Mr. E. Edward Sponza
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Street Drugs - Anxiety - Depression

2/14/2014

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A significant number of people, particularly those in their late teens, twenties, and thirties present with anxiety and depression that is linked to the abuse of 'recreational' drugs at some time in their recent past.

It is a human trait to seek out reasons for everything that happens to us, and when adult worry takes over from the, often, rash, 'nothing can hurt me' attitude of mid-adolescence and early adult, it is easy to see how somebody then suffering from anxiety and depression might buy in to the idea that the illicit drugs caused some permanent harm.
Looking at the effects of ecstasy, cocaine, amphetamines and cannabis it is entirely plausible that this worry can be well founded. 

For example, research suggests that cocaine induces panic attacks in many people and that withdrawal from it includes severe anxiety in the effects. Ecstasy too seems to induce anxiety, depersonalising and panic when taken in small or large doses and frequency and the sought after experience, while on the drug, of feeling at one with the world need not happen if the person involved already has emotional problems. Here the drug might simply exacerbate a prevailing mood. Ecstasy is also notoriously difficult to 'quality control', often being mixed with other drugs. In this case, a person with hovering obsessional problems might find themselves in deep trouble if, for example, LSD had been added.

It has been reported that ecstasy obstructs with obsessional problems and in dealing with addictions, and current research appears to suggest that even a single dose of MDMA (ecstasy) can damage the brain neurons that produce serotonin: the imbalance of which is seen by many workers in this field as a moderate to severe problem of OCD. It is not clear if this damage reverses itself once use of the drug has ceased. 

It is likely that, as with many tailored chemicals, Ecstasy & Ketamine (K or Special-K) varies widely in its effects. However, anything that may cause long-term brain damage, whatever the odds against, is probably not a good option. With regard to obsession, fear, some research also suggests that amphetamine and cocaine usage have strong links with the problem of repetitive thoughts. Amphetamine withdrawal can also induce severe anxiety and depression and again, excessive use (weekly for several months) will involve brain neuron damage that could possibly be permanent. The downside is the K hole or E hole. If you took E and K together (party/rave drug) over a few hours, you would crash into this state where it was almost impossible to snap out of whatever scenario was running in your head and bodily movement was next to impossible. Like waking up and being in a dream state where the outside world is influencing what you think but your experience is something totally surreal and then negatively effecting your sleep and dreams. Taking Amphetamines, Ecstasy, Ketamine, and LSD can also cause hallucinations and paranoia and insomnia.

As with anyone who develops a panic related disorder,
(with the help of medication and psychotherapy)
it can take years for the fear of panic to ease.


Cannabis and Marijuana seem to be interchangeable words and refer to the flowers buds and leaves of the cannabis plant. Cannabis/marijuana is often viewed as a totally harmless drug but research, again, suggests that heavy use (weekly and for several months) may make latent or existing mental disorder worse. It has also been suggested that cannabis adversely affects the hippocampus in the brain, which may limit the person's ability to learn and remember. This would not be useful in any area of life and certainly not when undertaking a programme of exposure or other activity related to overcoming an anxiety disorder that involved reinforcing learnt behaviour.

There seems to be grounds for saying that cannabis/marijuana can cause spontaneous panic in some people.  Anxious or unhappy people might be drawn to the drug as a substitute for medication, their subsequent mental problems would 'weigh' any general statistics adversely. The Australian 'Anxiety and Panic Hub' state: 'For people who are predisposed to spontaneous panic attacks, the marijuana can trigger the predisposition and contributes to sleep disorder.' 

It also seems likely that use of this drug can induce a feeling of 'loss of control' if taken in small or large doses; or if a user smokes (or eats) too much at one time. Many people with anxiety problems, and others who may not be aware that they have a potential for anxiety disorder, experience huge alarm or fear when they perceive themselves as being out of control and would never, for example, use LSD or PCP or any hallucogenic that they would be aware of as having a 'mind altering' effect. Most would not link such an effect with cannabis/marijuana/ketamine. Many people with OCD or obsessional symptoms have this problem with control and, in fact, some people cannot reach orgasm with a sexual partner for fear of losing control or of not having any control and/or lose total control and look for any fellow raver/partier for you to rub yourself up against.
 
Counseling is an essential part of drug abuse treatment for many people. Cognitive behavioral therapy, family counseling, and other therapy approaches can help people recovering from opioid addiction stay clean. Psychotherapy can also treat the other mental health conditions that often contribute to prescription drug abuse.

While any counseling therapy for drug abuse treatment is better than none. In group therapy, a person is more likely to be both challenged and supported by peers who are also going through drug rehab. Twelve-step programs like Narcotics Anonymous are the most well-known group therapy organizations.  Individual therapy can be helpful in the case of a dual diagnosis: coexisting depression, bipolar disorder, or other significant mental health condition that requires treatment in its own right, separate from the opioid addiction.

Cognitive behavioral therapy -- or CBT -- teaches a person how to recognize moods, thoughts, and situations that cause drug craving. A therapist (usually combined with a proper anti-depressant) helps the person avoid these triggers, and replace negative thoughts and feelings with ones that are healthier. The skills learned in cognitive behavioral therapy can last a lifetime, making it a potentially powerful method of drug abuse treatment. However, one needs to find psychiatrists/therapists who are trained in the complex cognitive behavioral therapy techniques.

Helpful Tips :

 Think about what you want (that's a goal), not about what you don't want (that's worry).      Goal  driven activity requires positive thinking.
  • Smile at strangers ...  Although this may seem a little weird, it actually makes you feel more positive and happy. You may even brighten the other person's day.
  • Don't give up. Good habits can replace bad ones by continuous perseverance.
  • Every morning, look in the mirror and think about five good qualities you have.
  • Notice when you are being negative, and change your thoughts to something more positive. You need to correct yourself to get better.
  • Volunteer. Helping others leads to a happier outlook on life.
  • Getting your blood flowing by exercising increases your energy. When we have energy, we think positively.
  • Encourage others. It's hard to be pessimistic when you are trying to lift someone else's spirits up.
  • Find some positive things to say and repeat them often. Use statements such as "I am a very positive person," "I am very capable," "I can do anything when I put my mind to work on it," and "I can do it."
  • When you feel like you're about to break, take a deep breath, count to 10, have a drink of water and smile. Even if the smile is forced, it is still a smile, and it will make you feel better. Focus on the good things.

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    Anti-Anxiety Nutritional Diet

    2/4/2014

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    Studies have shown that some foods make us feel calmer while other foods can act as stimulants — at least temporarily. If you experience stress and anxiety or panic attacks, making some modifications to your diet may help alleviate your symptoms. Here are some foods you may want to add to your diet to boost your mood and four foods you may want to avoid because they can increase stress and even possibly cause a depressed mood. If you are struggling with anxiety and stress, consider skipping sugar, caffeine, street drugs, and above all alcohol — all substances that can worsen your outlook.



    Food to Eat:
    Turkey and Tryptophan-Rich Foods Some researchers believe that tryptophan can have a positive effect on stress because this amino acid helps your brain produce feel-good chemicals. “Tryptophan is a precursor to serotonin, and serotonin, a neurotransmitter, helps you feel calm,” says San Francisco nutritionist Manuel Villacorta, MS, RD, a spokesman for the American Dietetic Association. You will find tryptophan in a variety of foods: turkey, chicken, bananas, milk, oats, cheese, soy, nuts, peanut butter, and sesame seeds.

    Beef and Foods Rich in Vitamin B Studies have shown a relationship between the B vitamins, including thiamin or vitamin B1, and mood.  A deficiency in B vitamins such as folic acid and B12 can trigger depression in some people. You can take a vitamin B supplement or eat foods that are rich in B vitamins to ward off anxiety. These include beef, pork, chicken, leafy greens, legumes, oranges and other citrus fruits, rice, nuts, and eggs.

    Whole Wheat Bread ... Carbohydrates ... also increase production of serotonin in the brain. When choosing mood-lifting carbs, go for whole grains, such as whole wheat bread or brown rice, rather than processed choices, such as sugar, candy, or even white bread and white rice, Villacorta says. Whole grains take longer for the body to break down, and release sugar into the bloodstream slowly. Processed carbs may give you an initial surge of energy, but that can be followed by an insulin rush, which rapidly drops blood sugar levels, ultimately leaving you feeling lethargic.

    Salmon
    Evidence continues to mount that consuming omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), found in fatty
    fish such as salmon, tuna, lake trout, herring, mackerel, anchovies, and sardines, can be uplifting and enhance your mood. Some studies have shown that patients who took omega-3 fatty acids along with their prescription antidepressants improved more than those who took antidepressants alone. A side benefit: Omega-3s may reduce risk of heart disease.

    Yogurt and Other High-Protein Foods
    Protein helps stimulate the production of the brain chemicals norepinephrine and dopamine, which like serotonin, are neurotransmitters and carry impulses between nerve cells. Higher levels of norepinephrine and dopamine have been shown to improve alertness, mental energy, and reaction time, Villacorta says. Good sources of protein include Greek yogurt, fish, meats, cheese, eggs, nuts, beans, soy, and lentils. The ideal situation for mood-boosting is to combine complex carbohydrates and protein, and to spread your meals (4)  throughout the day.

    Avoid

    Alcohol
    Drinking may seem like a good way to take your mind off things, particularly if you’re feeling depressed or anxious, but it can affect you mentally as well as physically. Alcohol can alter or exaggerate the mood you’re in – so if you are depressed or anxious, alcohol can make these feelings worse. And regular drinking can also increase your chances of developing depression. Drinking, together with problems like low self-esteem, can make you more likely to develop depression and anxiety. People who drink to deal with depression and anxiety may also take other drugs that affect the mind, such as cannabis or ecstasy – but combining alcohol and other drugs is even more risky than alcohol alone and effects the brain in negative ways (both mentally and phsically). All drugs have different effects on your body, and these effects interact in ways that are hard to predict. This will be harmful and perhaps even fatal.

    Smoking
    Research into smoking and stress has shown that, instead of helping people to relax, smoking actually increases anxiety and tension. Nicotine creates an immediate sense of relaxation so people smoke in the belief that it reduces stress and anxiety. This feeling of relaxation is temporary and soon gives way to withdrawal symptoms and increased cravings. Smoking reduces nicotine withdrawal symptoms, which are similar to the symptoms of anxiety, but it does not reduce anxiety or deal with the underlying causes.

    Nicotine stimulates the release of the chemical dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is involved in triggering positive feelings. It is often found to be low in people with depression, who may then use smoking as a way of temporarily increasing their dopamine supply. However, smoking encourages the brain to switch off its own mechanism for making dopamine, so in the long term the supply decreases, which in turn prompts people to smoke more and increase the state of depression. 

    Coffee and Caffeinated Drinks
    Some people drink coffee and other beverages that contain caffeine (tea, cola, and hot chocolate) to help boost their energy levels. The problem is that caffeine has been shown to inhibit levels of serotonin in the brain and, when serotonin levels are suppressed, you can become depressed and feel irritable. Caffeine is also a diuretic -- it makes you go (pee) to the bathroom more. Even mild dehydration can cause depression. Caffeine also can keep you awake, leading to stress and anxiety. Remember that you need to sleep well to be in a positive mood.

    Sources:

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