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Archive for September, 2011

Recovery is an emotional, physical, cognitive, and spiritual process, and happens inside forever, once the commitment to such a powerful change is made. It is wrenching to change all those habits at once. Eventually though, with new programs installed in your brain and habits established, it is possible to maintain a maintenance regimen.

External changes like a new job, or a new car, or a new relationship are sometimes used to measure drug addiction recovery, because there are only feeling and thinking metrics to judge the internal process, until one has some experience with that internal process.

After hitting your bottom, most folks are not sure how much credibility they can place in their own thoughts and perceptions, since those are the thoughts and perceptions which got them into trouble in the first place.

So perhaps the first step is the physical detox, which can take some time depending on the drug of choice.
At this stage, supervision by a medical expert may be very important.

During this stage the body, which is designed to function in a very healthy way, and heal itself if given the correct fuel, will begin to right itself, including resuming neurogenesis, which is the growth of new brain cells.

New brain cells will be in great demand as the neurons recalibrate and close up receptors which were opened to handle the metabolization of recreational chemicals. It will take some time for the brain to replace the wear and tear, but rest assured, it is working to build new cells.

As the brain rights itself physically, then thinking patterns can begin to be addressed, which involves another critical capacity of the human brain, neuroplasticity.

Neuroplasticity is a term used to describe the brains ability to rewire and reconnect itself in a ceaseless search for more effective connections and more effective circuits for maintaining survival behavior.

At this point, someone in treatment, or someone who has sought out AA, NA, or another 12 step program or counseling will begin to address the thinking components of recovery, which involve the neuroplasticity of the human brain.

Sharon Begley in her book, Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain, speaks to how attention to what we are paying attention to changes your brain.

This is an excerpt from an article that she wrote for the Wall Street Journal;

“Through attention, UCSF’s Michael Merzenich and a colleague wrote, “We choose and sculpt how our ever-changing minds will work, we choose who we will be the next moment in a very real sense, and these choices are left embossed in physical form on our material selves.”

The discovery that neuroplasticity cannot occur without attention has important implications. If a skill becomes so routine you can do it on autopilot, practicing it will no longer change the brain. And if you take up mental exercises to keep your brain young, they will not be as effective if you become able to do them without paying much attention.”

This is where thinking about the steps of your program, for example, begin to pay off. There is no end to that process, but the practice itself changes your brain in a healthy, neuroplastic way.

In fact, a key component of healthy recovery from drug addiction is a healthy brain, and a healthy brain means you need to take care of the pillars of brain fitness, getting enough physical exercise, proper nutrition, including omega 3 fatty acids to keep your neurons supple and flexible, for good signal sending and receiving, good sleep, stress management (step 11?), and novel learning experiences, which certainly includes puzzling over how to create your recovery.

But remember, you can enhance and encourage neurogenesis and neuroplasticity by attending to the pillars of brain fitness, which actually closely parallel the pillars of kidney and liver health, for example.

The key piece of recovery from drug addiction is to manage your thinking.

Capture and dispute automatic negative thoughts as Daniel Amen, MD, describes them, simply because it is your brain and you can do this.

In a sense automatic negative thoughts are like computer viruses. You install your 12 step filter, for example, and reboot the brain as you become aware of each negative thought. Soon you will be repeating thoughts which leave you feeling good, simply because you can and now your neuroplasticity is becoming effective in a positive way.

Change the thought, change the feeling, and soon your brain is moving towards a very healthy and relaxing pattern of thinking and internal chemistry.

Remember though, that we process sensory data and create thoughts about sensory data continuously, so this is an ongoing process.

Enhanced Neuroplasticity From Computerized Brain Fitness Programs

One of the pillars of brain fitness is novel learning experiences, which for a recovering addict certainly involves learning new skills, but for others might involve learning a new language or new musical instrument, which challenges the neuroplastic capacity of your brain in a healthy way.

If you do not have time for a new language or instrument, there are a number of computerized neuroplasticity enhancing tools available.

Meth is the abbreviation of methamphetamine or methylamphetamine. It is also known as crystal meth. Its street names are ice and cristy. Meth is a sympathomimetic and a psychostimulant substance. Some of its isomers, such as unmethylated amphetamine, are prescribed as medications for hyperactivity disorder. Crystal meth, which is an illegal and an addictive substance, directly affects the central nervous system. When administered, crystal meth brings toxins to the human body. According to statistical studies, crystal meth is very addictive that about 42% of first timers feel the need to try it again while approximately 84% of second time users feel the need to take it over and over again that it turns into an addiction. Most of the first time crystal meth users are unaware of the harmful effects it may cause to the human body. They simply like using meth because it causes them to “feel wonderful.”

Crystal meth is classified under the D-type methamphetamine class accompanied by GIB, JIB, sister, and ice.
The following are a few facts regarding D-type methamphetamine:

(1) This type of meths is generally crystalline in structure and is mostly transparent and sparkly in appearance. They look like sugar cubes.

(2) D-methamphetamine is smoked using single-chambered glass pipes or cracked light bulbs.

(3) When D-methamphetamine is warmed up by using small fires or common lighters, it is likely to become vapor soon after forming a liquid puddle.

(4) This variety of methamphetamine starts to react somewhat impulsively, within 3 to 5 seconds, when administered. Within a short period of time, D-methamphetamines affect the central nervous system. Its side-effects, which are easily noticed, typically last for approximately 8 to 24 hours.

There is another type of methamphetamine existing these days and it goes by the name L-type meth. Several examples of this kind of meths are smack, speed, crank, yellow, and grit.

THE EFFECTS OF CRYSTAL METH:

Crystal meth affects the body both mentally and physiologically. The following are the several side-effects of crystal meth:

Psychological Effects:
(1) The delirious side-effects of crystal meth are very much comparable to that of cocaine.

(2) Crystal meth triggers psychological complications a lot faster than the other varieties of drugs. The psychological effects of crystal meth last for around 8 to 24 hours.

(3) Because the side-effects of the crystal meth last for a longer period of time, first time users become even more inclined to use the substance yet again.

(4) Usually, users of crystal meth will most likely use the substance more often.

(5) Because crystal meth causes the users to stay wide awake for a long period of time, which is about 8 to 24 hours, the users are most likely to sleep for a long time after that in order to make up for the time they wasted because of staying up a whole lot longer. The amount of time spent by the crystal meth user for resting or sleeping is usually the same as the time he spent for being wide awake.

(6) Crystal meth dependent people sometimes feel chemically-induced schizophrenia and toxic psychosis.

Physiological Effects:
(1) Crystal meth users often experience a few physical complications such as skin rashes, itching, body sores, JIB sores, and cracked lips.

(2) Speed bumps become noticeable the instant the harmful substances penetrate the crystal meth user’s system.

(3) Some of the symptoms of crystal meth addiction include mental confusion, incapability to focus on the goals, hyper alertness, muscle spasms and muscle cramps.

(4) The effects of crystal meth are also visible through the crystal meth user’s eyes. The crystal meth user’s pupils become quite dilated and his eye movement becomes very rapid.

(5) A persistent ingestion of crystal meth leads to lightheadedness, blurred vision, and lack of coordination.

(6) An addiction to crystal meth may also cause health disorders such as liver failure, lung failure, kidney failure, cerebral toxicity, and a handful of serious heart-associated diseases such as congestive heart failure and myocardial infarction.

(7) Another possible effect of using crystal meth, even in trace amounts, is brain injury.

(8) Aside from the above mentioned physiological effects and probable health problems, crystal meth addiction may also cause the death of the user.

An addiction to crystal meth is totally curable when the proper treatments are performed. There are some residential and non-residential addiction treatment programs available for crystal meth users who are willing to be treated. These treatment services also include counseling. The treatment services include detoxifying the human body while the counseling proper involve encouraging the crystal meth user to give up his addiction. It is really important for the crystal meth user to get an adequate amount of love and support from his family, his peers, and his fellowmen so that he can restore his health a little sooner.

Drug addiction is a major communal, monetary, and municipal health hazard. Alcohol and drugs are the main issues that affect the well-being of a human being as well as the entire traffic sufferers. However, the cure for drug addiction is a difficult task and therefore needs ultimate care and treatment plans. This can only be obtained from a drug rehab center. Moreover, it is very essential for you to select the best suitable and reputable rehab center for effective cure and to stop the reversion.

All the drug rehab centers around the world are not specialized in every kind of drug addiction recovery. Therefore, the initial step in choosing the appropriate drug rehab center is to recognize the rehab centers that are reputable to admit the addicts. The fundamentals of drug addiction recovery is similar irrespective of the drug type that is abused, certain considerations are needed to be implemented with various drugs. The accurate approach utilized to aid the drug addict to recover may differ based on the drug. Thus, the verification of the drug rehab center specialization is a vital fact.

Another important fact while choosing the drug rehab center is the location. The location of a drug rehab center definitely possesses an impact on the successful treatment and cure of the drug addicts. Most of the drug addicts and the relatives prefer a rehab center situated very close to their family, friends or relatives. This can offer contact that is more constant with the addict to his near and dears. However, some others wish to choose a drug rehab center that is far away from their home. This is because they wish to prevent all the memories or people that may help them induce the drugs. Therefore, you need to consider the wish of the addict before choosing the drug rehab center.

When selecting the appropriate drug rehab center you are required to consider upon the treatment program offered by the rehabilitation centers. The majority of the drug rehab centers provide the outpatient as well as the inpatient treatment programs. However, it is very important for you to consider the best level of care ideal for the drug addict. Most of the addicts do not possess a high strength or capacity to fight the withdrawal syndrome without the help of full day care and treatment form professional, therefore, the best plan for them is the inpatient rehabilitation centers. If the addict fall into a beginner level, an outpatient drug rehab center may be sufficient. However, before choosing the level of drug rehab program consider the view of a physician or a drug therapist.

Before you make a decision on the drug rehab center, consider the type of approach they implement in the treatment plan. Most of the drug rehab center offers emotional as well as physical treatment and care to the patient. This point of approach is very essential for the effectiveness of drug treatment plan. The psychological approach assisted by the drug rehabilitation centers differs and you need to select the best that suits the addict.

All these points are very essential while selecting a drug rehab center to ensure an effective drug addiction treatment without any degeneration. You may also consider other questions such as the staff credentials, the cost, the supervision, the after care treatments and the period of stay. Apart from the drug rehab center treatment plans, the family involvement also plays a major role in the success of the drug rehab programs.