Antidepressants Can Be Lifesavers

Antidepressant medications work equally well for most depressed people, but certain antidepressants may be more effective for particular individuals. Sometimes one antidepressant will be helpful after another has failed, or an antidepressant ultimately may help once another medication has been added to augment its effect.

Antidepressants usually are taken daily. Often it takes several weeks for them to be effective. Although some symptoms may improve early, it may take 6 to 8 weeks or longer to achieve the maximum benefits.

Antidepressants generally are helpful for people suffering with major depression, which is a sustained type of depression lasting for weeks or longer and that affects how people feel and function most days.

Although antidepressants are most helpful for more serious types of depression, they also might benefit people with milder depressions.

Antidepressants decrease symptoms of depression rather than directly elevate mood. They are not really mood stimulants. People without symptoms of mood or anxiety disorders generally will have no positive effects from antidepressants.

When people with major depression have responded well to an antidepressant, generally it is recommended that they continue taking the medication for 6 to 12 months. If they have experienced repeated depressive episodes, often it is suggested that they remain on antidepressant medication indefinitely to prevent recurrences.

When people are discontinuing an antidepressant, usually it is recommended that they decrease the dose gradually to avoid any withdrawal symptoms. However, serious side effects may require a sudden discontinuation of a medication. Always coordinate medication changes with a health care provider.

Some antidepressants need to be started at a low dose that is gradually increased over a period of weeks to avoid side effects. However, many of the newer antidepressants can be started at the full therapeutic dose.

The pharmacologic actions of antidepressants vary considerably. Their positive effects are thought to relate to how they influence the receptors for serotonin, norepinephrine, or dopamine in the central nervous system. However, their effects on these and other neurotransmitter systems can cause bothersome or even dangerous side effects.

Antidepressants that are safe and effective when taken alone may become ineffective or unsafe when combined with certain other medications or substances. It is important to make sure that all health care prescribers know all meds a patient is taking to avoid undesired interactions.

Antidepressants have helped millions of people. Often they have been life saving. Most people taking antidepressants benefit from them and tolerate them well. Serious side effects are rare, but it is important that they be taken as prescribed.

If you're taking an antidepressant medication, make sure that you know the name and dose of the drug, when it should be taken, whether any particular foods or other substances should be avoided, whether it should be taken with meals, what common side effects you might experience, and any serious side effects that you should alert your prescriber about right away.

Health Tip: Why You May Have Erectile Dysfunction

(HealthDay News) -- Erectile dysfunction occurs when a man can't achieve or maintain an erection during sex.

The American Academy of Family Physicians says the condition doesn't have to be a natural part of getting older. ED often is attributed to physical or psychological causes. Physical reasons may include:

* Having a side effect of surgery on the prostate or bladder, or radiation therapy to the testicles.
* Having low testosterone levels, kidney failure, liver failure, multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's disease.
* Having chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or hardening of the arteries.
* Having had a stroke or an injury to the brain or spinal cord.
* Using too much tobacco or alcohol.
* Being tired.

US offers Viagra to win over Afghan warlords:

WASHINGTON (AFP) – CIA agents are offering the potency drug Viagra and other gifts to win over Afghan warlords in the US-led war against Taliban insurgents, the Washington Post reported on Friday.

Paying for information is nothing new for the Central Intelligence Agency, but officers have started employing unusual incentives to persuade Afghan local leaders to share intelligence about the Taliban's movements, the Post wrote, citing unnamed sources in the spy service.

"Whatever it takes to make friends and influence people -- whether it's building a school or handing out Viagra," one CIA operative who has worked in Afghanistan was quoted as saying.

CIA agents have offered pocket knives and tools, toys and school equipment, travel visas, medical services including surgeries and sometimes the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra for Afghan chieftains, the paper said.

The aging chieftains often have up to four wives and are open to the Viagra pill as a way to "put them back in an authoritative position," said another official.

More customary bribes such as cash and weapons can create problems, because guns fan fall into the wrong hands and a sudden influx of cash can draw too much attention, agents told the paper.

Four Viagra pills transformed the attitude of one influential 60-year-old warlord who had been wary of the United States.

"He came up to us beaming," one official told the Post.

"And after that we could do whatever we wanted in his area."

Celebrity News Will Britney Stay Sober?

With Britney Spears' discharge date looming, the question remains: Is she ready to leave rehab?

Usmagazine.com talks to Clare Waismann, a registered addiction specialist and executive director of the Waismann Method, to find out if the singer is ready to make a fresh start.

Although Waismann has never personally treated Spears, she suggests steps that can be taken to prevent a relapse.

Us: Once Britney leaves her rehab facility, what are some of the next steps required for a successful recovery?

CW: "I believe that she's going to need a wonderful psychiatrist who can chemically balance her. [I think] Britney has a long history of depression that has been misdiagnosed."

Us: If depression is the issue, what would a doctor recommend?
CW: "Keep her on a great anti-depressant and make sure her hormone level is stable. Because of all of her diets, pregnancies and her depression, she seems completely imbalanced.”

Us: Recently Kevin Federline has stepped up to the plate and assumed the supportive father role. How important is he as a support system?
CW: "He's supporting her as a father [to their children] and a husband and that's the best support she can get right now."

Us: How long does it typically take someone in Britney's situation to get back on track?

CW: "It could take six months to a year. This time she will be very frail, not just mentally but chemically as well..Her body the last three years has gone through ups and downs with pregnancies and diets and divorces. All those things can cause chemical imbalances. She needs probably a year away from everything and everybody so she can at least stabilize herself.

Us: Speaking from your experiences, do you think she has much of a chance of relapse? Or will she be able to turn her life around and have the career she once had?

CW: "It's going to take a lot of intervention from her family, who are her biggest supporters right now. She's got to stay away from the business for a while to find herself. Simplicity will give her the simple pleasures that make our lives worthwhile.

Us: Is she more prone to relapse because she's a public figure?
CW: "Absolutely."

Us: How would you advise someone in her situation to move forward?

CW: "Her best bet for the next year is just living a very mellow and motherly life."

Rapid Detox Procedure Video

Ten Things Teens and Their Families Should Know about the Dangers of Abusing Prescription Narcotics

Ten Things Teens and Their Families Should Know about the Dangers of Abusing Prescription Narcotics

Rapid V.I.P. Opiate Procedure Offers Timely Advice for Parents on the Risks of Opiate Dependency

The Rapid V.I.P. Opiate Procedure today released "Ten Things Teens and Their Families Should Know about the Dangers of Prescription Painkillers," in response to the study recently released from The National Institute on Drug Abuse stating that high numbers of teenagers continue to abuse prescription drugs. As the number of dependencies to prescription narcotics in the U.S. continues to rise, it is critical that parents are able to recognize the telltale warning signs of abuse and are armed with the right information to educate their teens on the dangers associated with abuse of OxyContin, Vicodin, over-the-counter cold medicine and other medications, according to Clare Kavin, executive director for the Waismann Method and addiction specialist.

This story also appeard in the following news outlets:

CNN Money Financial Times

Hoover's Morningstar.com

Canada.com Vantage Link

Fair Search Houston Medicine

WHAS 11 WMSL-UK

PE.com Security Sales & Integration

Mom MD MCOL

Dallas News IT Town

Yahoo! Finance PharmaNexus

MarketWatch Hiploid

Greater Richmond Optical Keyhole

Search the Web World Pharma Web

BioSpace


"Teens and children are being introduced to recreational use of prescription medication at a much younger age than most would expect and are gaining easier access to them," said Kavin. "Recent reports of Hollywood stars abusing these drugs will most likely elevate the problem as teens attempt to emulate their favorite celebrities. As with any other drug or with alcohol, parents need to educate their children about the health risks involved with using these drugs for fun."

According to Kavin, prescription drugs can easily make their way into and out of households. Taking the time to talk to family members about the dangers of drugs could be a preventative measure that lasts a lifetime.

Kavin offers parents the following advice:

1.
Face the Facts. Denial can prevent you from recognizing a real problem at home. Parents need to be honest about the possibility that their child may give into to the temptation to experiment.

2.
Acknowledge Inherent Risks. Legal or not, prescription drugs are just as harmful as street drugs. Prescription painkillers like Oxycodone are synthetic (man made) opiates, the family of drugs from which heroin is derived.

3.
Keep an Eye Out for the "Graduate." Children as young as 13-15 years old can easily graduate from abusing Oxycontin (a legal opiate drug) to abusing heroin (an illegal opiate drug). The two drugs have similar effects, therefore attracting the same abuse population.

4.
Leverage Headlines. To make a good point with your kids, take advantage of incidents in the news to talk to your family about the dangers of prescription drugs. Recently, Nicole Richie allegedly admitted to taking Vicodin when she was arrested for driving under the influence. Her life-threatening drive can serve as an example of a story to discourage teens from trying drugs.

5.
Don't Assume It Can't Be You. You're not necessarily in the clear if your teen is head cheerleader or the class president. Not all kids who abuse prescription drugs are dark, depressed, and troubled.

6. Beware of Emotional Roller-coasters. Changes in a teen's normal behavior can be a sign of dependency. Social withdrawal, desensitized emotions (indifference or disinterest in things that previously brought them pleasure) and increased inactivity may point to a more serious problem.

7.
Watch Out for Going Grunge. Personal hygiene may diminish as a result of a drug addiction. Significant weight loss may occur, and glazed eyes may indicate an underlying problem.

8.
Become a Micro Manager. If your teen is prescribed a pain-relieving medication, closely monitor the dosage and frequency the drug is ingested. Also, if you or your spouse is prescribed a prescription painkiller, be sure to keep it out of your children's reach and dispose of any extras once you no longer need the medication.

9.
Play it Smart. Listen carefully when your doctor or pharmacist gives instructions for a drug for a family member, and never increase dosage or the frequency of taking a medication without consulting your physician.

10.
Trust Your Instincts. If you suspect that a family member is abusing prescription drugs, consult a doctor or seek professional help right away. Medical professionals can refer you to treatment programs but the most important thing is to seek help in a timely matter.


For more information on The Rapid V.I.P. Opiate Procedure or opiate dependency, visit www.rapiddetoxlasvegas.com


About the Rapid V.I.P. Opiate Procedure


Dr. Thomas Yee use the exclusive V.I.P. Method of Neuro-Regulation to treat opiate dependency. Performed in a Clinic, adjacent to Front Entrance of E.R. Hospital. The Procedure involves cleansing the opiate receptors in the patient's brain of the narcotics while the patient is under anesthesia. During the procedure, the patient will experience no conscious withdrawal, and will be able to return home within days. 85 percent of the prescription drug dependent patients who are treated with us remain drug free after one year.

Afghan heroin's surge poses danger in U.S.

December 27, 2008

Afghan heroin's surge poses danger in U.S.

Garrett Therolf, Los Angeles Times

The amount of high-quality heroin available throughout the United States is surging because of an increasing supply from Afghanistan, and with it comes the fear that record-breaking poppy harvests after the U.S. invasion are fueling more addictions and overdose deaths back home.

Heroin-related deaths in Los Angeles County soared from 137 in 2002 to 282 in 2004 before dropping to 239 in 2005, still a jump of nearly 75 percent in three years, a period when other factors contributing to overdose deaths remained unchanged, experts said.

The jump in deaths was especially prevalent among users older than 40, who lack the resilience to recover from an overdose of unexpectedly strong heroin, according to a study by the county's Office of Health Assessment and Epidemiology.

"The rise of heroin from Afghanistan is our biggest rising threat in the fight against narcotics," said Orange County sheriff's spokesman Jim Amormino. "We are seeing more seizures and more overdoses."

According to a Drug Enforcement Administration report obtained by the Los Angeles Times, Afghanistan's poppy fields have become the fastest-growing source of heroin in the United States. Its share of the U.S. market doubled from 7 percent in 2001, the year U.S. forces overthrew the Taliban, to 14 percent in 2004, the latest year studied.

Another DEA report, released in October, said the 14 percent actually could be significantly higher.

Not only is more heroin being produced from Afghan poppies, it is also the purest in the world, according to the DEA's National Drug Intelligence Center which monitors heroin coming into the United States.

Despite the agency's own reports, a DEA spokesman denied that more heroin is reaching the United States from Afghanistan.

"We are not seeing a nationwide spike in Afghanistan-based heroin," Garrison Courtney wrote in an e-mail to the Los Angeles Times.

He said in an interview that the report that showed the growth of Afghanistan's U.S. market share was one of many sources the agency used to evaluate drug trends. He refused to provide a copy of DEA reports that could provide an explanation.

The agency declined to give the Times the report on the doubling of Afghan heroin into the United States. A copy was provided by the office of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., a member of the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control.

This potent heroin, which the DEA says sells for about $90 a gram in Southern California, has prompted warnings from some officials who deal with addicts that they should reduce the amount of the drug they use. Many addicts seeking the most euphoric high employ a dangerous calculation to gauge how much of the drug they can consume without overdosing. An unexpectedly powerful bundle of heroin, therefore, can be deadly.

"I tell people, 'If you're using it, only use half or three-quarters of what you used to,' because of the higher potency," said Orlando Ward, director of public affairs at the Midnight Mission on Los Angeles' Skid Row.

Health workers in boutique rehab centers and health clinics for the homeless say increasing numbers of clients are addicted to more powerful heroin.

"My patients say it's more available and cheaper," said Michael Lowenstein, a doctor at the Waismann Method detoxification center in Beverly Hills.

Antonio Maria Costa, executive director of the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime warned world health authorities in October of the increase in Afghan heroin.

"This, in turn, is likely to prompt a substantial increase in the number of deaths by overdose, as addicts are not used to injecting doses containing such high concentrations of the drug," he said.

From 1980 through 1985, Afghan heroin dominated the U.S. market with a 47 percent to 54 percent share, according to the DEA.

Afghanistan's share dwindled to 6 percent for much of the 1990s, as competition from Southeast Asia and Colombia grew.

Meanwhile, the Taliban was cracking down as it gained territory, virtually eliminating poppy production after taking over the country.

Once the fundamentalist Islamic government was overthrown in 2001, Afghans returned to the poppy trade to survive in one of the poorest countries in the world. The poppy crop now drives the economy in some regions of the embattled nation, helping to fund a Taliban resurgence.

U.S. and European efforts to end Afghanistan's $2.3 billion opium business are failing, according to a report released Nov. 28 by the World Bank.

Indeed, the production of opium used to produce heroin reached its highest level ever in Afghanistan this year. It accounted for more than one-third of Afghanistan's gross domestic product and 90 percent of the world's supply of illicit opium, mainly supplying Asia and Europe, according to the report.

In the United States, Afghan and Mexican poppies were the second-largest source of heroin in 2004, according to the DEA's Heroin Signature Program. South America, led by top supplier Colombia, held 69 percent of the market. That figure dropped 19 percentage points from the 2003 level as U.S. and Colombian efforts to eradicate the trade enjoyed success and as Afghanistan's share increased, according to the DEA.

The Department of Homeland Security also has found evidence of increasing Afghan heroin in this country. The agency reported skyrocketing numbers of seizures of heroin arriving at U.S. airports and seaports from India, not a significant heroin-producing country but a major transshipment point for Afghan drugs. The seizure of heroin packages from India increased from zero in 2003 to 433 in 2005 -- more than 80 percent of total heroin mail seizures that year.