Tucson Holistic Counseling

I  was recently talking to someone who strongly stated that he thought it was best to just tell people what they want to hear rather than telling the truth. “It’s just easier that way.” The other thing is to not say anything at all. “Just don’t say anything at all.” It was a new one on me that not walking in your truth is easier than being honest.

Still the question remains, should we tell people only what we feel they want to hear in order to please them and keep the peace? I suppose for me, I would like to answer the question with a question. The answer would be, how authentic do you want to be?

I think honesty and integrity is all part of walking a higher path. In the 12 step program I am in, it really emphasizes being honest, and not just honest, but rigorously honest. You have to be honest in order to get sober and then remain sober. You have to be honest in order to be in your own skin. Yet it is funny, for many people, when you are being honest, they cannot take it and need to label you, or call you names or pass rumors about you.

Fear not though and turn the other cheek. They are the people who stand in fear. I have been called names for being honest. I have been called a liar, a trouble maker, I have been called a rabble-rouser, an instigator, and a few words such as #$!*& and of course ##$%&*# all because I make choices to be honest.

Now I am not talking about being brutally honest, just a plain and simple honesty. We all may say things like hmmm that was good, when in fact, maybe it was not the greatest. I am talking about basic truths.  Many people cannot tolerate the truth. In my line of work, being honest is important. As a mental health practitioner and dealing with people’s emotions, honesty is vital. Not only is being honest vital, but is a necessary path we need to walk in order to grow.

So next time someone tells you it is best to tell people things even if it is a lie, in order to make them happy, make sure you are aware that the dishonesty you are participating in affects your biology. Not being honest and authentic wrecks havoc on the immune system, your cardio vascular system, your state of mental health, and forget spirituality because a spiritual person simply doesn’t require the need to lie.

Choose your path this New Year. Decide which path is best for you. Make a decision if you want to continue being angry, resentful and dishonest, or a decision to be more honest, spiritual and authentic. It is interesting which choices we all may take.

Happy New Years to all and remember the holistic pathway to mental health offers you choices in your healing, health and growth.

A new study has established that the most commonly prescribed medication, antidepressants, have doubled from 1996 to 2005. Researchers have determined that 13-million people were prescribed an antidepressant in 1996. This number skyrocketed to 27 million by 2005 confirming that antidepressant use is on the increase.

It appears that the medical world is moving towards treating depression through prescription drugs rather than through psychiatric therapy. Olfson and Marcus, lead authors of the study, state that, “There’s being a greater emphasis placed on medications rather than psychotherapy in treating mental health problems.” But he had no idea that antidepressant use would double.

“Not only are more U.S. residents being treated with antidepressants, but also those who are being treated are receiving more antidepressant prescriptions,” the researchers wrote. According to IMS Health, over 164 million antidepressant prescriptions were given in 2008, totaling over $9.6 billion in U.S. sales. This substantiates that antidepressant use on the increase.

“During this period, individuals treated with antidepressants became more likely to also receive treatment with antipsychotic medications and less likely to undergo psychotherapy,” Olfson and Marcus wrote.

The survey did target why more antidepressants were being prescribed, but the researchers proposed that it has become socially acceptable to be treated for depression, although the availability of new drugs may also play a role. “Although there was little change in total promotional spending for antidepressants between 1999 ($0.98 billion) and 2005 ($1.02 billion), there was a marked increase in the percentage of this spending that was devoted to direct-to-consumer advertising, from 3.3 percent ($32 million) to 12 percent ($122.00 million),” the researchers wrote.

Dr. Eric Caine, of the University of Rochester, was disturbed by these findings.

“Antidepressants are only moderately effective on population level,” Caine, who was not involved in the research, noted that many studies have shown that therapy is often more effective than drug use alone. “There is no data to say that the population is healthier. Indeed, the suicide rate in the middle years of life has been climbing,” he said. Not only is antidepressant use on the increase, so is suicide.

In 2003, clinical trials showed that antidepressant drugs actually increased the risk of suicidal thoughts in children and teens, yet the drugs continued to be prescribed at increasing rates. Finally in February 2005, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave its strongest warning against the use of antidepressants for children and teens. Studies further suggest that be cautious about prescribing antidepressants to children.

Researchers have concluded that antidepressant use is on the increase and does not appear like it will be declining anytime soon.

Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a lasting consequence of traumatic ordeals that cause intense fear, helplessness, or horror and people are treating PTSD naturally. Everyone reacts to traumatic events differently and people are unique in their ability to manage fear and stress which is why it is important to have a variety of options to treat PTSD.

PTSD is a condition that people develop after they experience a traumatic event. It is estimated that 8% of Americans will experience PTSD at some point in their lives. The traumatic events associated with PTSD are combat exposure, childhood abuse, rape, physical attack, being threatened with a weapon, car or plane crash, and witnessing a violent crime or incident. About 30% of the men and women who have spent time in war zones experience PTSD.

Symptoms of PTSD

* Flashbacks which is acting or feeling like the event is happening again
* Nightmares of either of the event or of other frightening things
* Inability to remember important aspects of the trauma
* Difficulty falling or staying asleep
* Irritability or outbursts of anger
* Difficulty concentrating
* Hypervigilance and feeling jumpy and easily startled
* Anger and irritability
* Guilt, shame, or self-blame
* Depression and hopelessness
* Suicidal thoughts and feelings
* Headaches, stomach problems, chest pain

Natural Ways of PTSD Treatment

It is strongly suggested that people who experience PTSD symptoms avoid stimulants, such as caffeine from chocolate, coffee, black tea, colas as well as alcohol. Maintaining balanced blood sugar levels helps stabilize moods. People will need to smaller and frequent meals and try to avoid processed, refined, and simple sugars.

Nutritional Supplements, Vitamins, and Herbs

* GABA is an amino acid that is known to play a role in the physiology of anxiety.
* B-complex helps reduce anxiety associated with PTSD.
* Kava is an herb that is used widely for nervous anxiety, tension, agitation, and insomnia. Kava works in a similar way to prescription benzodiazepine drugs such as Xanax and Valium.
* Valerian is an herbal tranquilizer that is best known as a remedy for insomnia. It calms the nervous system, balances mood swings, and is not habit forming.
* Other calming herbs that are frequently recommended for anxiety include chamomile, hops, lemon balm, passion flower, skullcap, and suma.

Other Alternative PTSD Therapies

* Physical activity such as exercise is perhaps the safest and most effective method of managing stress.

* Biofeedback - Where a person is attached to an EEG machine and, by listening to the kind and amount of brain waves produced, learns to change them in ways that ultimately affect both behavior and feelings.

* Aromatherapy - Essential oils that are used for PTSD can include; bergamot, cypress, geranium, jasmine, lavender, melissa, neroli, rose, sandalwood, ylang-ylang.

* Bodywork - Massage therapy, shiatsu, and other forms of bodywork can relax muscle tension, relieve stress, and improve sleep.

* Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which requires one to make several sets of side-to-side eye movements while recalling a traumatic incident, seems to help reduce PTSD symptoms.

* Stress-Reduction Techniques - Mind/body breathing exercises, physical exercise, yoga, tai chi, self-hypnosis, massage, meditation, guided imagery, and biofeedback are just some of the stress reduction techniques also used for relieving anxiety.

See more of this article and more at emaxhealth

  The early decades of the 20th century had little understanding of the treatment of mental health. Why until then people with psychoses were usually locked away in insane asylums, receiving only limited custodial care and no social support. There were no effective therapeutic options. They treated the mentally ill worse than animals.

Then some doctor thought, “Hey let’s just remove parts of the brain and see if that cures it.” In 1936, the first Lobotomy was performed. It was considered psychosurgery which was to have to “bad” parts of the brain removed. In 1945 In 1945 Electrotherapy (ECT) which was applying electric current to the brain was first used in American hospitals to treat mental illnesses. Medicine figured if they could not cut it out, they could fry it out. In the 60’s the first conventional antipsychotic drug, chlorpromazine, antipsychotic drugs, such as haloperidol, and lithium surfaces as psychosurgery and ECT makes a quick exit as the chemical Lobotomy came in place and pharmaceutical companies would become rich.

Today, yes pharmaceutical companies are rich and have taken over congress. However despite that, some mental health agencies are attempting to focus some holistic therapies that actually can work. These techniques can be attainable because many consumers can affordable them and many more doctors are recognizing them.

Such things as nutrition and giving sound nutritional advice as part of the treatment for mental health. According to a report Feeding Minds, produced by the Mental Health Foundation they did a study and surveyed 200 people and 88% found that changing their diet improved their mental health.

Some Agencies are also looking into techniques such as stress reduction and relaxation such as yoga. Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have found that practicing yoga may elevate brain gamma-aminobutyric (GABA) levels, the brain’s primary inhibitory neurotransmitter. The findings suggest that the practice of yoga be explored as a possible treatment for depression and anxiety, disorders associated with low GABA levels.

Study after study has found that physical activity can boost mood You don’t need to run marathons to get a benefit. “It seems like half an hour several times a week may be enough,” Cook says. “More than that may not have a further effect on mood. There seems to be a plateau.”

As we move forward in the research and study of mental health, more humane treatment options are being offered to people with mental health concerns. Still there is a long ways to go. Sadly most agencies cannot give holistic counseling and advice. They can suggest better diet and exercise, however there is still so much more to know about holistic treatment to depression and anxiety. That is why Tucson Holistic Counseling is so important.  A holistic approach can help heal rather than mask so many symptoms. Call Mindhance today and make an appointment. 520-861-6632

It is difficult at times to look at emotions and say, “What are emotions and how do they work?” Well you could look at emotions like energy in motion. Twirling and swirling around. You see, our emotions are energy and they are always in motion. We all know that our bodies are made up of molecules, and of course molecules are made up of atoms and yes atoms, protons, neutrons and electrons and they all twirl around each other in a wonderful dance. We may look solid but the truth is our bodies are just like all matter which means, we are energy moving at different rates resulting in something that we see and call solid. The fact is however, we are not solid. The molecular substance of our bodies is actually quite subject to thought and emotion.

Emotions operate on various stages.  They have a physical aspect, a psychological aspect and a spiritual aspect.  Emotions bridge thoughts, feelings, and actions are there to let us know how things are going in our lives.  When our emotions are positive and free flowing, (meaning allowing emotions to be felt and expressed with out resistance) then it raises the movement within the cells of our bodies and the cellular aspect of the body more fluid and freely flowing. When our emotions are negative, the cells in our body slow down and create a vacuum for illness and disease.

With all that in mind, let’s ask the question, does emotions cause or worsen illness? Of course you know the answer, and that is yes, but I think we need to recognize that it’s not so much the emotion itself  that causes illness but what we do with the emotion, or in many cases, what we don’t do with the emotions.

You see in American culture we carry a great deal of judgment and resistance to emotions and we normally call them good or bad. Happiness and joy is good, anger, fear and sadness is bad. We fail to look at these emotions are natural and normal. We are taught as small children to avoid certain emotions, to deny they are there, or cover them over with material things or things to do. We are taught at a young age, distractions.

But the truth is, distraction is not immune to our physical self and because we avoid these emotions, we then begin to internalize. Once we internalize them, we have stored these emotions and if not released, they create issues. I call this if there is an issue it is in the tissue. 

It is said that 95% of all illness has an emotional component. In fact, science has now established that when you are in a state of distress and disharmony, your cells produce toxic chemicals that tend to deteriorate and degenerate the body.

Now I am not saying that hereditary or environmental factors don’t contribute to certain conditions or ailments, however, the emotional history and patterns of behavior over time does play very strong role with a person’s physical condition.

You see we need to understand that emotions are the very foundation on which we build our existence. Emotions not only inspire us, they truly can limit us as well.  When emotions are repressed or we distract ourselves from our emotions, the body’s natural defenses become confused and disrupted which then creates a sort of physical internal chaos. So releasing certain negative emotions can cause a shift in your energy freeing up energy blocks in your system. However, if you do not release the emotions, then illness can occur.

I am reminded of a forty-six year old female who was a grief counselor. She had lost her mother to cancer and she was unable to process her emotions because she felt she had to be strong for her clients as well as for her family. She was aware that emotions affected your physical body as much as your body affects your feelings and thinking. However, rather than looking at it, she wrapped herself in her work and chose not to apply this to herself. She soon became angry and bitter about the loss. She began to start having physical symptoms that brought her to the doctors. After several tests, the doctor concluded that this woman was a diabetic.

She was unable to find the sweetness in life because she could not deal with her emotions around her mothers death and the circumstances that surrounded it, thus it manifested in her pancreas. (by the way her mother died from pancreatic cancer) The pancreas does represent the sweetness of life and unresolved issues surrounding bitterness often manifest with diabetes.

When a person has stress or disharmony even unresolved grief, they express negative emotions that literally create toxic chemicals in the cells of the body. This causes the body to be in a state of degeneration and stagnation. Once the body is in this state, it become susceptible to attract viruses, harmful bacteria, and long term disease such as diabetes, heart problems and yes even cancer.

You see, when you are stressed out or perhaps you carry negative emotions such as anger, resentment, disliking and impatience. These emotions cause you to tense up and this tensing up can cause our biological processes to be impaired. So things such as transporting nutrients, hormone production, elimination, digestion, cell regeneration and rain function can become disrupted leading to a gradual deterioration in your whole system.

Another good example of how unexpressed emotions can create illness or disease is the story of a woman in her forties had a tumor in her right breast. She had a twenty-five year old son living with her and a very needy husband. She worked everyday and came home and took care of her husband and son. No one helped her with the household chores and both men in her life were extremely needy. She began to harbor resentment and anger but never told them how she was feeling. She went to see a holistic healer who had told her that the men in her life were emotionally breast feeding from her to get nourishment and she was not nourishing herself. She was told she would need to assert herself. She began to assert herself with her husband and son and stopped nursing them so much. Within months she went for another mammogram. The results had shown that there was no tumor-not even a trace. Problems with breasts can often mean that the person is not nourishing or nurturing themselves.

The mind and body are closely connected and one affects the other in ways that can either can harm or heal. The body responds to the way we think, act and feel. The emotional, neurological, and immune systems are all wired together. So when habits such as not taking care of yourself or negative and unresolved thoughts and feelings come up but remain unaddressed, a hormonal response is induced and an uncomfortable state of "dis-ease" begins.

In fact, when emotional health is unattended one may experience all sorts of physical complaints such as back or chest pain, extreme fatigue, insomnia, palpitations, sweating, weight gain or loss. The complaints however can become disease such as heart attack, strokes, and cancer. This is because emotions are rooted in deep C wiring, and can have a negative effect to the internal chemical environment. AKA, if there’s an issue it’s in the tissue. So you see our thought patterns and belief systems effect the health of our body.

Keep in mind that your mind may repress painful emotions and memories, but the body remembers it all, and it always tells the truth! It is called cellular memory and basically what this means is that though the emotion or memory isn’t part of our consciousness, past experiences or memories are stored in the body and have a powerful effect on how you behave and how you feel about yourself. If one brings these unconscious feelings and memories into awareness, one stands a great chance of healing and preventing not only physical illness but emotional health such as depression and anxiety.

Be careful with what you say and think as well. Statements like “It just worried me sick” or “It ate through me like a cancer” and “It broke my heart” are expressions we use that hint at the mind/body connection. Have you ever wondered if there really is any basis for these sayings? Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is telling us yes, our emotions can affect our immune system causing illness. PNI by definition is a multidisciplinary field, involving psychologists, neuroscientists and immunologists. This field looks at the scientific data on the interaction of the nervous and immune systems as well as the impact of behavior and psychological functioning. In short, PNI is based on we are what we think.

Human beings are the only creatures on earth that can change their biology by what they think or feel and according to research, exposure to stressful life experiences has been associated with changes in the immune system. In addition, experts have noticed that illness has many positive rewards. Ever notice when someone becomes sick they receive cards, flowers and gifts? Often people who are ill will gain praises from family and loved ones. In fact, sickness gives us permission to do things that we would not do otherwise. It makes it easier to say no to unwelcome people, burdens, and job demands in our lives. Being sick or not feeling good allows us to take time to rest, stay in bed, reflect, and gives us permission to relax. It also gives us permission to be loved because we attain a great amount of emotional support when we are sick.

By attempting to stay healthy, learning to give yourself permission to take time out for yourself, and building up your immune system, people have a head start in preventing illness and disease. So as you can see the mind and the body are clearly connected and what we think affects how we feel and how we feel effects health.

Big news SAM-e (pronounced sammy), otherwise known as S-Adenosylmethionine is really working for depression and other physical/.emotional conditions. SAM-e is not an herb but a compound that our bodies produce from methionine, which is an amino acid found in protein-rich foods.

SAM-e has demonstrated positive results in treating major depression. Controlled studies found that 70 percent of depressed people responded to SAM-e just as well as many established drug treatments for depression. So what is the SAM-e secret?

It appears that SAM-e can increase levels of important neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine and phosphatidylserine, therefore increasing the fluidity of brain cell membranes. This can affect the way brain cells receive and transmit neurotransmitters, such as serotonin. SAM-e also detoxifies the brain and is now being studied in the detoxification and rehabilitation of opiate abusers.

How does SAM-e differ from Saint John’s Wort? When Saint John’s Wort came on the market, people tossed out their prescriptions of Zoloft, Paxil, and Prozac, hoping for an herbal "cure" for depression. Disappointment followed when many of those depressed people did not find relief in the "miracle herb." Of course, not all recognized that Saint John’s Wort is for mild depression.

People on Prozac or other prescribed anti-depressants are probably not mildly depressed. Researchers claim the major difference with SAM-e is it can help with major depression. SAM-e is also beneficial with other conditions, such as arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, liver disorders, chronic back aches and migraine headaches.

Be aware that SAM-e is expensive: Average price is about $25 (US) per bottle, and to receive the minimum dose. Take 400 mg of SAMe twice a day. It is very important that you to take a high-quality vitamin B complex supplement along with SAMe. To prevent insomnia, don’t take SAMe late in the day. Most people report a mild energy boost with the supplement.

Don’t take SAMe with MAO inhibitor antidepressants. SAMe is best absorbed on an empty stomach, so try to take it about one hour before or two hours after meals. If nausea or heartburn begin be sure to take it with plenty of water. With any form of depression it is important to understand that prescribed drug treatment, or herbals and supplements alone cannot cure depression. Nutrition, exercise and spirituality all go hand-in-hand with treating depression.  

An addiction is a strong recurring compulsion to engage in some specific activity, despite harmful consequences to that individual, possibly affecting his health, mental state, lively hood, well being, or social life. Addictions come in two forms physical and psychological (with some overlapping taking place.) physical addictions includes all the drugs, opiates, prescription drugs, cocaine, alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, etc, things your body gets used to and you need to "feel normal". Psychological addictions are things you "think" you need and can include most anything with some common addictions being overeating, under-eating, video games, gambling, porn, etc. The list goes on and on! Whether you addiction is physical or psychological, keep in mind an addiction is an addiction- a behavior you want to change.
Holistic addiction treatment offers comprehensive, spiritual and progressive techniques that treat not just the addition but the full person behind the addiction. From meditation and massage to vitamin therapy and more, holistic techniques can offer lasting peace for those who engage it. Through various types of addiction therapy, there is one central component: Finding holistic and natural modalities to recovering from addictions can help people remain sober for the long term.

Acudetox
Acudetox, or the NADA Protocol, developed in 1974 by Dr. Michael Smith of New York, is now used in hundreds of rehab centers throughout the United States. Clients in early recovery often still have the desire to use the drug of their choice and have much angst over it. Both of these phenomena may prevent the individual from hearing what is being said to him or her in therapy sessions or 12-step meetings. The Acudetox protocol assists the person in gaining serenity and acceptance in the recovery process.
The treatment will detox the body by reducing the cravings and controlling the withdrawal symptoms (pains, stress, insomnia, night sweats, lack of energy). It will calm the Central Nervous System and re-balances the body’s energy. The treatment can help the body to restore itself with its natural healing qualities, leaving the person in recovery from drug abuse feeling calm and relaxed.
More importantly, Acudetox is clinically proven to have played a major role within drug misuse treatments, with clinical evidence showing that patients responded well to treatment, with the alleviation of cravings, anxiety, depression, and withdrawal symptoms.
The Acupunture detox locations are Shen Men (Spirit/Heavenly Gate), Sympathetic (Autonomic Nervous System), Kidneys, Liver and the Lungs. The Shen Men and Sympathetic points are very powerful: the two points share analgesic properties, relaxing the body physically and psychologically, relieving pain, lowering the blood pressure and allowing one to focus on inner peace as the natural endorphins release into the blood stream (natural endorphins are 100 times more powerful than morphine).
The reasons above are why Auricular Acupuncture for detoxification is so effective and accepted within drug rehab, drug community projects and prisons globally. The Sympathetic point balances disturbances of the Autonomic Nervous System, a strong pain killing point. It is a pain control principle point for thoracic and abdominal operations. The Sympathetic point will assist the other three vital organs (the kidneys, liver and the lungs) to function more effectively, allowing the body to expel the narcotic substances.

Aromatherapy

Smell is one of our five basic senses and is strongly associated with mood. Often a brief whiff of a particular fragrance can carry us away to other times and other places. Science has proven that aroma has a direct impact on the emotions. Certain aromas can stimulate the hypothalamus, which is the part of the brain that controls the endocrine system as well as other body functions. The hypothalamus can then activate the pituitary gland, which produces hormones that can affect both the physical and emotional body. In addition to their many other functions, hormones influence emotions and behavior. The use of essential oils and aromatherapy is a wonderful and effective means for emotional healing and rebalancing the moods and energy of throughout the day.

Ceremony and Ritual
Sacred ceremony and rituals have been used for centuries and can help people in recovery achieve and maintain sobriety. Ceremony and rituals are used to celebrate successes, to calm and relax, and to help produce feelings of euphoria. Not only can ceremonies be meaningful, they can also be purposeful for the group as a whole, for it is through such celebrations that clients are given the opportunity to actively participate in the affirmation of their values, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. Many holistic practitioners believe that through celebration, clients can bring to light their rites of passage towards their recovery from addiction and fundamentally change patterns thus allowing them to experience themselves and others in a sober and healthy way.
Drumming and Drumming Circles
I used to work at a rehab center that did a few alternative methods to recovery. One of the methods that I noticed really had a powerful effect on people drumming and drumming circles for substance abuse. The clients who participated indicated that drumming enhances recovery through inducing relaxation and enhancing theta-wave production and brain-wave synchronization. Drumming produces pleasurable experiences, enhanced awareness of preconscious dynamics, release of emotional trauma, and reintegration of self. Drumming alleviates self-centeredness, isolation, and alienation, creating a sense of connectedness with self and others. Drumming provides a secular approach to accessing a higher power and applying spiritual perspectives.
Guided Imagery and Creative Visualization
Many people who are addicted to alcohol or other drugs started using these substances as a way to relax, ease tension, or improve self-esteem and confidence. They use these substances to escape from the people, places, and things in their lives. Guided imagery and creative visualization can help the person in recovery facilitate reaching these ideals without the assistance of harmful toxins. Breathing exercises and other relaxation techniques can be used to clear the mind and relax the body.
Homeopathy

Homeopathy is a system of medicine which is based on treating the individual with highly diluted substances given in mainly tablet form, which triggers the body’s natural system of healing. In homeopathy, a key premise is that every person has energy called a vital force or self-healing response. When this energy is disrupted or imbalanced, health problems develop. Homeopathy aims to stimulate the body’s own healing responses. It works on the principle of “like cures like” - that is, a substance that would cause symptoms in a healthy person. Homeopathy can play an integral role in treating addictions, not by magically “curing” a persons craving for a substance or behavior but rather by treating the individual cause of their addiction. Some people believe that homeopathic medicine works by stimulating the body’s own natural defenses. Homeopathic remedies will help the addictive personality by bringing him into a state of balance on all three levels of physical health, emotional health and mental health. This form of constitutional analysis results in the individual seeing his limited range of thinking and bring him into alignment with his higher purpose. The physical body balances and cravings are reduced. This process is deep and transforming.
Massage Therapy and Body Work
The use of alternative treatments for treating substance abuse has become more popular in the last few decades as holistic medicine is more widely accepted. The ancient art of massage has been used for centuries as a healing tool for a wide variety of therapies, including substance abuse and addiction to alcohol and drugs. Massage promotes healing and relaxation in the mind and body by using the combination of the systematic application of pressure and movement to manipulate the soft tissues of the body to cultivate well-being.
The human body has 12 main energy channels and these channels can become blocked. Licensed and qualified massage therapists are able to unblock energy which helps to relax clients as well as relieve internal stress that may be creating further stress or anxiety. This internal stress is a large factor in contributing to addiction to drugs and alcohol. The use of massage during drug rehab can help relieve stress and decrease negativity that contributes to an individual’s desire to use drugs and / or alcohol.
When a person becomes sober and is detoxifying their body, they may experience symptoms such as headaches, depression and anxiety. During substance abuse rehab treatment, massage helps encourage the detoxification process by gently removing toxins from the body. At the same time, this process releases endorphins, which are the body’s natural mood elevator.
Massage is used to help heal, reduce, and even altogether avoid certain symptoms of alcohol and drug abuse. Addiction experts understand that massage is related to psychosomatics and that the body and the mind are inextricably linked, and that healing the mind and body will inevitably lead to a much stronger and faster recovery from drug and alcohol abuse, and incorporate this wonderful modality into their treatment plan.
Meditation
Did you know that the words meditate, medicine, and medicate, share the same Latin root medicus, meaning to cure? Meditation is used by every culture on earth to relax the body, bring peace to the emotions, and expand spiritual knowledge. Modern health care is now integrating this practice into treating pain management, cancers and illnesses, stress reduction, and substance abuse recovery with a great deal of success. Most dis-ease is caused by some form of stress or other emotional component. Total healing of self cannot be attained by a chemically-induced state of mind that the affects of medication can produce. Meditation works in strengthening the mind by training, or “reprogramming” if you will, our way of thinking. Meditation requires positive, calm, and relaxing thoughts to occupy thinking. Meditation encourages self-love and high self-esteem. People with improved self-esteem are emotionally stronger and better equipped physically and mentally.

Nutritional Therapy

People with alcohol or drug addictions are usually malnourished and proper nutrition can correct nutritional shortcomings and help the body regain its strength and health. Experts know that people with substance abuse issues are often deficient in many important nutrients. Poor nutrition can severely affect a person’s judgment and can limit the mind and body’s ability to heal. When people feel better, they are less likely to relapse into their addiction. Because balanced nutrition helps improve mood and health, it is important to encourage a healthy diet in people recovering from alcohol and other drug problems. If your treatment center does not pay attention to your diet (Sugars and carbs) then your treatment center is not paying attention to your addictions. How we eat and what we put in our bodies is the ground work for recovery!
Vitamins and Minerals
Supplemental vitamins and minerals can help compensate for our genetics, aging, nutrition, stress, and coping with traumatic events. Vitamins and minerals can provide what nature hasn’t given us, or what life has taken from us. Supplements help the physical immune-deficient body; however, what people often fail to recognize is that supplements can also work in healing the emotional immune system. Supplements can improve mental health by treating and preventing mental illnesses, including many types of depression, mood and personality disorders, anxiety, addictions, alcoholism, as well as other ailments. In dealing with substance abuse, vitamin and minerals work wonders in helping with detoxifying from substances and rebuilding depleted immune systems. Vitamins and minerals are involved in one or more biochemical pathway, and/or physiological action that influence the function of the human brain.
Herbals for Alcoholism & Drug Addiction
The use of herbs can ease some alcohol or drug withdrawal symptoms from anxiety to insomnia and facilitate in detoxifying the body. They also may be used to reduce the addicted person’s cravings for alcohol and other drugs. Particularly helpful are herbs that influence the nervous system, gently encouraging a relaxed and sedated state. These herbs include valerian, chamomile, peppermint, and skullcap and can be used separately or compounded together.
Yoga

Yoga is ideal for substance abuse recovery: Yoga is a 5,000 year old science from India. Yoga is taught and practiced today it is often used as a therapeutic tool in many models of healing, including drug addiction therapy. When practiced yoga can help balance the endocrine system, strengthen the nervous system, help increase self-awareness both on the mental and physical level and improve self-control and help harness the vital force which can be very helpful for people coping with addiction issues. In fact, Yoga is an ideal activity for substance abuse recovery, because it conditions the body, mind and soul. Recovering from an addiction takes physical, mental and spiritual strength, which can be developed by practicing yoga.

Everything we eat affects our moods. More and more mental health professionals agree that diet and depression go hand-in-hand, confirming that healthy foods help relieve depression. Through extensive research, science proves that there is truth behind the statement that food aids in relieving depression. Brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine appear to be influenced by the foods we eat. Did you know a turkey sandwich can calm you down? Feeling stressed? Then have tuna salad in an avocado followed by a cup of frozen sorbet.

People who experience mild depression may be happy to discover that eating foods that contain folic acid can help them feel better. People who experience mild-to-moderate depression are often deficient in folic acid, and eating foods that contain this vitamin could help reduce the high levels of homocysteine associated with depression. Some of the leading foods that have folic acid include; turkey, asparagus, beets, spinach, peas, avocados, brussels sprouts, bok choy, cabbage, broccoli, savoy, beans, chick-peas, soybeans, lentil, and oranges.

The amino acid Tryptophan is also very important in reducing depression. Tryptophan is the precursor to serotonin, which is a necessary neurotransmitter for transmitting nerve impulses in the brain. Food sources that contain Tryptophan include fish, other seafoods, poultry, lean meats, low-fat dairy products, eggs, beans, soy products, whole-grain cereals, vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains (barley, rye, oats, etc.), rice, hummus, lentils, hazelnuts, peanuts, sesame seeds, and sunflower seeds.

Omega-3 fatty fish oil is gaining more and more positive feedback for treating depression. Certain omega acids may be beneficial for depression. docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid that is the building block of human brain tissue. Research suggests that low levels of DHA have been associated with depression. More doctors and nutritionists are suggesting people include foods such as salmon, trout, grilled albacore tuna, halibut, sardines, cod, tofu, flaxseed, pumpkin seed, soybeans, and walnuts to get more Omegas in their diet.

Based on niacin’s well-recognized role in promoting sound nerve cell function, some experts recommend this B vitamin for relieving depression as well as feelings of anxiety and panic. Most B-vitamin complexes contain niacin in sufficient amounts for this purpose; they also offer the mood-enhancing benefits of other B vitamins. Leading Food Sources of niacin include brown rice chicken, turkey, tuna, and pomegranates.

Inositol is believed to play an important role in the messenger system to which several key serotonin receptor subtypes are linked and may be very therapeutic agents in treating depression. Nuts, bean, cantaloupe, citrus, soy, wheat germ, and eggs are a few foods that contain this vital component to our diet.

If eating certain foods can help decrease symptoms of depression, then it is important to note that a variety of foods can increase depression. People who experience depression should avoid foods such as simple carbohydrates, sugar, smoked foods, sausages or bacon, liver, dark poultry, fried foods, cold cuts, pickled foods, aged foods, full-fat cheese, whole milk, alcohol, processed foods, white flour, baked goods, caffeine, soda or cola products, MSG, and excessive salt.

It is essential to eat several healthy snacks in-between meals and never skip meals. This can help blood sugar from dipping and creating a sense of fatigue and depression. Not drinking enough fluid can also have an effect on mental health because even mild dehydration can result in depressed and irritable behavior.We are what we eat, so why not choose to eat healthier and feel better? Selecting foods that promote good neurotransmitter health is just one more way to reduce symptoms of depression. If symptoms of depression get worse, it is important to tell your family doctor.

5-HTP (compound 5-hydroxytryptophan) is a derivative of the amino acid tryptophan. A mood-enhancing chemical, it has gained a great deal of respect lately because of its ability to decrease depression. Unlike other supplements and prescribed drugs that have molecules too large to pass from the bloodstream into the brain, molecules of 5-HTP are small enough to do so. Once in the brain, they’re converted into an important nervous system chemical, or neurotransmitters called serotonin.

5-HTP is the intermediate metabolite of the essential amino acid L-tryptophan which was taken off the market in 1989 because 27 people died from it (over 250,000 people die each year from prescribed pharmaceuticals). Unlike tryptophan, 5-HTP cannot be converted to kynurenine; so it can easily cross the blood brain barrier. While only three percent of an oral dose of tryptophan is converted to serotonin, over seventy percent of an oral dose of 5- HTP is converted to serotonin. Today, 5-hydroxytrptophan is considered a safer and more effective treatment for these conditions. In addition it is much cheaper than L-tryptophan.
5-HTP causes an increase in levels of endorphin and other neurotransmitters that are often decreased in cases of depression. 5-HTP also increases serotonin levels. Thus, it is much more effective for depression. In fact, numerous studies have shown that 5- HTP has equal effectiveness compared to drugs like Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressant drugs like imipramine and desipramine in terms of effectiveness, therefore tryptophan and especially 5-HTP, should not be used by anyone taking any of these drugs or not to be used with Saint John’s Wort. 5-HTP may also be helpful in some cases of compulsive carbohydrate overeating, alcohol addiction and compulsive gambling (specific forms of OCD), as well as for insomnia. Reported side effects include nausea, vomiting, and difficulty breathing. High doses of 5-HTP can cause agitation, fast heart rate, a boost in blood pressure.
Numerous clinical trials have studied the efficacy of 5-HTP for treating depression. One compared 5-HTP to the antidepressant drug fluvoxamine and found 5-HTP to be equally effective. Researchers used the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and a self-assessment scale to gauge the effectiveness of the two medications. Both scales revealed a gradual reduction in depressive symptoms through time with both medications. Perhaps the most convincing evidence, however, comes from scientists who examined research from around the world on the use of 5-HTP in treating depression. One such researcher, writing in Neuropsychobiology, sums up the findings this way: "Of the 17 reviewed studies, 13 confirm that 5-HTP has true antidepressant properties." (David Wolfson, N.D.)
The effective dose of 5-HTP appears to be between 50 and 500 mg daily.3 Used in combination with other antidepressant substances, however, the effective dose may be even lower. Research shows that some people respond better to lower doses, so I recommend beginning at the low end of the dose range and increasing as necessary. Side effects associated with therapeutic doses of 5-HTP are rare.

Watching the fear happening around me from the Swine flu amazes me. People filled with so much fear.  It made me stop and think for a few about fear. How so many people are so filled with fear that they forget the one basic element in life. LIVING!

Many things teach us fear. History teaches us over and over and over, yet we refuse to learn from history. Religion threatens us with fear. The bible mentions 365 times to fear not yet there are hundred of scripture that suggest we fear the Lord.  Fears are passed on from generation to generation I call it generational fear. A relative might have a fear and hand it down from generation to generation, and we never question the validity of the fear, we just continue to pass on terrifying myths and fables, deeply rooted in our ancestry.

Fear can be based from past experience. (If it happened this time it will always happen) So if someone’s father leaves them at a young age, and then a brother leaves to go to college, that person might fear that ALL men will abandon them and create a fear. Remember 99 percent of all fears are unreal and just something we make up.

Fear has now become an effective political whip: If you don’t want to die a fiery death in another World Trade Center bombing then we need to invade other countries. Further more, the reason we have two giant pits in the ground in NYC is because it is politically smarter to leave a gaping wound to remind us of the terror every day than filling it in, building it up, and moving on with our lives as the living.

Much of this fear is brought to you by the media, which is one of the biggest promoters of fear. It is the mouth piece for modern world wide fear. Millions of dollars are spent annually researching ways to get you to watch the news. People are surveyed as to what makes them watch the news. Statements such as “officials are worried about”  “experts warn that” how about “shocking new details” or “an alarming percentage”  are phrases that are used to create fear in people. It does not have to be a phrase either. Single words such as “Deadly” and “disaster” certainly instill fear with most people.

Thoughts get energized by reacting to it with emotion generating more thought and more emotion. Did you know if we hold a thought and the associated emotional energy for 68 seconds or more, we begin manifesting that thought? We feel it. We start reacting and most the time our reaction is fear based. If you let fear get the better of you, you’ll end up being locked within a prison of self doubt and this will have a negative impact upon your ability to grow in life and to try out new experiences. The important thing to remember is that although some events in life are naturally met by a feeling of fear.

So how can we work on our fears?

Simple, where there is love there is no fear. I know it sounds simple, in fact too simple. However, for just a moment think of the emotions that comes from love. Feelings and actions such as truth, honesty, trust, laughter, faith, empathy, hope, acceptance, kindness, happiness, optimistic, and of course courage keep fear far from us.

So be an observer! As you observe others in fear, you might want to make a decision to only observe. This action is the very thing that keeps the fear from being nourished. You do not add fuel to the fear, but you are given the opportunity to hold compassion in your heart (love) and shines that light of love into the darkness of the fear. 

Visit Dr. Tyler Woods Website for the Walking in Fear workshop www.tylerwoods.org