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Recovering from Addiction to Prescription Medications

I never thought of myself as an addict, but I did end up addicted to anti-anxiety medication after developing Generalized Anxiety Disorder. At some point, the medicine stopped being a way to deal with the nervousness and panic attacks, and became something my body craved. I knew that I needed help fast. Fortunately, a local drug rehab program includes support for people like me. They helped me wean off the medication, use methods like massage therapy to help my nerves heal, and even provided ongoing counseling for our family. I don't know how I would have made it without their help. If you suspect that your medication has crossed the line from being helpful to hurtful, take heart. Let me tell you about my journey out of addiction and back to wholeness.

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Recovering from Addiction to Prescription Medications

The Benefits Of Immunizations For Adults

by Valerie Stevens

As we age, our bodies and immune systems change, making us more susceptible to diseases. It is important that adults receive the appropriate immunizations to protect their health and reduce the risk of serious illnesses. While childhood immunization is common knowledge, adult immunization is not. Here's what you need to know about why adult immunization is important and which vaccines are recommended for adults.

What Are Recommended Vaccines for Adults?

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends different vaccines depending on a person's age range and prior vaccine history. Some may be newly discovered vaccines, while others may lose some of their effectiveness over time. These immunization recommendations include:

  • Tdap. Most adults likely received the Tdap vaccine, or tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis, as a child, but the CDC now recommends a booster every ten years.
  • Zoster. Older adults who have had chickenpox need a Zoster vaccine. The disease lies dormant in the body and can return as shingles. Younger adults who have always been vaccinated against chickenpox likely need the varicella vaccine instead.
  • HPV. One of the newer kids on vaccine block, HPV, or human papillomavirus, helps the body fight against the virus that can cause cervical cancer.
  • Influenza. The CDC recommends an annual flu vaccine to protect you and those around you from the flu virus.
  • MMR. The MMR vaccine protects against a trio of once-common childhood diseases, including measles, mumps, and rubella.
  • Hepatitis A & B. The Hepatitis A and B vaccines protect you from two different forms of the virus, which can lead to serious liver damage.
  • Meningococcal conjugate vaccines. The meningococcal vaccines protect you from a bacterial infection that can cause a life-threatening illness, meningitis. It is especially important before moving to a crowded living environment, like a college dormitory, where the disease can spread quickly among residents.

It is important to consult your doctor about which vaccines are necessary for you based on your health and past immunization history.

Why Is Adult Immunization Important?

Immunization can help prevent several serious illnesses, including influenza and meningitis. Vaccines work by introducing a small amount of a weakened or dead virus into the body. This small amount stimulates the body's natural defenses to recognize and fight off any future attack by that virus. You can protect yourself from many illnesses and build up immunization by getting vaccinated.

Additionally, immunization helps protect vulnerable populations who cannot receive vaccines due to medical reasons or who may not respond as well to vaccinations due to age or other factors, such as those with weakened immune systems.

It is essential that adults stay up to date on their immunizations in order to prevent potentially serious illnesses. Talk to your healthcare provider about which immunizations are right for you. Immunizations are one of the best ways to keep yourself healthy throughout adulthood.

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