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Clearing the Air: Can Carrots Really Cause Lung Cancer?

Jul 29, 2015

4209

If you were to randomly ask people on the street if carrots are good for you, you will most likely get a resounding yes. The general public today may not have heard about the beta-carotene and lung cancer controversy that shocked nutritional experts back in 1994.

The Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta Carotene Cancer Prevention (ATBC) Study

More than two decades ago, the U.S. National Cancer Institute decided to work with the Finnish National Public Institute in figuring out if beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol (Vitamin E)� supplementation will help reduce lung cancer risk among 29,133 male smokers — 50 to 69 years of age, most of whom are from southwestern Finland. With antioxidants becoming a buzzword in the 90s, the researchers presumed that a supplementation of Vitamin E, beta-carotene, or both will significantly reduce incidence of lung cancer amongst the subjects.� It turned out that the researchers' initial presumption was wrong!

The result of the ATCC research was published in the highly regarded New England Journal of Medicine on April 14, 1994. Methodically, the subjects were divided into four groups — one group received 20 mg of synthetic beta carotene daily; the second group received 50 mg of synthetic vitamin E daily; the third group received both of these supplements. The fourth group was the placebo folks and didn't receive any supplementation. After following the subjects for a period of 5 to 8 years, the beta-carotene group unexpectedly increased their risk of lung cancer by 18 percent. The study's abstract concluded:

We found no reduction in the incidence of lung cancer among male smokers after five to eight years of dietary supplementation with alpha-tocopherol or beta carotene. In fact, this trial raises the possibility that these supplements may actually have harmful as well as beneficial effects.�

The disquieting results of the ATBC trial led to another research two years later – the CARET study.

The Beta-Carotene and Retinol Efficacy Trial (CARET)
In 1996, a team of researchers in the United States, headed by Dr. Gilbert S. Omenn of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center sought out to test if a combination of 30 mg of beta-carotene and 25 000 IU of Vitamin A taken daily against placebo will help reduce risk of lung cancer among 18,314 men and women who were smokers, former smokers, or workers exposed to asbestos.

The findings, published in the New England Journal of Medicine and the Journal of National Cancer Institute, was equally stunning as the ATBC study. The researchers had to halt the supplementation 21 months earlier of its expected completion date because they discovered 28% more incidence of lung cancer and 17% more deaths in the active intervention group, or from those that took carotene and vitamin A supplements daily. The conclusion in the Journal of National Cancer Institute's abstract stated:

The results are highly consistent with those found for ?-carotene in the Alpha-Tocopherol Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention Study in 29,133 male smokers in Finland. Individuals at high risk of developing lung cancer, i.e., current smokers and asbestos-exposed workers, should be discouraged from taking supplemental ?-carotene (and the combination of ?-carotene with vitamin A). Safety and efficacy should be demonstrated before recommending use of vitamin supplements in any population.

Can Beta Carotene in Carrots Really Cause Lung Cancer?
The beta carotene content of carrots is consistently touted for its powerful antioxidant properties. Generally, the body converts beta carotene into Vitamin A which in turn is essential for optimum skin health as well as boosting immunity. So what went wrong?

First, it is interesting to note that the beta-carotene component used in the aforementioned well-constructed studies were supplements and synthetically-derived. The beta-carotene and other carotenoid components in carrots and other whole food sources work differently than its synthetic counterparts. Furthermore, the experiments conveyed that isolating a certain vitamin or nutrient does not have the same beneficial effect when a nutrient is derived from whole foods and is allowed to work synergically with other nutrients.

Second, both studies were done in subjects that already had lung cancer, heavy smokers, former heavy smokers, or workers who were exposed to asbestos.

Smoking and Asbestos Exposure
Overall, the occurrence of lung cancer has nothing to do with eating too many carrots. Chronic cigarette smoking and asbestos exposure are far more influential in causing lung cancer. Avoiding asbestos exposure is not as easy as quitting smoking or avoiding secondhand smoke exposure though. Therefore, workers exposed to asbestos should be knowledgeable enough in handling potentially hazardous and toxic substances. The HAZWOPER (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response) training is one method of helping workers exposed to asbestos reduced their risk. After a 40-hour HAZWOPER certification by OSHA-authorized trainers, employees will be able to take preventative measures of exposure and be more familiar in dealing with co-workers who may be exposed to asbestos in large amounts.

If you're a heavy smoker or have been exposed to asbestos for long periods at work, it is best to avoid taking beta carotene supplements. Yet no one's stopping you from feasting on carrots, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes!

6 tips to avoid insomnia

Life Style

Jul 27, 2015

2345

Avoid caffeine, alcohol, nicotine and items

Avoid caffeine, alcohol, nicotine and items that may interfere with your sleep. Caffeine is a stimulant that helps in avoiding sleep and is found in tea, coffee, cola, chocolate and some pain relievers. Do not intake caffeine 4 hours before bedtime. Also avoid smoking and drinking because they also act as a�stimulant and may give away sleep for a long period. Alcohol also decreases the sleep quality and so it should be strictly avoided within three hours before bedtime.

Change your bedroom environment

You can change your bedroom environment and create a sleep inducing environment to that you get rid of insomnia. Your bedroom should be dark, quiet and cool. You need to avoid lots of light and sound in your environment. Avoid outside noise and if necessary, use an earplug. Heavy curtains and shades will block the light from your bedroom. If necessary, you can also use an eye mask to prevent light from disturbing you. Also keep the temperature in between 60 and 75� F, which is a good temperature and will help you to sleep better. You need a comfortable mattress along with matching pillows for a better sleep and avoid insomnia.

Limit the activities in the bedroom to sleep and sex. Avoid TVs, computers and other equipment that may interfere with your sleep.

Sleep only when you are tired

You can avoid insomnia by going to bed only when you are truly tired. It will help you to avoid insomnia effectively. If you're not able to sleep even after 20 minutes of going to bed, get up and do something that will relax your body and mind. You can read something all listen to soothing music until you are ready to go back to your bed.

Create a pre-sleep routine that is soothing

To avoid insomnia and get rid of it, you need to create your own pre-sleep soothing routine. This routine should include a period of relaxing activities. In the routine, you need to make the transition from your wake time to sleep time by adding some relaxing activities an hour or before you go to bed. Such activities may include a bath, practising relaxation exercises, reading a book and anything else that helps you to relax. Do not involve in any psychologically or physically stressful activities as they help in release of cortisol hormone which increases alertness. If you have some problems, you can write them down so as to avoid them taking to your bed.

Exercise

Exercising regularly can result in a remarkable improvement in the patients suffering from insomnia. It also helps you to avoid the possibility of insomnia. Regular exercise will help you to sleep soundly. It will also help you to fall asleep faster. Exercise will help your body to work the way it should and avoid any stress and other issues that may interfere with your daily living. However, complete your exercise three hours before you go to bed because exercise stimulates your body and helps in releasing cortisol hormone that increases alertness. You can exercise early in the morning or day to avoid any negative issue related to sleep.

Keep a consistent sleep schedule

You need a sleep schedule that is consistent. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. It will set up your body's internal clock and will help you to sleep at the right time every night. It is important that you stick to your sleep schedule, so that you do not face any possibility of insomnia. The consistent sleep schedule will help you to fall asleep every day at the time decided by you.

To End Insomnia and Sleep Well Tonight just Click Here !��

Learn Why Dental Disorder Is Deadly!

Jul 20, 2015

3817

Introduction

Nowadays, it is very difficult to live without dental coverage, however, paying the high cost of dental insurance can be every bit as difficult. Everybody has the need for dental coverage, but not everybody can afford the incredibly high cost of insurance. In fact, dental care is proven to be the largest out-of-pocket medical related expense in this country for retirees. In light of this ongoing dilemma, today you have the option of selecting and purchasing Dental Savings Plans, and what an ideal option it is. These Plans are mirrored after the concept of typical club memberships, in that you pay an annual fee and receive noticeably reduced costs on all your dental needs. With many attractive features, such as no annual limits and no required paperwork, these Plans are rapidly becoming favored in the industry today.

Learn Why Dental Disorder Is Deadly!

Benefits of Dental Savings Plans

The benefits of Dental Savings Plans are many:

With very affordable prices to fit any budget, you are sure to find the Plan that satisfies your individual or family needs.
Depending upon the Savings Plan you choose, your every visit to the dentist can produce savings anywhere between 10% and 60%.
Dental Savings Plans typically give you access to a network of over 130,000 dentists nationwide who have agreed to work and provide services at reduced fees. That is thousands of licensed dental professionals offering a full range of specialties. This allows customers to receive the same quality care,without compromise, but at prices that are far more attractive and indeed more reasonable.
Since these quality Plans are not insurance plans, participants don’t have to worry about copays or premiums.
Participants can select any dentist of personal choice without having to select or name a primary dentist at any time.
With no waiting period, participants are able to being enjoying their savings right away.

Where to Find Your Dental Savings Plan

You can choose your Dental Savings Plan from many of the healthcare brands that you are already familiar with and those you trust. Cigna, Aetna, United Healthcare, AARPand Humana are just a few of the recognized names in the industry that offer highly discounted services through their affordable Dental Savings Plans. Taking the time to do a simple online search will acquaint you with the providers in your area that offer substantial savings through these Plans, and will familiarize you with their Plan costs, the benefits offered by their specific Dental Savings Plans, as well as an explanation of dental services provided along with the estimated reduced costs of these services.

Conclusion

Going to the dentist can most assuredly be expensive, and the costs of dental procedures are constantly rising. Purchasing a Dental Savings Plan is not only fast and easy, but alleviates the task of paperwork and having to compare insurance plans and benefits, get suggestions from Reassurance Dental for more info. If you have been looking to reduce your high dental bills, then don’t waste a moment longer. Dental Savings Plans are indeed an excellent alternative to dental insurance affording its members savings on routine cleanings, checkups, fillings, and even crowns, root canals and dentures. Let’s face it. Most people are not prepared financially for unexpected dental problems. Therefore, the purchase of a Dental Savings Plan that truly lives up to industry high standards and earns the trust of its members is just what the doctor ordered.

Outstanding metrics achieved for a Phase III diabetes study in China

Life Style

Jul 15, 2015

1965

Diabetes is a non-communicable disease (NCD). The World Health Organization estimates that 347 million people worldwide have diabetes, and that number is expected to continue increasing as more people move to urban cities and the population ages. Low and middle-income countries, like China and India, have been hit hardest with this disease and other NCDs. In 2010, the total number of people with type 2 diabetes was over 90 million in China, the country with the most diabetics worldwide.

George Clinical (GC) recently collaborated with a global pharmaceutical in the development of a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor that has been developed as an oral antihyperglycemic agent (AHA) for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

In China, the GC team made outstanding achievements to project timelines. As regulatory approval in China are typically lengthy, the GC China team made extensive preparations for study start up whilst waiting for regulatory approval. To this end, the China team was able to make the first Ethics Committee (EC) submission on the same day that CFDA approval was obtained. Furthermore, the first EC approval was obtained within 11 days, as opposed to the typical timeline of two months. In total, 26 EC submissions were performed in less than 2 months.

In order to reduce site start up time, George Clinical also negotiated with sites to commence contract negotiation before EC approval was obtained. Eight of 26 sites identified were willing to do this, which greatly reduce the overall site start up timelines. As a result, the first contract was signed 2 weeks after the contract template was made available by the sponsor. In the end, 7 sites were contracted as the global recruitment had exceeded expectations due to a lower screen failure rate. The last contract was signed 5 weeks after the contract template was made available.

As soon as the contract template was made available, the GC team worked with sites to pre-screen patients so that recruitment can begin as soon as sites were initiated. Within five days of the first contract signed, GC China conducted the first site initiation visit and a day later, screened the first patient in China. In one month from the first patient in date, the China team enrolled 118 subjects and randomized 92 subjects over 7 sites. This translates to an average randomization rate of over 13 subjects per site per month.

The GC China team were able to deliver these metrics through excellent preparation that was performed whilst waiting for CFDA approval in order to reduce study start up timelines. Through GC’s extensive diabetes network in China, we were also able to identify the best sites with outstanding performance metrics. Site readiness was also increased by setting up the patient pool and pre-screening process early. Communication was of course key, with good communication pathways established early on between the sponsor, GC’s project manager, GC’s CRAs and the sites.

The high level of site interaction and cooperation experienced in this study was made possible through the leadership of the Principal Investigator, Professor Bruce Neal. Bruce’s leadership extended from study design to study delivery where GC’s scientific leaders chaired the Investigator Meeting and held important ‘physician�to-physician’ forums to actively engage Investigators during the critical early stages of the study. Engagement with Investigators and their site staff is also facilitated through the appointment and engagement of a National Leaders who perform individual site calls and review performance metrics with sites, and chair meetings to share discussions on scientific data.

About George Clinical China

George Clinical has been conducting trials in China for over seven years and has a major offices in Beijing and Shanghai, along with home based personnel in other provinces. George Clinical China is provides full, in-country, clinical trial management services. We pride ourselves in cost effective and flexible service offerings that suit both domestic and global pharmaceutical companies. Our extensive network consists of over 260 trial centers in 50 cities for Phase II-IV trials, and a wider network that includes community health centers in semi-urban and rural areas for Phase IV trials.

Do You Suffer From Psoriasis ?

Jul 10, 2015

3552

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic skin problem that commonly appears as a white, red or silvery patch of skin. The skin normally flakes off every four weeks to be replaced by new skin cells as they grow on the outer layer of the skin. In psoriasis, however, the process of skin cell growth is more rapid and the outer layer of the skin sheds off more frequently resulting in the appearance of thick patches of skin called plaques. The plaques are greater in number along the elbows, hands, feet, lower back and the scalp. For most people suffering from psoriasis, the appearance is embarrassing. If you are suffering from psoriasis, finding the right management of your condition is essential and knowledge about the course of the disease will help you understand your condition better.

Psoriasis and its causes

Psoriasis affects both adults and children, but the condition commonly appears usually at the age of 35 with both men and women equally affected by it. It can appear in most parts of the body and small patches are more common than the bigger ones. In certain cases, these patches can produce discomforts by causing soreness and itchiness on the affected areas. The symptoms of every person afflicted with psoriasis usually vary. Some manifest mild symptoms while others can be severe. If your condition is causing significant difference on the quality of life you live, it is best to see your doctor.

Contrary to what people commonly believe, psoriasis is not a contagious disease. It is caused by an autoimmune deficiency where the body's immune system overreacts resulting in the production of the flaky patches and inflammation on the skin. The immune cells attack the healthy skin cells which alter its normal physiologic function of replacing the skin cells every three to seven days instead of the normal rate of three to four months. Climate change, the presence of infection, medications, dry skin conditions and stress are contributory factor to psoriasis. A physical assessment will help your dermatologist diagnose psoriasis, but it is often confirmed by medical tests. Genetics is another potential cause for psoriasis, but its role remains unclear, however.

The symptoms of psoriasis

The appearance of the skin patches and plaques can lower the self esteem of a person having them. Children, especially teenagers tend to avoid swimming in public and tend to socialize less. The symptoms usually appear differently in each person depending on the severity of the disease. Mild symptoms produce rashes while moderate to severe conditions manifest inflame, red areas and raised skin with a scaling appearance. It is often accompanied by itchiness and tenderness.

Others usually suffer tenderness of the joints when the symptoms appear on the elbows. In some cases it may appear throughout the back. Psoriatic arthritis tends to develop as well, which targets the joints in the body. In certain cases, it may also cause the toenails and fingernails separate from the nail bed and cause death of the tissues under the nails. Mild psoriasis may go away on its own without treatment with the risk of remission with chances of flare ups and recurrence later on.

How to manage psoriasis

Psoriasis management usually begins with self care which is effective in mild symptoms of psoriasis. There are various forms of treatments available for psoriasis, but a combination of treatment is often required in treating severe symptoms.

Proper skin care regimen

Topical creams, lotions and baths can help keep the skin moist. Avoiding the exposure to the UV rays will also reduce the outbreaks of the skin plaques. When using skin products, it is essential to follow its application as directed. Look for ingredients or chemicals that may be contraindicated by your condition. Aloe vera can provide soothing comfort from your skin condition.

Topical corticosteroids

Topical treatments are good options for relieving the discomforts caused by psoriasis. Topical corticosteroids in the form of creams and ointments can help soothe the itchy and inflamed skin patches. Alternatively, vitamin D treatment is also effective.

Phototherapy

This is a form of treatment that uses ultraviolet light. The skin is exposed to the UV light in order to help facilitate the healing process of the skin patches and lessen the discomforts it brings.

Systemic treatment

Systemic treatment includes the administration of injected medicine and oral medications in preventing the spread of the symptoms throughout the body.

Things to avoid

There are certain conditions that can aggravate the symptoms of psoriasis. It is important to avoid them in order to not to make treatment difficult for your condition.

1.�� Avoid stress and anxiety. They increase the flares of the symptoms, making the symptoms difficult to treat.

2.�� Avoid injuries to the skin such as wounding while trimming the nails. The plaques may spread to the wound area causing infection and difficult treatment process.

3.�� Make sure to avoid contracting a strep throat as they can trigger the symptoms of psoriasis to occur.

4.�� Avoid medications like NSAIDS and beta blockers as they can make the psoriasis symptoms worse.

5.�� Short periods of sun exposure may burn the affected skin and it can also cause the symptoms of psoriasis appear.

6.�� Avoid smoking and alcohol intake as they increases the risks of symptoms flare ups.

Must-have medical screenings for psoriasis

Psoriasis is a known risk factor for the development of other medical conditions like stroke, diabetes and heart disease. Getting medical screenings and check-up will give you the opportunity to prevent these conditions from occurring. Psoriatic arthritis screening, blood pressure monitoring, cholesterol test, and body mass index are important tests �that you should take to keep a good watch on your health.

Learn how to manage your psoriasis. Click Here!

Sources

1.�https://www.PsoriasisReliefForLife.com

2.�https://www.psoriasis.org/

3.�www.dermnetnz.org/scaly/psoriasis.html

10 Proven Methods For Lowering Your Blood Pressure In A Natural Way

Jul 10, 2015

7067

high blood pressure complications

A high blood pressure can cause a lot of serious health conditions like a heart attack and stroke but it is preventable. One does not need to pay expensively for medications in order to have a healthy blood pressure level. There are natural ways that can help you control and lower your blood pressure in order to avoid common serious health risks such as aneurysms, heart attack, high cholesterol level, kidney failure and cognitive decline as among others. There are medications that can provide relief in helping one to lower the blood pressure, but they may come with the common side effects like dizziness, insomnia and muscle cramps. Here are the 10 proven methods of lowering your blood pressure naturally to help you stay fit and healthy.

1.�� Get yourself physically fit

Nothing can replace a good exercise in being effective in keeping the body physically fit and healthy. A 30 minutes of exercise a day is good enough in keeping the blood pressure low significantly. Cardiologists encourage patients at risk for high cholesterol, high blood pressure and heart disease to take power walks at least half an hour daily. This helps the heart to efficiently use oxygen, which helps unburdening the heart to work harder in pumping blood. Individuals who are sedentary should take an aerobic exercise to tone down their systolic blood pressure. A daily exercise has helped patients on medications to gradually reduce the drugs they take for controlling their blood pressure level. You can choose from walking, cycling, running or swimming as a form of exercise, whatever you feel is most suited for you.

2.�� Meditation

Meditation activities like yoga, qigong and tai chi can help de-stress the body that helps calm the senses. When the body is relaxed, the stress hormone is less active. Stress can cause an increase in the amount of the kidney enzyme called renin in the body which is responsible for elevating the body's blood pressure. Relaxation exercises for 5 minutes in the morning and at night will tone down the release of the stress hormones that activate renin production in the kidney. Breathing exercise is an effective way of releasing stress and tension out of the body.

3.�� Eat a balanced diet

Your diet can significantly affect the blood pressure in the body. What you eat can either prevent you from getting a high blood pressure or it may increase the risk of getting one. Fatty foods are high in cholesterol, which can contribute to the risk of getting a high blood pressure in the body. In order to naturally lower your blood pressure, it is essential to include in your diet fresh vegetables. Instead of canned or processed foods, buy fresh poultry, lean meat and fish. You can also include herbs and spices as seasoning instead of using salt. You should also cut down your intake of instant pasta and cereal mixes that are prepared with salt. People with hypertension should limit their salt intake to less than 600 milligrams a day. Processed foods have a high sodium content. As an alternative, choose whole foods instead. Get into the habit of reading the nutrition labels to keep tabs on your sodium intake.

4.�� Load the body with calcium

Health experts suggest to consume at least 3,500 mg of potassium a day in order to keep the blood pressure at a healthy level. Potassium counteracts the ill effects of sodium in the body. Foods that are good sources of potassium are banana, potato, cantaloupe, yogurt, kidney beans, spinach, peas, honeydew melon, orange, prunes and raisins.

5.�� Avoid nicotine

People who smoke are at risk for high blood pressure. Cigarettes and tobacco have nicotine, which are responsible for causing the hardening of the walls of the arteries. Consequently, the heart needs to exert more effort to pump blood as the arterial walls become inflexible. If the heart needs to work double the normal effort it does for pumping the blood into the circulation, it can cause a spike in the blood pressure. Quitting smoking is a natural way of reducing your risk to a high blood pressure and other serious diseases resulting from smoking.

6.�� Minimal alcohol intake

Contrary to the belief of many that drinking alcohol is bad for the health, a research study at the Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital revealed that drinking a little of alcohol can keep the blood pressure healthy. Drinking about one quarter to one half of alcohol a day helps to reduce the blood pressure level as compared to not drinking at all. Beer, wine and spirits are known to be helpful in reducing the blood pressure in women and reduces the risk for heart disease. Moderate alcohol intake is thus not prohibited by most doctors considering the health benefits that can be derived from minimal to moderate alcoholic drinking.

7.�� Take antioxidant

Antioxidants are known to fight off free radicals that are harmful to the body. It is also good in helping to dilate the blood vessels to facilitate an efficient blood flow and circulation. Taking coenzyme Q10 as a supplement about 17 mmhg over 10mmhg can help achieve this effect. Make sure to ask your doctor for a supplement that will give you an ideal dose of antioxidant to help lower your blood pressure. Alternatively, you can get a good source of antioxidant from foods like small red bean, blueberry, cranberry, red apples, pinto beans, artichoke, sweet cherry, black plum, Russet potato, pecan, prune, strawberry and sweet cherry. These foods will you a pack of antioxidants daily that will help contro your blood pressure.

8.�� �Drink decaf coffee

If taking coffee has become a part of your lifestyle, it is best to take decaf coffee instead. While there is no accurate study to show the direct effect of caffeine to the blood pressure, a study showed that a high level of caffeine intake can actually increase the blood pressure. About three cups of coffee a day can become harmful as it can cause a tightening of the blood vessels that can consequently increase the blood pressure. In order to be safe, you can avoid this ill effect of too much caffeine intake by switching to a decaf coffee.

9.�� Drink the health benefits of tea

Research studies that three cups of tea daily is sufficient to lower the blood pressure. Its ability to cause this effect is at par with prescription medicine, according to the researchers from the Tufts University. Herbal teas are high in hibiscus level that is known to control the blood pressure effectively. Not all teas have this phytochemical, however, so it is best to read the labels and look for the chart of the ingredients contained in the tea product you are buying.

10.�� Learn to relax

Stress is a major source of causing a high blood pressure level. You can prevent this by learning different modes of relaxation or techniques. Cooking can be a good past time where you can plan out for a healthier meal and prepare it yourself. You can also try making a regular trip to the gym or a walk in the park. Listening to the music is another natural way of lowering your blood pressure. Studies revealed that music that is soothing and classical tends to induce the body's relaxation mode, thereby making it effective in lowering your blood pressure naturally.

Do you want to lower your blood pressure naturally? Click Here!

How to Help Someone You Love Get and Stay Sober

Jul 7, 2015

2429

It is always painful to see someone we love battle through an addiction. We want to help them, to take the addiction away, to fix everything for them forever…but we can’t. Addiction is an individual fight and much of the work that your loved one will have to do will have to be done on his or her own. That doesn’t mean, however, that you should simply walk away. On the contrary! The best thing you can do right now is to be a source of love and support. Here are some tips to help you do that.

Confronting Your Friend About Her Addiction

You’ve noticed that your friend is struggling for a long time. In fact, you’ve seen many of her relationships explode because of her struggle. Even though it will be painful and she might lash out at you, one of the best things you can do for your friend is to confront her about her addiction. There are several schools of thought as to how to go about this.

Some insist that interventions work the best. Others will tell you that taking your friend aside is the way to go. We suggest a two pronged approach. Start with a quiet one-on-one with your friend. Tell her that you’ve noticed she’s struggling. Make sure to tell her that you love her and you’re there for her. Offer to help her get some help. If she responds badly, then take it up a notch and try an intervention. Remember, though, the goal is not necessarily to be confrontational. It’s to encourage your friend to get help (1).

Getting Your Friend into Treatment

This seems like a simple enough idea but the truth is that finding the right rehabilitation program will take some research. Not every program out there is worth your friend’s time, energy or money. Make sure that any program you consider has the proper accreditation (2). From there, it’s a matter of working with your friend to decide whether in-patient or out-patient programs are best. Will she benefit best from a loose program like AA or NA? Or does she need the structure and monitoring a treatment center will provide? Spend some time exploring both options and choose the one that best fits your friend’s personality and needs.

Support During Treatment

This is going to be incredibly difficult, especially if your friend is in an in-patient facility. In-patient programs have very strict rules about what can and cannot be shared about patients. Try not to take silence or distance personally. Try to find a balance between support and prying. You do not need to know every detail about your friend’s recovery (though it will feel like you do).

You should definitely consider seeing a therapist during this time (3). A qualified therapist can help you work through your own feelings about your friend’s addiction as well as give you tools to help repair your strained relationship and provide support once your friend has completed her treatment and starts trying to live a sober lifestyle.

Support After Treatment

Many people struggle to help their loved ones stay sober after those loved ones leave rehab or finish a treatment program. There is a lot of pressure to both celebrate your friend’s sobriety while also supporting the fact that she might not you to make a big deal out of it. There are a lot of schools of thought about how to approach a friend’s newfound sobriety. Some will suggest finding lots of things to do together that do not involve the subject of your friend’s addiction. Others will say that you should make things as “normal as possible.” The very best thing you can do, though, is ask your friend what he or she needs from you and then do that (4).

It is going to take time for both of you to find your footing and you will both stumble along the road to your friend’s sobriety. What matters is that you do your best to stay strong and offer your friend as much support as you can. It will be hard but you can do it!

Sources:

Treatment Accreditations | Dual Diagnosis. (n.d.). Retrieved June 22, 2015. �https://www.dualdiagnosis.org/dual-diagnosis-treatment/accreditations/
Rothman, J. (2009, April 20). How Your Loved One’s Addiction Affects You. Retrieved June 22, 2015. �https://www.everydayhealth.com/addiction/how-loved-ones-addiction-affects-you.aspx
Supporting a loved one after drug rehab. (2014, February 7). Retrieved June 22, 2015. �https://goaskalice.columbia.edu/supporting-loved-one-after-drug-rehab

Holistic Substance Addiction Treatment

Jul 1, 2015

3207

Holistic medicine was born out of the understanding that mind and body work together. Holistic practitioners saw the mind and body connection and created treatments that included the whole being and not just the body. The practitioners of holistic medicine will examine the diet, emotions, each complaint that the client has, the specific symptoms the client has, and even the lifestyle of their client before venturing on to any type of cure. This same understanding of the mind and body connection and the alternative types of treatment are often used today in holistic drug treatment programs.

Holistic drug and alcohol detoxification treatment combines many different healthy lifestyle alternatives that will help to replace the behaviors associated with the substance use. This combination of treatment differs from regular drug rehabilitation as they often only treat the current addiction that they see with talk therapy or medications. Many holistic rehab centers will include yoga as one of the alternative behaviors in the recovery process. Yoga is so much more than just an exercise as it helps the person to focus on their own inner self and it teaches them control. Yoga is often combined with meditation as it helps the client to learn how to relax even while under a stressful situation. Just these two alternative solutions are excellent tools for anyone searching for a way to overcome anything from a bad habit to a full blown addiction.

Acupuncture is another alternative method that holistic treatment centers use for helping with a substance addiction. With this type of treatment the client will have fine needles inserted into their skin. Many studies on the efficiency of this alternative treatment have taken place and some evidence has suggested that for certain addictions acupuncture does work. There are many drug and alcohol detox programs that will use acupuncture as a well to naturally help the client to detox effectively and safely.

One similarity between holistic drug and alcohol treatment centers and tradition forms of it can be seen with the level of addiction that a person has. Both forms will offer more severe addictions to be treated as inpatient so that they may detox from the substance in a safe environment. Both the alternative and traditional treatment also offers outpatient treatment for the individuals who have less severe addictions.� The outpatient treatment usually spans over several months and the participant will have specific days of the week in which they will need to attend the program.� Some treatment centers may also have partial day programs where the client will spend half of the day in the treatment program and this type of treatment can also span over a few months.��

Holistic medicine as well as drug and alcohol detox programs helps the client with more than just the substance problem which is what the traditional forms of rehabilitation centers do. The alternative programs take in to consideration the person’s entire being including their behaviors. They look for the underlying problems that brought them to the substance that had been abused and then help to find alternative behaviors for the ones that led to the substance use. By taking the whole being in to account and using many different natural methods in treatment the addict has a higher chance of becoming clean.

�

What Is Medical Detoxification Recovery?

Life Style

Jul 1, 2015

2747

�An addict’s family or the addict himself might be temporarily convinced that it is possible to give up a drug or alcohol without medical intervention. Quitting “cold turkey” as they say might be cheap in the short term, but this is an impractical, usually unsuccessful, and potentially dangerous experiment. In most cases, this method of detoxification ends with the individual returning to drugs or winding up in hospital, if not the morgue. If just quitting is dangerous, what is the safe option?

Drug and Alcohol Treatment Programs

During intervention, when a family successfully encourages an addict to get help, they want to know what a loved one’s options are. Where can their sibling, child, or spouse go for treatment? Will there be medical intervention or just counseling? Is the center affiliated with a particular religion? How will they afford it and how long will treatment take? These are all good questions without a single answer.

Some centers are run by churches and other spiritual groups. Certain centers promote fast, sedated detoxification or slow medical detox using intravenous medicines. A number of programs involve outdoor therapies, exercise, and even swimming with dolphins or riding horses. Some treatment programs are covered by insurance while others are not. You might qualify for assistance through a government program or charity.�

Medical Detoxification

Giving up a substance your body has grown dependent upon leads to feelings of withdrawal which range from uncomfortable sensations to seizures and heart failure. At the early stages of withdrawal, the addict starts to experience shaking, nausea, headaches, irritability, and other types of discomfort which is why he seeks relief from his drug of choice. Drug rehab experts suggest a better plan.

Check in for detox at one of the alcohol and drug rehab centers closest to home. During medical detox, you will experience fewer symptoms with the help of conventional pain-killing and anti-nausea medicine, possibly supplements, plus constant supervision and support.

Elements of Medical Rehab to Consider

Although the costs of medical detoxification seem high, there are bonuses to experiencing the best care possible. The patient is treated as someone with an illness, exactly like someone with MS or diabetes. This individual receives 24/7 care from experienced and caring registered nurses and doctors. Certain homeopathic approaches complement rather than replace mainstream detox medications.

Support does not stop with medicine and supplements. Addicts receive education about the challenges they face. They learn in various ways how to recognize signs of temptation in the future, how to prevent relapse, and go through addiction-specific counseling. Usually, drug or alcohol addiction is a symptom of bigger problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder, severe clinical depression, a personality disorder, or a depression caused by a death in the family or job loss. People in recovery must learn to cope. Without counseling both individually and in groups, they are likely to return to drugs or alcohol as a way to cope with their emotional pain. Quitting cold turkey can’t help with these issues. Addiction experts identify issues and help consumers get beyond them to live safe, fulfilling lives free of dependency on drugs or alcohol.

How Addiction Affects Families

Life Style

Jul 1, 2015

2381

Faith-focused addiction programs and the 12 step addiction recovery programs comprise some of the programs that are implemented in helping addicts and their dependents/ families overcome addiction. Drug and or alcohol dependence affects addicts’ lives and trickles down to affect the lives of the people around these addicts. Addiction develops gradually as people indulge drugs and alcohol in a bid to make up for one thing or the other that is missing in their lives. Drug addicts’ changed emotional and physical behavior, health, economic and social performance affect the psychological, economic, social and physical well-being of the people around them. The most effective addiction recovery programs should incorporate the addicts and the people in their circles as much as possible.

How addiction affects families

Addiction affects families in various ways. If and when the addicts are physically abusive, the victims of their aggression suffer physical injuries that may inflict debilitating pain or harm their health in one way or another. Injuries and bad health affect people’s productivity, as well as their ability to live life to the fullest. If and when addicts are emotionally abusive, negligent and careless, the people around them suffer emotionally as they have to deal with the insults, or they have to develop other coping mechanisms. It is, also, to be noted that most addicts cannot sustain social, work or blood relationships and at the end of the day, they become resentful or make other people withdraw from interacting with them. Inability to hold a job/ manage finances well or stealing habits depress families’ finances, affecting the welfare of other family members.

Benefits of rehabilitation

The only solution to addressing addiction is rehabilitation, especially recovery approaches/ programs such as Faith-focused addiction programs and the 12 step addiction recovery that address the suffering and needs of addicts and their families. Family-based interventions help family members, including the addict, understand and treat addiction, as well as the impacts of addiction on everyone concerned. These programs not only bring family members together, but they also help people identify underlying issues to the addiction (that can be addressed to minimize drug and alcohol indulgence), as well as dispense mythical blame that other family members perceive. The needs of each family member are projected and addressed even as the physical recovery of the addict is addressed.

Substance abuse recovery programs

One of the recovery programs offered in inpatient and or outpatient rehabs is the Faith-focused addiction programs. This approach employs professional detox doctors and addiction counselors to address the chemical and physical aspects of addiction. However, instead of focusing the emotional recovery on family dynamics or the willpower of the addict alone, this program integrates Bible studies, church meetings, faith-based celebratory and support groups, involvement in church activities, and the daily application of the scriptures to help people overcome the drug indulgence temptation. The 12 step addiction recovery is another approach to addiction recovery.

Addiction is an ailment that afflicts the addicts as well as their close interactions. Thankfully, there are numerous rehabilitation centers that provide addicts and their family family-based addiction recovery programs such as the 12 step addiction recovery and Faith-focused addiction programs. Family-based programs are more effective in addressing addiction as they not only focus on individual addicts, but also respond to the concerns of other family members.

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