Health

Addiction Treatment Guide: 5 Steps

Addiction treatment aims to help people addicted to drugs and alcohol recover and live a life free from substance abuse. In addiction treatment, there are five steps that you must take to achieve a successful recovery. These steps have been proven time and again to be the most effective way of treating addiction, both in research studies and based on anecdotal evidence from people who have gone through this process.

The five steps of addiction treatment:

Step One: Awareness

Many addicts can go years without admitting they have a substance abuse issue or acknowledging their behaviour as problematic. Many people who suffer from addiction don’t see anything wrong with their actions, but they still need to seek treatment for the sake of themselves and those around them.

Step Two: Consideration

This step takes place after you’ve admitted there’s a problem that needs fixing. At this point, it becomes important to understand that you can’t control your addiction and that it’s separate from who you are as a person. You must accept that without help, you won’t be able to overcome drugs or alcohol on your own; this is where Step Two becomes essential in changing behaviour for good.

Step Three: Decision Making

This step is important because it begins the process of getting help and taking back control of your life. With that said, you need to decide that treatment is necessary and then take actionable steps to find the right program for you.

Step Four: Action

This step can be difficult, but it’s necessary for overcoming addiction. It’s important to remember that rehab is just the beginning of your recovery journey, and you must continue working on your sobriety after leaving treatment.

Step Five: Recovery and Maintenance

This step is ongoing and requires hard work, dedication, and support from others in addiction recovery. After completing rehab, it’s essential to find a support group or sponsor and stick with it. This is the only way to ensure that you stay sober and don’t relapse back into addiction.

Please note that this stage can last from six months to five years. However, the time taken will depend on the severity of the addiction and the individual’s genes. When it comes to recovery and maintenance, only a small percentage of people reach six months of abstinence, which is the point where they cannot relapse and go back to their addictive habits. However, it can take up to five years of commitment for someone to break their addiction habits and change completely.

According to the professionals from Clear Sky Recovery, ibogaine treatment clinic, these five steps form the basis of an effective addiction treatment program. If you’re struggling with addiction, it’s essential to seek help from a professional who can guide you through these five steps. With dedication and hard work, you can overcome addiction and live a life in recovery.

Important factors for addiction treatment

While these steps might seem obvious for most people, it’s very easy for one to relapse a few months after completing their treatment. To avoid this, you must understand that several things contribute to an effective addiction treatment program. Besides, your goal should be to find an addiction treatment program that meets all your needs while still being affordable.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to addiction treatment, but there are several important factors to consider. If you’re struggling with addiction and need help finding an effective program that addresses all your needs, keeps these five things in mind:

Type of Treatment – there’s a variety of addiction treatment programs available, so it’s important to find one that best suits your needs. Some people do well in an inpatient rehab setting, while others prefer a 12-step program like Alcoholics Anonymous. It’s important to find what works for you and stick with it.
Location – many people choose to seek addiction treatment away from their home environment in order to focus on their recovery. This can be an important factor when choosing a treatment program.
Cost – addiction treatment can be expensive, but there are programs available that are affordable. It’s essential to do your research and find the right program for you.
Length of treatment – most addiction treatment programs last 30-90 days, but some people may need a longer treatment period. Thus, it’s important to find a program that offers the length of stay you need.
Aftercare – one of the most important factors in addiction treatment is aftercare. This refers to the continued care and support you receive after leaving rehab. Many addiction treatment programs offer aftercare services, but it’s also important to seek out those services on your own.

These five factors are important to consider when choosing an addiction treatment program. It’s not always easy finding the right fit, but with some research and hard work, you can find a program that meets all of your needs and gets you sober for good!

Bottom Line

After completing your addiction treatment, it’s essential to understand that you’ve not conquered your addiction problem. Addiction is considered a chronic problem, like heart disease or diabetes. Thus, you must be willing to make sacrifices and major lifestyle changes to keep the entire problem at bay. With that said, it’s important for anyone undergoing addiction recovery to make continuous and active efforts to maintain their sobriety. Any slightest complacency or a feeling that you’ve completed the work is a recipe for relapse.

Health

Report Causes Pfizer Stock to Climb Approximately $1 Billion Acquired by Starboard

(VOR News) – According to a rumor that activist investor Pfizer Starboard Value has taken a holding in the struggling pharmaceutical business that is expected to be worth around one billion dollars, the stock of Pfizer (PFE) is on the increase in premarket trading on Monday.

This comes after the report was made public. The report was made available to the general public following this. Starboard Value was successful in moving forward with the acquisition of the position.

Starboard is said to have approached Ian Read, a former chief executive officer of Pfizer, and Frank D’Amelio, a former chief financial officer, in order to seek assistance with its goals of boosting the performance of the company, according to the Wall Street Journal. Read and D’Amelio are both former Pfizer executives.

The purpose of this is to facilitate the accomplishment of its objectives, which include enhancing the overall performance of the firm.

In their previous jobs, D’Amelio and Read were chief financial officers.

It is stated in the report that the hedge fund is of the opinion that Pfizer, which is currently being managed by Albert Bourla, who succeeded Read as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in 2019, does not demonstrate the same level of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) discipline that Read did. Bourla took over for Read in 2019. Read was succeeded by Bourla in the year 2019.

Pfizer, a multinational pharmaceutical conglomerate, has made substantial investments in the acquisition of more companies that are involved in the research and development of cancer medicines.

These businesses have been acquired for billions of dollars. The biotechnology company Seagen, which was acquired by Pfizer in the previous year for a price of $43 billion, is included in this category. One of the businesses that can be classified as belonging to this category is Seagen.

In spite of the fact that the S&P 500 Index experienced a 21% increase in 2024.

No major trading occurred in Pfizer stock that year.

Due to the fact that the demand for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccines fell after the firm reached its pandemic peak in 2021, the share price of the corporation has decreased by over fifty percent since that time.

This drop has occurred ever since the company’s shares reached their maximum peak, which was during the time that this decline occurred. Not only have they not changed at all, but they have also remained essentially stable. This is in contrast to the S&P 500, which has gained 21% since the beginning of this year.

Recently, the corporation was forced to take a hit when it decided to recall all of the sickle cell illness medications that it had distributed all over the world.

Fears that the prescription could lead patients to experience severe agony and possibly even death were the impetus for the decision to recall the product. In spite of the fact that Pfizer’s stock is increasing by almost three percent as a result of the news that followed the company’s decision, this is the circumstance that has come about.

SOURCE: IPN

Health

New Study Reveals Drinking Soda Pop Increases the Risk of Stroke

If you drink too much soda, fruit juice and coffee, beware!

A recent report from global research indicates that excessive consumption of coffee or soda pop is associated with an increased risk of stroke, although the intake of black and green tea is correlated with a reduced risk. Excessive consumption of soda pop or coffee warrants caution!

Recent research indicates that it may substantially elevate the risk of stroke.

Consuming four cups of coffee daily elevates the risk of stroke, according to studies, although ingesting 3-4 cups of black or green tea daily typically offers protection against stroke. Additionally, consume more coffee; it may reduce your risk of mortality.

Recent findings from global research studies co-led by the University of Galway and McMaster University, alongside an international consortium of stroke researchers, indicate that soda, encompassing both sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened variants such as diet or zero sugar, is associated with a 22 percent heightened risk of stroke. The risk escalated significantly with the consumption of two or more of these beverages daily.

Stroke Risk Fizzy Drinks and Soda Pop

The correlation between fizzy drinks consumption and stroke risk was most pronounced in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South America. Women exhibit the most elevated risk of stroke from bleeding (intracranial hemorrhage) associated with fruit juice beverages. Consuming over 7 cups of water daily diminishes the likelihood of stroke due to a clot.

Researchers observed that numerous items advertised as fruit juice are derived from concentrates and have added sugars and preservatives, potentially negating the advantages often associated with fresh fruit and instead elevating stroke risk.

Fruit juice beverages were associated with a 37 percent heightened risk of stroke resulting from bleeding (intracranial hemorrhage). Consuming two of these beverages daily increases the risk thrice.

Consuming over four cups of coffee daily elevates the risk of stroke by 37 percent, although lower consumption levels do not correlate with stroke risk. Conversely, tea consumption was associated with an 18-20 percent reduction in stroke risk. Additionally, consuming 3-4 cups daily of black tea, such as Breakfast and Earl Grey varieties, excluding green and herbal teas, was associated with a 29 percent reduced risk of stroke.

Consuming 3-4 cups of green tea daily was associated with a 27 percent reduction in stroke risk. Notably, the addition of milk may diminish or inhibit the advantageous effects of antioxidants present in tea. The lower risk of stroke associated with tea consumption was negated for individuals who added milk.

Disclaimer: This article is intended solely for informational reasons and should not be considered a replacement for professional medical counsel. Consistently consult your physician regarding any inquiries pertaining to a medical problem.

Starbucks Faces Sales Decline Amid Price Fatigue and Rising Competition

Starbucks Faces Sales Decline Amid Price Fatigue and Rising Competition

Health

Following a Diagnosis of Breast Cancer, What Else Should You Know?

(VOR News) – Even though breast cancer affects one in eight American women, receiving a diagnosis can make a woman feel isolated.

Experts in breast cancer from the American College of Physicians (ACS) advise patients on how to manage their disease so that they may better cope with this awful information.

First, the kind and stage of breast cancer dictates the course of your care.

In addition to immunotherapy and chemotherapy, there are various surgical options available for the treatment of breast cancer.

Women of African descent are disproportionately affected by triple-negative breast cancer, an extremely aggressive form of the disease that has never proven easy to treat.

According to the American Cancer Society, pembrolizumab (Keytruda), an immunotherapy, has been shown to be helpful when combined with chemotherapy and is currently the recommended course of treatment for certain combinations of triple-negative breast cancer.

In her presentation, Dr. Katharine Yao said, “It’s really important that the patient and physician discuss the patient’s preferences and values when deciding what type of treatment to pursue and that they have an honest, individualized discussion with their care team.”

She is currently responsible for developing breast cancer treatment recommendations for more than 575 hospitals and institutions nationwide in her role as chair of the American College of Surgeons’ National Accreditation Program for Breast Institutions (NAPBC).

Yao, vice chair of research at Endeavor Health NorthShore Hospitals in New York, pointed out that each decision made about a patient’s treatment plan should take her preferences and diagnosis into consideration.

She ought to think about whether she would prefer a mastectomy—a surgical procedure that involves removing the entire breast with or without reconstruction—or a lumpectomy, which involves a surgical procedure that spares part of the breast tissue.

She stated that “the breast cancer you have may be very different from the breast cancer you hear about in your neighbor, colleague, or friend” in a press release issued by the American Cancer Society (ACS).

“Consider that while discussing breast cancer with others.”

Throughout your journey, it is critical that you look after your emotional health because having breast cancer may have a detrimental impact on your mental health.

“Getting a cancer diagnosis does not mean that everything in your life stops to be normal.” Director of the Fellowship in the Diseases of the Breast program at the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas and state head of the American Cancer Society Commission on Cancer for Arkansas, Dr. Daniela Ochoa She thinks adding the burden of a cancer diagnosis and treatment to all the other pressures in life may be taxing.

“Managing stress and emotional health is vital component of a treatment plan.”

Ochoa recommends clinically trained psychologists and social workers who have assisted people in coping with cancer to anyone receiving treatment. Learning coping techniques might also be facilitated by joining cancer support groups or cancer wellness initiatives.

Breast cancer specialists say your care team is crucial.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) defines comprehensive care as having support at every stage of the procedure from surgeons, oncologists, patient navigators, nurses, social workers, psychologists, and other specialists.

After receiving a breast cancer diagnosis, women should see a surgeon or medical oncologist to explore their options; nevertheless, treatment shouldn’t be discontinued after just one appointment or after surgery is over.

Additionally, you can ask trustworthy friends or family members to accompany you to appointments and aid you with research or notes. They could serve as a network of support for you.

Yao stated in his talk that “one of the most important things is that patients should search out a team they have confidence in, that they trust will have their back when they need it, and a team they feel they can get access to and that will help them when they are in need.”

SOURCE: MP