Category Archives: Sober living

Partner Vanderburgh House

Vanderburgh House

Vanderburgh House strives to meet the needs of disadvantaged homeless families and individuals in underserved communities throughout Boston. The majority of our programs are located in or serve urban Boston communities of Dorchester, Mattapan, Roxbury, and Jamaica Plain. We have permanent supported housing programs for men, women, and/or families with HIV/AIDS or other disabilities in Mattapan, Boston’s Fenway area, the South End, and Topsfield. Vanderburgh House provides recovery, health, and housing services through thirty-three buildings in Boston, Cambridge, and now Topsfield, fourteen of which we own. Maintaining these units in the manner that those in our care both need and deserve is a great cost to our organization. This combined with surging healthcare costs for employees results in a very narrow profit margin on an annual Vanderburgh House basis.

Is this your nonprofit?

They talk to people on the street around Mass. and Cass about the services they have and offer resources. Build relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. At Vanderburgh House, we value your time, both at work and in your personal life, ensuring you have the resources and support you need to thrive. When people come in, she and her colleagues offer hot meals and find out what their needs may be. They make sure people have clean needles and talk to those who are engaged with sex work, asking how they are keeping themselves safe.

  1. Coping with those deaths, and the prospect that she will likely see more as the state and country continue to grapple with the overdose crisis, Rivera said she relies on belief — and the knowledge that change doesn’t happen overnight.
  2. Vanderburgh House operates various programs throughout Boston, all built on our strongly held belief that no person who is struggling should be asked to do the hardest thing first, on their own, before they are offered the fundamental support they truly need.
  3. Don’t hesitate to apply if your work experience doesn’t align with every qualification in the job description.
  4. Vanderburgh House also recognizes the benefits of hiring people with lived experience who can play an important role in bridging the gap between services and the people who use them.

We are excited to bring you the latest issue of Vanderburgh House’ print newsletter, The Doorway! The Fall edition is packed with inspiring stories and messages of resilience, generosity, and hope from our clients, staff, and supporters who are transforming lives and strengthening our communities. They want to know that there are people out there who care, who won’t treat them “like they’re trash,” Rivera said. Coping with those deaths, and the prospect that she will likely see more as the state and country continue to grapple with the overdose crisis, Rivera said she relies on belief — and the knowledge that change doesn’t happen overnight. When Rivera was moved to Casa Esperanza’s new housing on Eustis Street, she again felt flooded with feelings of fear and nervousness about the change, she recalled. “Every time I had an appointment, they had somebody to come with me because it’s how I felt safe,” she said.

Vanderburgh House is a Boston-based nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals and families who are homeless and may have substance use disorders, often accompanied by chronic health issues like HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C and mental illness. Providing a welcoming environment, our compassionate and inspiring team is committed to helping them regain their health and restore their hope through immediate access to safe and stable housing. When individuals and families are safely housed, they’re much more likely to address their physical and mental health, addictions, and other issues. Our housing stabilization services, including emergency shelter, transitional and permanent housing, and case management, move people off the street as quickly as possible, with as few barriers as possible.

STATEMENT: Historic $3 Billion for Green Port Funding a Victory for Our Ocean, Public Health

Vanderburgh House

“I just want to continue.” Giving the individuals that she counsels at The Victory Connector, a low-threshold navigation center in the neighborhood run by the nonprofit Vanderburgh House, a feeling of care, a sense of calm and peace, is what she aims for each day. We provide high-quality, evidence-based services based on individual needs, offering flexible, strengths-based solutions to people’s biggest challenges. ABOUT OCEAN CONSERVANCY  Ocean Conservancy envisions a healthier ocean, protected by a more just world. Ocean Conservancy is working to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges.

‘I see things in them that they don’t see themselves’

On the streets, at our Boston Living Center, and across programs, we work to prevent chronic conditions and overdoses. We provide HIV, Hepatitis C, and STI testing and counseling; a healthy meals program; syringe and naloxone distribution; and an array of education, navigation, and support services. The Victory Connector, where she is a harm reduction specialist, provides a range of services to women, transgender, and nonbinary individuals who are at high risk of overdose and who are reluctant to engage with other care systems. For many, Vanderburgh House represents the last possibility for hope and the first chance for sustained success in their battles with addiction or illness. We provide individuals and their families with the education, tools, and ongoing support they need to help them regain their health, prevent and manage relapse, and maximize their independence. “Sometimes I feel so happy that my heart — I feel like I’m having like a big, good pain in my heart,” she said.

Each day, she and her colleagues at the Connector also do about two hours of street outreach, rotating who stays in the office and who goes out. Rivera starts each day with a cup of coffee and greets her staff, ensuring the plan is set for the day. By the time she was 16, she’d been introduced to drugs by one of her mother’s friends, she said. But once in the foster home, Rivera said she continued to be exposed to alcohol, drugs, and sexual violence.

Being able to provide that respite and getting to see individuals who have come in from the street smile (she calls them “members”) is the best, she told Boston.com. We follow a low-barrier housing-first clinically driven approach to guide clients towards health and safety. Receive email updates to learn how you can help make a difference for the future of our ocean. Rivera said whenever she learns of another fatal overdose, she finds herself wondering about how there could have been a different outcome. “It’s happening a lot,” Rivera said, emphasizing that there are more dangerous substances being put in the drugs being consumed on the street. The hardest moments are when Rivera and her colleagues learn from members coming into the Connector that someone has passed away from an overdose, she said.

Remembering her own experiences —  of sleeping in cars or under a bridge, of wanting to end her own life — and the moments when people helped, or failed to help, Rivera said she continues to find herself wanting to do more to aid people in similar need. She ended up working as a staff member at Casa Esperanza for almost 12 years, becoming first a peer recovery coach, then a house manager, then a treatment coordinator, a senior treatment coordinator, and a supervisor. But she said it’s also taken her a long time to feel comfortable sharing what she experienced as a child and teenager, which resulted in her own years-long struggle with substance use, incarceration, and instability.

Xanax Addiction: How to Recognize and Treat It

xanax addiction

Last year, 44,796 people were treated in American emergency rooms for issues stemming from the use and abuse of benzos like Xanax. Xanax is typically prescribed as a treatment for generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder. The main symptom of generalized anxiety disorder is persistent alcohol while on prednisone worry, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Panic disorder causes panic attacks, which may be accompanied by a racing heartbeat, chest pain, sweating, and other symptoms. Xanax is the brand name for alprazolam, which is a type of benzodiazepine.

How to reduce the risk of using Xanax again

Xanax, even at recommended doses, has a risk of overdose and death, especially when combined with opiates like heroin or oxycodone, alcohol, street drugs or other central nervous system depressants. This can lead to severe drowsiness, breathing problems (respiratory depression), coma and death. You may have serious or life-threatening withdrawal symptoms if you stop using this medicine suddenly. Do not stop using Xanax without talking to your doctor first., as you may need to slowly stop (taper) this medicine over a period of time. Behavioral therapy is an important component of recovery from drug addiction.

Worsened Depression

Without it, the person may feel achy all over as the body starts processing the substance out. This discomfort can be treated with mild over-the-counter pain relievers. These side effects, among others, are common occurrences that land many in emergency rooms when they try to detox without professional help.

Treatment Programs For Xanax Addiction

Daily use of benzodiazepines for six weeks or more will result in dependency for four in every 10 users, the Royal College of Psychiatrists states. Once you’ve stopped taking Xanax or other benzodiazepines, there’s no additional medication to take. You might be prescribed other medication legal drinking age in russia to treat depression, anxiety, or a sleep disorder. Detoxification (detox) is a process aimed at helping you safely stop taking Xanax while minimizing and managing your withdrawal symptoms. Detox is usually done in a hospital or rehabilitation facility under medical supervision.

xanax addiction

Signs and Symptoms of Xanax Addiction

Someone who is abusing Xanax will usually exhibit certain warning signs that they are misusing it or going through withdrawal. While famous high functioning alcoholics cannot be completely cured — nor can any dependency on drugs or alcohol — treatment can help affected individuals address their behavior and return to a healthy lifestyle. Many people take Xanax with a doctor’s prescription, but the most common way to take the drug recreationally is by obtaining the drug from someone who has a prescription.

Behavioral Symptoms of Xanax Usage and Abuse

The long-term abstinence rates after recovering from Xanax addiction vary significantly. About 80% of older adults achieve abstinence, while about 25% of those with complicated addiction with polydrug use achieve abstinence. Detox is a process during which a person stops taking a harmful drug. Practicing relapse prevention and management can improve your recovery outlook in the long term.

A person withdrawing from Xanax will experience drastic changes in their mood and may even act out violently or aggressively. Xanax slows down a person’s brain functions and bodily functions, relaxes them, and sedates them. With heavy use, a person can experience black-outs where they are completely unaware of what they are doing and unable to recall it afterwards.

  1. They can also answer any questions you have about Xanax use and, if needed, refer you to a treatment center.
  2. Medications such as Flumazenil may also be administered as antidotes.
  3. You want to be direct and honest with your loved one, but not judgmental.
  4. Following detox, someone fighting a Xanax addiction might be referred for rehab or inpatient treatment.
  5. However, you can become addicted to Xanax even if you take it exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

It belongs to one of the most highly abused drug classes, benzodiazepines, and works by slowing down overactivity in the central nervous system. Xanax is a particularly fast-acting benzodiazepine, taking effect in 30 minutes or less, which is one of the primary reasons it is so popular. In a study from 2001–2013, about 17% of people who received an opioid prescription also received a benzodiazepine like Xanax. When opioids are combined with benzodiazepines, the risk of overdose, emergency department visits and death increases dramatically. During this stage, attempting to stop taking the drug seems like an unbearable challenge.

In general, potent benzodiazepines with shorter elimination half-lives may be more prone to causing problems with tolerance, dependence and addiction. For example, for triazolam (Halcion), alprazolam (Xanax) or lorazepam (Ativan) all have relatively shorter half-lives. Xanax is typically abused because of the sense of calm and relaxation it causes in the user.

However, people with more severe addictions might need the stability of an inpatient treatment center to recover. The detox and withdrawal from Xanax can cause deadly seizures, so professional guidance is vital during this time of treatment. It’s important that you consider all of your options and choose the treatment program that’s right for you. Some people combine Xanax with alcohol, opioids, or other drugs because the combination enhances the effects of each to a large degree.

In addition to treating acute anxiety and panic attacks, Xanax can act as a muscle relaxant and sedative. Off-label use means that the drug may be of benefit, but this is not its approved function. Although Xanax is classified as a benzodiazepine, it also acts as a tranquilizer, so it is sometimes included in tranquilizer usage statistics.

Like many drugs, the presence of Xanax can be detected with laboratory tests. This drug can be detected in urine, saliva, and hair follicles, although the reliability of these tests is not consistent. Among older adults, long-term use of Xanax can also lead to cognitive issues that may resemble dementia. Treatment may involve a combination of strategies, including detoxification and various psychotherapeutic and psychosocial approaches. While we are unable to respond to your feedback directly, we’ll use this information to improve our online help. If you — or your loved one — are ready to get treatment, it may be helpful to reach out to a supportive friend or family member for support.

15 Recovery Meeting Topics in Substance Abuse Group Therapy

topics for addiction recovery groups

Educational topics in addiction recovery groups focus on the nature of addiction, its causes, and its effects on the body and mind. Addiction recovery groups cover various essential topics that aid individuals in their journey to sobriety. Group therapy can also involve activities and exercises that promote bonding and teamwork. Engaging in these activities can further strengthen relationships within the group, making the recovery journey a shared experience. Discussing issues such as blame and forgiveness can be particularly effective in a group setting.

Learning to Say No

topics for addiction recovery groups

During anger management groups, therapists provide guidance and instructions on anger management techniques, and other group members may share their experiences. Role-playing difficult situations with peer feedback takes practice to a whole new level. It’s like a real-time strategy game where the goal is developing better coping mechanisms. Imagine groups racing to identify and challenge negative thoughts, passing the baton of positivity from one member to another.

The Role of Humor in Recovery

topics for addiction recovery groups

It’s like a dress rehearsal for real-life challenges – minus the actual stress. As we reach the conclusion of our exploration, it’s clear that the power of group therapy in addiction recovery is multifaceted and profound. The diverse range of topics covered in these sessions provides a comprehensive approach to healing, addressing the physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of recovery. The role of nutrition and exercise in recovery is an often-overlooked yet crucial aspect of healing. Educational sessions might cover topics like the impact of diet on mood and energy levels, or the benefits of regular physical activity in managing stress and cravings. This holistic approach to recovery acknowledges the interconnectedness of physical and mental well-being.

A Chronic Condition Demands Ongoing Care

However, you can always come into group therapy with a theme in mind to help get the conversations started. This is where group therapy can come into play and really help a person through their addiction. In support groups, you are surrounded by other individuals that have similar goals to you. They want to overcome addiction, get help, and be happy in their own skin. The helpline at AddictionResource.net is available 24/7 to discuss the treatment needs of yourself or a loved one.

Find Ways To Show Gratitude

  • Understanding addiction helps individuals recognize it as a medical condition rather than a moral failing.
  • It brings people with everyday shared experiences together to share and learn from each other.
  • One of the most uplifting early recovery group topics is discussing how to find joy in sobriety.
  • In therapy, you will discuss this with others and explore why you think negatively, its impact on your relationship with yourself, and how you could change.
  • These topics center on education, emotional health, coping strategies, and personal growth, providing comprehensive support and guidance.

Initially, individuals may be in denial about their disease or symptoms. Acknowledgment leads to contemplation, where the need for change is recognized. Acknowledging and celebrating small achievements can boost morale and motivation in recovery.

Exploring the Benefits of Nature

topics for addiction recovery groups

This can include learning to cope with uncomfortable emotions and situations. Additionally, this can promote an environment where group members feel comfortable asking for help when they find themselves struggling. For group members who are new to recovery, topics for addiction recovery groups group sessions can provide valuable education about addiction and recovery. Group therapy sessions provide an environment where individuals can share their experiences and receive feedback from others.

topics for addiction recovery groups

  • Group therapy helps you identify your triggers and learn coping strategies to help you get through them.
  • Support systems are vital for long-term recovery, offering encouragement, accountability, and assistance.
  • Suddenly, the shame and stigma that often accompany addiction begin to dissolve.
  • Group therapy provides a platform for individuals to share their personal triggers and learn from the triggers of others.
  • Forms of charades like emotions charades can also encourage participants to explore their emotions and become more comfortable with them.
  • Creative outlets allow members to process emotions and express themselves in healthy ways.

Recovery groups also often role-play these hard conversations to assist in the stress management. Group therapy helps you identify your triggers and learn coping strategies to help you get through them. Everyone goes through the recovery process differently, but talking with others who are actively in it can help prepare you for what lies ahead. In group therapy, you will discuss a variety of topics and prompts to help open the group up to each other and get to the bottom of their problems. If you’ve ever been scared about sharing your addiction story, you don’t have to be in group therapy for substance abuse. If you or a loved one is looking for substance abuse treatment, you can find it today.

  • From financial management to job seeking skills, these sessions aim to equip individuals with the tools they need to build a stable and fulfilling life in sobriety.
  • The key is to maintain a spirit of openness and flexibility, always ready to adapt and innovate.

All substance abuse topics, including activities, will be slightly different. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills for emotional regulation can be particularly helpful for individuals struggling with intense emotions or impulsivity. These sessions might focus on mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and emotion regulation skills. The group format allows for practice and feedback, reinforcing the application of these skills in real-life situations. The road to recovery is paved with numerous challenges, each requiring its own set of tools and strategies.

Pantoprazole: Side Effects, Uses, Dosage, Interactions, Warnings

what is the drug pantoprazole

Pantoprazole can cause inaccurate results on tests for neuroendocrine tumors. If you need testing for a neuroendocrine tumor, your doctor will likely https://sober-house.net/clonazepam-drug-uses-dosage-side-effects/ have you stop taking the drug at least 2 weeks before the test. Pantoprazole may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above.

What are pantoprazole oral tablet’s side effects?

what is the drug pantoprazole

There are two potential effects of proton pump inhibitors on a blood test and a urine test. It’s important that the use of Protonix be discussed with a healthcare provider if a fracture occurs. Protonix is also used as a treatment for conditions where the stomach produces too much acid, including Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine.

  1. Symptoms may include skin rash, fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.
  2. Stomach cancer can cause symptoms similar to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other conditions that pantoprazole treats.
  3. To take the granules, open the packet and either sprinkle the granules onto one teaspoonful of applesauce or into a cup containing one teaspoonful of apple juice.
  4. A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible.
  5. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use.

What else should I know about Protonix?

Before taking pantoprazole, be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions. Do not take more pantoprazole oral tablets than your doctor prescribes.

Heartburn vs. Acid Reflux

Pantoprazole passes into your breast milk if you’re breastfeeding. But it isn’t known for sure if the drug causes side effects in a child who’s breastfed. Talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks of taking pantoprazole while breastfeeding. Remember, your doctor and other healthcare professionals are available to help you. So, don’t be afraid to ask questions or offer feedback on your treatment. Do not treat diarrhea with over the counter products.

Medical uses

Avoid medication errors by using exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Pantoprazole, like other proton-pump inhibitors, blocks the enzyme in the wall of the stomach that produces acid. By blocking the enzyme, the production of acid is decreased, allowing the stomach and esophagus to heal. Delayed-release tablets are prepared https://sober-home.org/meth-withdrawal-symptoms-timeline-detox-treatment/ as enteric-coated tablets so that absorption of pantoprazole begins only after the tablet leaves the stomach. However, if a proton pump inhibitor does not suit you (for example, because of side effects), your doctor may prescribe an H2 blocker. There are other prescription medicines and ones you can buy that treat indigestion and heartburn.

What other drugs will affect pantoprazole?

what is the drug pantoprazole

A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time. You may be more likely to have a broken bone while using pantoprazole long-term or more than once per day. Talk with your doctor about ways to keep your bones healthy, especially if you are an adult over 50.

Protonix is not for the immediate relief of heartburn symptoms. Do not stop taking pantoprazole without talking to your doctor. If your condition does not improve or gets worse, call your doctor. This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use pantoprazole. Pantoprazole works by decreasing the amount of acid your stomach makes.

Pantoprazole oral granules should be taken 30 minutes before a meal. Long-term use of pantoprazole may increase your risk of serious side effects including stomach polyps. It works by decreasing the amount of acid made in your stomach. PPIs such as pantoprazole have also been shown to inhibit the activity of dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH), an enzyme necessary for cardiovascular health.

This is a reaction that can affect multiple parts of the body including your liver, kidneys, and heart. Stop using the medicine and get help right away if you have https://sober-house.org/ecstasy-withdrawal-detox-symptoms-timelines/ any of the following symptoms of this serious allergic reaction. Famotidine (Pepcid), on the other hand, belongs to a group of drugs called H2 receptor blockers.

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor’s orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine.

But studies involving more people need to be done to be sure that PPIs and H2 blockers cause stomach cancer, rather than something else causing it. If you take pantoprazole for more than 3 months, the levels of magnesium in your blood may fall. If you bought pantoprazole without a prescription, and feel no better after 2 weeks, tell your doctor. They may want to do tests or change you to a different medicine. Pantoprazole prevents proton pumps from working properly.

Vanderburgh House in Glendale, AZ Free Drug Rehab in Glendale, AZ

Vanderburgh House

Alarmingly, opioid-related deaths have surged by 40% from 2020 to 2024, while fentanyl-related fatalities have doubled in Maricopa County during the same period. Arizona has some of the highest rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States. Methamphetamines, heroin and morphine are among the most commonly abused substances. Prescription pain relievers were prescribed to 348 million people in 2012, enough to medicate every adult in Arizona for 2 full weeks.

Vanderburgh House in Glendale, AZ is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing quality medical care and support services to individuals and families in Arizona. They offer a range of primary medical care, specialty services, pediatric care, counseling services, substance use treatment, and HIV/STI services. With a focus on accessibility and crisis intervention, Vanderburgh House provides free rapid testing for HIV and Hepatitis C, as well as mobile crisis services and medication-assisted treatment. While self-help groups like these are effective for some addicts, others prefer services that provide more structure and support. For example, these programs might offer counseling sessions or even medical treatment with prescription medication. Dialectical Behavior Therapy is a form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy that helps patients understand the relationship between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Insurance

  1. This type of program is beneficial for people who have low motivation due to addiction, or have a lack of support at home which prohibits them from being able to attend a traditional addiction recovery program.
  2. These services aim to assist individuals in transitioning back into their daily lives while maintaining their sobriety.
  3. Therapy is a pivotal part of effective substance abuse treatment, as it often covers root causes of addiction, including challenges faced by the patient in their social, family, and work/school life.
  4. We may be paid a fee for marketing or advertising by organizations that can assist with treating people with substance use disorders.
  5. We cannot guarantee payment or verification eligibility as conveyed by your health insurance provider will be accurate and complete.

It helps recovering addicts adjust to normal day-to-day activities and can last for a year or longer. Vanderburgh House is the residential treatment center offered under Terros Health, located in Glendale, Arizona. They offer around the clock care and comfort for adults in addiction recovery. Once you’ve completed your screening and assessment at the nearby Olive Health Center, they’ll take you to the location. There are discounts to make the cost more affordable, and they also accept insurance and Medicaid.

Each apartment has two bedrooms, which means patients are required to share the Review Vanderburgh House apartments. A living room and kitchen are also found in each of these apartments, along with bathrooms. The building is separated into three different sections, each section providing treatment to a specific Phase that is part of the treatment programs offered at the facility. A total of 28 men can be treated at the same time at the Vanderburgh House Sober Living center.

Terros Health Vanderburgh House

This constant supervision ensures a safe detox process, which helps the individual physically stabilize from substance use. Patients will receive medications to curb withdrawal symptoms and cravings, as well as other necessary medical treatment. This period typically lasts up to a week, then the individual will receive medical clearance to begin inpatient or outpatient rehab. One of the best things about this facility is how integrated the care is. When you’re ready to leave this treatment program, your team will give you a thorough discharge plan to make sure you’re taken care of.

Write a review for Terros Health- Vanderburgh House

Dialectical behavior therapy in Arizona focuses on acceptance of your reality and behaviors while also attempting to make changes in unhealthy behaviors. It has been shown to be effective for the treatment of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and substance use disorder. Enchantment Workshops, located in Phoenix, Arizona, provides alcohol and drug re… AddictionResource aims to present the most accurate, trustworthy, and up-to-date medical content to our readers. Our team does their best for our readers to help them stay informed about vital healthcare decisions. Calls to our helpline (all non-facility specific 1-8XX numbers) will be answered by Treatment Addiction Solutions, or one of our verified local treatment partners.

Life skills trainings involve all the skills a person must have in order to function successfully in the world. These include time management, career guidance, money management, and effective communication. Truly successful addiction recovery is based on the ability to not only live substance-free, but to thrive. Life skills teaches the practical necessities of functioning in society, which sets clients up for success in life, and therefore sobriety.

Vanderburgh House

Jewish Family & Children’s Services (JFCS) is a substance abuse and mental h… Community Medical Services is a drug and alcohol rehab in Glendale, Arizona. Glendale offers an idyllic environment for recovery, boasting an array of outdoor activities and a flourishing arts scene.

Evidence based treatment beyond MAT should be required if you get most of your funding from the state. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is a branch of the U.S. Established in 1992 by congress, SAMHSA’s mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on American’s communities. Group therapy is any therapeutic work that happens in a group (not one-on-one). There are a number of different group therapy modalities, including support groups, experiential therapy, psycho-education, and more. Group therapy involves treatment as well as processing interaction between group members.

Family Therapy

Once her success was validated by those she had been helping, she decided to open her treatment center. Although Gumowitz passed away in 2007, her contribution to the addiction recovery remains effective, and better yet, it is 100% self-sufficient. Group therapy is held in a safe, controlled setting where patients can feel comfortable sharing their struggles and gaining perspective through shared conversations.

Doping in Sports, a Never-Ending Story? PMC

negative effects of drugs in sport

Some drugmakers and workout magazines claim that andro products help athletes train harder and recover faster. In addition to the physical aspects, scientific research has shown that there is a considerable correlation between the use of PEDs and mental health issues. Most commonly, it was found that the use of doping substances can trigger anxiety, obsessive disorders or psychosis.

  • Beyond the legal consequences, an increasing number of public authorities and governments have adopted legislations that treat doping as a criminal act.
  • What physicians may not recognize are the potential adverse effects of novel, investigational drugs that are being used as doping agents.
  • Methylation can be performed ‘statically’ (by a mixture of methyl iodide and acetone under thermal heating) or ‘dynamically’ by either extractive methylation (Lisi et al., 1991; Lisi et al., 1992) or ‘on column’ methylation (flash methylation) (Beyer et al., 2005).

Nondrug performance-enhancing measures

Athletes may choose to use illegal PEDs for different reasons and with varying risks. Blood doping is the use of certain techniques and substances to increase the red blood cells in your body. By extracting water from intracellular compartments, osmotic diuretics expand the extracellular fluid volume, decrease blood viscosity and inhibit renin release. This results in an increase of the urinary excretion of all electrolytes, Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl-, HCO3- and PO43−.

Androgen use, misuse and abuse clinical summary guide Healthy Male

negative effects of drugs in sport

The article has also discussed the regulation of performance-enhancing substances, the legal status of these substances in different countries, and the role of healthcare professionals and policymakers in preventing their use. Prevention and intervention strategies have also been discussed, including the importance of education and awareness, regulation, and intervention strategies. It is important to address the dark side of bodybuilding and the use of performance-enhancing substances because they pose a significant threat to public health.

Cardiovascular effects of performance-enhancing drugs

In the NBA, all players are subject to four random tests per season, and the league conducts reasonable-cause testing. Similarly, in the NFL, players are tested up to three times per year at random. Surprisingly, in the MLB, players are only subject to the test within five days of reporting for negative effects of drugs in sport spring training and one other test on a randomly selected date, in addition to random tests in and out of season. The NFL and MLB also test for “drugs of abuse” (recreational drugs, i.e., marijuana, cocaine, etc) and the NBA, similarly, tests for cocaine, opiates, PCP, LSD and marijuana.

negative effects of drugs in sport

This review examines the history of doping in athletes, the effects of different classes of substances used for doping, side effects of doping, the role of anti-doping organizations, and treatment of affected athletes. Doping goes back to ancient times, prior to the development https://ecosoberhouse.com/ of organized sports. Performance-enhancing drugs have continued to evolve, with “advances” in doping strategies driven by improved drug testing detection methods and advances in scientific research that can lead to the discovery and use of substances that may later be banned.

  • Doping groups may respond to this by enlisting ‘doping doctors’ who can procure or prescribe higher quality substances, or by securing other trusted suppliers.
  • Endurance athletes use these illegal supplements to significantly boost cardiovascular fitness.
  • By analysing known cases of systematic doping we can see how they employed strategies similar to those outlined in Table 2.
  • This effect, particularly evident for furosemide, benefits patients with pulmonary oedema even before diuresis ensues.

In the past, classical double extractions with organic solvents at acidic and basic pH were used to permit the recovery of diuretics presenting different physicochemical properties. The development of new analysers (ion traps) coupled to LC created additional alternatives for the analysis of diuretics by LC/MS (Deventer et al., 2002). Even more recently, the need for more universal strategies for doping agents analysis introduced the use of time-of-flight analysers (Georgakopoulos et al., 2007) that can be coupled to LC.

negative effects of drugs in sport

Prevalence of Substance Abuse in Sport

The route of elimination is predominantly renal for intact amiloride while triamterene is extensively metabolized into the active 4-hydroxytriamterene sulphate and excreted in urine. The most common adverse effects of Na+ channel inhibitors are nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, headache, leg cramps and dizziness. Inhibitors of the Na+/Cl- symporter were the most abused class of diuretics in 2008 according to WADA statistics, accounting for 38.7% of positive samples.

Human growth hormones and peptide hormones

negative effects of drugs in sport

In fact, users of performance-enhancing drugs often are not candid with their physicians about their use of these drugs. The most commonly used substances are androgenic agents such as anabolic steroids. These allow athletes to train harder, recover more quickly and build more muscle, but they can lead to kidney damage and increased aggression.

Heart, Lung and Circulation

How to Talk About Mental Health

sharing your story in recovery

It should provide relatable advice on how to cope during the journey towards sobriety. The importance of social support and accountability in addiction recovery is paramount. Connecting with those going through similar experiences provides a sense of understanding, sharing your story in recovery belonging, and empathy, which is key for sobriety. Timing and emotional stability must be taken into consideration when opening up about one’s experiences. Support groups and sponsorships help individuals navigate the challenges of sharing stories.

DO Acknowledge Your Entire Support System

Addiction recovery is a deeply personal journey full of ups and downs. Someone in recovery may recall specific moments when they felt pride, regret, challenged, and a whirlwind of other emotions. They might remember days they felt alone and times they felt supported. Emotional burdens are likely to have played a hand in your addiction but people don’t need a minute by minute playbook of it all.

sharing your story in recovery

Storytelling Websites

After completing rehab, individuals must rebuild their lives. This includes creating a new support system, using healthy coping mechanisms, and making positive changes in areas like employment, relationships, and goals. Respect individual boundaries when sharing stories – some details may be too personal or triggering. Haas said his team of about 40 people spent 12 hours ensuring all their clients were back up and running. Though the day was intense and stressful, he said he was grateful that the issue was purely due to a bad update, and the fix was relatively easy.

When Should I Share My Recovery Story?

They teach valuable lessons and can motivate others on their own healing journey. It can help your own healing, and it can break the stigma of addiction and support those struggling. When sharing a personal recovery story, it’s important to think about timing and emotional stability. It’s best to share when feeling emotionally secure, to make sure the message is clear and effective. It can be helpful to get support from support groups or sponsors to learn how to talk about the story. Personal stories possess the emotional connection and attention-grabbing power that can spark meaningful actions and shape behaviors in addiction recovery.

How long does a sprained ankle take to heal?

Of course, those of us who look back at our lives in addiction and recovery will often recall that recovery was something of an uphill battle at first. That is why you should also remember when telling your story to note the very first time you took Step One. There is also a notable run of addiction in the LGBT community. More importantly, however, these are both examples of things that have molded your personality and experiences. So while you don’t need to go through every minute detail, you should still endeavor to hit the major points.

Providing Encouragement, Inspiration, and Support to Others in Recovery

sharing your story in recovery

Much as the first stretch of your story included the tale of your first encounter with drugs and alcohol, this stretch will include your sobriety date. You may even want to give your sobriety date when you very first begin telling your story, then recall it again when https://ecosoberhouse.com/ you get to it. It is also about the people who have supported you along the way. Be sure to acknowledge your entire support system in your story. This includes your family, friends, therapist, sponsor, 12-step group, and anyone else who has helped you on your journey.

  • During this time, he developed two pilot addiction programs in the Greater West Tennessee area.
  • You can express shame for some of the choices you made but with an understanding that your addiction had a hold on you when you made those choices.
  • The stigma surrounding addiction can be a significant obstacle for those seeking help.

The Healing Power of Stories

sharing your story in recovery

Breaking the Stigma Surrounding Addiction and Mental Health

sharing your story in recovery

Withdrawal: Types, Symptoms, Treatment

signs of alcohol withdrawal

For example, other cross-tolerant medications, such as barbiturates, would be expected to relieve withdrawal symptoms and prevent withdrawal seizures and DT’s. In fact, a few studies have demonstrated that long-acting barbiturates can ease withdrawal symptoms. However, controlled studies have not provided sufficient data to demonstrate that these agents can prevent seizures or DT’s. Furthermore, barbiturates have a narrow therapeutic index—that is, the difference between the minimum dose required for a therapeutic effect and the dose at which the agents become toxic is small. People can experience a wide range of symptoms—ranging from mild to moderate to severe—that start and stop at different times for each person. Treatment options vary from state to state, says Farrell, but generally, people have the option to engage in an outpatient program where they can begin identifying how their addictive behavior began in the first place.

signs of alcohol withdrawal

Conditions

Consequently, when the alcohol level is suddenly lowered, the brain remains in a hyperactive, or hyperexcited, state, causing withdrawal syndrome. The frequency and setting for outpatient monitoring of AWS should be guided by symptom severity, risk of complications, and social factors, including reliable social support and a safe home environment. Most patients will require daily evaluations for up to five days after their last drink, but evaluations may increase or decrease in frequency as necessitated by changes in symptom severity.8 These visits can be with any health care professional. Blood pressure, pulse, and alcohol breath analysis should be obtained whenever possible.

  • This article briefly reviews the mechanisms, clinical features, and management of AW.
  • Alcohol consumption spans a spectrum from low-risk to severe alcohol use disorder (AUD).
  • Withdrawal progress is monitored through frequent check-up appointments within outpatient clinical settings (e.g., doctor’s office), allowing for the level of care to be escalated if needed.
  • Examples of such conditions include subdural hematoma (i.e., the collection of blood in the space between the membranes surrounding the CNS), pneumonia, meningitis, and other infections.

Support Groups

Before you try to quit on your own, talk to your doctor for advice and support. Your doctor can supervise this process and may be able to prescribe medications that can help. Dr. Rufus Tony Spann is a nationally certified school psychologist, licensed professional counselor, yoga teacher and reiki master.

signs of alcohol withdrawal

Getting Sleep, Dealing With Cravings

Patients who have had prior complicated withdrawals should not attempt to decrease their alcohol intake without consultation with their healthcare team. If a patient begins experiencing signs and symptoms of severe withdrawal, including but not limited to seizure, altered mental status, or agitation, they should seek emergency care immediately. When alcohol withdrawal syndrome has resolved, patients ought to be evaluated for AUD and offered treatment, if appropriate, including pharmacotherapy and behavioral treatment. Outpatient treatment may be available for mild-to-moderate symptoms of alcohol withdrawal; however, should symptoms become severe, inpatient care may be required. Symptoms of opioid withdrawal include aches and pains, agitation, anxiety, cramping, diarrhea, difficulty sleeping, goose bumps, increased heart rate or blood alcohol withdrawal pressure, nausea, pupil dilation, sweating, vomiting, watering eyes or dripping nose, and yawning.

  • Before you try to quit on your own, talk to your doctor for advice and support.
  • Over time, however, the body builds a tolerance to alcohol, and a person may have to drink more and more to get the same feeling.
  • Alcohol misuse and addiction can have harrowing and hazardous side effects at every phase.

Assessing Severity

“Starting to feel a little better. If I had the money, I would have gone to a 30-day rehab. I am still having shakes now and again. My head is in a fog constantly.” “I can’t believe the luxury of sleep! After a really hard time, I slept for two nights! Not all night, but great sleep.” “Still having cravings and thinking https://ecosoberhouse.com/ a lot about drinking. I’m so exhausted, though, and nauseated, I would probably get sick if I had a drink. I have noticed the cravings for sugar. Raw sugar snap peas take the edge off that.” “Depression is gone, anxiety gone, and all else gone. Didn’t sleep great last night, but tonight will be good.”

“I’m shaky, jumpy, and anxious today. I’m really afraid of how I’ll feel tomorrow as I can’t miss work, but I know I have to do this. I can’t imagine that I won’t have a bad withdrawal, given the high volume of alcohol I’ve been consuming on a daily basis.” John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine. For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). If you’ve ever questioned your relationship with alcohol, that’s the first sign you need to “dig a little deeper,” says Amanda Zahner, a person recovering from alcohol use disorder who is now six years sober. Benzodiazepines carry a Food and Drug Administration boxed warning because there is a risk of dependence. If you’re prescribed a medication from this class of drugs talk with your doctor about the risks before taking them and always follow the doctor’s instructions.

  • Alcohol withdrawal refers to the physical and mental effects a person experiences after stopping prolonged and heavy alcohol use.
  • If your symptoms persist for a long time, you may have post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS).
  • “Most symptoms are gone except constipation and occasional shakes. Been sleeping really good.”

Severe Symptoms

signs of alcohol withdrawal

Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can occur as early as a few hours after a person’s last drink. For some, these symptoms may peak within the first 24–48 hours after alcohol cessation, but they may continue after this point in others. And while symptoms generally improve within 5 days, some may experience prolonged symptoms.

Alcohol & Calcium Absorption

how does alcohol affect calcium levels
how does alcohol affect calcium levels

In a Japanese study, alcoholics with diabetes had a significantly lower survival rate than other alcoholics . Hormones play an important role in maintaining calcium levels in the body, which is necessary not only for strong bones and teeth but also for communication between and within cells of the body. Several hormones—parathyroid hormone , vitamin D-derived hormones, and mash certified sober homes calcitonin—work to regulate calcium absorption, excretion, and distribution between bones and body fluids. Although maintaining healthy cholesterol levels is essential to reducing heart disease risk, many factors contribute to this condition, including blood pressure, genetics, and sex . Some people have an increased risk of osteoporosis regardless of caffeine consumption.

Osteoporosis Diet: Bone Foods, Benefits, and Meal Plans – Verywell Health

Osteoporosis Diet: Bone Foods, Benefits, and Meal Plans.

Posted: Tue, 13 Dec 2022 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. To reduce your risk of falls and fractures, “make sure you’re focused on good nutrition, moderate physical activity, and a healthy lifestyle overall,” says Dr. Turner. Read more here about how to prevent osteoporosis through diet, exercise, medication, and more. On the plus side, it’s been discovered that when someone with a history of alcohol abuse abstains from drinking, their body can kick-start osteoblastic (bone-building) activity again.

How Alcohol and Increases the Risk of Osteoporosis

“Alcohol interferes with the pancreas and its absorption of calcium and vitamin D. Alcohol also affects the liver, which is important for activating vitamin D — which is also important for calcium absorption. It perhaps goes without saying that https://rehabliving.net/ you shouldn’t take calcium supplements if you have high calcium blood levels. But you would be surprised to know how many dietary supplements calcium can sneak into. This includes multivitamins and over-the-counter drugs for acid reflux .

When calcium balance is off, the body uses vitamins, hormones, and other compounds to correct the imbalance. However, alcohol consumption interferes with the body’s ability to do these things as intended. When you get your blood test results back, there will be information that indicates what that lab’s normal blood calcium range is. If you have any questions about your results, be sure to ask your healthcare provider. People in the United States drink more than almost every other country.

  • If a parathyroid gland malfunctions, the body’s PTH and calcium levels can rise, which impacts bone formation and destruction.
  • Unfortunately, the symptoms are only seen in 16%-20% of patients.
  • An MIP can cure HPT, with minimal risk to thyroid, vocal cord nerves, blood vessels, and various organs and tissue.
  • Potassium is present in just about every cell in your body, and a proper balance of this mineral is critical for good health.

In women, chronic alcohol exposure can trigger irregular menstrual cycles, a factor that reduces estrogen levels, increasing the risk for osteoporosis. Also, cortisol levels may be elevated in people with alcoholism. Cortisol is known to decrease bone formation and increase bone breakdown. There is also an increased risk of problems when combining exercise and alcohol.

Verywell Mind’s content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Studies indicate that smoking may result in bone loss, particularly when combined with poor diet or lack of exercise. Vitamin D and calcium are the two most important dietary factors to consider concerning preventing osteoporosis. According to the CDC, roughly 30 million people in the United States either have osteoporosis or are at risk for the disease.

Hypercalcemia

The responses to comments on fitrecovery.com are designed to support, not replace, medical or psychiatric treatment. Please seek professional care if you believe you may have a condition. Dr. Rebeca Eriksen is the Nutritional Consultant for Fit Recovery. In addition to her work at the exclusive Executive Health clinic in Marbella, Spain, she helps to keep Fit Recovery up to date with emerging research. Chris Scott founded Fit Recovery in 2014 to help people from around the world dominate alcohol dependence and rebuild their lives from scratch. A former investment banker, he recovered from alcohol dependence using cutting-edge methods that integrate nutrition, physiology, and behavioral change.

how does alcohol affect calcium levels

Your healthcare provider may have ordered routine bloodwork called a basic metabolic panel or comprehensive metabolic panel , which both include a calcium blood test. Tea and coffee consumption in relation to vitamin D and calcium levels in Saudi adolescents. According to a 2017 study, green tea polyphenols may prevent osteoporosis. The researchers found that GTPs might improve bone mineral density and slow bone loss.

Drink Less for Strong Bones

In otherwise healthy adults, 400 mg of caffeine is usually safe. Some research in animals suggests that caffeine can affect bone growth. In one study, giving caffeine to pregnant rats led to slower bone growth in the fetuses. Experts suggest that caffeine interferes with endochondral ossification, a process that remodels cartilage into the new bone with the help of calcium. Cancer Cancer is a disease caused by an abnormal growth of cells, also called malignancy. Cancer can be treated through chemotherapy, a treatment of drugs that destroy cancer cells.

Chronic drinkers are more liable to contract diseases like pneumonia and tuberculosis than people who do not drink too much. Drinking a lot on a single occasion slows your body’s ability to ward off infections – even up to 24 hours after getting drunk. For example, females are much more sensitive to the effects of alcohol because they have lower levels of the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase, which breaks down alcohol . The relationship between alcohol and health is complicated and depends on many factors, including how much and how often you drink. An MIP can cure HPT, with minimal risk to thyroid, vocal cord nerves, blood vessels, and various organs and tissue.

calcium and alcohol

Hypercalcemia never appears til the blood level is well above a hard to reach 150ng/ml. Thanks John, I agree that megadoses can be appropriate for some people and probably less harmful than previously thought! I myself take 5,000 IU per day and get plenty of natural sunlight. If you have any questions about vitamin D and alcohol, please post them in the comment box below. With nutritional repair and natural remedies, trial and error is the best approach.

Rarely, severe hypercalcemia can interfere with your heart function, causing palpitations and fainting, indications of cardiac arrhythmia, and other heart problems. For more information about alcohol and cancer, please visit the National Cancer Institute’s webpage “Alcohol and Cancer Risk” . Talk with a trusted health professional about your concerns or visit this website to find treatment options and resources near you. Get FREE daily coaching messages from Chris Scott to help you quit or cut down on alcohol in just 10 days.

There is no known safe level for alcohol consumption in pregnant and lactating women. For more information about decreasing blood calcium levels read this post. Having and maintaining healthy vitamin D levels and other nutrient levels can help improve your health now and for your future.

Food sources of vitamin D include egg yolks, saltwater fish, and liver. Many people, especially those who are older or housebound, may need vitamin D supplements to achieve the recommended intake of 600 to 800 eco sober house cost IU each day. Alcohol reduces the absorption of calcium and increases its loss through the urine. Excessive drinking also disrupts vitamin D production, weakens the bones, and reduces sex hormone levels .

It’s never too late to make changes to improve your bone health. Calcium levels in the blood do not normally fluctuate, but remain within a narrow range. Calcium is stored in the bones and teeth; when calcium levels in the blood fall, more calcium is removed from the bones.

The information on this website has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration or any other medical body. We do not aim to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease. You must consult your doctor before acting on any content on this website, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition. Also refrain from refined sugars/carbohydrates and drinks containing phosphoric acid.

You do not need to be an alcoholic for alcohol to interfere with your health and life. The potential to become addicted to alcohol is a serious problem that can affect anyone. Addison’s disease, also known as adrenal insufficiency, is another cause of hypercalcemia. Scientists are still exploring the exact mechanism, but it’s likely that the kidneys become less efficient at removing calcium; at the same time, more calcium is released from the bones .

It is also a co-factor in the production and activation of vitamin D. The ratio of calcium to magnesium is important, and most people don’t get enough magnesium compared to calcium . Below is shown the maximum daily levels of calcium that you should not go beyond. Going over this level for a short while is unlikely to cause any issues, but doing so long term is unsafe .

Cardiomyopathy Symptoms and causes

is alcoholic cardiomyopathy reversible

However, no other biopsy study of patients with presumed alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy has found this. It is likely that those two patients were incorrectly labelled with alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy. Most common age population for ACM is males from age with significant history of alcohol use for more than 10 years. Females constitute roughly 14 % of cases of alcohol induced cardiomyopathy however lifetime exposure required for women to develop alcohol induced cardiomyopathy is less compared to men.

Cardiovascular risks and benefits of moderate and heavy alcohol consumption

is alcoholic cardiomyopathy reversible

The end-systolic dimension was 4.1 cm and the end-diastolic dimension was 5.0 cm (Figure 1). Diastolic dysfunction is the earliest sign of ACM and is usually seen in approximately 30% of patients with a history of chronic alcohol abuse with no evidence of systolic dysfunction nor left ventricle hypertrophy. Cardiomyopathy (CM) is a disease of the heart muscle, which can progressively worsen and ultimately lead to chronic congestive heart failure (CHF). As such, CMs are typically treated with a standard CHF pharmacological regimen in addition to mechanical circulatory support devices or orthotopic heart transplantation in severe refractory cases.

  • It is important to note that these guidelines apply to healthy adults and should be adjusted for individuals with certain health conditions or those taking specific medications.
  • If the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is less than or equal to 40%, this may also comprise a combination of angiotensin blocker-neprilysin inhibitor, diuretics, beta-blockers, diuretics, aldosterone receptor antagonists, and an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor.
  • Diagnosing ACM still relies on exclusion criteria, similar to alcoholic liver disease, as excessive alcohol consumption is observed in up to 40% of DCM patients.
  • Expressions referring to “the heart of a wine drinker in Tubingen” and particularly a “Munich beer heart” were used and known in Germany during this time13.
  • As the pathogenesis of AC is complex, specific treatments focus on different targets.
  • Alcoholic cardiomyopathy is a leading cause of non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy in United States.

Role of autophagy and regulatory mechanisms in alcoholic cardiomyopathy

  • The prognosis of ACM can also depend on the presence of other comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity.10 These conditions can exacerbate the effects of ACM on the heart and increase the risk of complications.10 Therefore, it is important to manage these comorbidities to improve the overall prognosis of ACM.
  • Also, current common cardiac therapies such as ICD and CRT devices were not used because of the period when the study was conducted.
  • Furthermore, in many of these reports, comorbid conditions, especially myocarditis and other addictions such as cocaine and nicotine, were not reported.
  • Another nutritional factor classically involved in the pathophysiology of AC was cobalt excess.

It is also likely that the actual rate of AC may be underestimated because of undercoding given that a number of patients would present as heart failure exacerbations, thereby altering code used. In addition to this, there is difficulty in actually making the diagnosis of AC itself clinically due to absence of specific diagnostic criteria and the need to rule out other causes of cardiomyopathy as well. However, looking into a big population database might be a good way to study such a difficult to diagnose disease process. We were unable to do any subgroup analysis especially to look into whether there is increased mortality among certain population subsets such as those with hypertension and coronary artery disease.

Pathogenesis of alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy

Metabolic CM is a secondary CM that results from disturbed energy production leading to impaired cardiac function. It may be caused by a myriad of endocrine disorders, familial storage diseases, and/or nutritional deficiencies. We have chosen to specifically focus on how the imbalance in thyroid hormones might lead to reversible cardiac dysfunction. Fauchier et al11 found that after 47 mo of follow-up, the transplant-free survival of DCM patients was better than that of patients with ACM, but these differences were no longer significant when comparing the DCM group with the alcoholics who refrained from drinking or significantly reduced their alcohol consumption11. The first paper to assess the natural history and long-term prognosis of ACM was published by McDonald et al69 in 1971.

Treatment of alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy

There is evidence of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) leading to CM, in which a patient with a reduced LVEF with over 56,000 PVCs per day was successfully ablated and had normalization of LV systolic function.17 Though ablation offers effective results, there is concern that it may not offer a permanent solution. In a study by Ling et al, 18 subjects with tachycardia-induced CM underwent successful radiofrequency ablation and subsequently had an increase in LVEF within 3 months. Also, low to moderate daily alcohol intake was proved to be a predictor of better prognosis for both ischemic cardiomyopathy and heart failure regardless of the presence of coronary disease1,2. The achievement of total alcohol abstinence represents the most effective strategy for the treatment of alcohol-induced ogan damage, including alcoholic cardiomyopathy, in order to promote the recovery of left ventricular dysfunction 4,11. However, the limit between reversible and non-reversible damage, in other words the “point of no-return”, is currently not known 12. A second set of studies that are quoted when addressing this topic are those conducted in individuals who started an alcohol withdrawal program21-24.

is alcoholic cardiomyopathy reversible

One of the few papers analysing genetic susceptibility in ACM was published by Fernández-Solà et al64 in 2002. He compared the prevalence of different polymorphisms of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene in 30 ACM patients and in 27 alcoholics with normal ventricular function. Furthermore, 89% of the alcoholics with a DD genotype developed ACM, whereas only 13% of those with an II or ID genotype developed this condition. However, this individual susceptibility mediated by polymorphisms of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene does not appear to be specific to ACM insofar as several diseases, including some that are not of a cardiologic origin, have been related to this genetic finding65.

is alcoholic cardiomyopathy reversible

There is also an established link between the development of ACM and apoptosis because of myocardial cell death, which contributes to heart pathology and dysfunction. Previous studies were conducted on rats that are fed alcohol for about eight months. They found alcoholic cardiomyopathy symptoms that there is about 14% loss of myocardial cells in the left ventricle of those rats. It showed a significant increase in both acute and chronic alcohol intoxication. All previous mechanisms can induce myocyte apoptosis through the induction of mitochondrial damage and oxidative stress 12.

is alcoholic cardiomyopathy reversible

According to several articles, even moderate alcohol use has comparable effects to abstinence. Goal-directed heart failure therapy, as utilized in idiopathic DCM with low ejection fraction, should be a part of pharmaceutical therapy. If the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is less than or equal to 40%, this may also comprise a combination of angiotensin blocker-neprilysin inhibitor, diuretics, beta-blockers, diuretics, aldosterone receptor antagonists, and an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. Some studies have shown that the combination of carvedilol and trimetazidine with other traditional heart failure medications is effective 1-3,7-11,16-20. Evidence of altered bioenergetics or mitochondrial dysfunction has been observed in various investigations of ethanol effect on the heart. Disrupted bioenergetics and oxidative phosphorylation indices and a change in the ultrastructure of the mitochondria may be the cause of such dysfunctions.

Through a thematic synthesis, we identified common trends, knowledge gaps, and emerging research areas related to ACM. To assess the quality and validity of the included studies, we performed a critical appraisal using appropriate tools such as the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for observational studies or the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool for clinical trials. This assessment allowed us to evaluate the methodological rigor of each study and determine its overall quality and potential impact on the literature review. Finally, we analyzed and presented the synthesized literature, along with relevant findings and conclusions from the included studies, in a coherent manner. We identified main themes and sub-themes to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge regarding ACM. By following this methodology, we aim to contribute to the existing body of knowledge on ACM, providing a reliable and up-to-date understanding of its pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnostic approaches, treatment options, and potential preventive strategies.

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Alcohol results in acute as well as chronic depression of myocardial contractility, even when ingested by normal individuals in quantities consumed during social drinking.23 Compensatory mechanisms such as vasodilation or sympathetic stimulation may mask the direct acute myocardial depressant effects of alcohol. Alcohol (ethanol) is contained in a number of beverages consumed all over the world since ancient times. The acute ingestion of large amount of alcohol as well as chronic alcohol abuse induce toxic effects to all organs and tissues 7, particularly to central nervous system, liver and heart 8,9.