parts of the brain which controls the sex and growth hormones. In males, marijuana can decrease the testosterone level. Occasional cases of enlarged breasts in male marijuana users are triggered by the chemical impact on the hormone system. Regular marijuana use can also lead to a decrease in sperm count, as well as increases in abnormal and immature sperm. Marijuana is a contributing factor in the rising problem of infertility in males. Young males should know the effects and potential effects of marijuana use on sex and growing process before they decide to smoke marijuana.

The Effects on the Female:
Just as in Males, marijuana effects the female in the part of the brain that controls the hormones, which determines the sequence in the menstrual cycle. Its been said that females who smoked or used marijuana on a regular basis had irregular menstrual cycles, the female hormones were depressed, and the testosterone level was raised. Even though this effect may be reversible, it may take several months of no marijuana use before the menstrual cycles become normal again.

Mothers who smoke marijuana on a regular basis have been reported of having babies with a weak central nervous system. These babies show abnormal reactions to light and sound, exhibit tremors and startles, and have the high-pitched cry associated with drug withdrawal. Occurring at five times the rate of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Fetal Marijuana Syndrome is a growing concern of many doctors. Furthermore, doctors worry that children born to "pot-head" mothers will have learning disabilities, attention deficits and hormonal irregularities as they grow older, even if there are no apparent signs of damage at birth. Pregnant or nursing mothers who smoke marijuana should talk to their doctors immediately.

Effects of Marijuana on the Brain:
Researchers have found that THC changes the way in which sensory information gets into and is acted on by the hippocampus. This is a component of the brain's limbic system that is crucial for learning, memory, and the integration of sensory experiences with emotions and motivations. Investigations have shown that neurons in the information processing system of the hippocampus and the activity of the nerve fibers are suppressed by THC. In addition, researchers have discovered that learned behaviors, which depend on the hippocampus, also deteriorate.

Recent research findings also indicate that long-term use of marijuana produces changes in the brain similar to those seen after long-term use of other major drugs of abuse.

Effects on the Lungs:
Someone who smokes marijuana regularly may have many of the same respiratory problems that tobacco smokers have. These individuals may have daily cough and phlegm, symptoms of chronic bronchitis, and more frequent chest colds. Continuing to smoke marijuana can lead to abnormal functioning of lung tissue injured or destroyed by marijuana smoke.

Regardless of the THC content, the amount of tar inhaled by marijuana smokers and the level of carbon monoxide absorbed are three to five times greater than among tobacco smokers. This may be due to the marijuana users inhaling more deeply and holding the smoke in the lungs.

Effects on Heart Rate and Blood Pressure:
Recent findings indicate that smoking marijuana while shooting up cocaine has the potential to cause severe increases in heart rate and blood pressure. In one study, experienced marijuana and cocaine users were given marijuana alone, cocaine alone, and then a combination of both. Each drug alone produced cardiovascular effects; when they were combined, the effects were greater and lasted longer. The heart rate of the subjects in the study increased 29 beats per minute with marijuana alone and 32 beats per minute with cocaine alone. When the drugs were given together, the heart rate increased by 49 beats per minute, and the increased rate persisted for a longer time. The drugs were given with the subjects sitting quietly. In normal circumstances, an individual may smoke marijuana and inject cocaine and then do something physically stressful that may significantly increase risks of overload on the cardiovascular system.

Effects of Heavy Marijuana Use on Learning and Social Behavior:
A study of college students has shown that critical skills related to attention, memory, and learning are impaired among people who use marijuana heavily, even after discontinuing its use for at least 24 hours. Researchers compared 65 "heavy users," who had smoked marijuana a median of 29 of the past 30 days, and 64 "light users," who had smoked a median of 1 of the past 30 days. After a closely monitored 19- to 24-hour period of abstinence from marijuana and other illicit drugs and alcohol, the undergraduates were given several standard tests measuring aspects of attention, memory, and learning. Compared to the light users, heavy marijuana users made more errors and had more difficulty sustaining attention, shifting attention to meet the demands of changes in the environment, and in registering, processing, and using information. The findings suggest that the greater impairment among heavy users is likely due to an alteration of brain activity produced by marijuana.

Longitudinal research on marijuana use among young people below college age indicates those who used have lower achievement than the non-users, more acceptance of deviant behavior, more delinquent behavior and aggression, greater rebelliousness, poorer relationships with parents, and more associations with delinquent and drug-using friends.

Effects on Pregnancy:
Any drug of abuse can affect a mother's health during pregnancy, and this is a time when she should take special care of herself. Drugs of abuse may interfere with proper nutrition and rest, which can affect good functioning of the immune system. Some studies have found that babies born to mothers who used marijuana during pregnancy were smaller than those born to mothers who did not use the drug. In general, smaller babies are more likely to develop health problems.

A nursing mother who uses marijuana passes some of the THC to the baby in her breast milk. Research indicates that the use of marijuana by a mother during the first month of breast-feeding can impair the infant's motor development (control of muscle movement). Research also shows more anger and more regressive behavior (thumb sucking, temper tantrums) in toddlers whose parents use marijuana than among the toddlers of non-using parents.

Heroin Effects

2008-04-27T20:49:00.000-07:00

There are many different types of heroin effects that a drug user can experience, and heroin effects can be extremely detrimental to a person's mind and body. Heroin is an opiate derived from the drug morphine, and its highly addictive properties and quick acting-effects made it a popular street drug immediately.
In reality, a heroin user's body is unable to function normally, and once heroin is put into the body the person no longer has any desires but to find more of the drug.

Heroin can be smoked, snorted and injected intravenously, however the heroin effects felt from injecting the drug are often more intense, therefore more desirable. Aside from the heroin effects risk of contracting incurable and fatal diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis, the drug's addictive quality makes it extremely difficult for a user to ever try to stop.

When heroin is first infiltrated into a person's body, the brain's natural chemistry reacts with the heroin toxins to create what users describe as a feeling of 'euphoria'. Heroin effects damage the nervous system and can also cause short and long term harm to the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Because of the toxins in the drug, as well as the way that it is taken into the body, heroin is a drug that many people overdose on.

Heroin users that continue to use the drug will find that they feel the heroin effect of addiction start to take control of them. Once a user comes down off the high the desire to obtain more of the drug grows in the form of an obsession or craving. With this obsession also comes a higher tolerance for the drug, meaning more is needed to experience the same heroin effects and high.

While lucky people come out of the overdose alive and unharmed, others either die or have severe and permanent damage as a result.

Emotional Pain

2008-04-27T20:36:00.000-07:00

We feel emotional pain when we do not get what we want, need, or expect. We might feel hurt, rejection, bitterness, abuse, injustice or simply emotional pain.
In such cases, we have not received the behavior or outcomes we expected or believed we deserved.
We feel this kind of feel pain in cases when * people * do not behave to us in the ways that we had expected as well as in situations where * life * does not give us what we feel we need or deserve.
We believe, "I cannot feel happy unless I get that which I believe I need."

We have associated our security, satisfaction, self-worth or freedom with something that we are not getting from persons, society, God, or life as a whole.
*We loose a loved one.
*Our loved one shows preference to another.
* People important to us do not show us the respect we expect.
*Others do harm to us or our loved ones.
*"Friends" gossip about us behind our backs.
*We are not given the raise of promotion we believe we deserve at work.

Positive Alternatives to Feeling Hurt

Positive alternatives to feeling hurt, bitterness and injustice could be:

* We can have Faith * in divine wisdom and justice. So rather than be overwhelmed by negative feelings, we can seek to discover what we can learn through this experience.

Our lessons usually have to do with discovering the strength, security and self-worth, which are within us. As souls in the process of evolution, we are constantly being directed to contact and bring to the surface our spiritual self.

* We are the sole creators of our reality.

We as souls create our reality through:

*Our past choices, thoughts, words and actions.
*Our present conscious and subconscious beliefs, feelings and needs.
* The lessons we have chosen to learn at this stage of our evolutionary process. We can create a happier reality by:

* Transforming our conscious and subconscious beliefs.
* Learning our life lessons.
* Interpreting events in a different way ? as opportunities for growth rather than as injustices.

* Forgiving and forgetting the past.
* Learn the lessons involved.

We feel emotional pain when we do not get what we want, need, or expect. We might feel hurt, rejection, bitterness, abuse, injustice or simply emotional pain.

We feel this kind of feel pain in cases when * people * do not behave to us in the ways that we had expected as well as in situations where * life * does not give us what we feel we need or deserve.
* We loose a loved one.
* Our loved one shows preference to another.

Emotional Balance

2008-04-27T20:19:00.000-07:00

Most people experience life as a roller-coaster of different emotional states, accepting without question that emotions are something that just happen in response to life events. Therapy is a way that you can learn to manage your emotional state and change it at will in order to experience emotional freedom.
Anchors are naturally occurring associations between an external stimulus and a behavioural or emotional response. Not all anchors are positive.

Therapy makes use of anchors in order to empower people to have control over their emotional states. Specific techniques in which a stimulus is used to trigger and link an emotional state. It is also possible to completely collapse negative anchors so that external stimuli that cause you negative emotional states will no longer be a problem.

You will already have all positive emotional resources within you that you need.

The process involves remembering specific times in the past when you have experienced the emotional resource you wish to anchor.

Change Your Limiting Beliefs

Have you ever taken the time to stop and think about your beliefs and values. Ask yourself – *where have my beliefs originated?
*Do my values and beliefs serve me?
Beliefs act in the same way. Basically, you have beliefs about everything, including the world, politics, social issues, concepts, and religion. Beliefs underlie your internal representations, which is your map of the world. Your beliefs also filter sensory data that you take in from the environment and favour sensory data that supports and confirms your beliefs. We know form models that the internal representations people hold effect their emotional state and behaviour. Therefore, beliefs have an influence on your emotional state and behaviour.

*Beliefs and Values are your motivators
The core beliefs you hold are your motivators, they are the basis from which you function in the world. People tend to works towards things that they value.

*Beliefs distort how you view the world
Every belief and value is basically a generalisation that you have made abut the world.

*Beliefs and values determines what happens to you
*Beliefs about the world and yourself can actually determine what happens.
Therapy teaches people the importance of communicating in the positive when you are thinking. Limiting beliefs hold people back and prevent them from doing things they want too. Therapy has effective techniques for changing illogical and limiting beliefs that can allow you to move on and experience the world through a new pair of glasses.

Addiction change To Recovery

2008-04-25T02:52:00.000-07:00

The American Psychiatric profession believes, ?Once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic. Once a drug addict, always a drug addict. Alcoholism/drug addiction is a disease and ? Relapse? is part of recovery.?

Not true? says, Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD, Holistic Healer. ? Using a holistic approach? Body, Mind and Spirit? people can be healed of alcoholism and drug addiction without relapse and without cravings by healing the underlying causes which precipitate the need to use alcohol or drugs to cope. A holistic approach incorporates life coaching, massage therapy, acupuncture, hypnotherapy, yoga, physical fitness, spiritual awakening, as well as Chinese herbology.? Once an addict always an addict and Relapse is a Part of Recovery? paradigm has crippled and doomed many people to a life of struggle and self-deprecation throughout the world. ?You are not an alcoholic or an addict. You are not incurably diseased. You have merely chosen a substance to cope with the underlying conditions that you can heal, at which time your dependency will cease completely and forever.?

Today, having healed hundreds of people labeled?alcoholics and drug addicts, I speak with complete certainty that alcoholism and addictions are not diseases.

If not a disease, what are they? The answer is that they are labels used to describe the states in which you find yourself after you have used alcohol or addictive drugs in large quantities or long enough period of time to have developed a dependency on them, meaning that someone addicted can?t permanently discontinue their use without help.

Alcohol and drugs are not the problems; they are what people use to numb the internal pain, thus helping oneself cope. These issues have both physical and psychological components?anything from anemia, hypoglycemia, or a sluggish thyroid to attention deficient disorder, brain-wave pattern imbalances, or deep emotional pain? Depression, Anxiety, Panic, OCD (Obsessive-compulsive disorder), Anger, Sadness, Fear.

There are Seven Steps to recovery, which address these causes, but foundational to them all is this key premise: When the underlying painful issues are discovered and healed, the need for alcohol or drugs disappears.

The Seven Recovery Steps include: Recognize, Re-Look, Re-Feel, Re-Experience, Respond, Release and Renew.

This process will open your mind to new ways of thinking that will cause you to see your dependency, and perhaps your entire life, in a whole new light. It will help you understand that all dependency is a symptom, not a problem. Seeing your dependency in this new light will enable you to heal yourself more quickly and more effectively than ever before?and permanently.

Alcohol's Effects

2008-04-24T21:11:00.000-07:00

Alcohol can have significant effects on feelings, perceptions, and physiology. These pages are designed to provide an overview of factors that effect intoxication, the effects of alcohol on the brain and body, and a variety of methods you can use to estimate your BAC.Although alcohol may give you a feeling of elation and aroused senses due to a lessening of inhibitions during the early stages of alcohol intoxication, alcohol is a depressant. It depresses the central nervous system—leading to slowed reactions, slurred speech, and ultimately, to unconsciousness. Alcohol progressively affects different brain areas. Alcohol first affects the part of the brain that controls inhibitions. When people lose their inhibitions, they may talk more, get rowdy, and do foolish things. After several drinks, they may feel “high,” but really, their nervous system is slowing down.

Alcohol acts fast because it is not digested like food. Instead, it moves directly into the bloodstream from the stomach and small intestine. It takes a long time for alcohol’s effects to wear off—as it takes approximately one hour for the liver to process the alcohol in one drink.

The Alcoholism and Addiction Cure: A Holistic Approach to Total Recovery

Cocaine Effects

2008-04-24T20:34:00.000-07:00

Cocaine effects are extremely detrimental on the body and the consequences related to cocaine effects can eventually lead to permanent damage, addiction and death. While each person who uses this drug reacts to it differently, there are two distinct categories of cocaine effects: short-term effects and long-term effects. Even if a person has only used cocaine once, he/she can experience short-term cocaine effects. Long-term cocaine effects appear after increased periods of use and are dependent upon the duration of time and amount of cocaine that has been consumed.Short-term cocaine effects are noticeable immediately and although they are not always damaging, in some cases they have caused serious bodily damage and death. Deaths related to cocaine effects are often a result of cardiac arrest or seizures and respiratory failure. * Some of the short-term cocaine effects first time users experience includes increased energy, decreased appetite, and increased heart rate and blood pressure.

Short-term cocaine effects include:
Increased blood pressure
Constricted blood vessels
Dilated pupils
Mental alertness
Increased energy
Increased heart rate
Decreased appetite
Increased temperature

People who try cocaine often get hooked to the short-term cocaine effects, namely feeling as though they have increased energy. The quick high keeps users feeling energetic and able to endure longer in physical activities. New cocaine users often try cocaine to increase productivity at work and in other areas of their lives so that they can work longer and harder. While these results may seem promising in the beginning, increased tolerance and dangerous life choices often follow repeated cocaine use.

One cocaine effect, appetite suppression, is very popular for people looking to lose weight or maintain a low weight. Fashion models have been known to use cocaine in order to stay thin. Cocaine users often go days without eating and if this behavior is continued it can lead to addiction. Increased heart rate, blood pressure, constricted blood vessels, dilated pupils, and increased temperature are all short-term physiological cocaine effects. When taken in large quantities, cocaine will intensify the user's high and may cause violent and erratic behavior on the part of the user.

Long-tem cocaine effects are noticeable as cocaine abuse continues and tolerance builds. Since cocaine is a highly addictive drug, it can lead to major medical complications and health problems. Some of the these complications include heart disease, heart attacks, respiratory failure, strokes, seizures, and gastrointestinal problems. Other physical symptoms include convulsions, nausea, blurred vision, chest pain, fever, muscle spasms, and coma.

As the habit of using cocaine becomes increasingly important, behavior such as lying, heating, stealing, absenteeism at work and denying the use of cocaine, is an evident side effect. While these behaviors are not directly related to the use of cocaine, these cocaine effects are often present due to the lifestyle of the addict.

Other long-term cocaine effects include:
Addiction
Paranoia
Irritability
Restlessness
Auditory hallucinations
Mood disturbances

With continued use, many cocaine addicts develop a higher tolerance for the drug over time। Addicts are also said to "chase the high"; meaning they continue to use cocaine seeking the feeling they felt the first time they used it. For people addicted to cocaine and cocaine effects, this high will never again be felt in the same way, and this addiction can lead to insanity and death.
needs cocaine rehab
* Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Massachusetts Drug and Alcohol Addiction

2008-04-23T07:22:00.000-07:00

Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation Treatment Situation
Massachusetts is ideally located in the NE, surrounded by a large costal area, a complex and vast array of interstates and vast expanse of land area. This geographical surrounding has led to infiltration by numerous drug trafficking cartels. Cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine and heroin continue to be the primary drugs of abuse in the State of Massachusetts. The drugs are smuggled in via the sea, road and air and the drug trade is primarily controlled by the Colombian and Dominican traffickers.Massachusetts is ideally located in the NE, surrounded by a large costal area, a complex and vast array of interstates and vast expanse of land area. This geographical surrounding has led to infiltration by numerous drug trafficking cartels. Cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine and heroin continue to be the primary drugs of abuse in the State of Massachusetts. The drugs are smuggled in via the sea, road and air and the drug trade is primarily controlled by the Colombian and Dominican traffickers.

Cocaine Addiction

Cocaine is readily available throughout the state. The major route of smuggling is via New York City or directly from the Mexican-United States border, as well as from Florida and Georgia. Cocaine is transported in trucks, tractor trailers, and vehicles equipped with hidden compartments. The drug is also frequently shipped via the US postal service. Once the drug enters the state, the distribution is controlled by local gangs who collaborate with their Mexican and Columbian counterparts. The majority of powder cocaine is converted to crack which continues to be a major problem in all the major cities in the State.

Heroin Addiction

Once a widely used drug in Massachusetts, however, it is not as a big a problem as cocaine. It is readily available throughout the State. Most of the heroin is brought in from NY City mainly via the interstate. The drug is transported via public and privately operated automobiles equipped with hidden compartments. The drug is also smuggled in via the sea via the Columbian drug cartel.

The majority of the heroin drug trade is controlled by the Colombian and Dominican cartels. At the street level the drug distribution is done by numerous street gangs who remain very territorial and prone to violence. Because of the lucrative market in selling heroin, the purity of the products has not been maintained. Many drug cartels purposely contaminate the product with impurities to increase the profits.

Methamphetamine Addiction

Methamphetamine is available throughout the state and is mainly shipped in from California. The drug is brought in via the interstates and by the US postal service. The drug has not caught on as in other states. The strict surveillance by the law enforcement agencies has limited the development of methamphetamine laboratories. The drug distribution is spread via the Dominicans and Mexicans. Methamphetamine is typically used by individuals in the 20 and 30s. The drug is also frequently abused by the homosexual community.

Club Drugs

Clubs drugs have become the substances of abuse in the past decade. All types of club drugs are readily available in the State. The most frequently used is MDMA (ecstasy), which is available in significant amounts. Most club drugs are easily available at rave parties, nightclubs, and college campuses across the state. Club drugs are usually smuggled into the State from New York and other neighboring states. The club drug trade is controlled by Asian gangs.

Marijuana Addiction

Marijuana continues to be a commonly abused drug in the State and is easily available. Most of the marijuana is smuggled in from the Southern States via Mexico. Recently there has been a large influx of marijuana from Jamaica and Columbia. The more potent and pure from of marijuana, known as BC Bud, is also smuggled in from Canada. The majority of the marijuana is imported from the southwest border via aircraft, land vehicles, and delivery services. Every now and then, large quantities of marijuana is smuggled in from the West Indies. Locally grown marijuana is still available but because of the strict policing of the State forest lands, the production is limited.

Pharmaceutical Drugs

Oxycodone products continue to be abused in the state. Percocet, Roxicet, Oxycontin, methadone, Vicodin, xanax and Percodan are readily available in Massachusetts. OxyContin continues to be the preferred pharmaceutical drug of abuse and is widely available. These drugs are obtained using forged prescriptions, doctor shopping, pharmacy thefts and via the internet. Many pharmaceutical drugs are also smuggled in from Texas, California and New York. Because of the lucrative drug market, fake drugs have also infiltrated the market- so buyers beware.

Substance Abuse Relapse Prevention

DEA Mobile Enforcement Teams have been established in response to the overwhelming problem of drug-related violent crime in towns and cities across the nation. In addition DEA Regional Enforcement Teams have been established to augment existing DEA division resources by targeting drug organizations operating in the United States where there is a lack of sufficient local drug law enforcement. This program was conceived in 1999 in response to the threat posed by drug trafficking organizations that have established networks of cells to conduct drug trafficking operations in smaller, non-traditional trafficking locations in the United States.

Drug Treatment Centers

The state of Massachusetts is a leader when it comes to the treatment of drug addicts. There are 356 substance abuse treatment centers in Massachusetts and here are twenty drug courts across the state. Money obtained from drug seizures has helped to establish rehabilitation centers throughout the state.

Drug Reform

Unlike the West coast states, the eastern states have been regressing when it comes to drug reforms. Prisoners in the state have no voting right, despite the fact that more than 50% of the prison population is made of minorities. In addition, despite the fact that data show that syringe access programs have been proven to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C among injection drug users, and do not create an increase in injection drug users, Massachusetts still has strict barriers in its laws for prescribing syringes.

Alcohol and Drug Addiction

2008-04-23T04:13:00.001-07:00

Ayurvedic relief from addictions like drugs, alcohol, smoking and over eating helps people come back to enjoying their life without addictions to any harmful substances. Ayurveda is unique system of lifestyle that helps people lead healthy lives. Ayurvedic addiction recovery therapies work with the willpower of the person.

As a first step to recover from the addiction, the person must identify he is slave to an addiction and should have a desire to recover from alcohol addiction, drug addiction or addiction to smoking. Over eating is also a behavioral problem that has far reaching consequences on one's health.

One detrimental factor to free one from addictions is the withdrawal symptoms. The addicts feel they are punished for abandoning the use of drugs, alcohol or cigarette.

Ayurveda approaches this problem systematically and Ayurvedic system of cure from addictions is based on treating the cause instead of symptoms. The alcohol consumption or smoking is only a symptom. Underlying reasons can be stress or mental tension. The person tries to dissolve his worries in alcohol, but he or she ends up more worried and disheartened.

Ayurveda aims at removing the root cause of the addiction. Ayurveda aims at replacing the addictive behavior with some constructive behavior. For instance, smokers will be given herbal cigarettes, which satisfy their urge to smoke, but removes the toxins added to their body.

This herbal approach is supplemented with counseling, guided meditation, massage therapy, aromatherapy, etc which help in complete recovery of the addiction without withdrawal symptoms.

The inertia or the mental conditioning of the person to give up the habit is the first thing that needs attention.

Ayurveda also recommends personalized treatment programs based on the physical constitution of the person. Physical constitution, called DOSHA in Ayurvedic terms gives clues to effectiveness in recovery from any addictions.

Each type of persons have specific herbal formulations that help in removing toxic wastes accumulated to the body, strengthen internal tissues and easily recover the person from addiction.

The important factor is the mental preparedness of the person to accept he/she has some addictions and honest desire to recover. After getting the person in right mental condition, it is easy to recover from any life-threatening bad habits.

Alcoholic Should Know

2008-04-23T02:53:00.000-07:00

It is widely acknowledged that alcoholism can lead to health problems. The question that can be posed here however, is does anyone know and understand to what extent heavy drinking can affect the body? How about for specific at risk populations? For instance, what happens when pregnant women drinking alcohol? Is eating well, sleeping eight hours a night and maintaining low stress levels enough to maintain a healthy pregnancy? Though all of these factors are important, there are specific vitamins that are needed to ensure a healthy pregnancy and subsequently a strong baby. One such component being emphasized by the medical community and organizations like the Centers for Disease Control is folic acid.

What are Neural Tube Defects?

The two most common types of neural tube defects are spina bifida and anencephaly. Neural tube defects consist of birth defects of the brain and spinal cord. In spina bifida, the fetal spinal column doesn't close completely during the first month of pregnancy. Nerve damage usually occurs which tends to result in at least some paralysis of the legs. In anencephaly, a good portion of the brain does not properly develop. Babies with anencephaly tend to either be stillborn or die shortly after birth.

What is Folic Acid?

Folic acid is a vitamin in the B family. The human body utilizes B vitamins in order to make new cells. For this reason, folic acid is something that every person needs. For women who are attempting to get pregnant folic acid is even more essential. If there is enough folic acid in a woman’s body prior to pregnancy, this nutrient can help to prevent birth defects of the type discussed above. Specifically, folic acid can prevent birth defects present in the baby’s brain and spine. According to the Centers for Disease Control and the United States Public Health Service every woman who could become pregnant is urged to incorporate at least 400 micrograms (400 mcg) of synthetic folic acid every day.

How Does One Know What Enough Folic Acid Consists Of?

A simple way to make sure that the proper nutrients are being consumed is by taking a vitamin that already contains folic acid. Most vitamins and folic acid pills in the United States contain the daily value, or the one hundred percent requirement, of folic acid that one should consume. When in doubt one can always check the label to make sure of what the daily value is. The other way one can get enough folic acid, is to eat cereal that is enriched with folic acid. This can be easily checked by making sure that the box says one hundred percent folic acid on the side of the box.

When Does Folic Acid Need to be Implemented into the Diet?

Neural tube defects occur during the first few weeks of pregnancy- usually by the 28th day of pregnancy to be exact. For this reason and since most women don’t even know they are pregnant at such an early stage, folic acid consumption, as well as other nutrients, needs to be implemented before an individual becomes pregnant. When one thinks of pregnancy, the reasons for this should be obvious. Think of the female body as an incubator. If it is not clean and properly padded, therefore functioning to the best of its ability, proper ‘cooking’ of the embryo will not occur. In addition, remember that folic acid assists in proper cell growth. When an egg and sperm unite to become an embryo, the main function is cell division. Without enough folic acid in the individual’s system, the proper division of cells will not occur, thus resulting in neural tube defects, among other things.

So What is the Link Between Folic Acid Deficiency and Alcoholism?

Chances are, if an individual is heavy into drinking, he or she probably isn’t the most health conscious person. This means meals are not eaten regularly or when they are, the actual nutrient value is debatable. So, to begin with an alcoholic probably isn’t taking in as much folic acid as is recommended. In addition to starving the body of proper nutrition, a few other things can occur. Liver damage usually results, as well as kidney damage. In addition to these things is a reduction in the metabolism of folic acid by the liver, thereby rendering the consumption of folic acid useless. This occurs because the intestines tend to be damaged by alcohol. When this damage takes place, the small intestines in particular can be harmed. Since this part of the body is necessary for nutrient absorption, a deficiency results.

What are Symptoms of Folic Acid Deficiency?

• shortness of breath
• heart palpitations
• weakness
• glossitis (inflammation of the tongue)
• nausea
• anorexia
• headache
• fainting
• irritability
• forgetfulness
• pallor
• slight jaundice
• progressive fatigue

How Can Folic Acid Deficiency be Remedied?

First and foremost, any individual thinking about pregnancy needs to eliminate all alcohol from her diet. This can be done by joining a group like Alcoholics Anonymous, or attending a center specialized in alcohol/drug detox. It is probably best to take the comprehensive route and go to such a center. Alcohol detoxification can take a long time. So, though one may have stopped drinking, it is probably best to wait a while and allow the body to heal itself before thinking about pregnancy. In order to find out exactly what nutrients should be taken and in which amounts it is best to consult a medical professional as actual dosages will vary on a person to person basis.
The Alcoholism and Addiction Cure: A Holistic Approach to Total Recovery.

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2008-04-23T01:53:00.000-07:00

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