Rehab Treatment Blog

Dr. Akikur Mohammad, Founder of Malibu Horizon, the top luxury rehab centers in Malibu, California and Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences at the University of Southern California (USC.edu), announced today that there is a new wave of designer drugs hitting the streets in 2012 and parents, addiction experts and teachers all need to be vigilant and well-informed before innocent lives are lost.

Leading the wave of new designer drugs is a horrific substance referred to as “Cosmetics” that users are ingesting in order to get a hallucinogenic high. The new Cosmetic products contain research chemicals (mephedrone, methylenedioxypyrovalerone or MDPV), stimulants that can be broken up and snorted, smoked or reduced to a liquid for injection just like cocaine. Since the effects of ingesting cosmetics are similar to cocaine, meth and ecstasy, dangerous amounts of Dopamine and very low levels of Serotonin impact the user’s brain, which results in severely damaged brain chemistry and inevitable psychosis with prolonged use.

“Similar to Bath Salts, Cosmetics are found after users ingest the drug for multiple days. Since the drug has a much longer half-life than other drugs, abusers stay under the influence longer, and after just a couple of days, a staggering number of users experience full psychotic breaks, which often result in extreme delusions, violent outbursts and severe depression,” said Dr. Mohammad.

Dr. Mohammad continued, “Cosmetics are packaged as actual make-up for young kids and look very similar to legitimate cosmetics. If parents and experts aren’t made aware that some of these make-up products are manufactured with the sole intention of getting users high, we will undoubtedly have a problem of epidemic proportion.” Mohammad added, “The manufacturers of Bath Salts have just altered the formula and repackaged the product as cosmetics, which is a travesty. While legislators made Bath Salts illegal, the research chemicals used to make the products have not been controlled, which means that manufacturers will continue to produce these chemicals, package them as different products not outlawed and make them available to kids. Until research chemicals are controlled, this will be a never ending process and we must remain vigilant.”

Filed under: designer drug abuse | Tagged: addiciton, cosmetics, drug abuse | Comments Off

Malibu, CA
Dr. Akikur Mohammad, Founder of Malibu Horizon, one of the leading alcohol treatment centers in the United States and Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences at the University of Southern California (USC.edu), today issued a public warning to all those setting themselves up for potential
failure by making New Year’s resolutions that involve the immediate cessation of smoking, drinking, drug abuse, etc., without proper medical guidance.

Dr. Mohammad said, “While the holiday season is typically a time for over-indulgence, ushering in the new year generally means that the over indulgent make a drastic effort to stop indulging cold turkey; there could be no greater recipe for failure and in some scenarios, significant health risk or death.” Mohammad added, “Whether you wish to stop smoking, drinking, eating or abusing drugs, you must have a well-planned, health-conscious strategy or the outcome will be disastrous under most circumstances. It is far safer and healthier to consult a medical professional when attempting to get control of addictive behaviors.”

Dr. Mohammad and his team will answer any questions and provide guidance to all those who submit addiction and behavior-related questions through the Malibu Horizon website. Mohammad added, “More often than not, people underestimate
their physical and emotional dependency on the various vices they attempt to curb by making yearly resolutions. If they are lucky, they will white-knuckle their cravings and find some degree of success; however, the vast majority will resume their addictive behaviors – while many run the risk of severe discomfort, severe mood swings, seizures, irreversible medical conditions and even death if not in the care of a qualified medical expert. Contact our team today and we will help you not only make and stick to healthy, realistic resolutions, but also will work with you to create the best possible you for 2012 and beyond.”

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Dr. Akikur Mohammad, Founder of Malibu Horizon, the leading non 12-step treatment center in Malibu, California and Assistant
Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences at the University of Southern California (USC.edu), announced
today that he and his team at Malibu Horizon, along with several addiction professionals in the region are launching an intervention awareness campaign designed to educate the public about the marvels and pitfalls of the intervention process.

Dr. Mohammad said, “While there is absolutely no doubt that when dealing with a medical disease, proper and careful intervention by a qualified individual is the key to healing; well, that sentiment holds particularly true for the
disease of addiction.” Mohammad added, “Sadly, a shocking number of interventionists working today are not just
unqualified to perform quality interventions, but they are also drastically overcharging people in need for their questionable services. In my opinion, this behavior is borderline criminal and must be stopped”

Dr. Mohammad and his peers have decided that until there is a consistent and respected regulatory system in place to monitor the actions of qualified interventionists, they are forming an alliance of addiction experts throughout the recovery industry that will be keeping a registry of qualified and reputable interventionists, and making their list available to the public upon request. Mohammad added, “Our team is launching this campaign to not only educate the public about the intervention process and how to find the best qualified interventionist for your situation, but also to provide some system of checks and balances to an intervention industry that until now has operated below the radar. There is no room for error when treating this disease and the professionals responsible for critical interventions need to be qualified or out of business; it is that simple and an awareness campaign is a
much needed first step.”

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Utilizing a team of the industry’s top addiction and behavior experts, Inspire Malibu has garnered a great deal of recent national attention by becoming the first true recovery community to treat everything from food addiction to substance abuse in one communal facility, and with a purely scientific approach.

Dr. Mohammad said, “It is critical that Inspire Malibu provides a non faith-based option for treatment to protect an individual’s constitutional rights, which state that religion shall not be forced upon them, but also for the simple fact that not everyone has a belief in God or religion – a fact that must be respected.” Mohammad added, “Frankly. We are dealing with the disease of addiction and like any disease recognized by the American Medical Association, the most effective, logical and accepted approach is one based in science, not religion. I will never discount the value of faith; however, we treat diabetes with a steady course of medicine, not prayer and the disease of addiction must be approached with the same logic.”

Inspire Malibu’s non 12-step, non-religious, secular approach to recovery, coupled with their groundbreaking community model is recognized as the future of effective addiction treatment by industry insiders and Dr. Mohammad’s scientific approach is at the core of it’s success. “The addiction community has been derailed and distracted for many years by faith-based treatment tools and the patients have suffered. We are dealing with a medical disease and the primary course of treatment must be based in science, it is that simple,” added Mohammad.

Inspire Malibu will be featured in an upcoming CBS special – check the Inspire Malibu site for details.

For more information about Inspire Malibu and admissions, visit www.inspiremalibu.com.

Filed under: Malibu drug rehab programs | Tagged: Alcohol Rehab, California Treatment Center, Drug Rehab, Residential Treatment Center | Comments Off

Dr. Akikur Mohammad, Founder of Malibu Horizon, the leading non 12-step treatment center in Malibu, California and Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences at the University of Southern California (USC.edu), today announced the opening of Inspire Malibu, the first collective community approach to residential addiction treatment to open its
doors in the U.S.

Utilizing a team of the world’s top experts and proven scientific methods, Inspire Malibu is the first true recovery community to treat everything from food addiction to substance abuse in one communal facility. Located on the most exclusive property in Malibu, California, Inspire Malibu is being touted as the most advanced treatment model of its kind and is already recognized as the future of addiction treatment. A comprehensive addiction compound, Inspire Malibu is a cutting-edge treatment system to date, providing onsite detox, outpatient and residential treatment, and the finest expert addiction team available in one location.

Dr. Mohammad said, “Our team’s continued focus on using advanced medication for detox and to control cravings, our proprietary CognitiveBehavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) models, our pure respect for the science of addiction and our truly individualized, holistic approach to addressing the critical therapeutic needs of Inspire Malibu’s patients, are critical parts of the equation; however, we are changing the landscape of treatment because we
have eliminated the marketing poison traditional treatment centers have used for decades – addiction is a disease and must be treated with science, not religion!” Mohammad added, “While there is a very real place for the 12-step model in recovery, it is a self-help model, not a critical piece of the treatment blueprint and if it weren’t for many years of deceptive marketing, there would be many more treatment centers willing to be honest with patients and families about the fact that the 12-step model isn’t the best option for everyone. Our patients respond to the way we empower them with knowledge, not the message of
powerlessness they hear in AA, the difference is profound.”

Inspire Malibu’s non 12-step, non-religious, secular approach to recovery, coupled with their groundbreaking community model has already delivered such prolific results that the community’s waiting list is daunting. “We will continue to add
property and facilities to the Inspire Malibu community until we are treating everyone that wants to lead an abuse-free lifestyle. I have worked with traditional facilities for decades and what we are seeing with our new Inspire Malibu model is profound. We are building a recovery campus and we don’t have patients, we have students. All of which are unlocking the life they were
supposed to lead by finding strength and a new brand of support in the community itself. The experience is humbling for us all,” said Mohammad.
For more information about Inspire Malibu and
admissions, visit www.inspiremalibu.com.

Filed under: California Drug Treatment, Malibu drug rehab programs | Tagged: Alcohol, Alcohol Rehab, Drug Rehab, malibu drug rehabs, treatment | Comments Off

Dr. Akikur Mohammad, Founder of Malibu Horizon, one of the best rehab centers for alcohol treatment and alcohol detox in the country and Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences at the University of Southern California (USC.edu), has never been afraid to speak his mind about the barriers keeping addiction medicine from moving forward and recently has been quite vocal about the limiting factors impacting effective alcohol detox and treatment. Beyond misinformation, Dr. Mohammad is deeply concerned by the fact that many highly effective medications used for alcohol treatment are not FDA indicated (off label), which means that the physicians are taking a risk by prescribing them. Since there are so few FDA indicated medications for treating alcohol detox, top addiction professionals are forced to prescribe ‘off label’ options, which can ultimately be used against the prescribing physicians by malpractice attorneys attempting
to discredit doctors.

Dr. Mohammad said, “Aside from the countless studies in the United States and Europe, which undoubtedly prove the effectiveness of certain medications for the exceptional treatment of alcohol detox and alcohol treatment through relapse prevention, it is considered is not just frustrating, but also makes it more difficult for us to provide alcohol abusers with the lifesaving medication they need.” Mohammad added, “For instance, Topiramate (Topamax) is an antiepileptic drug, or seizure medication; however, numerous studies have shown that Topiramate can and should be used for Alcohol Detox and Alcohol Treatment through relapse prevention, due to it effects on GABA and Glutamate receptors, which are unbalanced during Alcohol Detox and during abstinence. It’s not FDA indicated for Alcohol Treatment but Clinically we see significant
effects as shown in studies.”

Dr. Mohammad and his team will include this sensitive topic in their forthcoming series of ‘town hall’ meetings in an
effort to educate the public and encourage physicians to become more vocal about these unfortunate limitations. Mohammad added, “It is beyond unfortunate when the best possible medications for alcohol treatment aren’t indicated as
such by the FDA, which makes the process of treating this disease more difficult. While I understand the FDA’s need to set boundaries, there are more than enough conclusive studies regarding the ‘off label’ benefits of various
medications and the simple truth is, we can save more lives by using these medications but we need to work with the FDA to protect physicians from various legal pitfalls that emerge when working with non-FDA indicated medications.”

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Malibu, CA – June 13, 2011 – Dr. Akikur Mohammad, Founder of the industry revered Malibu Horizon in Malibu, California, today announced that his top-level treatment team will be adding a heightened level of individualization to their current, industry-leading executive/CEO treatment program.

Recognized as one of the best addiction rehab treatment centers in the country, Malibu Horizon continues to break new ground in the world of addiction treatment by implementing the newest science and technology into the treatment process. By implementing the latest science, technology, and individualized treatment, Malibu Horizon has been able to create the perfect environment for the world’s top executives to intensively treat their addiction and use their individual leadership skills to both continue to run their businesses and develop a rock solid recovery management plan.

Dr. Mohammad said, “We work daily and diligently to keep our approach to addiction treatment in a state of constant evolution. Our team has developed a formula for identifying what makes an executive a successful businessman and uses the same elements to develop individualized tools for them to use daily for recovery management.” Mohammad added, “These tools differ for every single executive but when they are identified and given to the individual, the recovery process not only accelerates, but patients also feel a greater sense of personal accomplishment and they and their businesses thrive.”

About Malibu Horizon
“Malibu Horizon is the leader in individualized addiction treatment. We differ from other programs because we approach alcoholism and addiction as very treatable conditions. Our clinical medical approach can best be described as all encompassing. We go beyond the symptoms and treat the entire patient, using a biological-psychological-sociological treatment model.” – Dr. Akikur Mohammad MD, Founder
Malibu Horizon offers the most effective, research-based alcohol and drug treatment. Our clinical team is a handpicked group of caring, experienced, professionals, who are unmatched in the industry. Every aspect of Malibu Horizon’s program has been researched and proven to work. By focusing on the root cause of an individual patient’s issues, our staff is able to identify and carefully address the core patterns that have caused a continual return to self-destructive behaviors. For more information, visit www.malibuhorizon.com

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Creator of the Inner Harmony Approach, Integrative Medicine pioneer and globally respected teacher, Peter Amato announced today that he wrapped the first leg of his North American tour at Malibu Horizon in Malibu California. Recognized as one of the top addiction treatment centers in the country, Malibu Horizon continues to shatter the mold of traditional rehab centers by aligning with individuals like Peter Amato.

While Mr. Amato’s Inner Harmony Wellness Center brought integrative medicine to the east coast in 1997, Peter has been traveling the globe in pursuit of the most advanced healing techniques and studying from the best in the world of integrative medicine, addiction medicine and spiritual enlightenment. With support and insight from colleagues like Dr. Andrew Weil, Deepak Chopra and Malibu Horizon’s founder, Dr. Reza Mohammad, Peter Amato has captured his own unique experience in “Soul Silence” and the book is getting rave reviews from the recovery community and beyond.

“While strong reviews are exciting and humbling, the most important objective for me is to share my experience, strength and hope with all those individuals who may be struggling with addiction, recovery or simply need to be spiritually reenergized.” Amato added, “Working alongside recovery pioneers like Dr. Mohammad and the entire staff at Malibu Horizon has been an honor and the work being done here is simply remarkable. After spending time with the patients and staff, I thoroughly understand why Malibu Horizon is considered one of the finest drug treatment centers in the United States”

About Malibu Horizon
“Malibu Horizon is the leader in individualized addiction treatment. We differ from other programs because we approach alcoholism and addiction as very treatable conditions. Our clinical medical approach can best be described as all encompassing. We go beyond the symptoms and treat the entire patient, using a biological-psychological-sociological treatment model.” Dr. Akikur Mohammad MD, Founder
Malibu Horizon offers the most effective, research-based alcohol and drug treatment. Our clinical team is a handpicked group of caring, experienced, professionals, who are unmatched in the industry. Every aspect of Malibu Horizon’s program has been researched and proven to work. By focusing on the root cause of an individual patient’s issues, our staff is able to identify and carefully address the core patterns that have caused a continual return to self-destructive behaviors. For more information, visit www.malibuhorizon.com.

About Peter Amato
Peter Amato’s life has been one of transformation, growth and change. His initial career operating a family chain of automotive companies created an astute business acumen and subsequent wealth at an early age. But, money and material luxuries were not ultimately sustaining and Peter’s inner desire to answer life’s bigger questions led him to study with some of the biggest names in the consciousness movement including: Deepak Chopra, Andrew Weil and Zen master and Nobel Peace prize nominee, Thich Nhat Hanh – to name just a few.  Inspired by his own personal growth and the realization that the North America needed a new model for healthcare, Peter became founder and president of three distinct companies: Inner Harmony Wellness Centers, Inner Harmony Group and Harmony Mountain Spa and Retreat. For more information, visit www.peteramato.com.

Filed under: Malibu drug rehab programs | Tagged: Alcohol, califronia, center, drug, programs, rehab, treatment | Comments Off

In a recent report by the Dept of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drug related deaths are now more common than either alcohol or firearms related fatalities.

The majority of deaths are unintentional drug poisoning deaths, with suicidal drug poisoning and drug poisoning of undetermined intent comprising the majority of the remainder. According to the report, in the U.S., 38,371 deaths were drug abuse related. A drug includes illicit or street drugs (such as heroin or cocaine), as well as legal prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs, alcohol is not included.

Report Highlights
The number of male victims far exceeded females by nearly 2 to 1.
For males, the highest rates were among non-Hispanic blacks or non-Hispanic whites each year.
Drug-induced mortality rate increases were greatest for non-Hispanic whites.
Asians and Pacific Islanders had markedly lower rates than all other groups.
For females, the highest rates were among American Indians and Alaskan Natives, for every year.
The studies of primarily white populations report that drug related overdose death rates are highest among low-income persons.

Trends
According to the report, during the ‘80s and ‘90s, the majority of drug-induced deaths were attributable to illicit drugs (e.g., heroin and cocaine), drug-induced mortality rates were higher among blacks than whites.

This change occurred as prescription drugs, especially prescription opioid painkillers and psycho-therapeutic drugs, were prescribed more widely by physicians. Prescribed drugs eventually supplanted illicit drugs as the leading cause of drug related overdose deaths.

Conclusions
The report concluded that physicians should follow existing guidelines for cautious use of prescription drugs that tend to be misused by patients. Regulations designed to prevent illicit use of prescription drugs need to be strengthened and enforced. Persons who misuse prescription drugs should be identified and receive a referral for substance abuse treatment.

get help

Filed under: Opiate addiction, Opiate Detox, prescription drug addiction | Tagged: drug abuse, Drug Rehab, Opiate addiction, Opiate Detox, prescription drug abuse | Comments Off

Seasonal Affective disorder is a mood disorder where people have normal mental health for three quarters of the year but depressive symptoms in the winter. This particular disorder is classified as a Major Depression but is not a unique mood disorder. Symptoms and treatment of SAD is similar to other forms of depression.

A serious mood change happens in some people when the seasons change, causing them to sleep more frequent, have less energy and feel depressed. Symptoms can be severe, and usually disappear when Spring arrives.

Symptoms of SAD
Morning sickness, over sleeping with the difficulty of waking up, over eating, lacking energy, difficulty concentrating or a withdrawal from life are symptoms of the disorder and leads to depression. People suffering with the disorder may also feel hopeless and lack the pleasures of life.

Reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder is the seasonal affective disorder for the summer. It may start in the late spring and early summer. It may include heightened anxiety. Spring and summer SAD may have symptoms of a lowered sex drive, lowered appetite, weight loss, insomnia and anxiety. Many of the classic symptoms of a depression.

Seasonal Affective Disorder may be applied as an added description to people with major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder. Which is why it is not regarded as a separate disorder but called a course specifier.

Some people with seasonal affective disorder may end up developing some form of bipolar disorder, a major depressive disorder. People that have seasonal affective disorder, also known as winter blues, should get treatment.

It can cause one to have suicidal thoughts.

Signs of SAD
To be diagnosed with SAD disorder, depressive episodes at a particular time of year must be present, the same depressive episodes must happen again at the same time of year, the depression pattern must last two years with no non seasonal depression symptoms, and the seasonal episodes must outnumber other depression periods.

Treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder
Treatment for winter based SAD includes light therapy. Cloud cover contributes to SAD’s negative effects. The light therapy treatment is when far more watts than a regular light is used. The bright light therapy is very effective when the person with the disorder sits a distance of thirty to sixty centimeters in front of the light with the eyes open but not staring directly at it for thirty to sixty minutes. Ionized air is releasing charged particles into the sleep environment, by using a device that uses high voltage to ionize air molecules. Medications such as antidepressants are also effective.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is another source of effective treatment. Also taking a trip or vacation to a sunny destination can be very effective for overcoming the disorder. Getting outside more and doing more exercise will help improve depressive episodes by adding natural light exposure. By monitoring diets to healthier foods with less carbohydrates will help with the lack of energy. Also, monitoring sleep patterns by not over sleeping and setting goals to get up in the morning will help stay on a path of recovery.

Filed under: dual diagnosis | Tagged: Affective, disorder, SAD, Seasonal, Seasonal Affective Disorder, signs, symptoms, treatment | Comments Off