Alcoholism Treatment is an Option

There has always been much confusion about alcoholism treatment. One of the most common questions that alcoholics are asking is: Does alcoholism treatment work?

Throughout the history of the world, there are documented cases of alcohol use and, in many instances, documented cases of sheer abuse, which can easily be transported back to modern times and in our daily lives right now.

Alcohol - A Force That Does NOT Play Favorites!

While alcohol can be a pleasant social stimulant, it can also be a hideous and destructive force that does not play favorites. So, if this drug has been causing so much havoc over such a long period in our history, why are we still using it? In true fashion, human beings are an interesting mixture of self-preservation and self-destruction, dosed with a healthy amount of denial when necessary, which means that when it comes to alcohol - we just don't get it.

While it is, of course, true that not every person who drinks is an alcoholic, it is also true that there has never been a true medical or other type of legitimate reason for "needing" a drink- except to feel more "mellow and relaxed" or to "escape" and, in fact, alcohol has gained huge approval socially - which has seriously removed its taboo factor. Having said this, alcohol seems to be here to stay and it is up to all of us to deal with this fact AND the fallout that is associated with having booze so readily available to everyone.

The CDC estimates that currently 50% of adults in the US are regular drinkers with 14% of adults being infrequent drinkers - this means that 64% of the population has at least 1 drink per year and while the CDC does not offer statistics on the number of alcoholics, it would appear that approximately 10% of adults in the US are alcoholics.

Suffering Pain Through Alcoholism

While to some, these may simply be numbers, to others, these numbers actually have faces and names - they are mothers and fathers, husbands and wives, sons and daughters and sisters and brothers. Being an alcoholic is not a solitary affair - not only do you hurt yourself, but you also hurt everyone around you who loves you. So, really, that number of 10% should be multiplied to reflect the true pain alcoholism causes families and loved ones.

Unfortunately, alcoholism cannot be cured, however, alcoholism treatment is possible and for many, that option is scarier than having that next drink. Indeed, recovery and alcoholism treatment from alcohol addiction, or any type of addiction, requires courage and a strong, strong support system. People in treatment are very, very brave because to them, living without their drug of choice now has to face all the pain and fear that drove them to drink in the first place - but it is very possible!

Treatment Is Truly An Option

Thankfully, there are many alcoholism treatment options available which have proven to arrest the disease. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol, you are encouraged to get help - for them and for yourself. All of these options for alcoholism treatment is confidential and/or anonymous. Remember that many people have been where you are and have survived to tell about it. Never despair.

Denial - Why Alcoholics and Drug Addicts Think It's OK to Drink and Use Drugs

Denial is a defense mechanism that allows a person - despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary - to deny that something is true, when in fact, it is true. It is one of the most powerful and difficult problems that Alcoholics and Drug Addicts face before, during, and after treatment, because it is always the thinking that precedes the act of picking up a drink or a drug.

Physical Components of Denial

Over the course of time, drinking and using drugs can cause changes in the brain that affect thought processes and emotions. For example, when the hippocampus, which controls memory and judgment, is damaged, the Alcoholic or Addict has great difficulty remembering the bad things that happen when they drink or use. This coupled with impaired judgment allows them to actually believe that drinking or using drugs is ok.

Poor judgment is further compounded by the over stimulation or inhibition of two important neurotransmitters: Serotonin and Dopamine. Serotonin affects thinking and emotions, while Dopamine affects the pleasure and reward center of the brain. When a person drinks or uses drugs excessively, these neurotransmitters are over stimulated, and the body develops a tolerance to them. This causes the individual to need more and more of the substance while they get less and less of an effect.

Non-addicted people find it very difficult to understand the actions and thinking of the addict or alcoholic. They just don't "get it" because their brains have not been damaged so their thinking is not organically impaired and they have the capacity to differentiate between truth and falsehood.

Thought Patterns of Denial

The essential and most basic of all Denial thinking is this: "I don't have a problem with alcohol or drugs, and the things that are wrong in my life don't have anything to do with my drinking or using." This erroneous belief gives rise to all sorts of strange twists and turns of thought that are common in Addicts and Alcoholics.

Substance Abusers blame others for the negative things that happen in their lives and lie about where they have been and what they have been doing. They live in a fantasy world where they have convinced themselves that their lives are "not so bad" despite the loss of jobs, marriages, family and friends. They say that if only they had more money or if the people in their lives would understand them, that everything would be ok.

They do not acknowledge, nor do they connect the fact that drinking and using drugs have become the root cause of their current problems; this is Denial.

Behavior Patterns of Denial

Family, friends and employers notice changes in the behavior of an alcoholic or addict long before the person with the disease does. This is the first indicator that someone is in denial about their disease. Tragically, as it progresses, the individual barely notices the changes and deterioration because they happen gradually, day after day and seem normal to the sufferer.

Typical behaviors include, but are not limited to: being late to work, inability to hold a job, getting arrested, ending relationships when people criticize their drinking or using, spending rent money on drugs or alcohol, not keeping commitments, driving under the influence, poor personal hygiene, frequenting dangerous neighborhoods, and living on the street.

Again, the alcoholic or addict does not notice or pretends not to notice that these behaviors are related to their substance abuse, when clearly they are.

Summary

Denial is one of the biggest roadblocks to recovery. It is an elusive and dangerous pattern of thinking that is extremely difficult to break because it has so many different causes and manifestations. The first clue that someone is in denial is that their behavior and dialog changes dramatically and they develop a litany of excuses for this that do not include drinking or using drugs.

This is further compounded by physical damage to the brain and its chemistry, which exacerbates poor judgment, increases tolerance, and enhances denial. The fundamental problem of denial is that the alcoholic/addict actually sees their substance abuse as the cure, not the cause.

It is only when a person has a moment of clarity; where they see through the fog of denial and connect their problems to their drinking or using drugs that they will seek help. When this happens, recovery is possible.

What Are the Options for Alcohol Addiction Recovery?

You have many options available to you on your path to alcohol addiction recovery. There are traditional treatment programs and aftercare services. However, there are also less known alternative recovery options that can help you maintain sobriety.

Traditional programs include treatment centers. Residential treatment centers are perfect for teenagers. Adults who do not have a support system can benefit froma residential treatment center. Other inpatient programs can help alcohol dependent individuals, particularly hospital-based services. If you have to go through detox, a hospital inpatient program is ideal because medical professionals are on hand to help you through the physical symptoms of withdrawal.

Outpatient programs may be more suitable if you have a job or other daily responsibilities. Outpatient programs help you maintain sobriety through individual and group counseling. The program is your life line to recovery. It helps you deal with problems on a daily or weekly basis as you rebuild your relationships.

Outdoor therapy programs are available for teenagers and adults. These programs integrate outdoor physical activities in the recovery process. You learn to appreciate nature while developing team building skills. You begin to take responsibility for your actions and learn how your actions impact others. This helps you understand the impact of alcohol abuse on your relationships. Your self-esteem improves through achievement of physical challenges.

You have your choice of religious-based and secular programs. If it is important for you to reaffirm your faith or to establish a relationship with a higher power, religious-based programs may be the best option for you. Secular programs allow you to heal yourself before you start contemplating your spirituality.

A new trend in alcohol addiction recovery is online counseling and social networks. Most web sites dedicated to recovery communities usually charge a membership fee to join. Others require payment if you want to ask a specific question. Some sites are more of a social network for support while others actually create treatment plans for members. These sites are great for ongoing distance support. If you decide to use this option, be sure the site is managed by a certified addiction counselor.

Twelve-step programs such as AA remain popular options for alcohol addiction recovery. These are community-based groups that provide ongoing support to members. Regardless of the option you choose, by participating in a treatment or support program, you have a better chance of achieving recovery and maintaining sobriety.

Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome and Addiction Treatment: The Little Known Obstacle to Recovery

Addiction Treatment professionals agree that Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (P.A.W.S.) is one of the most difficult challenges that Alcoholics or Addicts face in the early stages of their recovery. It is a multi-faceted group of symptoms that cause the individual to crave a drink or a drug even though everything is going well for them and they are following through with all their recommended post treatment activities. Unfortunately, this relapse precursor is especially difficult to deal with, because it is not emphasized enough by most treatment centers during treatment; without education about this topic, the substance abuser has no defense against it.

The discomfort of the initial withdrawal from drugs or alcohol is managed through a medical detoxification process commonly referred to as "detox". Symptoms are minimized during the initial 3 to10 day period when the body is in acute withdrawal and adjusting to not having these substances. Detoxification does not eliminate all of the substances from the body, nor does it repair the damage to brain, organs, central nervous system, or neurotransmitters that have been caused by drinking and drug abuse.

The biggest mistake that alcoholics and addicts make is to think that the detoxification process is the end of the withdrawal process; that once you leave detox all of the substances are out of the body and you're cured. Nothing could be further from the truth; detoxification actually sets the stage for the onset of Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome.

Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome - What it is and Why it Happens

After detoxification, for reasons science doesn't completely understand, the body can react as if it was still on drugs. One part of the explanation for this phenomenon is the body's own natural cleansing process. As it flushes the chemical remnants of alcohol and drugs from organs and intramuscular hiding places, it hits the bloodstream and triggers a physical craving - much like the sensation of smelling popcorn and then wanting to see a movie.

In addition to this physical component, any type of mental, emotional or physical stress can trigger a desire to drink or use drugs. When an alcoholic or addict feels pain or is stressed out, they remember one thing: if they pick up a drink or a drug, the pain and stress will go away. This is because the area of the brain that affects judgment has been damaged and they do not remember how bad things were. Most importantly, they do not connect their substance abuse to what they are feeling at that moment, and so they very often relapse.

Symptoms of Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome

Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome produces a wide variety of side effects and symptoms that make no sense to the addict experiencing them, or to the friends, family and employers observing them.

These symptoms include but are not limited to:
Lack of coordination
Walking into things
Dropping things
Thinking "I'm crazy"
Feeling scared
Forgetting things
Impaired judgment
Disorientation
Anxiety
Insomnia
Irritability
Craving
Mood swings
Anger
Depression
Increased sensitivity to pain

Summary

Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome is a disconcerting yet normal part of the recovery process. Thankfully these symptoms disappear over time, and in most cases the brain and body damage is repaired. The difficulty for someone in the early stages of recovery is that these feelings, thoughts and physical side effects can be so overwhelming that they trigger a desire to drink or use drugs again just to get relief and when they do this, they start the vicious cycle all over again.

The Grieving Process and Its Importance to Addiction Recovery

This paper will address the importance of the grieving process to sustaining addiction recovery. In order to accomplish this I will utilize several sources which discuss the grieving process, including Elizabeth Kubler-Ross's stages of grieving, J. William Worden's book called "Grief Counseling and Grief Therapy", and Robert Helgoe's book "The Hierarchy of Recovery". Additionally, some personal and professional experience will also be included.

There are three reasons that the grieving process is important to sustained, rewarding recovery. The first is many addicts have unresolved grief issues from their pasts. Perhaps the death of a relative or the dissolution of a close personal relationship has occurred. The use of drugs and alcohol hamper the grieving process, resulting in a delayed grief reaction. The loss is not grieved until the addictive use of drugs and alcohol has ceased and the feelings surrounding the loss are felt and processed.

A second reason that grieving is important to recovery is the result of the losses that occur due to addictive use. Many recovering addicts grieve time they have lost with family, time lost in or starting their careers, and possibly potentials or opportunities that were lost. Recovering addicts compare their progress in their lives to that of non-addicted peers, and they appear to fall short. Their peers have moved on in their careers, have had and raised families, and have many amenities that a person new to recovery may lack.

In order to discuss the third reason that the grieving process is essential to rewarding recovery I must first introduce a theory from Helgoe's book, "Hierarchy of Recovery". Helgoe divides recovery into two phases. The push phase is defined by the focus of motivation, which in this case is toward the crisis or events which led to treatment. More concisely, the recovering addict is staying clean to avoid the consequences they experienced due to active addiction. Their motivation is largely to avoid the life they were living, being pushed from an old life to a new.

In the pull phase the recovering person is drawn toward a more spiritual and fulfilling life. The focus of recovery is no longer avoidance of an old way of living, but attraction to a new way of being, and enjoyment of the rewards of recovery in the present. Furthermore, focus on continued self-discovery, and eventually self-expression are the focus.

Helgoe believes that in order to move into the pull phase of recovery, in which the rewards of recovery are found, a person must complete the grieving process for their addiction. Facing the fact that the use of a substance such as alcohol or drugs can never be relied upon again is a painful experience for any addict. The reality of living the rest of your life without drugs and alcohol is sometimes nearly impossible to fathom to those dependent upon them. When an addict gives up substances they are giving up a friend, a lover, and possibly the only relief they know. True acceptance of powerlessness over substances is a true loss. And according to Kubler-Ross, an authority on grief and grieving, we experience grief whenever we lose anything of importance.

As identified by Kubler-Ross, there are six stages of grieving. They are:
Shock: the inability to grasp the situation as it is presented. The information is too overwhelming to process. Usually lasts only a few minutes.
Denial: a belief that the news can not be correct, due to the pain associated with the loss.
Anger: diminishes the experience of the pain that comes with the loss. Can occur at person or thing lost, at God, or at self.
Bargaining: hope leads to bargaining, a defense mechanism that delays the pain of the loss temporarily, until the hope is extinguished.
Depression: works to dull the pain of the loss because it dulls nearly all experience, internal and external. (Hierarchy of Recovery, pgs 56-59)

According to Helgoe, "at this point people go in one of two directions: they either continue defending against the pain or they drop their defenses and experience the pain." If they choose to continue to defend against the pain and not experience it, they "may resort to previously used (defenses, denial, anger, bargaining) and enter into what can be termed extended or chronic grief, a life debilitating situation often misdiagnosed". (pg59-60)
Acceptance: the acceptance of the pain associated with the loss.

In the book "Grief Counseling and Grief Therapy" by J. William Worden, the grief process is divided into four tasks, all of which relate to the stages of grief previously mentioned. They are described in the following:
Task I- Accept the reality of the loss.

During this phase the denial of the loss, including denial regarding the meaning of the loss and/or the irreversibility of the loss are resolved. Relates to shock, denial, and bargaining.
Task II- Working through the pain.

During this phase the grieving work in relation to the pain is processed and resolved. Avoiding the pain prolongs the process, as does avoiding the anger. People avoid anger due to feeling guilty, such as being angry at deceased or at God. In relation to addiction, the recovering addict may be angry with God for making them an addict, angry with the disease of addiction, angry at themselves for being an addict, and angry at those who can drink or use socially. They may have pain related to not being able to use again, and the acceptance of powerlessness may hurt their image of self worth. Relates to anger and depression.
Task III- Adjustment to the environment.

During this phase the individual may need to re-identify him or herself and take on new roles.
Relates to the beginning of acceptance.
Task IV- Emotional relocation of the loss.

The emotional energy once tied to the loss is relocated. This is the final task, and as it relates to recovery the individual has now accepted the loss. Relates to the acceptance stage. This would lend itself to entering the pull stage of recovery, as identified by Helgoe.

There are an array of feelings that are considered normal in the grieving process. These include but are not limited to: sadness, anger, guilt and self reproach, anxiety, loneliness, fatigue, helplessness, shock, yearning, emancipation, relief, and numbness.

There are several complications that can occur during the grieving process. These include:
Delayed grief -the immediate emotional response is insufficient to the loss. (Grief Counseling and Grief Therapy)
Extended grief -emotional flatness, feelings of guilt.
Chronic grief -the continued use of defenses and not dealing with the pain associated with grief results in this. (Hierarchy of Recovery, pg65).

Effectiveness of Treatment in Alcohol Addiction

Effective treatment therapy can decrease high drinking limit - it's proven to ensure it that the alcohol rehabilitation center is perfect place.

Most of the rehab centers concentrates on, recovery of the addict. This recovery can classify under four categories. Those are: life style optimization, prevention of alcoholism and physical and spiritual growth of addict.

It is noticed that, the more complex lifestyle is more or less responsible for alcoholism. During this treatment session addict can enhance his power to overcome those complexity.

Prevention - is most important part of the holistic pattern treatment. Through this session addict can achieve how to overcome those triggers which will curve him towards alcohol. It's a very crucial stage of treatment where addict need a lots of specialist, who will cross verify the explanation of the addict and guide him to get the proper think ability.

Some of rehab centers focused on physical and spiritual growth of the addict through music and yoga. It is proven that, most of the cases relapse the alcohol abuse caused the improper prevention plan. Basically it's a problem solving technique. Through which addict can overcome the "Helplessness". So the addicts need a proper substance prevention plan by providing a continuous support. Generally the holistic approach takes 1 year for continuous support.

This is recommended that, the holistic intervention process is the beginning process of the treatment, so done it carefully with specialist supervision or by taking help of any rehab center. Sometimes detoxification is required; detoxification is a process - where using proper medicine alcohol and damaged cell can be removed from human body. Doctors will provide cross tolerance drugs into addict's body that will effect to prevent alcohol. Detoxification may or may not be required for all addicts. Perhaps it's a good therapy used by rehab centers.

Some of rehab centers develop their treatment in reverse way. First they start detoxification then they will provide holistic therapy. Although detoxification is difficult so do the detoxification with all medical facility.

Alcohol detoxification mainly classified under two categories. First approach is medicinal approach where doctor and other medical stuff will detoxify the addicts' body, and the second approach is after completion of medicinal approach - addict should make his body completely free from alcohol by taking proper healthy food and drink.

There will be little side effect of detoxification. After detoxification person can feel little nervous or feel little bit anxiety for a few days, little difficulties with sleep for few nights, but all this for a few days. Finally, to take a decision please consults with any rehab centers for proper guidance. Proper care and treatment can minimize the side effects of detoxification process.

A Teenager Needs Help For Drug And Alcohol Problems

There are times when the curve balls of life are a little more than we can handle on our own. The good news is, you are not alone and healing and treatment opportunities are readily at your disposal. Drug and alcohol addiction can creep up on the best of us, and the slavery that follows can be a period of time where darkness just seems to envelope everything around us. There is light at the end of the tunnel.

Addiction treatment can be successful when paired with love, education, diligence, community, motivation and recovery. There are a plethora of counseling agencies, therapeutic communities, specialized drug treatment programs and drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers available that offer hope, freedom and resurgence. Determination and support amongst family members is a vital component of helping addicted youths overcome dependence.

Seeking out educational, reliable information is a good first step. Gaining a better understanding of addiction and the symptoms it brings can help parents and other family members communicate more effectively and convey their love, concern and support. The first step is to get professional help; help that can offer trustworthy, unswerving guidance and therapy, both to teens and their families.

There are many options available for families who have a teen that is involved with substance and or alcohol abuse. Residential facility care is one such option which involves edification, medical care and localized treatment methods. Most programs are founded on the twelve step model, and group meetings are a central component of treatment. Many residential programs are substantially controlled in order to give residents the best possible opportunity for success and triumph over their specific addiction.

Infiltrating free time with structured events, activities, therapy sessions and group meetings allows little opportunity for addictive stumbling blocks. Teens can receive encouraging support and will have time to express themselves freely to trained, licensed professionals. In many cases, these sessions open doors of communication between youths and their family members bridging the painful gap that addiction can cause in meaningful, loving relationships.

Outpatient programs can offer success to those whose schedules and addiction may not require in-house rehabilitation, or who have already completed a more stringent residential program. Outpatient treatment offers a variety of key tools that can help families and those suffering from addiction find confidence, hope and autonomy through sober living. Outpatient services can include drug and alcohol assessments, both group and individual therapy sessions, and specialized counseling for family members. Enlightening and instructive courses on drug and alcohol addiction and methods are used to combat and treat addictions, including drug screening, and medical treatments, if necessary.

The ability to combat and find freedom against addiction and enjoy the wonder and beauty of a sober life is within reach for anyone who desires to make a change. Family members and their teens are not alone and there are facilities, professionals and treatment options that can and will bring additional support and encouragement and create a foundation of healing, not only for the addict, but to the relationships that have been damaged by the dependence. Liberty from addiction is one phone call away and the choice to restore sobriety and renew life is available to everyone. The choice and the opportunity are yours! Success awaits you!

Five Damaging Effects of Alcoholism on Your Body

Many studies have been done on the effects of consuming high amounts of alcohol over an extended period, and they have consistently shown that alcoholism has long-term and damaging effects on your body. Below, we've listed five major consequences and the most vital organs that alcohol attacks.

1. Your Liver

Over 2 million people in the United States suffer from a form of alcoholic liver disease. The liver detoxes the alcohol and removes it from your bloodstream, preventing it from accumulating and destroying other cells and organs. However, the act of metabolizing the alcohol actually creates substances that are harmful to the liver itself. This can lead to:

• Inflammation
• Liver scarring
• Liver failure
• Death

2. Your Brain

According to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, studies have consistently shown that people with a history of alcoholism or repeated alcohol abuse have smaller, lighter and more shrunken brains than others of the same age and gender. This shrinkage in the brain has been shown to result in several damaging conditions, including:

• Memory loss
• Alcoholic blackouts
• Damage to brain cells
• Loss of cognitive thinking skills
• Strokes
• Dementia

3. Your Digestive System

Excessive drinking stemming from alcohol abuse or alcoholism has also been shown to damage all parts of the digestive system. If you consume several alcoholic beverages each day, you are at a higher risk for digestive system problems, such as:

• Chronic inflammation of the esophagus
• Pancreatitis
• Gastritis (inflammation of the stomach)
• Stomach ulcers
• Cancer (in esophagus, mouth, throat, colon and rectum)

4. Your Heart

Another damaging effect of alcoholism is heart problems and diseases. At high concentrations, alcohol has been shown to interfere with the pumping action of the heart. It has also been linked to a number of other cardiovascular problems, listed below.

• Loss of heart's ability to beat properly
• High blood pressure
• Coronary artery disease (the leading cause of death in Western society)
• Heart attacks
• Increased risk of stroke

5. Your Immune System

Alcoholics and people who drink heavily suffer from far more infectious diseases than people who drink moderately or not at all. One study found that alcohol abusers were 15 to 200 times more likely to get tuberculosis than nonusers. In extreme cases, the body can cease to accurately distinguish self from non-self, causing the immune system to actually attack your own body.

In addition to all of the health complications of high concentrations of alcohol, the University of Maryland Medical Center estimates that alcoholism can reduce your life expectancy by 10 to 12 years.

But there is hope. When alcoholics enter recovery, many of the affected vital organs begin to repair themselves and the overall health of the patient improves.

Entering into recovery can be a frightening, painful, even dangerous process. To guard the alcoholic's safety and increase the rate of long-term recovery, the first short-term goal is often a proven detoxification program to help alleviate withdrawal symptoms and ease the detox phase. Then the next phase of rehabilitation and recovery can proceed with a better prognosis for success.

Drug and Alcohol Denial and Intervention

Denial and Intervention

Denial and family intervention is often an essential part of the recovery process. Denial plays a common role with drug addiction and what's called tough love can be very persuasive. because an individual's life has become unmanageable as a result of drug addiction and/or alcoholism, no matter what the drug being abused, along with the abuse comes a lack of willingness and/or ability to confront the true nature of one's own problem with drugs and alcohol and to take any kind of action to better their lives. This is called denial, and it comes in many forms - blaming, playing the victim, anger, fear etc. Along with denial, an addict must deal with pride and ego, two of the worst enemies of addiction, as they will in no doubt keep an addict or alcoholic using until one of three inevitable ends - jails, institutions, or death. This is where a type of addiction professional called an interventionist becomes important. Interventionists play an essential role in the treatment process.

A family Intervention or Interventionist's job is to break down denial. Denial is a very strong defense mechanism used by addicts that enables them to justify continuing their destructive behavior. Often they blame their usage on family members, jobs, and stress, anything that allows them not to accept responsibility for their addictive actions and continue the substance abuse. Breaking through these barriers and gaining commitment to receive care is essential to begin the healing process.

The purpose of an interventionist is to coordinate with the family and/or other professionals in selecting a proper detoxification and treatment facility to suit the need. Advanced arrangements must be made as the expectation is immediate admittance upon the completion of the intervention. Experienced interventionists will counsel the family with understanding an answer any questions they may have and to resolve any bad feelings to ease the situation keeping in mind the goal of getting the addict to drug or alcohol detox treatment program immediately. The intention is clear, the tone is hopeful and the resolve is unwavering. This process is born out of love and concern interventions and interventionists are successful in 90%-95%+ of all cases.

In the event that the drug addict or alcoholic chooses not to agree to treatment, the family, friends, and employers must be prepared for the next step. This involves of all enabling behaviors by the parties involved needs to cease.

Typically the only reason this process may not be effective is that in the past, consequences of the drug addicts have been so minimal that the addict doesn't think that anything will change. The family must be prepared to set strong boundaries and not waver at the time of intervention. The addict is once again told he/she is loved and that the family and interventionist are willing to get them effective drug or alcohol treatment. It must be made clear, however, that the family (with the guidance of the interventionist as a mediator) will no longer accept this behavior and watch the addict slowly kill themselves. The drug addict or alcoholic is expected to accept the gift that is being offered and get help at a drug or alcohol detox and treatment program. Intervention can be a very painful process, because it is a time during which a family often gets to see the true strength of the addictive minds. Intervention is a serious undertaking and it is imperative that it be done effectively, safely and with confidentiality. No intervention should be done without at least being researched and discussed with a knowledgeable counselor or interventionist.

Alternative Drug Addiction Therapies - Narconon

There are almost as many treatments for drug addiction as causes for it. One of the so called "alternative therapies" is Narconon.

This treatment looks at handling the causes of the addiction, as well as the addicition itself. It is controversial inasmuch as it is based upon the writings and beliefs of Ron L. Hubbard. One time science fiction author and founder of the "religion" of scientology.

The basic premise is to try and look at an individual's own position as a start to treating the actual addicition. This program does not make use of any drugs to combat withdrawal symptoms. Rather using education and rehabilitation. The program is widely used in schools as preventative education, along with the schools own program, if they have one.

Advocates of the program commonly claim a 70% success rate with it in combatting drug abuse. As opposed to the more usual figure of around 30% for most other treatments. Narconon claims that addicts can resume normal life as a healthy, productive member of society, when they work with the program and stick with it.

Narconon have their own facilities, where drug addicts can be treated "in-house", or they can be treated as an out patient. Depending upon their level of drug abuse, and of course the wishes of the patient themselves, or more usually their partners/relatives.

The usual amount of time taken for the Narconon program to work effectively is between four to six months. During which time addicts are said to be "going back to school" to be re-educated on drugs, their use and abuse, the dangers of drugs and drug addiction, and of course eventual recovery. All done without the use of other pharmaceuticals to dull the pain of withdrawal.

Narconon has it's adversaries, just as Scientology itself. These opponents say the information used is not scientifically sound, and results are manipulated to show the program in a good light. They also say that the program is in effect brainwashing. Which of course it is, as are most programs designed to wean the brain off the effects of various substances.

Another point brought up is that the educational materials used in the Narconon program are not geared to the capabilities of the students involved. That the same materials are used for elementary level to high school level, and use many scientific terms without sufficient, or even any, explanation. This can make understanding quite hard for the younger students.

This being the case, it is still a fact that drug abuse is a massive problem worldwide, and it's causes and treatments are many. Narconon probably does have it's place in the scheme of things, and there is no doubt that many addicts have benefited from the program. Whether those people would have benefited equally from any other program is of course a matter for conjecture.

Drug Addiction and Drug Abuse: Starting to Get Help

Addiction to Oxycontin: Where to Begin Getting Help

There is assistance if you or your loved one has an addiction to Oxycontin, addiction to Vicodin, addiction to codeine, or other narcotics. All hope is not lost. There are millions of others around you that have been able to recover and lead happy lives. If there is one thing in common with those who recover, it is that they keep going. It may take five or more treatment attempts for some, but one can definitely stop drug use.

The first place to start is by allowing the idea you might have substance abuse problem. Many individuals never get to this point. They may say they get high because of their pain,companion, or setting, but doing this does not help their situation. You have the best control over yourself and this is the place to start. Others may have a negative influence on you life and be unhelpful with you getting abstinent. You are going to need to change yourself and find the helpful individuals who can support you in doing this.

Admitting drug use in your life causes problems does not mean you are a bad person. It also doesn't mean drugs caused all the trouble in you life. It is just means you are willing to have an open mind of how drug use may be affecting you.

It is helpful to find someone who is in recovery. This could be through a 12 step program, a church, or just a friend who had been a user and quit. Find a person in recovery who is not going to preach to you or confront you; find someone just to talk. Recovery involves looking at the damage in you life that drug use has caused. It also involves seeing to good things that have come to others that have quit. Taking to others about the good things can be very helpful and motivating.

Make a list of the things you would like to see improved in your personal and social circumstances. Imagine you would like to see yourself making more money at your job; perhaps spending time with your family every weekend instead of seeking drugs. It could be not being worried you will be arrested. Maybe you want that new bike, motorcycle, or car. What about feeling good about not feeling like someone is going to find out you are using. Anything that you find motivating to quit is helpful.

Addiction to Oxycontin: Online Help

Here are places to get help for patients with a narcotic problem.

SAMHSA: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association: This is a wonderful site that contains many topics for the public and professionals. The government brochures they provide cover all areas of substance abuse. Prevention, treatment, and relapse topics are found here. It is an invaluable resource for patients and professionals looking for training and help with substance dependence. It is also good for families and friends looking to find drug fact information. Their web site can be found at http://www.samhsa.gov/.

Al-Anon Family Groups: This organization says they provide "strength and hope for friends and families of problem drinkers." Many with narcotic problems also have drinking problems. Although this organization helps people enmeshed with problem drinkers, their support groups are so helpful, that they should be used by families of those who have dual addictions. If your loved one only has problems with pain pills, they can direct you to a good local support group. Their format is similar to 12 step programs where they sit in groups. Their official site can be found: http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/.

NIDA:National Institute on Drug Abuse covers all the "Science of Drug Abuse and Addiction." They are a complete source for drug and alcohol use information. Their agency contains scientific information on all drugs of abuse; and mass distribution pamphlets on numerous drugs of abuse; along with the latest research and meetings.

Your local mental health authority. Each community has their own programs for drug addiction. You can look in the Yellow Pages or online and do a search for you local by looking up "community mental health" and your city and state. These local organizations have their own programs for drug abuse treatment. In addition, they are familiar with the resources and health care professionals in the community that provide drug abuse treatment.

Summary: Addiction to Oxycontin: Begin Stopping the Addiction

• Make a decision to improve you life
• Talk to Someone Already In Recovery
• Find Federal/Local Help With Drug Information and Treatment
• Don't Give Up!

Addiction Recovery Through Pain

Feelings of shame and guilt arise for most people when they first get sober. As the person begins to become clear minded again, they begin to realize the wreckage that they left behind them. Their new found sobriety leaves them with the clarity to recognize that relationships with loved ones were damaged or lost, careers destroyed, opportunities missed, academic failure, and the list could go on forever. These experiences if utilized correctly can fuel an individual's desire to find sobriety. It may also lead to a lot o shame and guilt over how we have conducted ourselves. It is very easy for addicts and alcoholics to fall into self-pity and feel hopeless about their situation. "Is it too late for me?" "Will I ever be able to get out of this hole?" "Will people ever forgive me?" "I have done so much harm to others; do I deserve to be sober?" The shame and guilt alcoholics and addicts experience may lead them to fall into this slippery thought process. These experience become part of the newly sober individuals "first step". The first step is the admission of a problem. In order of the person to remain sober, they first must believe that they have a problem with drugs and/or alcohol.

By identifying the unmanageability, that was direct by product of my addiction, the individual will begin to understand that recovery is the only plausible solution to restoring order in their life. The person will commence the remaining recovery process. The person will develop a relationship with a power greater than their self, take an inventory of their life and relationships, identify the flaws in their character, take responsibility for the wrongs we have done to others, and learn to help other people with their recovery.

The pain that is created in active addiction is often the fuel for our recovery. All though it is difficult to look at and walk through those feelings, those feelings remind young adult addicts why addiction is not a healthy option. It may seem like an overwhelming process for the newly sober alcoholic or addict. But it is important to know that they do not have to experience that process alone. Substance Abuse treatment can provide a safe and supportive environment for young adults to begin the recovery process. Having a safe place to get sober and people who understand recovery will make it easier to work through the initials challenges of getting sober.

Stress and Drugs

When you get stressed out, what is one of the first things that you typically do? How do you deal with unexpected things that happen in your life such as loss of work, deaths in the family or fights with loved ones? For some people, the answer is temporarily found in drugs and/or alcohol. But is this always the right answer?

There are many who would speculate that drugs and alcohol is most often (if not always) the result of some sort of trauma or stress-related incident. The truth of the matter is that drugs and alcohol seldom solve anything. In fact, drug and alcohol abuse does more to break up families, and cause all sorts of problems on top of whatever stress you may be feeling. The next time you are feeling stressed out, try to get to the root of what is bothering you. Figure out possible solutions to your problem on your own. The same money that you would spend on alcohol or drugs, take it and use it towards seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist. These people are skilled in being able to help those who are struggling with internal issues. Additionally, it is important to remember not to isolate yourself. Do you have any friends that you can call on for help?

Often times, when we are struggling or stressed out- or if we have drug problems, it can often be difficult to reach out to others who are there to help us. Little do we know that there are plenty of people out there who care about us and want to see us do well. It takes a lot of courage and honesty to admit that you have a problem- especially when the admittance is to a close friend or a family member. We are often afraid that we will be judged or somehow rejected. Therefore, as a result, many people keep their problems to themselves. There are also those who struggle with denial. They don't want to (and haven't) admit to themselves that there is a serious problem going on. Therefore, why would they need the help if there's nothing wrong.

It is so incredibly important that we don't isolate ourselves from other people- especially those that we love. In a lot of cases, you need to stop and remind yourself that no matter how bad your situation is, there is ALWAYS someone out there who is worse off than you. This isn't meant to be a selfish thing, but rather, it is meant to teach you to appreciate all that you have and to always think of others. In fact, many therapists would suggest that those who are easily stressed get volunteer jobs because when you're volunteering to help someone else, you are too busy to worry about things. You will ultimately feel better about your overall situation if you can find other more creative ways to give back to others who are worse off than you. This isn't to say that your problems aren't important. You still need to deal with your problems without the use of drugs and alcohol. It's just that by helping others, you will help yourself.

ADHD Treatment

ADHD treament can take on a range of types and methods. Sometimes, a patient can get by on just a few new breathing techniques or yoga practices. Other times, counseling or group therapy can do the trick. But sometimes, it because necessary for a person to revert to taking a prescription medication of some kind. The impairment associated with ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) warrants treatment. A clinical guideline clearly states that treatment should begin when a teacher, parent or patient at school detects impairment, work, while driving or during other activities.

Most of the treatments are the same in both children and adults. Two classes of drugs, stimulants and non-stimulants, are prescribed for treating ADHD. Stimulants are considered a first-line medication, which has a higher response rate. This is followed by second-line stimulants that have a lower response rate and lower effect size.

A number of scientific studies have demonstrated that the medications currently prescribed for ADHD work very well; however, on an experimental level, CBT or cognitive behavioral therapy is also being considered and will hopefully yield similar results. CBT is considered the therapy of choice for those ADHD patients who cannot tolerate chemical medications or other medications failed to produce results. However, since ADHD is considered a lifelong disorder, research hasn't yet reached a point where it can predict the necessary duration treatment needed to treat a patient.

Since treating an ADHD patient is always tricky for a clinician, the treatment is generally started after gaining a patient's confidence as to why treatment is necessary and what benefits will come from it.

Tinnitus- Basic Treatment and Therapy

Tinnitus is a disorder that affects millions of individuals all around the world. Commonly people suffering from tinnitus, also known as ringing ears, find it hard to concentrate and lead a normal life. The reason for this is that in some cases the ringing of the ears is so loud that people suffering from tinnitus often develop some sort of sleeping disturbance, most commonly insomnia.

In some cases tinnitus can be cured naturally without the need of any specific treatment, but for others treatment is the only way of ever curing it. Nowadays there are many effective treatments available that are successful for certain cases, but may not work for others, it all depends on the nature of the tinnitus.

Shown below is a list of some of the more commonly used tinnitus treatments used.

Tinnitus retraining therapy

Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) is a treatment commonly known as, habituation therapy, whereby a patient uses a combination of tinnitus retraining and sound enrichment techniques to reduce the perception of the noises caused by the tinnitus. This method might take some time to master but because there is no official 100 percent effective way of treating tinnitus, many patients are whiling to give this method a try.

Cognitive Therapy

Cognitive therapy is different approach to tinnitus treatment. Basically what's pretended is a change in the way the patients reacts to the tinnitus rather than trying to cure it. The therapy requires that the patient together with the doctor identify the negative impact of tinnitus.

Masking

Masking is a method utilized not to cure tinnitus but rather control its effects. A devise commonly resembling a hearing aid, that is designed to produce low-level sound, is introduced into the ear to eliminate the perception of noise.

Hearing Aids

Some patients with severe tinnitus may in some cases benefit from the use of a hearing aid. By using such a device, the sounds of speech are brought above background tinnitus noise, making it easier for the person to hear other people. Hearing aids could also be used as a means of introducing white noise for blocking chronic tinnitus when sleeping.

Medicines and vitamins

There are some vitamins and a wide range of medicines that can help cure tinnitus. Some of Vitamins include Niacin, Lecithin, Zinc and Magnesium. Medicines that could prove effective include Anti-Depressants, Tranquilizers, and Muscle Relaxants, Alprazolam (Xanax), Klonopin, Anti-Convulsants, Intravenous Lidocaine and Anti-Histamine. Before starting a treatment using any sort of pharmaceutical drugs it is always imperative that a specialized doctor be consulted first.

Biofeedback

Biofeedback is a therapy utilized to teach patients how to relax their muscles and automatic body functions. The main idea is to help people manage stress, which can worsen tinnitus, by changing the way the body responds to it. People using this method have reported that this method if done correctly can drastically decrease tinnitus noise.

Many other forms of treatment are available but because tinnitus can radically vary from person to person only an otolaryngologists can help decide which solution is best suited for each case.

Short-Term Application Of Intravenous Amino Acids For The Control Of Cravings And Withdrawal

Addiction and substance abuse is undermining the very moral fabric and future of America today. In 1995 it was estimated that the cost of alcohol and other drugs reached a staggering figure of 276 billion, not including the pain and suffering of loved ones and friends. Alcoholics have an estimated decrease in life expectancy of 10-15 years, with alcohol the most frequently used and abused intoxicant and involved in 40% of all fatal motor vehicle accidents (1 and 2).

Although not illegal, nicotine accounts for approximately 25 million people addicted and is the cause of 430,000 tobacco related deaths per year.

The most commonly abused opiates are, heroin and methadone. It has been estimated by the National Institute of Drug Abuse that approximately 2.5 million Americans have a history of heroin abuse (3).

Stimulants such as cocaine are widespread as well in America and it is estimated 72 million Americans have tried or are using or cocaine (3).

Methamphetamine is growing at an unstoppable rate due to the ease of making the drug, and is now competing with cocaine as a drug of choice.

Although there are numerous examples of addictive drugs in America they all show similar symptoms and qualities of craving and withdrawal conditions. The individuals at greatest risk are genetically predisposed through a neurochemical pathway that alters the minds perception of pleasure and reward. Kenneth Blum, coined the term, "Reward Deficiency Syndrome," to relate to the neurotransmitter deficit that occurs due to use of drugs and alcohol. Although the pathways may vary, depending on the abused substance, they all show a common final neurochemical pathway in their expression of euphoria when abundant, and craving when deficient.

The important Amino-peptide neurotransmitters to date are serotonin, dopamine, GABA and the enkephalins. Dopamine specifically is the neurotransmitter of pleasure. When dopamine is in abundance, it provides a state of well-being. Although this research will focus on alcohol, there are many other substances that can alter the increase in dopamine resulting in pleasure. Other altering scenarios can be glucose, impulsive/compulsive disorders, gambling and risk-taking activities, opiates, cocaine and cigarettes.

When the brain is supplied with a substance a momentary spike in neurotransmitter activity of dopamine occurs. The body then reacts to down regulate this excessive increase by down regulating the neurotransmitter sites of production or receptor sites, or by increasing the breakdown of neurotransmitters. Because of this, the brain develops tolerance and the need for more of the drug to prevent a state of withdrawal.

The point at which addiction can occur is variable and based on the individual's genes. Recently, the dopamine D2 receptor called the A1allele, has been known to be a greater prevalence for alcoholics, opiate or cocaine addicts.

This pleasure and reward system was discovered, by accident, in 1954 by James Otis. By mistake, Otis placed electrodes in the Para limbic system of rats. In doing so, Otis observed he could elicit a pleasure response. This response caused the rats to continuously press a lever, causing an electrical stimulation to this area even to the point of starvation. It was later noted that an increase in dopamine was being released in regions of the limbic system, specifically the nucleus accumbens and the hippocampus.

Recently, a pharmacological approach to alter these neurotransmitters and help people with reward deficiency syndrome has been found. Studies by Brown and Blum indicate that certain amino acid precursors can relieve cravings and reduce incidents of a relapse. Oral formulas have been formulated and produced with these amino acids, vitamins and minerals cofactors. Recently an intravenous pharmacological approach utilizing amino acid neurotransmitter precursors have shown to have an immediate and profound effect on craving reduction and withdrawals in 86% of the patients with no side effects noted by this researcher or by Excel treatment facility during the last two years. The intravenous amino acids, vitamins, and mineral therapy appears to augment the dopamine and serotonin levels while the body begins to return to better handling oral nutrients and neurotransmitter homeostasis.

This study has been implemented to determine the efficacy of intravenous amino acids to reduce withdrawal and craving from substance abuse.

Methodology

Nine subjects were picked from phone in volunteers from a local Denver newspaper add (Exhibit 1).

Inclusion into the study are individuals who are between the ages of 18 and 50 years old, in good health, not court ordered and who desire to stop their substance abuse, but to date, are unable to do so. Methadone or a history of psychiatric hospitalize subjects are excluded from this study. All subjects will undergo a history and physical exam and a doctor will be present at all times. Initials will be used for publishing purposes only and strict confidentiality will be observed of all subjects.

The treatment subjects will undergo 10 sessions (Monday through Friday) of a multi amino acid, vitamin and mineral solution in a 250cc ½ NS bag group or a placebo group of Vitamins (B2, B12 and Folate) in a 250cc ½ NS bag with matching color and volume. All subjects will undergo drug testing for their addiction including random breath and/or urine drug tests.

If you smoke, you will be asked to keep track of the number of cigarettes smoked daily.
To be entered into the research group each individual must meet the requirement of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders TR (DSM-IV TR) for an Axis-I drug dependence.

Axis-I 303.90 Alcohol Dependence

Axis-I 304.40 Amphetamine Dependence Including Methamphetamine

Axis-I 304.30 Cannabis Dependence

Axis-I 304.20 Cocaine Dependence

Axis-I 305.10 Nicotine Dependence

Axis-I 304.00 Opioid Dependence

Axis-I 304.90 Polysubstance-related Disorder

Other axis-I substance dependence disorders will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
The research subjects will be placed randomly into two equal groups A and B.

The control-or placebo-group will receive an intravenous solution of 250 cc of a ½ normal saline bag with B2, B12 and folate to give the distinctive color to the bags.

The experimental group will be given an intravenous solution consisting of a patented formula titled TGGRS Treatment (Third Generation Genetic Repair System). The Tigers Treatment consists of multi amino acids, vitamins and mineral solution drip over a 1 & 2-hour period for 10 sessions. All subjects will be randomly be monitored by blowing a B.A.C. or urine drug tests. A questionnaire will also be required to rate their craving and anxiety symptoms each session. Specific cravings will be rated from a zero (0)-indicating no craving or withdrawal, to a ten (10)-indicating maximum craving or withdrawal symptoms.

The intravenous bags will be marked "Group A" and "Group B" and will be made by a local compounding pharmacist. He will have no contact with the subjects. Heart rate, blood pressure and level of subject mental status will be conducted before each session. During the study, all subjects will be asked to eliminate or cut back on their alcohol or drug consumption but at any time may voluntary return to their pre-study consumption level, or be asked to by the doctor, if sever withdrawal symptoms occur. Failure to participate in 90% of the study will be grounds for dismissal. The people involved in administering the I.V. and monitoring the people will not know which bags contain the amino acids and which contain the placebo. At the end of 10-days the pharmacists will expose which group was the experimental group and which group was the placebo group-A or B, respectively. At that time the experimental and the placebo groups will undergo a daily debriefing and questionnaire rating their withdrawal symptom success and anti-craving level.

At the end of 10 sessions, the treatment group will be given 5 additional treatments of the same solution with D-phenylalanine added. Afterwards, the placebo group will get the treatment solution for 5 sessions followed by 5 session with D-phenylalanine added. All subjects at the end of their intravenous sessions will be debriefed and given the opportunity to take a one months worth of a similar oral based formula for maintenance efficacy.

Results

To stay sober, the war on addiction has many battlefronts to concour from dealing with initial withdrawals and craving to handling family and friend enablers, denial, stress, temptation and faith that we can overcome the disease that seals the heart, soul and life of mankind.

From Jan 21 until Feb 17th nine volunteers under took a major step to sobriety by introducing nutrition building blocks of neurotransmitters by intravenous means to battle withdrawal and cravings aspects. Only one individual had no response to our amino acids vitamin and mineral cocktail and continue daily drinking with no perceived change in anxiety and craving. All others expressed a significant response from moderate to profound anti-craving benefits by the end of the study.

The A group (RH, RY, KM, RA) received vitamins for the first 10 sessions, and although noticed a slight reduction in craving and anxiety, RY, KM, KA continued to drink. RH had marijuana addiction problems and throughout the study he did not use. The B group (RM, DR, RD, DB, JD) received the therapeutic formula less the D isomer of phenylalanine. They all continued drinking and showed no significant change in craving and anxiety. The A group noticed no significant change as well to 5 days of the therapeutic formula minus the D isomer. It wasn't until the last 5 days in both groups that a significant response in drinking reduction in sobriety along with cravings and anxiety reduction occurring.

The D isomer of phenylalanine appears to be a crucial component in withdrawal and craving issues. Addition to alcohol and drugs is caused by an imbalance or defiency of neurotransmitter activity in a cascade mode. Per Dr Blum serotonin releases enkephalin in the hypothalamus and enkephalin inhibits the release of GABA in the substantia nigra. The inhibition of GABA permits the release of dopamine in both the nucleus accumbens and the hippocampus.

Apparently up regulation of serotonin by tryptofan is not enough to release sufficient enkephalins to have an impact on up regulating dopamine despite direct stimulation of L-phenylalanine and L-tyrosine on increased dopamine production. The D form of phenylalanine, which inhibits enkephalin, appears paramount in the cascade theory and therefore causing substantial anxiety and craving reduction. Enkephlins are nature's natural painkillers and a reduction in pain appears critical to suppressing withdrawal and craving symptoms as well as balancing neurotransmitters. This study supports the 86% recovery rate in retrospective review of the current intravenous amino acid (TGGRS solution) being conducted at Excel treatment and recovery program. However, future clinical trials with genetic testing and greater numbers coupled with a variety of addictions would better support statistical efficacy of intravenous amino acid supplementation. In addition, why 10 to 15 percent of the population fail this program possibly could be cause from a yet unknown genetic pathway of metabolism with nationality possibly playing a role in this failure rate.

Conclusion

The TGGRS intravenous amino acid program in its current formula had statistical efficacy in nine patient's ability to handle their craving and anxiety perception and their ability to withdraw from alcohol. The D-phenylalanine isomer appears to be an essential ingredient to this formula. Together with education and counselling and nutrition, intravenous amino acid supplementation will prove to be a powerful tool in initially combating the evil grasp of addiction in today's society.

Neurology - Disorders and Treatments

Neurology is the scientific study of the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of nerves and the nervous system. Our nervous system plays a vital role in controlling our actions and movements. The nervous system is a part of our body which co-ordinates the voluntary and involuntary actions and transmits signals to the various parts of our body. In most living orgasms, it consists of two main parts i.e. the Central nervous system (CNS) and Peripheral nervous system (PNS). The CNS consists of the brain and the spinal cord and the PNS mainly consists of nerves that connect the CNS (brain and spinal cord) to every part of the body.

Treating the disorders of the nervous system that includes the brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscles at the earliest is imperative. Some common neurological disorder treatments include Migraine Headache Treatments, Sleep disorders, Numbness and tingling, Epilepsy Treatment, Muscle diseases, Diseases of the spinal cord, Treatment for a Stroke and Alzheimer's etc. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia in senior citizens. Dementia is a disease that affects memory, thinking, reasoning, and behavior of a person. There is still no cure that can be used as Alzheimer's Treatment. For an independent life for a longer duration there are four medications available, which can help in slowing down the effects of the disease. If need arises there are medications available to help with behavioral symptoms. Staying physically active, light aerobic exercise is advised at least for 20 minutes a day, keeping the brain engaged mentally stimulating activities like crossword puzzles, memory games, etc. Staying in touch with friends, social interactions are also mentally stimulating and eating a healthy Mediterranean diet, rich in fruits, vegetables and seafood.

Treatment of these diseases on time by a Neurology Specialist should be done, for a better recovery procedure and independence in performing small daily activities. Well-qualified and experienced Neurosurgeons should be appointed for these surgeries. Neurologists can recommend surgical treatment, but do not perform surgery. When treatment includes surgery, they will monitor the patients treated with surgery and will supervise their treatment. Neurosurgeons are medical doctors who specialize in performing surgical treatments of the brain or nervous system and hence they are the experts in their profession.

Physical therapy treatments are also very necessary. In most cases, there is loss of functioning of the body parts. Generally, this is due to injuries to the brain or spinal cord that causes death of cells which mainly has control over certain movements and sensations. Without proper physical therapy, a person will not be able to perform certain day-to-day activities. This may lead to other health issues like heart and lung problems, diabetes, increase in dependence, which will gradually affect and cause a poor quality of life.

There is a certain time span when cells in the brain and spinal cord can re-learn the affected functions. They can take charge of some of the functions. With proper treatment and therapy by Neurology Specialists many of the patients can learn to live independently again, which will make their life much easier and happier.

Can Physical Therapy Help Heal?

Physical therapy, just on a very surface level could be considered an alternative type or natural treatment for certain conditions like back pain. Unlike aromatherapy, herbal remedies etc, physical therapy has been recognized as a legitimate treatment for many physical or bodily problems resulting from disease, accidents and other things that can affect our life.

It is different from Occupational therapy. Occupational therapists treat people who are considered to have much more permanent physical or developmental problems. The physical therapist however may be considered a shorter term solution for people in need of temporary assistance and treatments.

Much of the established medical community recognizes the benefits of physical therapy. Physical therapy is essentially the use of exercises and activities to help condition parts of the body. Through specialized activities, the part of the body being worked with gains, strength, coordination, conditioning, and movement.

Physical therapy is now considered an important part of most treatments for injuries or physical disorders. Exercises are designed to help patients gain the as much of the full range of motion as possible. This means that physical therapy is usually a lot of exhaustive work for the patients.

The appointments with the physical therapist is only part of the work that needs done however. The therapist will typically offer a daily exercise regimen and suggest other ways to help with your rehabilitation. They will often spend the time necessary through demonstration and teaching patients how to get the maximum benefit from those exercises. By following their direction, patients can expect over time to improve their health and gain additional functionality of the problem area.
Many doctors who treat pain will also actively use physical therapists to assist with relieving a painful condition depending on the reason for the problem. Therapists are not just physical education instructors but are skilled in helping patients recover the greatest amount of functionality possible.

Physical therapy plays a critical role in helping in the development of children with physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy and many other conditions. This work may include years of effort to gain just a few precious benefits for the child but it's one of the benefits of becoming a physical therapist.

Therapists work to help maintain or improve the use of bones, muscles and joints through their specialized treatments and efforts. They are licensed professional who have done wonders with children and adults of all ages. As our society ages, physical therapy as a career will become increasingly more important.

The Problem With Dual-Diagnosis in Addiction Treatment

Dual-diagnosis - diagnosing someone with both a substance abuse problem and a mental or emotional condition at the same time - is a growing trend in the field of addiction treatment. Alcoholics or drug addicts are treated for both their addiction and their other problems concurrently. However, many of those treated for dual-diagnosis may never get the help they need for either problem.

How can dual-diagnosis prevent successful treatment?

The major pitfall is the risk of labeling the person with a condition they don't have. Just about every substance abuser displays symptoms of some disorder or other simply as a side effect of the addiction. Until they're off the drugs and well on the road to recovery, it can be impossible to tell which symptoms are associated with the alcohol or drug addiction and which are not.

The effect is similar to that of any wrong diagnosis - when they're treated for the wrong thing, the real problem they have continues, and may actually get worse.

A good example of the danger of incorrect diagnosis is a recent story about a woman who, while her family doctor was out of town, went to emergency reeling with irrational confusion, difficulty breathing, and heart palpitations. The doctors did blood tests and an EKG, and, finding nothing wrong, concluded that the problem was anxiety and prescribed Prozac.

Fortunately, the woman did not take the Prozac and the next day was able to see her own doctor. The problem turned out to be potassium deficiency - a condition which could have been fatal. Thanks to her family doctor's correct diagnosis, the condition was easily resolved. Within a few hours of following his advice she was completely back to normal.

What would have happened had she accepted the 'anxiety' diagnosis and taken the Prozac?

- She would have had to cope with the possibly severe side effects of Prozac.

- She would be living with the stigma of being diagnosed as 'mentally ill.'

- Since the diagnosis was incorrect, she might be desperately trying to figure out why she suddenly developed this 'mental problem' and would be assigning cause to situations in life that, in fact, were not really problems. This in itself can be extremely disruptive to a person's life - she could suffer years of mental anguish trying to figure out what was wrong with her mind when, in fact, there was nothing wrong in the first place.

- She could have developed an addiction to or dependence on Prozac.

- Since her 'mental problem' did not resolve with the Prozac (how could it when it didn't exist in the first place?), she may have been prescribed additional harmful drugs and had to cope with the side effects of those.

- Because she was driving herself crazy trying to figure out what was really wrong with her mind and never really finding an answer, she could have developed other emotional symptoms and been incorrectly labeled with yet another disorder.

- Last, but not least, she could have died from the undiagnosed and untreated potassium deficiency.

If she lived, her life could well have been ruined.

Had his happened to a drug addict who was already coping with sometimes severe physical, mental and emotional side effects from the drugs alone, what would their chances be of recovery? Pretty slim. The combination of the effects of drug addiction and the consequences of the incorrect diagnosis could really drive them around the bend.

Also, whatever started them on the road to drug addiction in the first place may never be found or addressed - which is pivotal in addressing addiction successfully - and if the person did manage to quit drinking or taking drugs, chances are they would revert.

If you or someone you care about is having a problem with alcohol or drug addiction, make sure they're treated for that problem first. The treatment should be thorough - get them through withdrawal, put them on a nutrition and exercise program to get their body back in shape and enable them to get rid of more of the drugs in their system and, when they're in better shape, dig into what caused the addiction in the first place so those issues can be addressed, and then develop a program for them to follow when they leave rehab. This is the sequence followed in a good addiction treatment center.

Once they're well on their way, any other problems will surface independent of their addiction and can be addressed as needed.

Is HRT Hormone Replacement Therapy Suitable for Me?

Even though there are a number of alternative therapies available today many women still turn to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to help them to cope with their menopause symptoms. The majority of the common symptoms that are associated with the menopause are caused by falling levels of the hormone oestrogen and HRT acts to counteract this fall. Unfortunately, while there are obvious benefits to HRT there are also a number of risks and in some cases the risks outweigh the benefits. So who is at risk from HRT?

Women who have previously been diagnosed with breast cancer

HRT is now known to increase the risk of developing breast cancer and so any women who have previously been diagnosed and treated for the disease will more often than not be refused HRT. As yet there is no evidence to say that the risk of developing breast cancer for a second time is any higher than the risk of developing breast cancer for the first time however doctors generally assume there is and so rarely offer HRT to women who have previously beaten breast cancer.

Similarly, women who have a history of breast cancer in their immediate family i.e. in their mother or sisters may also have an increased risk of developing the disease should they be treated with HRT for their menopause symptoms. Breast cancer is thought to be related to a specific genetic mutation and so if the mutation is present in a family line then there is a much higher risk of developing the disease even without the added complication of HRT treatment.

Women who have circulatory problems

HRT can slightly increase the chances of a female developing either deep vein thrombosis or a pulmonary embolism, especially within the first 12 months of using the treatment. While this increase is very slight for most women, those who have previously been diagnosed with a deep vein thrombosis or who suffer with other circulatory disorders such as blood clotting conditions should consult a doctor regularly and especially if they experience any adverse symptoms regarding their circulation.

Many doctors today will discourage women with circulatory disorders from using HRT, especially long term and if they do go ahead then they will undoubtedly be monitored closely for the first few years.

Women who had uterine or ovarian problems before menopause

In addition to breast cancer, oestrogen-only HRT is known to increase the risk of both uterine and ovarian cancer. Oestrogen-only HRT causes the lining of the womb to thicken and this can lead to cancer development in a few cases. This risk can be reduced by prescribing progesterone as well because this causes the womb to shed any excess lining either monthly or at more irregular intervals.

Your doctor should be able to give you much more information regarding HRT and from there you can decide together if this form of treatment is right for you. There are a number of side effects to HRT which may or may not affect you and you should ask your doctor about these as well. It is worth remembering that there are alternatives to HRT and a growing number of women are turning to these more natural forms of treatment each year. If it works for them then it may very well work for you, and without the side effects.

The Advantages Of Cold Laser Therapy

Most people know what chiropractors do, but they don't always know the treatments they offer. Some chiropractors specialize in different treatments and it's important to know about each. Some treatments work better for each individual and offer something different that another treatment doesn't. Do your research, learn which chiropractic treatment will work best for your problem and find a chiropractor nearby who offers the treatment you want.

For the moment, let's consider cold laser therapy. The technology has been around for the last 30 years or so and is a noninvasive treatment that targets tissues in the body for stimulation and healing. The name describes exactly what the treatment is. With the use of lasers, a chiropractor can apply treatment to the source of the issue and stimulate cells within the tissues to begin the healing process.

The reason you are experiencing pain in certain area of your body is due to the cells in the specific region that are damaged. The good news is that they can be stimulated back to health with the use of lasers sending photonic energy to the cell directly.

Moving from the scientific terminology, the advantages of this treatment are numerous. Again, the treatment is noninvasive and does not require surgery. A surgery of any kind involves invasion that can cause complications and requires a time of recovery. Surgeries typically scare people and they have good reason to be scared. Not only are surgeries invasive, they are also expensive. Medical costs for surgeries are high because you pay for the treatment and the recovery, whether in the hospital or not.

Cold laser therapy doesn't require a recovery time or medication. Medication is another added cost that patients shouldn't pay. Also, you never know how certain medications will react within a patient's body and whether they are addictive or not.

Cold laser therapy targets areas of muscle pain, arthritis, tissue damage, ligament sprain and much more. You can see how this treatment is useful. It targets many areas of the body and stimulates these areas of injury to a better and healthier state. Sending photons of energy from lasers is easy and safe. After several cold laser treatments, patients begin to see a change and notice the healing process. Soon relief has returned and people can function normally on a day-to-day basis without chronic pain. Cold laser therapy may sound foreign to you, but it's a tested treatment and one that many patients use every year for recovery.

How to Help Someone Going Through Addiction Recovery

Helping someone through addiction recovery is a great way to help people through this rough period in their lives. There are many types of people who make a career out of this endeavor for a variety of different reasons. However, when helping a loved one through these times, there are a few tips that can facilitate their recovery process and make life easier on the person doing the helping as well.

The very first thing that someone should know when helping someone through their addiction is simply knowing the nature of addiction itself. Addiction takes over someone's mind to the point that they cannot imagine living without the substance. The substance fills a void in their lives that is ever expanding. Know what they are addicted to and the extent of their dependence.

One part of helping someone who is dependent upon substance abuse is that they will lie when confronted about their problems. This is because they are ashamed of themselves, don't think they have a problem, they don't want to stop, or they are in straight up denial. Don't believe anything they say and make sure that they know their situation needs to be corrected at all costs.

Remember that dealing with an addict is like dealing with a spoiled child. They will lie, steal, throw tantrums, and do other immature acts to enable them to get the drugs they want. By setting up solid guidelines of what is and is not acceptable, a person can start funneling a person's dependence upon narcotics, alcohol, or sex toward the help that they most assuredly need.

Another big step in this process is not enabling a person to be addicted by helping them in any way, shape, or form. Do not give them money, a place to sleep, food, rides, or any other help because it allows them to save money to be spent on addictive substances. This is the hardest thing to do, especially when it's a loved one who suffers from dependence, but it is necessary to getting them help.

Addiction recovery starts when the person who is dependent upon substances wants to quit themselves. Without this fundamental step, the healing process will not be able to stick and a person will most likely relapse. To help people get to this place, know the addiction, set up guidelines, stick to your guns, and do not enable anyone any longer. They will thank you after all is said and done.

Forms of Sciatica Treatment

A trip to the Doctor's Office

Doctors approach sciatica treatment by performing physical and neurological examinations in order to determine the cause of sciatica. If needed, they may request more involved tests such as a MRI scan to further investigate the cause. Once diagnosed, an effect sciatica treatment can be implemented. This will usually involve the use of different types of drugs such as NSAID's (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents), steroids and possibly opiate derived pain relievers. In rare cases, surgery may be suggested for sciatica treatment.

Chiropractic Sciatica Treatment

Chiropractors, through the use of manually induced spinal adjustments, can often help the symptoms of sciatica. The adjustments, usually quick and painless, can align the spine and reduce the pressure on the sciatic nerve. A sciatica treatment usually begins with some type of heat therapy to loosen up the muscles surrounding the affected area. The chiropractor then performs the adjustments and ice packs may then be used to reduce inflammation. One treatment, however, is usually not enough to permanently adjust the spine so multiple adjustments are often recommended.

Massage Therapy

When muscle spasms cause sciatica, massage therapy can relieve some of the discomfort and pain. As with all remedies for sciatica, treatment will vary by the individual. Some require deep kneading movements to relax stiff muscles while others see the most improvement from vibrating movements. Massage also releases endorphins which aid in pain relief. Clients also benefit from increased circulation and oxygenation, improving the health of the spine. Massage also can relieve the stress brought on by episodes of sciatica, making it an excellent sciatica treatment.

How Physical Therapy Works

Physical therapists employ many different tools for sciatica treatment. Heat compresses often are used at the beginning of a session to loosen tight muscles before further treatment. Depending on the severity of the pain, the therapist may use traction which decompresses the spine or apply gentle electrical currents via electrodes to help alleviate pain. Therapists often can show a patient how to sit properly, rise to a standing position with minimal discomfort and find comfortable positions for sleeping, making daily life much more manageable. A person in physical therapy will learn stretching and strengthening exercises they can perform at home to minimize and prevent sciatica episodes.

Home treatment

Home remedies for sciatica usually involve the use of heat and ice to bring about relief from sciatica pain. A heating pad, hot water bottle or warm baths can benefit the sufferer by loosening up tight muscles and easing pain. Applying heat before doing gentle stretches or exercises can allow more range of motion, making the movements more effective. Ice can be applied afterwards to decrease inflammation and to help numb pain created by increased circulation.

Holistic Remedies for Sciatica

Various herbal remedies have been used by different cultures to reduce inflammation. Ginger and turmeric, two common spices, have been studied for years for their anti-inflammatory properties and found to be effective. Acupuncture, a Chinese based sciatica treatment involving needles to stimulate healing, has been known to relieve many types of pain. Acupressure, a related therapy using pressure from the hands, palms and elbows along the same meridians or acupuncture points, can be just as effective. Diet is becoming more popular in sciatica treatment. Several well known nutrition experts have written about anti-inflammatory diets and how they can affect conditions such as arthritis, sciatica and other inflammation caused illnesses.

Alcohol Abuse Treatment

If you or someone you love is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, you understand all too well how difficult it is to deal with it on your own. In most cases, it's nearly impossible to get well without some kind of help. When you finally decide you want to live a clean and sober life, one of the best things you can do is check into a drug and alcohol abuse treatment center. Choosing the right facility is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. Contrary to popular belief, not all of these places are the same. Philosophies and treatment plans will vary from facility to facility. The key is to find the drug and alcohol abuse treatment center that you are most comfortable with and best addresses your specific needs.

Things To Consider

The increase in drug and Alcohol Addiction over the last several years has led to treatment facilities popping up everywhere. This being the case, you should have a few available options no matter where you live. One of the first things to consider when looking at a drug and alcohol abuse treatment center is their philosophy. As stated above, this will vary among different facilities. The reason this is so important is that their philosophy is the basis for everything that they do, from policies to treatment plans. You need to ask them how they view addiction and it's possible cure. A good facility will have a number of different treatment options available. These include inpatient, outpatient, and short stay options to aid Alcohol Rehab.

They also need to have highly trained and experienced doctors on staff that can help you determine which is the best option for you and your specific disease. They can identify the severity of your addiction and recommend the appropriate course of action. Another nice feature of many drug and alcohol abuse treatment centers is on site medical services and (alcohol rehab). This can give you the comfort of knowing that the staff can safely see you through the withdrawal period. This is especially important with alcohol withdrawals, because they are typically far more dangerous than drug withdrawals.

Often, a person's drug or alcohol addiction will affect their family members almost as much as themselves. You may want to choose a facility that can address the mental and emotional needs of them as well. Many drug and alcohol abuse treatment facilities offer counselling for the family members of the addict. Obviously, the cost of the Alcohol Treatment is another important factor to consider. Ask about the fees for the different types of services offered. If they do have on site medical services, find out what kinds of costs are associated with it.

Also, find out what kind of aftercare services are provided. Obviously, you can't expect to walk out of the facility after you've completed the program and be cured. Addiction recovery is a lengthy process and must be worked at every day. A good facility will provide adequate follow up care to assist you with adjusting to everyday life after your stay. With so much riding on this decision, take your time and choose the drug and alcohol abuse treatment center that you feel will give you the best chance at starting a clean and sober life.

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Chelation Therapy May Hold The Key To Treating Eye Disease: Is It A Cure For Blindness?

Although chelation therapy for prevention and treatment of degenerative circulatory diseases is practiced by hundreds of medical doctors in the USA and Europe, it remains controversial, inasmuch as it is misunderstood, its use being grossly under investigated by mainstream medicine except in treating a narrow range of conditions such as lead and other heavy metal toxicity or acute hypercalcaemia (increased calcium levels in the blood). Ironically, it was the medical use of chelation therapy in removing toxic metals which first led to the discovery of its hugely beneficial 'side-effects' of dramatically enhanced circulatory function. Those doctors who have examined chelation therapy in action and who have seen its outstanding results in preventing and reversing so many degenerative diseases, usually change rapidly from critics to supporters of this essentially safe system.

It is not uncommon for a course of chelation therapy to result in improved eyesight. Chelation therapy has been used successfully in the specific treatment of various eye conditions, including macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. Of these applications, the most frequent has been in relation to AMD. This may be, first, because AMD is quite common; and secondly, because in most cases of AMD there are few alternative medical treatments available. The literature on the use of chelation therapy is not extensive. However, a number of chelation therapy physicians have reported measurable improvements in AMD patient's eyesight following chelation therapy.

IV infusion of the chelating agent, EDTA, together with certain vitamins has two biochemical reactions. The first reaction is the elimination of excess oxidizing free radical activity, brought about by the removal of certain heavy metals in the body which are catalysts for free radicals. Free radicals are a major cause of arterial disease, leading to impaired blood circulation.

The second reaction is thought to be redistribution of calcium and calcium deposits and ectopic deposits. Both of these reactions improve cellular respiration. It is not surprising therefore, that chelation therapy can result in arresting or partially reversing AMD. It should be noted that the beneficial effects of chelation therapy in relation to AMD occur slowly and require 30 or more infusions over a period of months. While chelation therapy is proceeding, care must be taken to ensure that patients receive adequate mineral and vitamin supplementation. In addition, clinical examinations should be performed regularly to ensure that normal kidney function is maintained. Quantitative ophthalmic measurements should be taken prior to treatment and progress followed to record changes.

In summary, chelation therapy has been found to alleviate and in some cases even reverse the onset of macular degeneration. The consistency of case histories indicates that patients should be informed of chelation therapy as an option as soon as AMD is suspected or diagnosed. For more information on chelation therapy or for a referral to a physician who practices chelation therapy, contact the American College for Advancement in Medicine through their website at: http://www.acam.org

What Changes Take Place In A Mature Person When He Or She Get Stem Cell Therapy?

Medical researchers are always looking for new methodologies and techniques that can be used to treat people more efficiently. Their extra ordinary efforts that are most of the time voluntarily devoted to the research become a source of benefit for other people. During this research, these people also have diseases and illness but they make our lives safe from these diseases. Stem cell therapy is a result of this effort that has revolutionized the field of cellular medicine and has lightened up a source of hope for those patients who are suffering from deadly diseases.

Our maturity is directly related to the maturity of our body immune system. Any change in its activity is revealed immediately through some sign or symptoms of diseases. This immunity system is ground level force of our body system that fights against disease virus, replaces dead cells and generates new cells through the process of division. This is called a natural healing process because no external factors are involved in this process. In each fight, number of soldiers is really important. Before a disease overcomes this immunity system, white blood cells fight till the last moment. At this time, symptoms are not shown. When diseased cells become greater in number then symptoms are revealed through abnormalities in different sub systems of our body.

Our growth factors are helpful in the generation of new cells and replacement of the dead ones. This growth increases as we go towards certain maturity level and at the same time, causes many changes in our metabolic system. Stem cell therapy is a treatment method that can help the immunity system at a very basic level. Building blocks of our body system are the most strong forces and at the same most weak force once diseased. Their regeneration and division is helpful when they are healthy but generation of diseased cells is deadly. It increases risk.

When mature people go through the process of Stem cell therapy, there are rare cases that any side affects of this transplant effects them. Although this treatment is not very new, yet it is at experimental stage for many diseases. Through this process, mature people feel less pain. They can move their body parts like legs, arms and hands easily. Actually, when stem cells replace the old diseased cells with new healthy cells then tissues of our body grow smoothly and the immunity system also covers up the diseases effectively.

Death rate of people treated with this technique is much lower as compared to other methods. In fact many patients who were at the final stage of their disease and had left hope have regained hope through this technique because after treatment, improvement is extra ordinary. Some controversies are there about the stem cell transplant. Three different sources of stem cells are used in this technique these include bone marrow, cord blood and peripheral blood. Moreover, donor of blood should be sibling of that person. If he has no sibling, then any other person whose tissue type matches that of the patient can be used.

Did You Binge Drink Last Night? Why You May Need an Alcohol Treatment Program

Alcohol treatment programs across the country are getting calls today, from women who have relapsed or realized over the weekend that perhaps their alcohol problem has gotten out of hand.

Perhaps it used to be a lighthearted enough social event: drinking with your friends throughout an evening or while out for a day at the beach or the ballpark. However, somewhere a while back you realized that you crossed the line from social drinking to binge drinking, and you know that it has caused consequences in your life. You may even be feeling miserable when you drink, but you continue to drink because you just can't stop. You are beginning to wonder if you need an alcohol treatment program.

What Is Binge Drinking?

Binge drinking is the excessive consumption of alcohol over a short period of time. It is often a group event, especially if you have friends who also are problem drinkers. Binge drinking is most often characterized by multiple drinks resulting in heavy intoxication. It can take place only on weekends or days off, giving the impression that the person is in control of his or her drinking; however, once the person begins drinking, she often can't stop until heavy ingestion has occurred. Because of the heavy intake of alcohol over a relatively short period of time, blackouts and vomiting often occur and hangovers are the common morning-after greeting. While a blackout may signal the need for an alcohol treatment program, there are plenty of other signals that should trigger you to consider joining a program.

Signs that you need an alcohol treatment program

Here are some signs that your drinking has progressed to the point that you need professional help:

• craving alcohol or finding yourself wanting to drink
• drinking more than you told yourself you would
• needing more alcohol to achieve a desired level of intoxication
• engaging in risky behavior while under the influence of alcohol
• missing work or family commitments due to either drinking or hangovers
• blackouts or periods of time you cannot remember
• legal consequences such as citations for drinking in public or arrests for driving under the influence
• broken or strained family relationships due to your drinking
• arguing with those who confront you about your drinking

Alcohol treatment programs help women of all ages and with all types of alcohol abuse problems. Binge drinking is commonly brushed off as a weekend habit, but when this habit affects your daily life or causes you to engage in risky behavior or results in legal consequences it is time to recognize that you need help. Be assured that admitting the need for help is the first step to recovery and often the most difficult one. An alcohol treatment program for women might be the right place for you to receive the treatment and support you need to regain control in your life.

If you or a woman you love is having problems with alcohol abuse and recovery, an alcohol treatment program for women can help reduce the risk of relapse. Remember that recovery from addiction and alcohol abuse treatment means learning how to cope with intensely emotional situations, and identifying when you need help and support.