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
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Showing posts with label Addiction Info. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Addiction Info. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
How to Quit Smoking
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
Read More..
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
Read More..
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Alcoholism And Drug Addiction-change To Recovery
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
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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
Read More..
Monday, July 21, 2008
Can Drug Treatment Help Our Teens..?
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.
Read More..
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.
Read More..
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Smoking Addiction
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.
Read More..
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.
Read More..
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
What is Stress?
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" Read More..
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" Read More..
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
When Your Fears And Depression
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.
Read More..
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.
Read More..
Friday, April 25, 2008
Addiction change To Recovery
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.
Read More..
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.
Read More..
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Massachusetts Drug and Alcohol Addiction
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. Read More..
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. Read More..
Alcohol and Drug Addiction
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. Read More..
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. Read More..
Alcoholic Should Know
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. Read More..
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. Read More..
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