THE GITTENS GA Z E T T E
JUNE 2019
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WEATHERING THE STORM TO COME
Better Understanding Opiate Withdrawal
If more people understood the true nature of drugs and alcohol, they wouldn’t carry the stigmas they do. Nobody grows up wanting to become dependent on substances, but through any number of life’s hardships, the best and brightest of our world can fall victim. Some users suffering frompsychiatric illness erroneously self-medicate with heroin or opiates, while others’addictions are factors of their environment and acquaintances. To treat an issue, we must first begin to understand it. Perhaps there is no better way to understand what drives an addict than to look at the severe pain of withdrawal —particularly the withdrawal symptoms of those addicted to opiates. Opiate addiction is a global epidemic stealing whole generations from their loved ones. This cycle starts and ends with the staving off of withdrawal symptoms. If these symptoms weren’t so painful, users could likely quit whenever they wanted. Instead, they are forced into a continuous loop of getting their fix, so they canmake it through another day without getting sick. Without medications like Suboxone or Sublocade to taper off an opiate, the physical ramifications can be severe, and that’s just the beginning. Here at The Gittens Clinic, our aim is tomake the withdrawal process as comfortable and painless as possible. After the last dose wears off, the withdrawal time frame depends on a number of outside factors, like length of use and amount of use. Chemical makeup of the opiate can also play a part in how quickly and severely symptoms kick in. When they do kick in, they will continue to get worse until the drug runs its course, and the body can begin to feel normal again. The problem is it can take a while for withdrawal symptoms to take hold. Withdrawal makes the user feel increasingly despondent, in addition to other symptoms, which can include but are not limited to: nausea, muscle cramping, agitation, changes in body temperature, increased blood pressure, insomnia, cravings, depression, overwhelming anxiety, diarrhea, shakes, and even hallucinations. While the time frame is different for everybody, the symptoms will begin to take hold around 3–12 hours after the last dose if the user is addicted to short-acting opiates. If they have been using long-acting opiates like Oxycontin, the symptoms can begin as late as 30 hours in. After about three days, the symptoms will peak, but the user is not out of the woods yet. More serious users can experience withdrawal symptoms for up to 24 months. If you’ve never experienced it yourself, you have no idea how terrifying this period can be for the user. Imagine being the sickest you’ve ever been
with no foreseeable end in sight. Avoiding this pain is why addicts keep using. Considering the risk of possible relapse, it’s no wonder why some users wish to avoid the trauma of withdrawal.
The symptoms of opiate withdrawal come in stages. During the onset of these
increasingly terrifying symptoms, all the user’s body registers is the inherent need for a cure. Except that cure means more
drugs. The good news is it doesn’t have to be like this. You don’t have to be one of the 100 Americans who die every day from an opiate overdose. You don’t have to be another statistic. By reaching out for help at The Gittens Clinic, you’ll be giving yourself peace of mind knowing your addiction can stop here. Luckily, you can’t die fromopiate withdrawal, but I’ve seen enough patients who have toldme they’d rather be dead than experience the horror it entails.
We can work together to get you through these stages without all the discomfort that typically accompanies these severe reactions, but only if you’re ready to help yourself. To find out more about howwe can help here at The Gittens Clinic, give us a call anytime at 833-448-8367 or visit our website at TheGittensClinic.com. For everything else, contact Narcotics Anonymous at 818-773-9999 to find a local meeting or visit their website at na.org. –Dr. Carl Gittens
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Kids often look up to their father as one of their greatest heroes. There are the long drives to sports tournaments, the late-night movies, and the sweets when Mom isn’t looking. We probably all have some reason to look up to our dad as one of our biggest influences. It’s Father’s Day this month, a special time of year when we take a moment to think about the sacrifices the father figures in our lives have made for us. Most dads are pretty great, but some go above and beyond the fatherly call of duty. Let’s take a look at some heroic dads who risked everything to keep their families safe. Life can change in a split second, and how you choose to react in a moment of peril can define your legacy forever. Few people know this as well as Brad Lewis. When Brad and his young son, Oscar, were deeply entrenched in an intense Nerf battle, he surely didn’t think the situation would turn as dangerous as it did. When a few darts missed his father and landed on the balcony, Oscar ran after them but soon found himself teetering on the balcony’s ledge, 12 feet above the ground. Thinking fast, Brad grabbed his son just before he fell over, both taking the plunge while Brad protected his son with his own body. Just as he’d intended, Brad absorbed most of the blow. While Oscar sustained serious wounds, his father’s injuries were more severe. Brad was left fighting for his life in the ICU, with severe fractures to his skull and vertebrae. Thankfully, Brad is expected to make a full recovery and has made serious strides since the accident. He and his son will live to play another day. BRAD LEWIS: OVER THE LEDGE HEROIC DADS WHO DIDN’T BACK DOWN Being a Parent Isn’t Always a Walk in the Park
Far before humans had written histories, we had dogs. From hunting and shepherding to playing and relaxing, our early ancestors had canine companions by their side, and their appreciation shows. As storytelling developed around the world, our four-legged friends became important characters. Here are a few ancient legends for the historical dog lover. GOOD BOYS OF ANTIQUITY Dogs in Ancient Legend
TARASCAN SPIRIT DOGS
Many Mesoamerican cultures featured dogs prominently in their myths and legends, especially in regard to the afterlife. One of the most notable of these comes from the Tarascan state, an empire that rivaled the Aztecs. The Tarascans believed canine spirits would search out the souls of lost humans and guide them safely out of the mortal world. Leave it to dogs to create ghost stories with happy endings.
TUIREN THE WOLFHOUND
GREG ALEXANDER: COULDN’T BEAR TO SEE HIS SON HURT
In Irish folklore, Tuiren was a beautiful woman to be wed to Iollan Eachtach, but this love made Iollan’s faery sweetheart jealous. In an attempt to ruin the young woman’s wedding, the faery turns Tuiren into a hound and gives her to Fergus Fionnliath, a renowned dog-hater. This cruel act backfires when the Irish wolfhound wins over Fergus, teaching him to love not just her but all dogs too. In fact, the man is crestfallen when his hound is revealed to be a human. Tuiren’s nephew, the hero Fionn, cheers Fergus up with a new puppy! The Indian epic “Mahabharata” is thought to date back to the eighth or ninth century B.C. and tells the story of two warring families. Toward the end of the tale, prince Yudhishthira and his family begin to ascend the Himalayas to reach heaven, and a stray dog joins them on their journey. One by one, Yudhishthira’s companions fall, until only the prince and his furry friend remain. When the god Indra finally appears to offer Yudhishthira passage into heaven, he brings bad news: The dog cannot come with him. But Yudhishthira refuses to abandon his dog, explaining that he could never leave such a loyal, steadfast companion. Anyone who’s turned down a great apartment offer because they don’t allow pets can relate. YUDHISHTHIRA’S STRAY
While camping in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in June 2015, Greg Alexander awoke to the sound of a nightmare. The screams of his son intermingled
with the roars of an unknown assailant, beckoning Greg to his son’s tent. There, he found his son Gabriel being attacked by a bear. The bear had his son by the head and was dragging him away. Greg jumped on the bear’s back, desperately trying to take attention away from Gabriel. Amazingly, it worked, and in the end, the bear ran away. Gabriel was left with serious cuts to his head, but thanks to his dad’s heroism, the two were able to walk away from that campsite and back to their lives together.
The important thing to remember is that you don’t have to take a leap of faith or fight a bear to be a hero in your family’s eyes. Just be yourself, show some support, and do the best you can. Happy Father’s Day, everybody.
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ENJOY YOUR FAMILY TIME By Taking a Break From Your Phone
Setting some time aside to be with family is important, but it can be difficult when everyone is always on their cellphones. Constant cellphone use has become a global problem, and the habit is hard to break because we rely on mobile devices heavily for work, school, and keeping in contact with friends and family. Luckily, there are plenty of apps that can reduce how often you’re on your phone and minimize distractions. SIEMPO After you install Siempo on your phone, it will ask which apps are likely to distract you. Once you select them, the app will move those apps away from the home screen and place the important ones, such as the messaging, contacts, email, and calendar apps, on the first screen. You can also designate times for specific apps to be used throughout the day. STAY FOCUSED Stay Focused is like Siempo, but there are some significant differences. You can set times to access certain apps and put the most distracting ones on lock. Stay Focused also has a “strict mode” that prevents you from uninstalling it, so be sure to think carefully before activating the lockdown because you won’t have access to those specific apps until the timer runs out. FOREST In the time that Forest takes control of your device for a set time limit, the app starts growing a tree. Once the tree is fully grown, your time is up, and it joins the other trees that were grown during other breaks. If you pick up your phone and try to access an app, Forest will send you a notification asking you if you want
to kill your baby tree by giving up. Who says guilt isn’t a good motivator?
BESIDES APPS Aside from using these apps, silencing your phone and putting it in another room, leaving it in your car if you’re out at dinner, or keeping it in your purse or back pocket during a social event can also reduce your screen
time. Having your phone out of sight and out of reach will keep the temptation of pulling it out at bay.
Spending time with your family is crucial, and with these apps and tips, you’ll enjoy each other’s company without too many screen distractions.
NO. 1 DAD HASH BROWNS
TAKE A BREAK
Inspired by Bon Appétit
Ingredients
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1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, or 6 tbsp ghee
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1 tsp Kosher salt, plus more to taste
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Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
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3 russet potatoes (about 1/2 lb.), peeled
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Pinch of cayenne pepper, plus more to taste
Directions
1. In a small saucepan, heat butter over medium heat until foamy. Reduce heat if needed to avoid browning. Skim off white milk solids to make clarified butter (ghee). Transfer to a bowl and reserve. (This step won’t be needed if using ghee.) 2. Using the large holes on a box grater, grate potatoes. Transfer to a large bowl of cold water and stir until water becomes cloudy. Rinse potatoes under cold water, then squeeze out liquid using cheesecloth or a kitchen towel, removing as much moisture as possible. Season potatoes. 3. In a large nonstick skillet, heat butter (or ghee) to medium-high. Add potatoes and cook until a crust forms underneath, about 5 minutes. Using a rubber spatula, break up potatoes and continue to cook, adding more butter (or ghee) if potatoes begin to stick. 4. Cook until golden brown and crisp, about 8 minutes. Drain on paper towels; season with salt, pepper, and cayenne to taste. Serve.
Solution on Page 4
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INSIDE 1 833-448-8367 • 833-GITTENS WWW.THEGITTENSCLINIC.COM THE GITTENS CLINIC 4440 PGA BLVD STE 600 PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL 33410
The Truth About Opiate Withdrawal
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Dogs in Ancient Legend Dads Who Went Above and Beyond the Call of Duty
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Take a Break From Your Smartphone
Hash Browns for the Best Dad
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Roadside Attractions With Fun for All Ages
ENJOYING THE JOURNEY
Roadside Attractions Worth Visiting
The United States can be a weird place, and some landmarks definitely reflect that sentiment. Along
the area on a guided tour through forest above and lake below. And afterward, you can stop by the general store, ice cream parlor, or cafe.
THE MYSTERY SPOT; SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA
almost every highway, bizarre landmarks draw road trippers of all ages. Sometimes tourist traps aren’t worth the price of admission, but when you’re taking your summer road trip this year and your family needs a place to stop and stretch, these are three roadside attractions worth checking out.
Advertising itself as a “gravitational anomaly,” this wacky spot in the middle of the redwood forest showcases a series of optical illusions such as balls rolling uphill and a cabin where visitors can lean toward the ground and appear to defy gravity. It might not be aliens, like some believe, but visitors of all ages will get a kick out of the illusions messing with their perception. Plus, the nearby hiking trails through the redwoods offer a free added experience.
DINOSAUR LAND; WHITE POST, VIRGINIA
It might not be Jurassic Park, but it’s still worth a look. Nestled in the greenery of Northern Virginia, this park has over 50 life-size statues of dinosaurs of all kinds. Tours are self-guided, parking is free, and children (or adults) with dinosaur obsessions are sure to smile and point out their favorites. It’s certainly something to “rawr” home about. Whether these spots are your destinations or you’re just passing through on your summer road trip, visiting these roadside attractions and others like them will add some fun to your travels.
THE LOST SEA; SWEETWATER, TENNESSEE
The Lost Sea is the largest underground lake in the U.S. Lying 140 feet beneath the surface, it’s a fun escape from the summer heat, since it’s 58 degrees year-round. Kids and adults alike can learn about the history and geology of
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