What is "Addictive Personality"? And Who is at Risk?

Addictive Personality: Who is at Risk, and Why.

By Lisa-Dawn Sheridan, MAOM

You have heard the phrase, “addictive personality”, but what exactly is it and why are certain people labeled with this type of a personality? It is estimated that between 10-15% of the population [1] fall into this category, with an even higher incidence of up to 50%, in twins and adopted children.[2]

This discovery and what it means to this person (or personality), can be very revealing in a recovery setting. For instance, some people have no problem with drinking alcohol socially, or even taking a prescribed pain medication like morphine. Yet, a person with addictive personality is at risk of becoming an alcoholic, or morphine abuser. It is like, for instance, a water faucet that cannot shut off; once their brain feels the effects of a drug, food, or any substance that triggers a certain feeling, they want more.

According to Harvard researchers, this can be a good thing. The addictive personality may have good addictions. Exercise, spirituality, as well as other positive habits can be readily seen in addicts that do not practice a harmful addiction. It is when the addict’s brain is subjected to a substance or habit, that it initiates a reward system (and craving), for the positive or negative addiction.

The specific part of the brain that is associated with the addictive personality is centered in the hippocampus, in a region called the nucleus accumbens. This site is where the powerful dopamine effect is demonstrated. Nearly 2 million heroin and cocaine addicts, perhaps 15 million alcoholics, and tens of millions of cigarette smokers in the United States alone [3], suffer with addictive personality.

“The new brain research suggests that addiction is not just a property of certain drugs but an aspect of certain human activities and relationships.” When one has a grasp that they are genetically different with a clear pre-disposition to certain behaviors or cravings, it is much easier to tackle change and recovery.

Sources:

http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/features/prescription-drug-abuse-who-gets-addicted-and-whyadd

http://www.helpguide.org/harvard/how-addiction-hijacks-the-brain.htm

http://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/the_addicted_brain

Surgery or Acupuncture

(Men's Journal) Athletes will try anything to beat pain and get back in the game. For the most part, that means taking drugs that carry harmful or annoying side effects or, in the worst of cases, undergoing surgery. But doctors at Columbia University Medical Center see real promise in acupuncture. “Lots of cyclists suffer from pelvic pain,” says Dr. Christopher Winfree, a neurosurgeon at Columbia and the director of Columbia’s Center for Chronic Pelvic Pain. “Sitting on a bike for a long time can cause lots of nerve damage. In the past I’d often have to operate, but since I began prescribing acupuncture two years ago, I’ve seen 100 patients and haven’t performed a single operation. This shows a lot of promise for other sports-related pain.” It’s well known that acupuncture, which is sometimes covered by insurance, releases endorphins that kill pain, but doctors aren’t certain why it works so well for pelvic pain. “Right now our evidence for acupuncture working for chronic pelvic pain is purely anecdotal,” says Winfree. “But that anecdotal evidence is going to put me out of business.” 

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This article originally appeared in the July/August Issue of Men’s Journal (7/09)

RESILIENT HEALTH: Noise Pollution and Your Health

www.nonoise.com

It could be a determining factor of health for many. During times of stress, it has been documented that the heart can be affected. Excess noise exposure, long term, has been cited to increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, sleep disturbances, stress, anxiety, an digestive disturbances.

 American Fitness, November 2004 provides noise pollution remedies, by Cosima Jocelyn:

No Noise Rule. Trying to set aside a time in the evenings and a longer period during weekends when you and your family agree to observe a "no noise" rule, which includes among other things, keeping the TV off.

Muffle the sound.  Experts generally agree that prolonged exposure to sounds above 35 decibels can damage hearing.  To put this in perspective, that's the level of sound you get from a lawn mower or city traffic.  If you work in a noisy environment, [or travel by airplane], it's important to wear protective ear plugs or muffs, says Dr. Lusk.

Make home improvements to reduce noise.  [dual paned windows, weather stripping, heavy drapes, even planting tree's and hedges around the perimeter of your home can muffle street noise].

Buy "quiet appliances".  Many appliances now come in quieter versions.  When replacing... do a little comparison listening.

Retreat into inner silence.  Although meditation will not repair hearing damaged by excess noise, it has been scientifically proven to help deal with stress - thus countering much of the negative effect of modern "noise pollution' on body and mind.  Add this to the long list of benefits that come from regular meditation.

EXCERPTS FROM: Noise Pollution
Protect Yourself From Unhealthy Sounds

By Alice Feinstein

2010: Health Insurance Companies INVESTING in Major Fast Food Companies

Health Insurance Companies Invest Billions in Fast Food Chains

American Journal of Public Health, 2010 reveals that U.S. and Canadian health insurance giants own nearly $2 billion worth of stock in fast food:

McDonald's, Burger King, KFC, Taco Bell and others.

For at least the past 5 years, the profits made by health insurance companies are reinvested in fast food. These food companies push disease. Scientifically proven, an average fast food diet leads to the cause of high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack. 

After "Super-Size" me, American's are watching their fast food intake. And hopefully since 2010, they have been keeping an eye on which insurance companies support this conspiracy of healthcare. What an unethical strategy!

Find out which health insurance companies are double-minded and cancel your policy to show them that this is absurd. Here, Harvard researched the list of providers.

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/w_DietAndFitness/health-insurance-companies-invest-billions-fast-food-stock/story?id=10392603

http://www.naturalnews.com/028602_health_insurance_fast_food.html

Thermography vs Mammography

www.arizonathermography.com

Uses infrared sensors to detect heat and increased vascularity (angiogenesis) as the byproduct of biochemical reactions. The heat is compiled into an image for computerized analysis.

Thermography Information