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Scopolamine, also known as hyoscine, is a medication used to treat motion sickness and post-operative nausea and vomiting. E-Medicine Health states that scopolamine helps decrease the secretion of fluids, slowing the stomach and intestines, and dilates the pupils. This drug has also been called “devil’s breath” and has been used to reduce a person’s free will and coerce someone into doing something. Scopolamine has been used recreationally; it creates feelings of euphoria and produces hallucinations. Above It All Treatment Center identifies the following side effects associated with scopolamine: dry mouth, blurry vision, dizziness, flushing, lightheadedness, urination issues, confusion, rapid or irregular heartbeat, disorientation, extreme drowsiness, and more. Due to the damaging effects that scopolamine can cause, it is not intended for long-term or recreational use. Scopolamine has been used in the past as a tablet to be taken orally, but is now in the form of a patch (also known as the transdermal route) that one can place behind their ear. With this, the medicine soaks into the skin. Everyday Health notes that scopolamine blocks the activity of the neurotransmitter (acetylcholine) which stimulates the part of the brain that triggers nausea and vomiting, as well as involuntary muscle movement and more. This drug can also cause a serious allergic reaction such as constriction of the throat and difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips, tongue, or face, and hives. Before taking this medication, consult with your doctor to ensure that you are not allergic to it. Long-term use of scopolamine may cause a person to develop a dependency to it. If you feel as though you cannot feel happy and relaxed without taking this drug, you may be addicted to it. The first step in treatment for scopolamine addiction is detoxification, in which the body dispels of the toxins placed in it through excessive drug consumption. From there, you will begin treatment towards your recovery.

Massage therapy is defined by Northwestern Health Sciences University as the manual manipulation of soft body tissues such as the muscle, connective tissue, tendons and ligaments, to enhance a person’s health and well-being. There are two primary types of massage therapy: relaxation massage and rehabilitation massage. In rehabilitation, this also consists of deep tissue, medical, therapeutic or clinical massage, often practiced in medical settings and rehabilitation centers. Relaxation massage, also known as the Swedish massage, is most often practiced in wellness centers, spas, and massage practices. In a pilot study International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork, patients who suffered from multiple sclerosis were given massage therapy treatment for 6 weeks. By the end of the 6 weeks, the patients saw significant improvement in their feelings of fatigue and pain. In addition to the assistance with multiple sclerosis, massage therapy is most often used for: anxiety, digestive disorders, fibromyalgia, headaches, insomnia related to stress, myofascial pain syndrome, soft tissue strains or injuries, sports injuries, temporomandibular joint pain and more. Another, Journal of Depression and Anxiety, found that therapeutic massage, thermotherapy, and relaxing room therapy benefitted 68 patients with generalized anxiety disorder over the course of 12 weeks. The American Massage Therapy Association states that massage therapy helps people relieve stress, manage low-back pain, reduce anxiety, relieve post-operative pain, improve balance in older adults, promote relaxation, lower blood pressure, improve quality of life in hospice care, decrease stress in cancer patients, improve cardiovascular health, increase range of motion, and more. Massage therapy helps decrease nerve compression and increase joint space, which helps achieve many of the benefits above. While there are many benefits, some people should not use massage therapy. For example, people who suffer from bleeding disorders, burns, deep vein thrombosis, fractures, severe osteoporosis and more may not be eligible to receive this form of treatment. If you are considering using massage therapy to help you relieve stress, anxiety, or other health issues, speak with a doctor today to determine if massage therapy is appropriate for you.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than a quarter of adults in America suffer from depression, anxiety, and other related mental illnesses each year. In today’s world, so many forms of therapy are available to us, and many who suffer from a mental illness may choose to seek out someone who can help them work through these deep-rooted issues. There are therapists that specialize in certain areas, which can be incredibly helpful for helping us feel safe and secure, to know that we are being taken care of by someone who is very knowledgeable. With a variety of methods available, psychotherapy is a common choice to help a person lead happier, healthier, and more productive lives.

There are many reasons for why someone may develop a personality disorder, with some of those reasons perpetuating stigma. For example, many people believe personality disorders are a sign of evil or a ploy used to help people manipulate others. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Personality disorders are developed not by choice, and can cause significant distress to one’s daily life. The American Psychological Association (APA) has identified the following causes of personality disorders:

The first step in recovery is detoxification, a process in which the body naturally dispels any toxins that were inhibited from addiction. Detox can seem daunting, especially if you are unsure of what you will be experiencing. Knowing what to expect can provide you with a sense of relief, and knowing that you will have a team of health care professionals that support you means that you will be provided with optimal care. Rehab International, an online treatment center directory, has noted that detox care begins with completing assessment paperwork. With this intake assessment, you will inform your healthcare team of your health issues, addiction history, and more. Transparency is incredibly important to ensure you receive the best care possible. From there, a brief physical assessment may take place as well as a tour to help you feel more comfortable. Many people who enter recovery fear the pain of detox. However, the detox process is designed to be a painless as possible. WebMD notes that you may be given medication to assist with any unwanted withdrawal symptoms as you go through detox. There are several symptoms that you may experience from detox:

There are several types of personality disorders, and many people suffer from their characteristics, affecting nearly every aspect of their lives. Having a personality disorder may also be difficult for family, friends, and those around them. Educating yourself on the various personality disorders may help you detect potential characteristics in yourself or your loved ones, leading to a possible diagnosis and closer step towards treatment and recovery. As of today, there are ten identified personality disorders, and they are grouped into 3 main clusters. Cluster A is characterized by a combination of “odd” or “eccentric” personality disorders.

A relatively recent study published in Journal of Experimental Social Psychology stated that humans prefer comfortability and predictability rather than change – students interviewed from the study indicated preference towards their current university layout than a newer one, and participants viewed acupuncture more favorably when told that it has been around for 2,000 years as opposed to 250 years. From the time we are born, we are changing. We learn to walk, talk, make connections with others, develop hobbies and interests, etc. If change were not necessary, we would never make advancement past birth. Adapting is crucial to our health and well-being – the more that we work with the change, the less we work against it, thus experiencing less negative feelings such as anger, depression, anxiety, and more. Although we crave the security, change is very constant – and we need to learn to adapt to this change to become more capable human beings. The first step that we can take towards adapting to change is recognizing that we are trying to resist it. By acknowledging this, we can make decisions that place us in a position to work with the changes around us. The next step is for us to keep this knowledge in mind and remain open to whatever the world offers us. Whatever path appears, we are safe in knowing that our path is purposeful. Either we take on a path that provides us with bountiful rewards and experiences, or we take a path that teaches us many lessons and gives us the opportunity to grow. Either way, it’s a “win-win”. Lastly, we can choose to walk towards change, rather than away from it. If there are opportunities for new discoveries to be made, learn to approach the change with curiosity and excitement. Begin this new journey with an open heart and mind, and become elated by the numerous lessons and possibilities that may arise from this new direction. Change can be incredibly difficult for most of us to appreciate – but the reality is that without change, we would never learn and grow. Change is a wonderful gift that enables us to find something more beneficial for us, to grow from the ashes of the past and to rebuild our foundation with bricks that are stronger than they were before. If we can learn to accept change, then we are setting ourselves up for a much easier, more workable way of living.   Residential treatment programs give you the time you need to focus on healing. Avalon Malibu is one of California’s only certified primary mental health treatment facility providing trusted programs with trusted results. For a confidential assessment and more information, call us today: 888-958-7511

Between learning about one’s addiction or mental illness, building a support network, working through deep-rooted issues, and optimizing one’s health, recovery can make anyone feel a slew of emotions. We may feel a sense of hope, but also fear. Dedication, but also exhaustion. Recovery is a notable journey to embark on, but knowing which emotions can slow down our success is important. The Addiction Recovery Network, a health information website, notes 4 main emotions that can hinder our success in recovery:

Watching a loved one take paths that damage their overall health and well-being is tricky – we love them and want them to be safe and happy, yet we do not want to overstep our boundaries. Sometimes our loved ones cross the line and we feel compelled to do something about it – to let them know that we care about them and to explain to them they need help. When this time comes, planning an intervention can seem daunting, but a direct, focused approach may just save their life. Mayo Clinic defines an intervention as a carefully planned process that may be done by family and friends, in consultation with a doctor of licensed health care professional or directed by an interventionist. During an intervention, family and friends confront the loved one about their addiction and ask them to accept treatment. They may provide specific destructive examples and its impact, offer a prearranged treatment plan with goals and guidelines, and clearly explain what each family member or friend will do if the loved one refuses to seek treatment. Addiction Center identifies the following steps that need to take place for a successful intervention to occur:

– Pablo Picasso

Most likely, we all know someone who suffers from addiction or a mental illness. It can be challenging to see our loved ones go through this – we want to see them happy, healthy, and on their way to success. Some of us have known that our loved ones have suffered from a malady for quite some time now, and we may have even helped them during rough times by being there for them, giving them a little bit of money, or even letting them stay with us for a while. Others may just now be finding out that their loved one is suffering – and this can sometimes be surprising, upsetting news. Either way, mental illness and addiction are tough topics to support if we do not know much about them. Here are some of the best tips to ensure that we are providing the most love and support to those we care about:

Nobody likes experiencing a bad mood – that sunken feeling of despair, hopelessness, negativity, and so forth can make it appears nothing will get better. Bad moods may last just a few short minutes or could impact our entire day – no matter the length, a bad mood effects not only the person who has it, but those around them as well. When we’re feeling grouchy, we may not even think about what led us to this feeling. Amanda Chan, Managing Editor of Healthy Living, provides in a 2014 Huffington Post article several factors that may be contributing towards a bad mood: