Drug addiction is a complex condition characterized by intense and, at times, uncontrollable drug craving, along with the desire to compulsively seek and use drugs that persists even in the face of devastating consequences. While the path to drug addiction begins with the voluntary act of taking drugs, over time, the ability of a person to choose not to do so becomes compromised and seeking and consuming the drug becomes compulsive. This behavior results largely from the effects of prolonged drug exposure on brain functioning. Addiction is a brain disease that affects multiple brain circuits, including those involved in reward and motivation, learning and memory and inhibitory control over behavior. Because drug abuse and addiction have so many dimensions and disrupt so many aspects of the life of an individual, treatment is not simple. Effective treatment programs typically incorporate many components, each directed to a particular aspect of the illness and its consequences. Addiction treatment must help the individual stop using drugs, maintain a lifestyle free of drugs and achieve productive functioning in the family, at work and in society. Because addiction is typically a chronic disease, people cannot simply stop using drugs for a few days and halt addition. Most patients require long-term or repeated episodes of care to achieve the ultimate goal of sustained abstinence and recovery of quality of life.

Dermatologist

The skin is the largest organ of the body and is the most visible. Although many skin diseases are isolated, some are manifestations of internal disease. Therefore, a demonologist has knowledge of all aspects of surgery, rheumatology (many rheumatic diseases can feature skin symptoms and signs), immunology, neurology (the "neurocuteaneous syndromes", such as neurofibromatosis and tuberous sclerosis), infectious diseases and endocrinology. Cosmetic dermatology has long been an important part of the field, and dermatologists have been the primary innovators in this area. In the 1900s, dermatologists used dermabrasion to improve acne scarring. Doctors used fat micro-transfer to fill in cutaneous defects. Dermatologists specializing in cosmetic dermatology typically use non-invasive procedures to reverse the signs of aging. Botox has been popular since the Food and Drug Administration approved it for the treatment of wrinkles. Botox minimizes wrinkles such as frown lines and crow's feet. Fillers are used to "fill in" lines on the face and to minimize the appearance of wrinkles. Brand name fillers include Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm, Radiesse and Cosmoplast among many others. Dermatologists are also the pioneers of energy-based treatments for the skin and these include lasers, intense pulsed light, radiofrequency, infrared light and photodynamic treatments.

Crash in Bed, Not on the Road

Most people are aware of the hazards of drunk driving. But driv­ing while sleepy can be just as dangerous. Indeed, crashes due to sleepy drivers are as deadly as those due to drivers impaired by alcohol. People do not have to be asleep at the wheel to be in danger. Both alcohol and a lack of sleep hamper the ability to react quickly to a suddenly braking car, a sharp curve in the road or other situations that require rapid responses. Just a delay of a few seconds of reaction time can be a life-or-death matter when driving. When sleep deprived people undergo a test using a driving simulator, these people perform as badly or worse than people who are drunk. The com­bination of alcohol and lack of sleep can be especially dangerous.
Of course, driving is also hazardous if people fall asleep at the wheel, which happens surprisingly often. One-quarter of the drivers surveyed in New York State reported having fallen asleep at the wheel at some time. Often, people briefly nod off at the wheel without being aware of it. These people just cannot recall what happened over the previous few seconds or longer. In addition, people who lack sleep are more apt to take risks and make poor judg­ments, which can also boost chances of getting in a car crash.
Here are some potentially life-saving tips for avoiding drowsy driving:
Be well rested before hitting the road. After multiple nights in a row of having fewer than seven to eight hours of sleep, the reaction time of the body slows. Restoring that reaction time to normal often takes more than one night of good sleep because a sleep debt accumulates after each night of lost sleep. It may take several nights of sleeping good to repay that sleep debt and ensure that the body is ready for driving on a long road trip.
Avoid driving between midnight and 7 AM. Unless the body is accustomed to being awake then, this period is when people are naturally the most tired.
Do not drive alone. A companion who can keep the driver engaged in conversation might help keep the person awake while driving.
Schedule frequent breaks on long road trips. If the driver is feeling sleepy, pull off the road and take a nap for 15 to 20 minutes.
Do not drink alcohol. Having one beer while being sleep deprived affects the body as much as two or three beers when the body is at its best.
Do not depend on caffeine. Although drinking a cola or a cup of coffee might help keep the body awake for a short time, it will not help overcome excessive sleepiness or relieve a sleep debt.
Opening a window or turning up the radio while driving will not help the driver stay awake while driving. Be aware of these warning signs that a person is too sleepy to drive safely: trouble keeping the eyes focused; continual yawning; and being unable to recall driving the last few miles. Remember, if the body is short on sleep, stay out of the driver's seat!