Do you have health problems as a result of substance abuse?

Have you had a comprehensive check up lately?

Addiction leaves people and their loved ones at increased risk
for a wide variety of illnesses. These illnesses can be brought on by the
addicts’ behaviors, or because of toxic effects of the drugs themselves. The
compulsion to use drugs and/or drink can take over an individual’s life.
Addiction involves not only compulsive drug taking but also a wide range of
dysfunctional behaviors.

Psychotherapists, physicians, and psychiatrists have come to
understand the crippling effects caused by substance abuse. It is a disorder
that affects the body physically, the mind, the emotions, and the spirit. A
person may appear competent and capable, all the while hiding his / her own
inner hell through excessive activity, achievements, or endless chatter.

At other times, it is more visible and severely damages relationships
with other people. To the person with the addiction, it may have been there
for so many years that it feels “normal”.

Health Problems

Hepatitis C / liver damage tests and subsequent treatment are
encouraged. The damage caused physically by the use of drugs or alcohol
can be reversed if detected and treated. An estimated 270-300 million
people worldwide are infected with hepatitis C. Hepatitis C is only known to
cause disease in humans. No vaccine against hepatitis C is currently
available.

The hepatitis C virus is spread by blood-to-blood contact. Most people
have few, if any symptoms after the initial infection, yet the virus persists in
the liver in about 85% of those infected.

Blood Work

Recovery Advocates provides a complete medical work up, including
blood work, upon admission. A blood test is a laboratory analysis performed
on a blood sample that is usually extracted from a vein in the arm using a
needle or via finger prick.

Blood tests are used to determine physiological and biochemical states,
such as disease, mineral content, drug effectiveness, and organ function.
Recovery Advocates also can include tests for Hepatitis C, STD’s, and
additional concerns of the client.

Psychological Assessments

Recovery Advocates provide psychological assessments so that some of
the main physical symptoms a person is experiencing can be detected.
Often an addict or alcoholic will be self-medicating due to an undiagnosed
clinical / biological interaction. Of these, the following are identified and
treated:

Clinical Depression: Is a mental disorder characterized by an all-
encompassing sad feeling with low self-esteem, and loss of interest in
normal enjoyable activities. Depression can be disabling and adversely
affect a person’s general health, sleeping or eating patterns, job, and family
life.

The Depressive Disorder is an attempt to “shut down” the body, mind,
and emotions so they will not feel the anguish of the anxiety disorder. Many
times prescription medications are taken in order to self-medicate an
undiagnosed clinical / biological depression.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Is the constant, exaggerated, worrisome
thoughts and tension about everyday routine life events and activities.
Usually anticipating the worst although there is little reason to expect it. For
many, the elevated anxiety of Generalized Anxiety Disorder is accompanied
by physical symptoms such as fatigue, trembling, muscle tension, irritability,
irritable bowel syndrome, or frequent and severe headaches often leading to
attempts of suicide.

Physical affects associated with that are often self-medicated by people

are:

Muscle tension
Restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge
Irritability
Being easily fatigued
Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
Sleep disturbance (difficulty falling or staying asleep)

Anxiety can become severe that it becomes a full-blown panic attack. In
these instances, the anxiety can cause symptoms that feel like a heart
attack: Left untreated, anxiety disorders can manifest into attempts to
escape leading to drinking, using, or taking prescription medication.

Recovery Advocates will support you as you conquer your substance
abuse problem and enjoy your life. We are meant to have abundance in
every area of our lives. For more details call 877.762.3707 .