Archive for the ‘Health’ Category

Resources for Family Members of Addicts

Friday, June 25th, 2010

It’s important for family members who are dealing with loved ones who have serious drug and alcohol problems to get help as well. A list of important resources for family members of addicts is below.

Entering into an addiction treatment program can be a scary time for a person dealing with a serious drug or alcohol addiction. However, it can be just as hard on the family members they leave behind. Often times, the family members of addicts have to deal with the messes that their loved one has made in their life. They also frequently have to undertake the heartbreaking and frustrating task of staging an intervention to convince their family member that they need to get help for their problem.

While drug addicts get to have their emotional needs taken care of in drug addiction programs, many times the family members left behind feel like they are left alone. However, this doesn’t have to be the case. There are plenty of resources for family members of addicts to help them cope with the emotional pain they have felt due to the struggles of their loved one and to give them tools to help their loved one when they return from a rehab center.

If you are trying to convince a loved one to enter drug rehab, you might not know where to find a reputable treatment facility in your area. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has a Web site (www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov) that includes listings for licensed residential, outpatient, and hospital inpatient treatment programs throughout the United States.

Many people struggling with addiction problems also have severe mental health issues that need to be addressed. Along with finding the right addiction program, their families will also want to consider finding them psychological help that will be critical in their continuing care once they return from treatment. Physician locator tools can be found through both the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (www.aaap.org) and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (www.aaap.org).

While it’s important for families of addicts to find resources for getting their loved one into an addiction center, it’s also important for them to have an outlet to share their hopes, fears and frustrations with the situation. This is where group programs can be so important. Al-Anon (www.al-anon.alateen.org) offers weekly, anonymous support meetings across the country for family members dealing with an alcoholic parent, child or sibling. Families dealing with drug addiction can find similar meetings through Narcotics Anonymous (www.na.org).

Adderall Abuse Among College Students

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

Many people think of drug treatment as something needed by people who are abusing substances, legal or illegal, in an effort to get high. The fact is that there are a wide range of reasons why people end up dependant on drugs. It’s possible that the perception of drug abuse as a problem that only affects certain types of people is what keeps some from seeking out prescription drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Many people simply don’t believe that they have a problem.

One substance that is seeing a lot of abuse these days, particularly among college students, is the prescription medication Adderall. Adderall is a psychostimulant that is intended to be used to alleviate the symptoms of ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). Why do people end up needing the assistance of a rehab program for a medication that treats a disorder that they don’t even have?

Students are actually taking this medication to help improve their performance in school. Plenty of kids have known someone who had a prescription for Adderall at some point in their lives, which leads them to underestimate how dangerous the substance is. Addiction and drug rehab centers are the furthest thing from their minds.

Students from previous generations might recall taking a NoDoz or two in order to stay awake for a grueling all-nighter. The caffeine pills were a must-have for many students facing a term paper or final exam. Adderall, designed to help ADHD patients focus for longer periods of time by stimulating dopamine production, might seem like today’s version of NoDoz. However, abusing the substance can lead to a stint in an addiction program, as well as very harmful side effects such as psychosis. Like all prescription drugs, it needs to be taken with a doctor’s supervision.

It can be hard watching your children head off to college, particularly when so many of their peers’ experimentation ends with drug and alcohol treatment. It’s important to make sure that your son or daughter understands the risk that they face by taking these substances — a risk that isn’t worth it in the end.

Joining an Alcohol Rehab program

Sunday, May 16th, 2010

The first step in kicking an alcohol addiction is the admission “I have a drinking problem”. For many, getting to this step is a very difficult thing. From there on to go to an Alcohol Rehab is even more difficult. This is why it is not something that they can do by themselves. Addicts need help and if you know someone who does need it, you should do all you can to help them kick the habit.

However, most of us do not know the nuances and the techniques that will help a person quit without harming themselves. This is why it is essential to find a good and proven institution that will facilitate this process, like Cirque Lodge for instance. Places that specialize in Addiction Treatment have proven techniques in place to help patients get out of their addictions as painlessly as possible. Although that does not mean in that the whole process is painless. An addiction is a hard dependency to get out of. Therefore all an institution can do is help to get rid of it safely and as far as possible, permanently.

Joining an Addiction Treatment Program has many benefits. There are experts who will help the patient deal with the entire process of quitting, doctors who will prescribe medication if necessary, therapists who will deal with healing the mind and others who are involved in every other aspect that helps the process. If you know someone who is in denial about their addiction, speak to an institution first and get their advice on how to proceed. Then do whatever you can to help them, because you will be saving a life.

The Dangerous Toll of Diet Pills

Thursday, April 29th, 2010

Recent research suggests that even diet pills sold over the counter can be addictive and have serious long-term health effects.

As prescription drug abuse continues to rise in the United States, health experts are trying to raise awareness of the dangers of substances like pain medicine. Much has been said in the media about the potential issues with addiction to prescription drugs like OxyContin or Adderal. But Healthday.com reports that there is a new type of medicine that could potentially have addictive properties: over the counter diet pills.

Popular weight loss supplements known as Brazilian diet pills have been marketed on the Internet as being a “natural” way to lose weight. However, experts warn that these pills contain pharmaceutical agents which can be very addictive and lead to treatment in an addiction center. U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials warned consumers as far back as 2006 about the potential dangers of these pills.

However, despite the warnings, Brazilian diet pills are still readily available. The ease of use of ordering them online makes it difficult for the United States government to regulate this class of pills. This means that consumers can easily get access to diet pills which have dubious weight loss value but could lead to a serious drug addiction.

An article in a recent edition of the online journal American Journal on Addictions told the tale of one woman who eventually needed psychiatric treatment in a drug rehab program in order to beat her addiction to Brazilian diet pills. The woman eventually increased her dosage to four times per day, spending $160 daily on pills despite sometimes being unemployed and homeless.

Researchers note that the “herbal” elements of most diet pills are essentially placebos. Any actual weight loss is likely to come from amphetamines, tranquilizers and antidepressants which are also in the pills — a potentially potent mixture of drugs that could easily land a person in drug or alcohol rehab. A person trying to quit using many diet pills can experience symptoms such as tremors, headaches, cravings and anxiety. In many cases, a person might need to go through a medical detox at a rehab center in order to get through the withdrawal symptoms safely.

Addiction Recovery and Exercise

Friday, April 16th, 2010

There are many elements involved in the addiction recovery process and exercise is one of them. Before you select an alcohol and drug rehabilitation center for you or a loved one, make sure that it offers exercise as part of its overall recovery program.

Years of alcohol and/or drug abuse can take a heavy toll on the body. Both alcohol and drug addiction can lead to a wide range of short- and long-term physical health issues. However, exercise can improve physical health and help replace the need for the addition. 

Often referred to as the “runner’s high,” the body produces a natural euphoria during exercise caused by the release of endorphins — a natural pain killer — and other mood enhancing chemicals including serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. This natural high can replace the addict’s desire for drugs or alcohol.  

A drug rehab program that includes exercise can also help with deeper issues.  Studies have shown that even 30 minutes of exercise can reduce distress, depression, anxiety and anger.

Cirque Lodge offers many exercise options to boost physical recovery during addiction treatment programs. Contact Cirque Lodge drug and alcohol rehab center for more information.

Drug Addiction recovery is possible

Friday, April 16th, 2010

So how does one spot an alcohol or drug addict?

Actually, it’s rather easy if one looks at the person’s normal habits such as social interaction, cleanliness, eating and so on and so forth. Although, these are just tiny indicators to unearthing the problem that addiction to drugs or alcohol can cause, it is twice as hard sometimes to convince an addict that they do have a problem with alcohol or drug addiction.

Since the next step is to pick an appropriate addiction program that will ensure a complete recovery while also obtaining value for money which in this case can be gained by personalized treatment for the individual.

One can also tell that drug rehabilitation from alcohol or drugs works best by catering to an individual’s requirements by using individual or group therapy, exercise, adequate nutrition and so on and so forth apart from other methods of treatment used depending on the severity of the case.

In taking this step to help your loved one in getting his life back together, you can feel reassured that the level of care and support that is provided with the professional staff that have experience in dealing with drug and alcohol addiction. Just remember that when it comes to drug and alcohol addiction, it is never too late to let go.

Study: Dental Implants Could Lead to Bone Loss

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

Dental implants are a form of cosmetic dentistry frequently used to help people who are missing teeth or have damage to their roots or gum line. But a recent study from Sweden suggests that there may be more potential complications from dental implants than were previously suspected.

UPI reports that cosmetic dentist Christer Fransson of the Sahlgrenska Academy reviewed X-rays from 600 patients who received dental implants and found that 28 percent had some form of bone loss in the areas around where the dental implant attached to the jaw bone.

“Contrary to what we had previously assumed, the bone loss in these patients was not linear, but instead accelerated with time,” said Fransson. “This is a new discovery that shows just how important it is to detect and treat bone loss around implants at an early stage.”

Cosmetic dentists frequently turn to dental implants to help patients who have tooth or gum damage. They are artificial tooth roots made from titanium or other strong metal materials.

The Cosmetic Advantages of Porcelain Veneers

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

Cosmetic dentists have a variety of choices when it comes to fixing the smiles of their patients. Often times, using a veneer is the best way to ensure that a person’s smile is bright and white along with looking straight and free of cracks and chips. A dental veneer can come in many different types, including ones made from composite resin.

However, many top doctors turn to porcelain when creating veneers for their patients. Why is porcelain so popular? One big reason is because of their durability. Another is that unlike many common dental bonding products that can easily become discolored in a short period of time, porcelain veneers are extremely stain-resistant. Much like how a dirty piece of porcelain dinnerware can be washed, porcelain on teeth is easily cleaned with a basic brushing.

This makes a porcelain veneer a great option for anyone looking to maintain their great smile, but especially useful for people with daily habits that can cause teeth staining such as smokers or people who drink coffee or tea.

Tooth Stains

Monday, September 28th, 2009

One of the main reasons that people turn to cosmetic dentistry is that they’re unhappy with the color of their teeth. Over time, our teeth lose their whiteness and their brilliance due to daily wear and tear. Depending on your lifestyle, tooth staining might also be an issue, which could lead you to consider bleaching or laser teeth whitening in order to improve your smile so you can show it off. But what kinds of stains do we find on our teeth?

The most common stains are extrinsic, meaning they form on the surface of the tooth. These are often caused by substances such as tobacco, coffee or other dark beverages, and certain foods. Some can be removed with simple cleaning, while others require bleaching.

Stains that form on a tooth’s interior are called intrinsic and are more difficult for cosmetic dentists to remove. Aging and trauma can cause these.

Preparing for Dental Implants

Wednesday, May 27th, 2009

Dental implants provide ideal end results—tooth replacement that is permanent and that looks and feels natural. The reason implants feel like natural teeth is because they bond with the bone into which they are placed—so they are held securely, allowing patients to eat and clean teeth just as they did prior to tooth loss. Implants are done by prosthetic and cosmetic dentists and are usually placed during one visit, but patients undergo preparation before the visit. Preparation mainly involves getting the implant root secured so that once the implant is placed, it remains firmly intact.

Preparing the Jaw

Dentists prepare the patient’s jaw for the implant by placing a small screw into the bone of the jaw at the site of the missing tooth. A tiny hole is drilled, into which a titanium screw will be placed. It is this screw that will hold the dental implant in place. Before placing the screw, the tiny hole is slowly widened. Then the screw is placed and covered as the site heals.

Temporary Crown to Permanent Implant

After several months, the cover is removed, and a temporary crown is placed on top of the implant. (The crown is the large portion of the tooth that shows above the gumline.) The gum grows and shapes naturally around this substitute crown, which is eventually replaced by the permanent crown.

On a regular basis, dentists in Toronto and many other North American cities provide implants to thousands of patients. The process from consultation to permanent implant takes several months—but implants last a lifetime! The success rates of implants vary depending where they are located within the mouth, generally cited at success rates of about 90% to 98%. Candidates who are interested in receiving an implant may contact a local dentist to learn whether they qualify for the procedure. Dentists Dr. Andrew Charkiw and Dr. Armaghan Afsar provide implants and numerous other procedures for patients who need to resolve a single issue to those who are ready for a complete Toronto smile makeover.