Vitamins and the Addict

September 2nd, 2010 Filed under: Opiate Treatment — Addiction Recovery Author

For many years now it has become more apparent that nutrition played an important role in the life of a drug addict, alcoholic, methadone patient or other that might be chemically imbalanced. Today many are looking for answers to help solve the problem of nutritional deficiencies in alcoholics, drug addicts and methadone treatment patients. This search was pioneered by a group of doctors who developed a vitamin mineral supplement to help people with drug problems. Today more people are paying attention to this problem with their clients whom are in treatment. In many cases it is being added to their treatment plans. The big problem then is what course of action needs to be taken to positively affect a change in their client’s health and nutrition.

Many times the course of action to address the problem is to tell the person to start taking a “good” vitamin. Maybe they tell them to go to a health food store and try some specific product that might give them some relief. This can be expensive road to follow, trying to find the right vitamin supplement for each case. Vitamin B in various forms is most often recommended for low energy but that is just one issue. Then people are told another product to help other issues (Something for this and something else for that.). The result is that there is no real change because the treatment is not complete. The problems persist and sometimes even worsen. The person gives up and becomes skeptic towards the benefit of health and nutritional supplements.

The other problem is that because of their problem they expect and want instantaneous gratification. They don’t realize that the problem developed over a period of time usually a long time. Most vitamin and mineral supplements are developed for “normal” people (whatever that is). They may not even work for those people, much less work for people with specific problems such as drug and alcohol problems and people under going methadone treatment or maintenance. Sometimes in methadone treatment clients experience the methadone side effects of extreme constipation, sugar craving, low energy and heavy sweating. The other problem is people with drug and alcohol problems are used to “feeling” something. This is not generally the case with most of the products they take. If they do feel the product it usually a short lived high, burst of energy or something of that nature. Then comes the let down.

Now there are Vitamin supplements developed for addicts and those inn various treatments. The active principles used in developing this product get the nutrient to the cellular level. If the nutrient never reaches the cellular level then the body doesn’t benefit from the nutrient. The two active principles are chelation and an integrated antioxidant system. Chelated products are easily absorbed in the body while retaining their nutritional properties as you would expect from their natural sources. The body needs antioxidants to inactivate or minimize the effects free radicals or Oxidants. Although beta carotene, vitamin C and vitamin E are commonly taken as antioxidants, they may be harmful if taken inappropriately. However when processed corectly they will be in the form that is used by the body to do what antioxidants are supposed to do in the body.

When a product is designed properly and for a specific purpose it has a much better chance of doing what it supposed do. If given the appropriate nutrients in a form the body needs and can use, the body will then do what it is supposed to do, be healthy. Then you will function like you were designed to.

Jerry L Wright, MS, MLAP
Methadone Clinic Director 6 years
Certified Drug Treatment Counselor
http://www.nutridone.com

Meth Addiction Treatment and Drug Rehab Advice

September 1st, 2010 Filed under: Meth Recovery — Addiction Recovery Author

It’s a purely-synthetic and highly-addictive drug that has wrecked lives all throughout the globe. Meth (methamphetamine) – also known as ‘crystal’ in the United States, ‘yaba’ in Thailand and ‘shabu’ in the Philippines – is abused by a wide cross-section of society, from blue collared workers to corporate types, causing unimaginable costs to society in general.

It’s more dangerous than the highly potent cocaine even. Dr. Michael Abrams of Broadlawn Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa, says Meth ‘is the most malignant, addictive drug known to mankind.’ He explains that the body has enzymes that break down cocaine, which is basically derived from coca leaves, but these enzymes are powerless with methamphetamine.

Dealing with persons addicted to this drug is not at all easy. Affected people are both physiologically and psychologically changed. Among the dangerous physical effects of meth use are increased blood pressure and breathing rates, stomach cramps, cardiac arrhythmia, insomnia, paranoia, hallucinations, stroke and even death.

A lot of meth-dependent individuals have tried to get rid of the habit unsuccessfully. It’s hard to wake up one morning, say ‘no’ to it and forget about it. Curing an addiction just doesn’t work that way. Treatment should be done step by step and in a long term, each step being quite relevant to the one before it.

There’s no pill that can flush out all the settled harmful substance in your system. It takes a lot of determination on your part and the informed persistence of the people who are trying to help you overcome your dependence. Withdrawal symptoms include depression and other forms of psychological impairment that may last for several months.

While dealing with addiction appropriately was a major concern the world over a long time ago, several organizations have done significant efforts that effectively help sufferers to overcome their cravings. There is no other best way to solve it but to send meth dependents to drug rehabilitation centers.

At drug rehab facilities, people get a holistic treatment for their problems. In there, they will be given honest and caring support so that these affected ones will find their way back towards their happy and normal lives. The victims will be staying in the drug treatment facility for as long as they still show strong cravings for it.

Recovery from meth dependence is a possibility, but the withdrawal period can be tough on the patient and there is a possibility for relapse. While some prosperous nations have numbers of drug rehabilitation centers, poor ones don’t. That is why this global problem has not been significantly dealt with. Worse, the number of meth addicts continues to rise.

Ultimately, meth addiction treatment relies on the support of the sufferer’s family and loved ones. It’s basically a social concern that needs a social solution. Knowing the reasons and circumstances that led the person to methamphetamine dependence and taking these away from his environment during and after the rehab period will be a great help.

For those who would like to learn more about meth addiction: meth addiction

When you need more information on cocaine rehabilitation, try searching for it here: cocaine addiction rehab

The Way Out – Drug & Alochol Treatment Centers

August 31st, 2010 Filed under: Addiction Recovery Tips — Addiction Recovery Author

The Way Out offers information about drug and alcohol recovery programs, referral service, and facts about substances, treatment, and consulting options. Without placing blame or judgment, the site first provides rehabilitation and recovery resources. The database located on the site shows the user what to look for in a center, as well as providing an anonymous information sheet that refers the user to local facilities for treatment options. This referral is based on the type of services and addiction that the center offers, the clientele treated at the center, time frame, costs and insurance and inpatient and outpatient options.

In addition, The Way Out offers detailed information about the different treatment options for rehabilitation and recovery. The most updated details on different options such as health spas, 30- and 90- day treatment plans, sober living homes, and co-dependency facilities, the user can obtain information about these options in order to make informed decisions about their care. Additionally, the site offers information about different addictive substances, including type of drug, effects, reasons for abuse, and specific problems associated with each substance. Located in an easy to click menu, this information is updated with new research.

The bottom of the page offers a facility finder, easily organized by state and then geographic area. 10 states are listed as primarily focused by The Way Out, however, the anonymous information sheet also connects potential patients with other facilities that are not directly related to the site. The menu bar at the top of the site explains the focus of the organization, information about the services provided, and the founder and recovery coach. This explains that The Way Out is a placement firm that connects potential patients with recovery facilities free of charge. Additional information is provided about the type of treatment programs and a more comprehensive list is offered of typical additions, including eating disorders and video game addictions.

Tips to know before checking into any facility are also offered. Things like “you only get what you put in”, offer the patient information to create the right mind frame before checking into any facility.

Addiction types and resource links offer more information to the site’s users, as well as connecting the users to other information and to answer additional questions. Overall, The Way Out offers a comprehensive site where the questions a user may have about all types of addiction and recovery are addressed, non-biased information is presented, and recovery options are offered to bring the user to the most immediate and appropriate treatment option.