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	<title>Personal Health Blog</title>
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	<link>http://www.drgeorgekarlis.net</link>
	<description>Talk about Health With Dr George Karlis</description>
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		<title>Hair Loss In Women- You Are Not Alone</title>
		<link>http://www.drgeorgekarlis.net/hair-loss-in-women-you-are-not-alone.htm</link>
		<comments>http://www.drgeorgekarlis.net/hair-loss-in-women-you-are-not-alone.htm#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:39:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Alex Bhaswara</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Hair Loss]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hair loss in women]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Women's Hair Loss]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.drgeorgekarlis.net/?p=2023</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If you&#8217;ve looked all over the internet and you&#8217;re at your wit&#8217;s end, searching for some true help with hair loss in women, you&#8217;ve finally come to the right place. Speaking from my own personal experience, I know how frightening and disheartening it can be when you lose your hair. I felt pretty alone when [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>If you&#8217;ve looked all over the internet and you&#8217;re at your wit&#8217;s end, searching for some true help with hair loss in women, you&#8217;ve finally come to the right place. Speaking from my own personal experience, I know how frightening and disheartening it can be when you lose your hair. I felt pretty alone when it started. Thankfully, I found out that I was far from alone in my nightmare.</p>
<p>There are lots of different reasons that we lose our hair, none of them good. It would be one thing, I suppose, if we could get away with it like men do, but the truth is, society puts a lot of importance on a woman&#8217;s appearance. I know it&#8217;s not right, but it&#8217;s the truth.<span id="more-2023"></span></p>
<p>I think that one of the reasons it&#8217;s been so overwhelming for me to handle this hair loss is that I had always considered myself an attractive woman. I never had thick hair, but it is blonde and I can wear it short and it looks good. Unfortunately, societal constraints dictate that we women are supposed to have long flowing locks. I&#8217;d like these men to have to deal with everything we do and see how they feel about it then.</p>
<p>I always used the same group of products for my hair and skin, making sure to use a good SPF level in both. I couldn&#8217;t imagine that I&#8217;d caused this issue. It got worse and worse until I thought I was going to be completely bald on the top of my head. I was scared and upset and didn&#8217;t know where to turn. I tried to find information online.</p>
<p>I always made sure to use skin and hair products that had a decent SPF so that I wouldn&#8217;t grow old before my time or look older than I was. I never had great hair but I enjoyed being a blonde (even if I had to frost occasionally)and thought that my thin hair was just a curse of genetics.</p>
<p>I started finding hair everywhere, it seemed, and out of nowhere. I covered the pillows, it was on everything I wore, I started having to empty my hair brush several times a week because it was just full of hair. I realized my husband wasn&#8217;t the cause for the clog in the bathroom drain, either. That hurt.</p>
<p>It certainly wasn&#8217;t something that I wanted to talk to anyone about, I was truly getting ashamed. I needed to figure out why I was losing it though, so I began searching online. Once I had weeded through the obvious sales scams, I started finding support groups and sites that told me that as women, hormones can play a big role in hair loss in women. So can genetics and some medical problems.</p>
<p>My friends all have long beautiful, thick hair. I felt like I had lost part of what made me feel feminine. I shouldn&#8217;t, it&#8217;s not what makes me who I am but I sure do like having hair on my head. After having gone through chemotherapy in the past, I really don&#8217;t treasure wearing hats and scarves again. What could I do? I kept looking for answers and getting sales pitches.</p>
<p>I needed to find out why this was happening and what could be done about it. Internet research only went so far. Then I found this site and I&#8217;ll tell you girls, things have been looking up. I&#8217;m starting to re-grow hair and you know what? I realize that I&#8217;m not stuck paying for a lifetime supply of something that doesn&#8217;t work. I am going to re-grow my hair and keep it and you can, too. Hair loss in women doesn&#8217;t have to be a life long battle, ladies. I&#8217;m glad you found this site, now you can have the relief I&#8217;ve gotten. Just remember, you are not alone and you&#8217;re not doomed to a life of hair loss.</p>
<p>Click here to learn more about Hair Loss in Women.</p>
<p>Click here to learn more about <a target="_blank" href="http://stop-hair-thinning.com/natural-hair-loss-treatment/">Natural Hair Loss Treatment</a>.</p>
<p>Vanessa Vera wanted to know everything there was to know about how to stop her own hair from thinning in order to make it stop. These articles and Stop-Hair-Thinning.com were the result of her extensive research and quest to get her own hair back.</p>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Natural Hair Loss Treatment</title>
		<link>http://www.drgeorgekarlis.net/natural-hair-loss-treatment.htm</link>
		<comments>http://www.drgeorgekarlis.net/natural-hair-loss-treatment.htm#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:35:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Alex Bhaswara</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Hair Loss]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hair Loss Treatment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Natural Hair Loss Treatment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Women's Hair Loss]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.drgeorgekarlis.net/?p=2020</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Many women are discovering that their hair is thinning or they are losing hair. Some hair loss is due to heredity or genetics, but a greater number of women seem to be losing their hair for no apparent reason. When a person begins to notice their hair thinning they begin to look for an effective [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Many women are discovering that their hair is thinning or they are losing hair. Some hair loss is due to heredity or genetics, but a greater number of women seem to be losing their hair for no apparent reason. When a person begins to notice their hair thinning they begin to look for an effective natural hair loss treatment. Treating hair loss early can often result in a return to healthy hair very affordably.</p>
<p>Identifying the reason for the hair loss will be an important step in stopping the loss. More women than ever before are suffering from hair loss because there are more women working and living in increasingly stressful environments. When a person is under stress, they have a tendency to do all of the things that encourage hair loss.<span id="more-2020"></span></p>
<p>After determining that there is not physical condition causing the hair loss, taking a look at the stress in your life will be important. When a woman is trying to function effectively in a stressful environment, they often do not eat, exercise, or sleep properly and often suffer from many physical ailments in addition to hair loss. Diet is key when keeping the body healthy. A person must maintain a constant flow of vitamins and nutrients to their body to have overall good health and healthy hair.</p>
<p>Diet and exercise are two ways to stop stress in its tracks. By learning relaxation and breathing exercises that can be done throughout the day, you can effectively reduce the amount of stress that is affecting your health. There are several simple exercises that can be done without stopping your activity that are very effective. Just stopping, breathing deeply and exhaling slowly two or three times will reduce the release of stress hormones.</p>
<p>Changing eating habits that will include the vitamins and nutrients that are critical to good health and healthy hair will help you to feel and look better quickly. A diet that is high in protein, low in fats and carbohydrates, and contains more Omega-3 fatty acids is a simple way to decrease stress and increase health. Including foods that are rich in iron will help to increase energy and circulation. Many people who suffer from hair loss have low levels of iron in the systems when they are tested.</p>
<p>The body does not absorb B vitamins properly when a person is under stress. It is important to increase vitamin B in the diet and especially vitamin B12 that is found in many foods including poultry, meat, and eggs. When you begin feeling better you will notice that your hair starts getting healthier.</p>
<p>There are many herbal remedies available that address hair loss. These remedies often contain Saw Palmetto. The herb has the same impact as many of the commercial treatments for hair loss. The natural hair loss treatments are available in shampoo, lotions, ointments, supplements, and tea. When the herbal combinations are used, the herbs in the remedy are working in combination to address circulation and blood flow to the hair follicles.</p>
<p>Looking for the natural hair loss treatment that will be most effective may take some time and experimentation. Starting with a proper diet and exercise program and reducing stress will be a great start. When you have found the treatment program that works best for you, you will begin to feel better and look better within a few weeks.</p>
<p>Click here to learn more about Natural Hair Loss Treatment.</p>
<p>Click here to learn more about <a target="_blank" href="http://stop-hair-thinning.com/shampoo-for-hair-loss/">Shampoo for Hair Loss</a>.</p>
<p>Vanessa Vera wanted to know everything there was to know about how to stop her own hair from thinning in order to make it stop. These articles and Stop-Hair-Thinning.com were the result of her extensive research and quest to get her own hair back.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Finding The Best Shampoo For Hair Loss</title>
		<link>http://www.drgeorgekarlis.net/finding-the-best-shampoo-for-hair-loss.htm</link>
		<comments>http://www.drgeorgekarlis.net/finding-the-best-shampoo-for-hair-loss.htm#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:32:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Alex Bhaswara</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Hair Loss]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hair Loss Shampoo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Shampoo For Hair Loss]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.drgeorgekarlis.net/?p=2018</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Finding the best shampoo for hair loss will be easy if you have a good idea of which types of ingredients will be best to increase the health of your hair. While there is no magic ingredient that will make hair grow, the use of an effective shampoo can have a tremendous impact on helping [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Finding the best shampoo for hair loss will be easy if you have a good idea of which types of ingredients will be best to increase the health of your hair. While there is no magic ingredient that will make hair grow, the use of an effective shampoo can have a tremendous impact on helping your hair to be healthy.</p>
<p>Most commercial shampoos contain lauryl sulfate. When this compound is used the shampoo will give a person the lather that is expected from a shampoo. However, this and the other chemicals in many commercial shampoos can be very harsh on your scalp and hair. There can be many side effects when lauryl sulfate is used including skin allergies, hair loss, dandruff, and other conditions. When you see lauryl sulfate as an ingredient in the hair loss shampoo, this may not be the best shampoo to treat the problem.<span id="more-2018"></span></p>
<p>While there is no shampoo that will &#8220;cure&#8221; hair loss, they can help with hair loss as part of a holistic program. There are many shampoos on the market that address hair loss for women. Many of the commercial shampoos contain chemicals that do not assist with making the hair healthy.</p>
<p>Finding the organic and natural options in your shampoo will be beneficial. By getting a shampoo that does not contain harsh chemicals, you will be able to have clean hair that is not being harmed by the products you are using to clean it. Selecting shampoo that is made from castille soap, olive oil, or coconut will be gentle and not strip the hair of its vital natural oils and vitamins. If you like the sudsy lather that is found with commercial shampoos, using soap with coconut oil will create the lather you are used to.</p>
<p>The herbs that you want to see listed in your organic shampoo will include rosemary leaves and tea tree leaves which encourage new growth, nettle and basil which stimulate the scalp, and crushed lavender flowers which gives the hair it&#8217;s sheen. Most of the shampoos used crushed herbs rather than essential oils because they leave the hair feeling cleaner and do not coat the shaft of the hair with oils.</p>
<p>Many of the natural shampoos are available in a trial size that allows you to see if it gives you the effect you want. Many of the natural shampoos will not have the color of the herbal shampoos that you find in commercial markets, however, they also do not contain the dye and chemicals that are found in those shampoos.</p>
<p>It is important to select a condition to compliment the shampoo that you select. The conditioner adds a level of protection to the hair and coats it with important nutrients. It also help the hair to retain its natural oils and retain its healthy glow.</p>
<p>Overall good health will help in creating a holistic approach to healthy hair. Reducing hair loss effectively will include increasing the vitamins and nutrients that are vital to maintain healthy hair. You will want to increase the healthy foods that you eat and start an exercise program that includes relaxation and breathing techniques to reduce stress.</p>
<p>The best shampoo for hair loss will be one that leaves your hair feeling healthy and shiny. When an effective shampoo is chosen, you will notice that your hair doesn&#8217;t just have more volume, but you will also notice that there is new hair growth and your hair looks healthier.</p>
<p>Click here to learn more about Shampoo for Hair Loss.</p>
<p>Click here to learn more about <a target="_blank" href="http://stop-hair-thinning.com/hair-regrowth-treatment/">Hair Regrowth Treatment</a>.</p>
<p>Vanessa Vera wanted to know everything there was to know about how to stop her own hair from thinning in order to make it stop. These articles and Stop-Hair-Thinning.com were the result of her extensive research and quest to get her own hair back.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>A Hair Regrowth Treatment That Actually Works</title>
		<link>http://www.drgeorgekarlis.net/a-hair-regrowth-treatment-that-actually-works.htm</link>
		<comments>http://www.drgeorgekarlis.net/a-hair-regrowth-treatment-that-actually-works.htm#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:25:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Alex Bhaswara</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Hair Loss]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hair Loss Treatment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hair Regrowth Treatment]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.drgeorgekarlis.net/?p=2014</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If there&#8217;s one thing that is incredibly difficult to deal with as a woman beyond most other things, it&#8217;s dealing with hair loss. We base so much of who we are and how we feel about ourselves in our hair. It&#8217;s hard to talk to people about hair regrowth treatment when we don&#8217;t even want [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>If there&#8217;s one thing that is incredibly difficult to deal with as a woman beyond most other things, it&#8217;s dealing with hair loss. We base so much of who we are and how we feel about ourselves in our hair. It&#8217;s hard to talk to people about hair regrowth treatment when we don&#8217;t even want to have to talk to anyone about the fact that we&#8217;re losing our hair to begin with.</p>
<p>About two years ago, I realized that something was going on and it wasn&#8217;t very pleasant. I suddenly realized when I changed our bedroom from light to dark colors and started using dark colored bedding that I was shedding. I thought I was shedding-that&#8217;s what my husband and I said, jokingly, at first. Then it stopped being funny after I realized that I wasn&#8217;t just losing hair on my pillow. I was finding gobs of my hair, all over the house.<span id="more-2014"></span></p>
<p>Apparently, I&#8217;d been losing it for days because I started noticing things in the house that had my hair on them, not just one or two, either. I realized that maybe it wasn&#8217;t my husband&#8217;s hair that was gathering in the drain in our shower. Suddenly, I started paying a little more attention to my image in the mirror.</p>
<p>I realized that my hair was definitely not very thick on top, not that it ever had been, but it was looking incredibly thin. Now, I&#8217;m not a vain person but I know that how I look directly relates to how I feel. Unfortunately, society dictates that for a woman to be beautiful, she&#8217;s got long, flowing, full hair. That makes me crazy but I can&#8217;t change it.</p>
<p>Wow, really? Foam? Yes, foam. This foam is apparently only to be used if you&#8217;re losing your hair due to alopecia, though. I don&#8217;t know what percentage of women lose it for this reason or have actually figured that part out. I do know that this foam is quite costly and I was told it&#8217;s not so successful.</p>
<p>What are your alternatives? Well, there&#8217;s hair implants. I&#8217;m sorry, but all I&#8217;ve heard about is how painful and incredibly expensive this is. I&#8217;m not relishing the thought of pain on my head or my wallet. Let&#8217;s be honest, I can&#8217;t afford hair implants. I started doing some research online about what sort of treatments were available.</p>
<p>What did I find before I found this site? I found foam. Yes, foam-the kind of foam that you rub into your scalp and if you&#8217;re lucky, it might grow some hair back. Perhaps it will just give the impression that your hair is fuller than it is. Only time and a lot of money thrown down the drain will really find out. I&#8217;m sure that if you&#8217;re anything like me, you don&#8217;t have time or money to waste. That&#8217;s why I&#8217;m glad I can be here, telling you that there is hope.</p>
<p>Don&#8217;t go out and spend money on shampoos and creams, lotions and lathers. You really don&#8217;t want to have to pay for hair implants, I&#8217;m sure and you don&#8217;t want to have to keep using a product for the rest of your life if you&#8217;re so privileged as to find one that actually works. What you need is here, thank goodness. Seriously, until I found this hair regrowth treatment, I thought I&#8217;d be bald by age forty and that wasn&#8217;t something I liked. I&#8217;m glad you&#8217;re here. Know that you&#8217;re far from alone and that the answer to our problem is right in front of you. Best wishes, friend.</p>
<p>Click here to learn more about <a target="_blank" href="http://stop-hair-thinning.com/hair-regrowth-treatment/">Hair Regrowth Treatment</a>.</p>
<p>Click here to learn more about Hair Loss After Pregnancy.</p>
<p>Vanessa Vera wanted to know everything there was to know about how to stop her own hair from thinning in order to make it stop. These articles and Stop-Hair-Thinning.com were the result of her extensive research and quest to get her own hair back.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>Hair Loss After Pregnancy Solutions</title>
		<link>http://www.drgeorgekarlis.net/hair-loss-after-pregnancy-solutions.htm</link>
		<comments>http://www.drgeorgekarlis.net/hair-loss-after-pregnancy-solutions.htm#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:25:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Alex Bhaswara</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Hair Loss]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hair Loss After Pregnancy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hair Loss And Pregnancy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hair Loss During Pregnancy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Women's Hair Loss]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.drgeorgekarlis.net/?p=2012</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[So by now you&#8217;re heard the only thing you can do about hair loss after pregnancy is wait for it to grow back in, and that kind of advice, while kind of a comfort to know it is temporary, doesn&#8217;t do much for you now. I found being told this to be frustrating since my [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>So by now you&#8217;re heard the only thing you can do about hair loss after pregnancy is wait for it to grow back in, and that kind of advice, while kind of a comfort to know it is temporary, doesn&#8217;t do much for you now. I found being told this to be frustrating since my hair is falling out today, not next year.</p>
<p>When I lost a lot of hair, it was long so it was more noticeable, and my forehead grew from so much loss. The first thing I did was to go make an appointment to get it cut off because I was upset. I sat and spent some time with my hairdresser and found out which part of my hair was the thickest and was less prone to this falling out, and we worked on getting a shorter style that incorporated where I had hair to cover where I was losing so much.<span id="more-2012"></span></p>
<p>After that, she told me to use hair care products that were made for thin hair and added volume to the strands. There are shampoos and mousse and even weekly treatment to make your hair look thicker which can help while you have to wait for it to grow back in.</p>
<p>One thing to remember, don&#8217;t dye your hair. This can damage it and make it fall out more rapidly. If you feel the need to color it, a beauty supply has a rinse that doesn&#8217;t damage your hair as bad, and can be used. Also don&#8217;t wash it every day. This can make it dry out and become brittle. When my hair was falling out, I started washing it every other day and it did help in not losing so much after a few weeks.</p>
<p>It can also be hormonal. Make sure you eat a well balanced diet, you get plenty of exercise and go outside and see the sun. Silly sounding, I know, but this can help fight off depression and make your system go back to normal more quickly, which means the hair stops falling out sooner. Stress can also cause hair loss, so laugh every day. One of the best side effects of this is the baby also benefits from you being less stressed being a new mom too.</p>
<p>If you are really concerned, then see a doctor. He can help you find vitamins that will help and can determine if this is unusual and can help you find a solution.</p>
<p>Ultimately, what I did was have fun with my hair loss. I went and bought wigs. Not one or two, but I own a wig in every shape, color and length. They&#8217;re affordable and look good, and I found I could change my appearance at whim which made it better for me.</p>
<p>The really nice thing is the hair does grow back. My baby is now in middle school, and I&#8217;ve stayed following these tips since he was born and my hair is healthier then it was before. I found by having fun with it, and making myself feel better about it the time did pass. Waiting is really the only thing that cures it, but hopefully these ideas can make it more tolerable for you.</p>
<p>Click here to learn more about Hair Loss After Pregnancy.</p>
<p>Click here to learn more about how to <a target="_blank" href="http://stop-hair-thinning.com/stop-hair-thinning/">Stop Hair Thinning</a>.</p>
<p>Vanessa Vera wanted to know everything there was to know about how to stop her own hair from thinning in order to make it stop. These articles and Stop-Hair-Thinning.com were the result of her extensive research and quest to get her own hair back.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Be Alcohol Free &#8211; 1 Winning Technique That Really Works</title>
		<link>http://www.drgeorgekarlis.net/be-alcohol-free-1-winning-technique-that-really-works.htm</link>
		<comments>http://www.drgeorgekarlis.net/be-alcohol-free-1-winning-technique-that-really-works.htm#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:03:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Alex Bhaswara</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Drug Abuse]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Be Alcohol Free]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.drgeorgekarlis.net/?p=1996</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The effect of making the decision to abstain from alcohol is immediate. It may not seem apparent at first, and the outward signs will not change straight away. The first effect, though, is in the mind. It is here, that will determine the success, or failure, of that decision to be released from Alcohol addiction. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The effect of making the decision to abstain from alcohol is immediate. It may not seem apparent at first, and the outward signs will not change straight away. The first effect, though, is in the mind. It is here, that will determine the success, or failure, of that decision to be released from Alcohol addiction. Alcohol is a drug that is voluntarily fed into the system, by you and you alone.</p>
<p>So therefore the option to do, or not to do, is always there to take. As much as it seems impossible to not drink, it is <em>always</em> possible. Determination in the mind, will lead to success in the body. One extremely helpful tool is writing about it.<span id="more-1996"></span></p>
<p>DIARY/JOURNAL: Detail your journey in either a diary (or journal). Hand write it in a personal book, or type it in a Word Processor. Do not worry if you do not consider yourself a perfect author. Do not concern yourself with how its spelt, or how grammatically correct it is. It is not for publishers eyes, or for an English Exam, it is for you only. Keep a record, and continue to do it daily. Promise yourself that you will add a daily entry, and stick to it. In fact, make this the first entry. &#8220;I promise to add to this every day.&#8221;. The aim of this is not to communicate this to everyone, or anyone. It serves a few purposes. It allows you to off-load all your thoughts, feelings, concerns, reasons, worries, hopes, dreams etc. Having it on paper, somewhere that you can access, means that it is not in your head anymore. This is not so that you can forget, in fact far from it. You are recording it so that you can read it, and remind yourself, at any time. List out the reasons why you have made the decision, and be truthful. List out what you hope to achieve. List out what worries you. List out the good things that will be achieved by it. When the first entry is complete, sit back, take a deep breath, and feel good. Feel good because you have taken the first step. Feel good because you know what you are doing is right, and feel good because you feel good.</p>
<p>ENTRIES: Get into the habit of adding something every day. Make it a long, or as short as you want it to be. The important thing is not to stop until you have completed all you need. Don&#8217;t leave anything, in your mind, when it could be recorded. Again, don&#8217;t try to organise the entry as you add it. let it flow. It may be how you felt today; and this could be good or bad. It is vitally important to not forget to add positive things. In fact maybe have a method for being able highlight these to make them stand out. If you feel proud for not drinking that day, then say so. Underline the entry, and relish in the feeling. If you made a conscious effort to not buy the bottle today, then again, add it. After a while you will look forward to putting these things in, and the advantage is that you will get the benefit twice. You will be re-experiencing, again, the enormous feeling of pride, or self-esteem, you had originally. You will also have a &#8220;memory note&#8221; for you to come back to, should you need to, or want to. Not all of the entries will be positive. This is something to be prepared for, but do not be afraid about it. The usefulness of writing these down too, is that these negative emotions are blunted slightly by releasing them from inside. You will find as well, that they don&#8217;t seem as bad, or as big, or a dark, as they did when they only existed in your mind. They wont look as threatening, or as destructive, when they only exist as words on a page. The strategy is to take a deep breath, read over some of the positive entries, to flip your mindset into a more productive mode, and then trying to add a positive &#8220;end note&#8221; to the negative one. Always write a positive statement at the end, as difficult as it may seem. Some suggestions include &#8220;I can succeed, and will&#8221;, &#8220;2 steps forward, and 1 back, still results in progress&#8221;</p>
<p>Keeping this journal will, in itself, mean that you a keeping a promise to yourself, made in the very first entry. A promise to control Alcohol, not let Alcohol control you. Take positive feelings from that, and as the days, weeks, months of being Alcohol-free go by, look back and re-read some of the things that helped to get to where you are. It will help you remember the day you made the most important decision of your life. The decision to never drink again</p>
<p>For more accounts of experiences of a surviving alcoholic, who used this and other techniques, read; <a target="_blank" href="http://www.rehab-drinking-problem.blogspot.com/" target="_new">http://www.rehab-drinking-problem.blogspot.com/</a>.</p>
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		<title>Drug Abuse, Not a Moral Issue</title>
		<link>http://www.drgeorgekarlis.net/drug-abuse-not-a-moral-issue.htm</link>
		<comments>http://www.drgeorgekarlis.net/drug-abuse-not-a-moral-issue.htm#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:01:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Alex Bhaswara</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Drug Abuse]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cocaine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[drug treatment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Not a Moral Issue]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.drgeorgekarlis.net/?p=1993</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The biggest misconception out there regarding drug abuse is that it&#8217;s a moral issue, or even a faulty willpower. Nothing could be further from the truth. when it comes to substance abuse there are many complications. One of those complications is when repetitive drug use creates a change in the brain, leading to stronger impulses. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The biggest misconception out there regarding drug abuse is that it&#8217;s a moral issue, or even a faulty willpower. Nothing could be further from the truth. when it comes to substance abuse there are many complications. One of those complications is when repetitive drug use creates a change in the brain, leading to stronger impulses. In many cases these impulses become obsessions where the person focuses only on the next hit or high. All else, including family, friends, and work become secondary.</p>
<p><strong>But, what is drug abuse?</strong></p>
<p>Generally speaking, drug abuse involves the repeated and excessive use of chemical substances to achieve a certain effect. There are different types of substances: illicit, which are illegal due to their potential for addiction and are scheduled by the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act; and prescription and painkiller abuse for something other than medical reasons.<span id="more-1993"></span></p>
<p><strong>What type of effects do drugs have?</strong></p>
<p>Of course this depends on what drugs you are using. Cocaine or Methamphetamine can create a feeling of endless energy, and heroin or pain reliever prescriptions can create and feeling of euphoria or relaxation and calm. Over time, the use changes the pleasure stimulators in the brain, creating drug abuse and addiction. The compelling urge to use is considered an addiction.</p>
<p><strong>Where can I find help?</strong></p>
<p>The best place to start is through local support groups and even your doctor. They might direct you to a <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.patmoorefoundation.com/" target="_new">drug treatment</a> program that understands addiction, deals with it daily and can teach you, or a loved one, how to cope with desires and triggers that keep you using drugs. However, there are many free programs: Al-Anon, a peer support group for families coping with drug addiction; Alcoholics Anonymous, for those with the desire to stop drinking, and many others.</p>
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		<title>Commit &#8211; Stop Smoking Weed</title>
		<link>http://www.drgeorgekarlis.net/commit-stop-smoking-weed.htm</link>
		<comments>http://www.drgeorgekarlis.net/commit-stop-smoking-weed.htm#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Mar 2010 10:00:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Alex Bhaswara</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Drug Abuse]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stop smoking weed]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.drgeorgekarlis.net/?p=1990</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Deciding to stop smoking weed can be a life changing experience. Smoking pot starts to run your life and it can sometimes feel that there is no possible way to quit altogether. Although it can seem hopeless it is possible to quit smoking weed. The process of cutting marijuana out of your life is a [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Deciding to stop smoking weed can be a life changing experience. Smoking pot starts to run your life and it can sometimes feel that there is no possible way to quit altogether. Although it can seem hopeless it is possible to quit smoking weed. The process of cutting marijuana out of your life is a long process but in order to succeed you have to be 100% committed to becoming clean.</p>
<p>While there are thousands of people that have tried to quit only a small percentage actually stay weed free. The majority of marijuana smokers do not believe they are addicted to the drug and can quit whenever they want which makes it harder to quit. What must be understood is that marijuana is an addictive drug and is very difficult to stop. The long term pot smoker will have problems sleeping and going about their everyday lives you have to be prepared.<span id="more-1990"></span></p>
<p>If you have made the decision to stop smoking weed prepare yourself for the mental withdrawal that will follow. If you prepare yourself for the sudden lifestyle change you will be more likely to succeed. When you smoke marijuana you are given a &#8220;high&#8221; feeling and that is what you are addicted to. Smokers are more addicted to the feeling that they feel than the actual marijuana. Weed begins to grab a hold of you in a psychological way and that is what makes quitting so difficult to do. Your brain will crave that high when you stop so you have to be ready.</p>
<p>When you smoke marijuana you lose the ambition to succeed and can also lose the need to socialize. Ones work life can suffer tremendously when on weed. Those who are addicted begin to smoke before work and sometimes even during work hours. Showing up to work stoned will get you fired fast and if caught you will build a reputation of using drugs. Friends and family also begin to fade when you are on weed. Smoking weed takes priority over everything so family obligations are put on the side burner and friends who don&#8217;t smoke weed are no longer around. Once you quit you will have more energy and will begin to rebuild the relationships that have suffered because of your <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://tostopsmokingweed.blogspot.com/" target="_new">abuse of marijuana</a>.</p>
<p>The mental withdrawal that weed smokers experience can be difficult to push through but once you get passed this step everything else that follows will be much easier to get through. Although quitting weed is difficult it can be done and the benefits of quitting will be well worth the process. You can get your life back and start living. No more spending every cent on pot, no more revolving your life to accommodate an illegal habit. Stop smoking weed now!</p>
<p>Many people want to stop smoking weed but are not aware of what the process involves. Visit <a target="_blank" href="http://tostopsmokingweed.blogspot.com/" target="_new">http://tostopsmokingweed.blogspot.com</a> to find great tips and guidelines when going through this process.</p>
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		<title>What is Drug Abuse?</title>
		<link>http://www.drgeorgekarlis.net/what-is-drug-abuse.htm</link>
		<comments>http://www.drgeorgekarlis.net/what-is-drug-abuse.htm#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Mar 2010 08:51:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Alex Bhaswara</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Drug Abuse]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[drug addiction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[home drug testing]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.drgeorgekarlis.net/?p=1987</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Many people choose to ingest certain substances in order to achieve a mental or physical &#8220;high,&#8221; but recreational drug use can quickly devolve into destructive drug abuse. Smoking marijuana and snorting cocaine are two of the most common forms of substance abuse, and these addictions afflict children, teens, and adults alike.
Other illicit substances typically used [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Many people choose to ingest certain substances in order to achieve a mental or physical &#8220;high,&#8221; but recreational drug use can quickly devolve into destructive drug abuse. Smoking marijuana and snorting cocaine are two of the most common forms of substance abuse, and these addictions afflict children, teens, and adults alike.</p>
<p>Other illicit substances typically used as a vehicle for abuse include methamphetamines, ecstasy, and heroin. Each of these drugs poses a significant health risk and inevitably leads to harmful side defects such as respiratory problems, extreme weight loss, rotting teeth, and heart failure. Even legally obtained drugs, such as prescription painkillers or mood altering medications for anxiety, can lead to chemical abuse if they are taken irresponsibly. Commonly administered medications such Vicodin, Valium, and Xanax have all been co-opted by addicts and turned into popular avenues for getting high. The most dangerous aspect of prescription drug abuse is the complacency which develops because the substances are not viewed as illicit drugs.<span id="more-1987"></span></p>
<p>Drug abuse is a blight on society which is responsible, directly and indirectly, for hundreds of millions of dollars in costs to communities, schools, hospitals, and families. Repeated criminal charges stemming from substance abuse can lead to extended incarceration and the legal system is struggling to cope with the constant onslaught of drug-related convictions. The educational system loses some of its best and brightest students to drug abuse ever year, and addiction has been confirmed to increase the rate of high school dropouts. Drug abuse in adults leads to higher unemployment, a reliance on government welfare, more on the job accidents, and an increase in petty crimes such as burglary or theft.</p>
<p>As scientific advances have continued to support the view of drug addiction as a disease, genetically inherited and biologically influenced, intensive programs have been developed to help people cope with drug abuse. National organizations like Narcotics Anonymous have been crucial in providing a support system for those struggling to overcome drug abuse. The advent of the 12-step program to help guide people through the process of quitting drugs has resulted in tremendous success. For concerned parents, the simple process of drug testing from home can curb addictive behaviors and hinder teens in danger of developing abusive tendencies. Business owners can impede employee drug addiction with on-site drug testing kits and rehabilitation programs. Today there are more resources available to help curb drug abuse than ever before, and societal views towards the issue of drug addiction have softened considerably. Do not wait for the abuse to become an addiction and help at the first signs of dependency.&gt;<br />
Frank Shepard is a valued consultant on drug addiction and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.completedrugtestingsolutions.com/" target="_new">home drug testing</a></p>
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		<title>How to Stop Substance Abuse and Drug Addiction</title>
		<link>http://www.drgeorgekarlis.net/how-to-stop-substance-abuse-and-drug-addiction.htm</link>
		<comments>http://www.drgeorgekarlis.net/how-to-stop-substance-abuse-and-drug-addiction.htm#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Mar 2010 06:51:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Alex Bhaswara</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Drug Abuse]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[drug addiction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[home drug testing]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.drgeorgekarlis.net/?p=1985</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Most people associate dangerous addiction with the use of illegal drugs, but substance abuse consists of any dangerous dependence, including alcoholism and reliance on prescription drugs. For centuries, substance abuse was regarded by society as a personal failing or moral fault, and addicts were shunned and forced to the fringes of the community.
Substance abuse today [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Most people associate dangerous addiction with the use of illegal drugs, but substance abuse consists of any dangerous dependence, including alcoholism and reliance on prescription drugs. For centuries, substance abuse was regarded by society as a personal failing or moral fault, and addicts were shunned and forced to the fringes of the community.</p>
<p>Substance abuse today is recognized as a disease, typified by the brain becoming reliant on certain substances to deliver neurotransmitters like dopamine or serotonin. Street drugs like marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamines react with the brain in a similar way to legal addictives, such as alcohol, tobacco, and inhalants.<span id="more-1985"></span></p>
<p>These substances all increase the production of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, resulting in various &#8220;highs,&#8221; drunkenness, or relaxation of the nerves and it is this rise in dopamine levels which is the root of substance abuse. As drug abusers, alcoholics, pill poppers or cigarette smokers continue to engage in substance abuse, their brains eventually lose the ability to produce critical neurotransmitters on their own. Because dopamine and similar neurotransmitters are responsible for feelings like pleasure, the drug user becomes dependent on the substance being abused which causes the intense cravings and feelings of addiction.</p>
<p>Fortunately for the victims of chemical dependency, societal attitudes towards addiction have softened and treatment programs for drug, alcohol, prescription pills or tobacco use are commonplace. Rehabilitation clinics strive to assist those suffering from substance abuse, helping them to cope with their cravings incrementally, and providing personal, psychological, and spiritual guidance through the recovery process. There are national substance abuse programs, such as the 12-step Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), psychiatric help, medicinal options and even loving support from friends and family can help addicts rid themselves of their dependencies.</p>
<p>People afflicted with substance addictions can rely on an extremely accessible network of meetings, found in almost every city or town in the country, which serve as a coping mechanism, a therapy session, and a confessional at the same time. Drug testing kits are now readily and cheaply available for home use to help stop the addictions privately. Substance abuse is worth the efforts being made to combat it, because the damage caused by addiction is extensive and far reaching. Almost every aspect of society, from the legal system and the medical field to families and schools, is touched in some way by the destructive power of substance abuse, and the battle to prevent dangerous addictions will always be one worth fighting.</p>
<p>Help put a stop to substance abuse and chemical dependency by interfering and impeding at the first signs of addiction. Openly talking to the individual about your concerns and the effects of their addiction is the first stride towards acceptance and recovery. Do not be afraid to drug test at the first signs of misuse. This is especially true of prescription pills abuse as many individuals do not view Oxycontin or Vicodin as habit forming because of a prescription.</p>
<p>There are many home drug tests that can uncover traces of harmful narcotics like Percocet and the mind altering diazepams Xanax or Valium. Alcohol breathalyzers and oral saliva testing kits are available to discover a hidden drinking habit. Regardless of the specific substance addiction, there are many options available to help stop the cycle of drug dependency.<br />
Frank Shepard is a valued consultant on drug addiction and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.completedrugtestingsolutions.com/" target="_new">home drug testing</a></p>
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