Definition:
Alcoholism is generally defined as the excessive use of alcohol, to the
detriment of personal health and well being
(both physical and
mental). Often this is associated with a physical dependence on
alcohol.
It has been characterized as both a physical disease, and as merely a
symptom of social (or psychological) maladjustment. However, at
present there is no factual basis on which to categorize alcohol
problems as either purely biological
or purely psychological.
The alcoholic’s destructive behaviour affects not only his own life,
but the lives of family members.
According to naturopathic approach alcoholism is a symptom of an
underlying deeper imbalance that lead to addictions.
How to recognize
if alcohol consumption is becoming an addiction?
1. amount - large amounts are consumed
2. frequency and obsession – the individual
cannot stop thinking about alcoholic beverages, can’t do other things
until craving is satisfied, life is rearranged to accommodate craving.
3. lack of control - can not stop drinking until all
is gone
4. denial – the individual maintains that their
drinking habits are not a problem (i.e. are not excessive)
or downplay
the health risks associated with their drinking habits
Symptoms
and Complications:
· The withdrawal
symptoms of addiction can be quite extreme: from hangover to headache,
nausea, vomiting,
trembling, dizziness, weakness, depression, sleep
disturbances, hallucinations, seizures, and delirium tremens
which can
be fatal if untreated.
· Malnourishment can be both a contributing
factor for alcohol addiction, and as a consequence of it.
Excess
alcohol depletes the body’s reserves of many essential nutrients.
Lack of vitamins and minerals create
metabolic imbalances that produce
cravings, ultimately leading to an addiction.
· Hypoglycemia: can contribute to addiction as
alcohol can satisfy sugar cravings
· Alcohol is a toxic substance which can cause
direct damage to the brain (lack of concentration and memory loss)
and
to the liver (producing symptoms like depression, melancholy, fatigue),
and after long periods of liver injury
(caused by excess
alcohol consumption) fibrosis and cirrhosis might develop.
· Yeast overgrowth
· Allergies
Treatment:
Conventional medicine use pharmacological
treatments such as antidepressant and
antabuses (a medication people take and when they drink alcohol makes
them feel very lousy, and sick,
this is a kind of an aversion therapy)
Naturopathic medicine is a very good
alternative of treatment when we consider the relative high rate of
relapse
with the conventional model. Excessive consumption of alcohol
is seen as a result of an underlying disease process,
the high rate and
volume of use are merely the symptoms of an illness.
The idea is to
treat these underlying issues making the person more balance and
stronger so they will have the courage
to be able to abstain and
restore the harmony within.
Naturopathic treatment strategy:
· Remove the addictive substance (alcohol)
· Educate patients about the toxic effects of
alcohol (physical and emotional)
· Help patients come to an awareness of their
addiction and develop the resolve to quit.
·
Nutritional healing plan:
prevent or reverse the damage done by the over ingestion of alcohol,
reduce the craving
for alcohol and the withdrawal symptoms using
supplements (vitamins and minerals) and a nutrient-dense customized
diet.
·
Botanical medicine: use herbs such as
alfalfa, burdock root, dandelion, silymarin and valerian to cleanse the
bloodstream,
to repair damage done to the liver, to provide a good
source of minerals and to calm the mind.
·
Acupuncture appears to be one of the
most successful therapies in eliminate or reduce the desire to drink,
alleviate the withdrawal symptoms, facilitates detoxification, relieves
nervous tension, improves sensory and mental function,
promotes
emotional stability, decreases pain and relieves long term depression.
In addition to restore the imbalance.
·
Homeopathy to improve on both
physical and mental level.
·
Counselling: stress management,
lifestyle changes, self-help groups ( AA)
