Addictions

(see also Alcoholism)

Symptoms

The term addiction is widely used today to mean a dependency. The dependence can be physical or psychological, but implies a compulsive or habitual need to repeat the experience. Many drugs are addictive, but food can also be addictive. Even tasks can be addictive, including exercise, work and dieting.

Once a dependency exists, nutrient deficiencies, hypoglycemia and substances like caffeine and sugar promote intense cravings. These factors cause mood swings and other problems such as insomnia. Excessive alcohol consumption markedly depletes the body of B vitamins. Narcotics reduce the minerals in the body, especially magnesium and calcium. Vitamin C, on the other hand, actually helps combat the toxic effects of drugs.

Addictions can be mild or serious. When an addiction becomes severe, it is more important than social acceptance, family, friends, and even life itself. Addictions tend to begin slowly and grow insidiously. The biggest problem in treating addiction is recognizing the problem. Since there is no simple definition, the point where casual use becomes abuse is hazy. Drug and alcohol abuse are the most well-known forms of addiction, yet they still exist in epidemic proportions across the population. Many groups exist to provide support for addicts and their families. Their programs have achieved remarkable success in helping addicts to achieve long-term substance withdrawal.

Causes

Drug and alcohol addictions are caused by a physical and/or psychological dependence. The physical addiction causes withdrawal symptoms, and the psychological addiction causes the intense cravings. Marijuana, cocaine and LSD dependencies are physical addictions. Alcohol and cigarettes are highly addictive, both physically and psychologically. With habitual use of these substances, tolerance levels increase. More is required to reach the same effect, and yet the damage to the body does not lessen. Food addictions have gained tremendous attention in recent decades due to excessive dieting and the idealization of the perfect figure, causing serious health problems in the younger generations especially. These problems include eating disorders such as yo-yo dieting, anorexia and bulimia. Endorphins released by the brain are thought to be at least partly responsible for the psychologically-addictive anorexia. (Endorphins are “pleasure” chemicals released when conditions become near unbearable, to help the body cope.) Obesity is also caused by addictive behaviors.

Personality plays a role in addiction, although to what extent is unknown. Peer pressure, emotional instability and feelings of inadequacy and unhappiness are often evident in addicts. Since teenagers experience many of these emotional hardships, they are particularly vulnerable to substance abuse and eating disorders.

The social acceptance of medicinal drugs and alcohol encourages use and dependencies. Today, pharmaceutical drugs of all varieties are widely available to kill pain, induce sleep and lift spirits. Advertisements promise easy solutions to complicated problems. Young women are praised for maintaining slim figures, even if it causes poor health.

Nutrition

Body imbalances underlying most addictions are often caused or supported by an unhealthy diet. Poor nutritional habits which can promote addictions include excess salt and meat, too many refined or hydrogenated fats or a surplus of processed foods with chemical additives. The body becomes addicted to a substance which temporarily corrects the imbalances caused by excesses such as these. Sometimes this addictive substance is itself a food. Food allergies are often addictions in disguise.

Dietary adjustments can play a major role in overcoming an addiction. A healthy diet supports the body’s elimination of toxins and gives the body the resources it needs to function free of its dependency. During the transition period, a short cleansing juice fast is certainly helpful in speeding the elimination of toxins. If the body has been depleted of nutrients as a result of the addiction, this cleanse should last only three days. A juice fast is better than a straight water fast, because it supplies much-needed nutrients in an easily absorbed form while simultaneously washing toxins away. Carrot, spinach and beet juice are excellent liver and pancreas rebuilders.

A diet which supports the process of weaning the body from its addiction will be rich in alkaline foods, such as fruits and vegetables, and low in acid-forming foods, which include meats, milk products, refined flour products and sugar. Acid-forming foods make cravings and withdrawal more intense. An alkaline diet allows the detoxification process to proceed gradually, so that cravings are reduced and withdrawal symptoms are less severe. Drink at least six to eight glasses of water a day to support detoxification. Extra fiber will also help pull toxins from the body. Raw vegetables, whole grains and flax seeds will provide the fiber needed to bind toxins and keep the bowels moving. Add kelp and cereal grass to the diet for needed nutrients.

Smokers who are quitting often tend to overeat. An alkaline, high-fiber diet is helpful in maintaining normal body weight. Former smokers may find temporary oral substitutes helpful. Vegetable sticks, apples, nuts, popcorn, sunflower seeds and licorice root are possibilities. Eat porridge and muesli as they contain oats and help curb the desire for tobacco, due to their sedative properties.

Sugar is a food to which many North Americans are addicted. It often replaces other more nutritious food and weakens immunity. A diet rich in whole grains, complex carbohydrates and vegetables can help stabilize blood sugar and minimize the desire for sugar. Alternative healthy snacks are rice cakes, fruit, nuts and honey.

Addiction to the caffeine contained in coffee or cola is very common in our society. Reduce caffeine intake gradually to minimize the throbbing headaches which typically accompany withdrawal. Satisfying substitutes for coffee are roasted barley, dandelion and chicory.

Nutritional Supplements

Malnutrition is often coupled with addiction problems and compounds the symptoms of cravings and withdrawal. Supplements can rectify these imbalances. Addicts often lack the B vitamins that are essential for calming the nerves, combating stress and helping to control cravings. Vitamin C is an excellent supplement during withdrawal, and combats the effects of toxins on the body. This vitamin also eases the symptoms of withdrawal, reducing anxiety and improving rest and appetite.

Vitamin E has also proven beneficial in reducing the side-effects experienced during withdrawal. Both vitamins C and E help the body to detoxify and are antioxidants which protect the body from free-radical damage.

Magnesium is particularly useful for treating addictions where irritability and cramps occur, since this mineral soothes cramps and calms the nervous system.

Green food supplements are excellent in assisting recovery from drug and alcohol addictions. Chlorophyll and alfalfa detoxify the blood and provide numerous essential nutrients, including protein and many minerals.

The essential fatty acids available in cold-pressed flax seed oil and fish oils, and the gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) in evening primrose oil are essential for the body and are needed as a balance, particularly for the nervous system. Bee pollen is also used in addictions as a nourishing food, to provide the body with energy and reduce cravings.

Glutamine, an amino acid, is also known as “nature’s brain food.” Supplementing with glutamine improves mental capacities, helps speed the healing of ulcers, alleviates fatigue and the craving for sugar. It also detoxifies ammonia in the brain and is very effective in the treatment of hypoglycemia.

To provide additional support against free-radical damage, the antioxidants, vitamin A, selenium and zinc are also recommended.

Daily dosages:

Most Important

Vitamin B complex, 50 mg three times daily

Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids, at least 3,000 mg, and up to 10,000 mg during withdrawal

Magnesium, 500 mg

Evening primrose oil, two 500 mg capsules three times daily

Vitamin E, with mixed tocopherols, 400 IU

Vitamin A, 35,000 IU (avoid during pregnancy)

Selenium, 200 mcg

Zinc, 35 mg, with 3 mg copper

Glutamic acid, 500 mg three times daily

Helpful

Nutritional yeast supplements, 1–3 tbsp.

Alfalfa tablets or another green food supplement, 1 tbsp.

Bee pollen, 1–2 tsp.

Herbal Remedies

By supporting and rebuilding the liver, pancreas and adrenal glands, the taste for alcohol, tobacco, caffeine and other drug cravings will eventually subside. Herbs that nourish, strengthen and build the nervous system also provide lasting results.

Single herbs of dandelion, nettle, Siberian ginseng, goldenseal, licorice root, cayenne, skullcap, lobelia and valerian assist body functions. Use these plants to make a herbal tea and drink three times daily.

Chew calamus root to wean off smoking.

Chaparral takes LSD out of the system and detoxifies the body of all impurities.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is specific to each person. Some commonly prescribed homeopathic remedies are given below.

Chamomilla is used for coffee addiction with symptoms of irritability, sensitivity and headaches. Take the 30c strength, 4 drops three or four times daily up to six days.

For smoking addiction, take Caladium, Nicotine or Tabac in the 6c strength, 4 drops three to six times a day.

Tissue Salts

For relief of specific symptoms, see the sections associated with hypoglycemia, insomnia, and mood swings.

External/Physical Therapies

Avoid prolonged, excessive stress. Find a complete change of environment through travel or a retreat.

A natural, balanced lifestyle with plenty of sleep, rest and relaxation will help the body rebuild the organs damaged by the addictive drugs. Walk and hike in the fresh air of forests, meadows and mountains to oxygenate the blood and stimulate the liver and digestive functions. Take along a sympathetic friend who understands your situation and can give moral support to help you go through with the detoxifying program.

Swimming, gardening and regular deep-breathing exercises, as well as sauna and cold, morning body washes help restore health and vitality.

Available Brand Name Products

Nutritional Supplements

Flax Oil (Flora)

Flax-O-Mega 1000 mg (Flora)

Udo’s Choice: Ultimate Oil Blend (Flora)

Udo’s Choice: Ultimate Oil Blend Capsules (Flora)

Cool B3 Niacin (Klaire Laboratories)

L-Glutamine (Klaire Laboratories)

Magnesium Complex (Klaire Laboratories)

Micel-A (Klaire Laboratories)

Seleno Met (Klaire Laboratories)

Calcium and Magnesium Citrate (Natural Factors)

Complete B 100 mg (Natural Factors)

Ester C (Natural Factors)

Niacin 500 mg (Natural Factors)

Phosphatidyl Serine (Natural Factors)

Stress B Formula (Natural Factors)

Ultra Prim Evening Primrose Oil (Natural Factors)

Vitamin E 800 IU Clear Base 100% Natural (Natural Factors)

Zinc Chelate (Natural Factors)

Multi-Force (Prairie Naturals)

Other Nutritional Supplements

Peace River Bee Pollen (Natural Factors)

Pollen Plus Energy (Natural Factors)

Herbal Remedies

Flor-Essence (Flora)

St. John’s Wort Oil Extract Capsules (Flora)

Cayenne (Natural Factors)

Dandelion Root Extract (Natural Factors)

Herbal Calm (Natural Factors)

Licorice Root (Natural Factors)

Nerve and Stress (Natural Factors)

Panax Ginseng (Natural Factors)

St. John’s Wort Extract (Natural Factors)

Valerian Root Extract (Natural Factors)

Alfalfa Leaves (Nature’s Herbs)

Cayenne (Nature’s Herbs)

Dandelion-Golden Seal Combination (Nature’s Herbs)

Ginseng Power, Siberian (Nature’s Herbs)

Herbal Calm (Nature’s Herbs)

Licorice Phytosome (Nature’s Herbs)

Nettle Leaf (Nature’s Herbs)

St. John’s-Power (Nature’s Herbs)

Valerian-Power (Nature’s Herbs)

Homeopathy

Bach Flower Remedies (Bach-Karooch Ltd)