Mindfulness Practice for Opioid Addiction

According to a study published in Science Daily, “People suffering from opioid addiction and chronic pain may have fewer cravings and less pain if they use both mindfulness techniques and medication for opioid dependence.” Practicing mindfulness is said to increase self-awareness and self-control, therefore allowing those to curb their cravings as well as be less affected by emotional and physical pain.

Opioid Addiction

Opioids are commonly known as painkillers that are prescribed to treat mild to medium discomfort to severe and chronic pain.  Some of the most commonly prescribed opioids include oxycodone, fentanyl, buprenorphine, hydrocodone, codeine, and morphine. Opioids can change the brain’s chemistry and overtime a tolerance builds up. An opioid addiction occurs when the urge for the opioids occurs even after pain has diminished and they experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking the drug. Opioid abuse is rampant across the world and opioid addiction has reached epidemic proportions.

What Is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is a psychological practice that focuses one’s awareness on the present moment, and letting thoughts pass through consciousness without judgement. Many people equate mindfulness with meditation and use the terms interchangeably, but mindfulness can be practiced on a daily basis, on your drive to work, while exercising or even while washing dishes.

Mindfulness is all about being aware of your thoughts, feelings, behavior and sensations at any given moment. As explained by Thrive Global, “Mindfulness is the awareness of “some-thing,” while meditation is the awareness of “no-thing.” People can set aside a designated amount of time to meditate, where they can be still and focus on attaining a state of consciousness.

Mindfulness and Methadone

Methadone, which is a medication used to treat opioid addiction, along with mindfulness is said to be the most effective because although patients are more aware of their cravings, they are more apt to be in control of cravings, stress and pain. Being aware of their cravings without self-imposing judgment decreases the severity of the craving. Mindfulness also helps change negative thought patterns and to observe and enjoy pleasant moments.

Holistic Therapy For Pain Management

Other alternative therapies that treat opioid dependence include acupuncture, aromatherapy, massage therapy, chiropractic therapy yoga, and other therapies. Although mindfulness may not solely cure opioid use disorder, the practice along with other forms of therapy are effective.

It’s important for those with opioid abuse disorder seek treatment at a professional facility immediately. Once a patient has medically assisted detoxed and entered treatment, they can then work mindfulness into their recovery journey.

 

References:

https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2019-10-17/addiction-to-opioids-can-be-overcome-with-mindfulness

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/10/191015103358.htm

https://medium.com/thrive-global/mindfulness-meditation-whats-the-difference-852f5ef7ec1a

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-10/uou-cjt101519.php

 

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Antidepressant Dependency Debate

According to the American Psychological Association, antidepressant usage is on the rise. There has been a 64 percent increase in the number of people using antidepressants between 1999 and 2014.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that approximately 1 in 10 people aged 12 years and older take an antidepressant. The Independent reports seventy million prescriptions were issued last year for the 7 million adults using them.

Antidepressants are used in managing depression and alleviating their symptoms. Antidepressants help treat symptoms that include fatigue, loss of interest, trouble sleeping and thoughts of suicide. Antidepressant can also help with anxiety disorders, seasonal affective disorder , mood disorders and other conditions.

 

What Are Anti-Depressants

Although there are different types of anti-depressants, currently the most common are Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), which relieve depression by boosting low levels of serotonin in the brain. They prevent ​the reuptake of serotonin, making more of the chemical available.

 

Types of Anti-depressants

 

Types of  anti-depressants include:

Serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

Noradrenaline and specific serotoninergic antidepressants (NASSAs)

Atypical Antidepressants

 

The most commonly prescribed medications include:

Sertraline hydrochloride (Zoloft)

Citalopram hydrobromide (Celexa)

Fluoxetine hydrochloride (Prozac)

Trazodone hydrochloride (Desyrel)

Escitalopram oxalate (Lexapro)

Duloxetine hydrochloride (Cymbalta)

These medications all have their own set of side effects and usage should be consulted with your doctor. The most effective antidepressant medications is dependent on the person’s brain chemistry. When stopping the usage of antidepressants, it is important to gradually decrease the dosage of medication instead of abruptly stopping.

 

Dependency Debate

Although, this topic is debated, the question of the addictive nature of anti-depressants is often posed. While there is evidence of withdrawal symptoms from these types of drugs, there evidence of dependency is not yet clear. A dependency would be characterized by a person wanting more of the drug, which many find is not the case, and the prescription is sufficient.

Even for those who do in fact believe antidepressants form a dependency, dependency is not necessarily the same thing as an addiction. The World Health Organization describes the difference as “Dependence is the body’s adjustment to the presence of a foreign substance. If the substance is abruptly discontinued, withdrawal phenomena occur. Addiction is loss of control over the use of a substance despite adverse consequences.”

However, some users believe differently. Although initially create for short term usage, many people on ant-depressants have been doing so for many years even decades with many believing they don’t ever see the need to get stop taking the drug. According to New York Times “Many who try to quit say they cannot because of withdrawal symptoms they were never warned about.”

Some people’s symptoms were so severe that they could not bear to stop taking the drug and other say they “feel” addicted to their medication.

Unfortunately there is a lack of long-term data and even if healthcare professionals acknowledge that some people will develop dependency on antidepressants, they are unable to predict who is specifically at risk. Antidepressants have indeed helped so many people live happier fulfilling lives and it is important for these drugs to be further studied and the risks discussed with your doctor.

 

https://www.apa.org/monitor/2017/11/numbers

https://www.verywellmind.com/most-common-antidepressants-1066939

https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/antidepressants-drugs-pills-opioids-addiction-mental-health-a9131901.html

https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2019-09-11/antidepressants-cause-dependence-not-addiction

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/07/health/antidepressants-withdrawal-prozac-cymbalta.html

 

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5 Healing Activities for Recovery

Everyone needs to spend some time trying to process their emotions and heal themselves from the difficult things that they go through. For people in recovery from an addiction or a mental illness, they will need to find multiple ways to heal themselves in their mind, body and spirit. These are some of the best and most effective healing activities for recovery.

1. Meditation
One of the best places to start when getting involved in healing activities is meditation which naturally helps calm anxiety and stress. Meditation is a beneficial way to quiet our thoughts and allow emotions to run their course as we stay present in the moment.

2. Expressive Art or Music
Self-expression can be crucial for coping with addiction or mental illness as the two can lead to complex emotions. Art and music therapy can be a great way to use creativity in order to express feelings that are hard to talk about.

3. Spending Time in Nature
Living in an urban environment can be stressful so it is important for people in recovery to reconnect with nature. Being in a natural place can relax our minds and help us feel connected to our inner spirituality.

4. Diet and Exercise
Many people don’t realize the amount of stress they put on their bodies by consuming toxic and unhealthy foods. Taking a break from sugar, caffeine, alcohol and processed foods can help heal the body and the mind.

5. Journaling and Writing
The act of writing can be another great way to process complicated feelings that are hard to discuss out loud. Writing in a journal can release emotions and also put them in a different perspective so that you can start to make sense of them.

There are many other activities that can help people heal, but these are some of the most immediately beneficial to use in recovery.

References

https://nccih.nih.gov/health/integrative-health

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Signs and Symptoms of a Panic Attack

People with anxiety issues sometimes suffer from panic attacks when they experience intense and overwhelming fear. A panic attack can lead to physical and emotional reactions to a trigger and can make people feel as though they are losing control. Panic attacks can be debilitating because they involve a number of frightening and uncomfortable symptoms.

Symptoms of a panic attack can include:
-Sense of danger or doom
-Fear of death or harm
-Rapidly beating heart
-Trembling or shaking
-Difficulty breathing and tightness in throat
-Sweating or chills
-Nausea
-Chest pain
-Sudden headache
-Dizziness or faintness
-Numbness or tingling sensation
-Feeling of detachment or unreality

When someone experiences a panic attack it can happen suddenly and without warning, causing them to feel unstable and afraid for their safety. What can make panic attacks difficult is that even after they subside the individual may have an intense fear that an attack will happen again at any moment. They may start to avoid certain situations that they feel could potentially trigger an attack.

People that suffer from panic attacks can develop them for a variety of reasons. They may have specific phobias that trigger them such as a fear of driving or leaving the house. They can also have social phobias that cause them to avoid people or public places.

Panic attacks can also sometimes be triggered by stress when it becomes overwhelming and affects the mind and body. In order to treat panic attacks it can be helpful for patients to be gradually exposed to situations that trigger them and learn strategies to cope with their stress. Medications can also be very useful in helping people manage panic attacks when they occur.

Treatment for panic attacks usually combines anxiety medication and cognitive behavioral therapy to help relieve more severe symptoms.

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/panic-disorder-when-fear-overwhelms/index.shtml

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5 Things to Know about Addiction and Bipolar Disorder

Substance abuse often is closely connected to mental health issues and bipolar disorder can be one of the most vulnerable to dual diagnosis. Because bipolar disorder and substance abuse frequently occur together, it is helpful to know certain facts about the disorder and how it relates to drug use.

1. Bipolar disorder is often misdiagnosed during substance abuse – People that are struggling with bipolar disorder may not know that they have this mental illness, especially if their alcohol or drug use triggers symptoms and can seem like effects of the substances. Even people going through detox may be misdiagnosed because their symptoms may seem to be related to withdrawal effects.

2. There is no single cause for bipolar disorder or addiction – The reason people develop bipolar disorder or abuse substances can be related to a number of different issues including genetics, environment, biology and many other factors.

3. Co-occuring abuse with bipolar disorder is extremely common- Mood disorders like bipolar disorder very common in the US and the disorder is often accompanied by substance abuse issues. Many people with bipolar disorder use drugs as a way to cope with their symptoms.

4. Drug use can trigger bipolar symptoms – While many people already have bipolar disorder when they start using drugs, others can start to develop symptoms as a result of their drug use. It can intensify mood swings and worsen their state of mind, leading to manic and depressive episodes.

5. Treating bipolar disorder can reduce addiction issues and vice versa – It is important for people with co-occurring disorders to treat both problems simultaneously and ease the symptoms of each problem in connection with each other. When both issues are treated they can help relieve the other and bring about better mental health and behavior overall.

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4 Common Behavioral Addictions

When someone loses control of their behavior and compulsively engages in an activity in spite of its negative consequences then they are dealing with an addiction. People can become addicted not only to certain substances but also to specific problematic behaviors. These are some of the most common behavioral addictions that require treatment.

Gambling Addiction – The behavior involved in gambling addiction more closely mirrors drug addiction than any other behavioral problem. Gambling can affect the brain in similar ways to drug use because it causes a rush of dopamine and euphoria that the individual constantly chases after. Gambling addiction is often treated with similar types of therapy to drug addiction because it causes similar behavior issues.
Sex Addiction – Although sex addiction is not officially classified as a disorder in the DSM it is a real and damaging problem that requires treatment. People with sex addiction struggle with relationships and can even put themselves in danger with risky behavior. Those with this problem show improvement through 12 step programs like Sex Addicts anonymous.
Shopping Addiction – Shopping is another issue that is not considered a true addiction technically but is rather a type of impulse control disorder. People become addicted to shopping because they are purchasing items to avoid feeling difficult emotions like sadness. Therapy and counseling can help them find other healthier coping mechanisms for their feelings.
Food Addiction (Binge Eating Disorder) – This is typically classified as a type of eating disorder, but food addiction is a real issue with compulsive overeating. People with this problem eat to relieve themselves of stress, anxiety and other feelings and lose control as they binge unhealthy amounts of food. They often feel guilty after a binge and struggle with issues of obesity and depression.

There are several other behavioral addictions but these are the most common that can benefit from specific treatment programs.

References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behavioral_addiction

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How Self-Love Can Change Your Mental Health

For people that struggle with depression, anxiety and other mental illnesses, they often have issues with self-esteem that greatly affect their lives. In fact, most people might not realize how many self-deprecating things they might think about themselves on a daily basis. Everyone can benefit from practicing self-love and learning how to be compassionate toward themselves.

We are often confronted with many unrealistic expectations of what we should look like or what our lives should be like through television, movies and even social media. People with depression and anxiety especially may have a constant feeling that they are not good enough and place high standards on themselves. It may feel natural for them to think they are unworthy and believe that they aren’t deserving of love and happiness.

Self-love can help change many of these ideas because the individual can start to see positive things in themselves and accept their true self. When someone practices self-love they can start to become more mindful of the things they say or think about themselves. They can develop and grow their compassion for themselves and others.

When someone is able to love themselves they can acknowledge and accept when they are struggling. They won’t constantly feel the need to be perfect or deny their feelings or what they need. Self-love helps you become more in tune with your inner voice so you can learn to listen to what you truly desire.

The process of self-love can take time but counselors and peers can be helpful in building up your confidence. Challenging negative beliefs and replacing them with positive thinking can be a long journey but it will help build up a more stable and healthy identity. Self-love is something to focus on as a person works toward recovering from their mental health issues.

References
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/self-esteem

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