Natural Therapies for Alcohol Addiction

Today in our society, it is estimated that at least 75% of Americans are consumers of alcohol and one out of every ten consumers suffer from a chronic dependency called alcoholism. There are approximately four times as many men than woman that abuse alcohol but the amount of woman abusers are steadfastly on the rise, as with young adults, teens and even young children.

Alcoholism can stem from a number of reasons; peer pressure, social drinking which can become progressive over time, shame, anger, sadness, non-acceptance, guilt, loss, grief, stress, depression, anxiety, pain and chronic insomnia. Some use alcohol to cover up other psychotic disorders, sexual, drug or gambling addictions, compulsive disorders and even eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia.

Alcohol is a very poisonous and toxic substance that effects the human body. It can and will lead to, on various levels, damage to the brain, liver, kidneys, nervous system, pancreas and digestive system. Alcohol will reduce oxygen in the brain resulting in cell damage, disorientation, emotional and neurological disorders, memory loss, strokes, possible seizures, hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver which can be fatal. One may ultimately experience loss of sensation in the hands and feet over time, develop diabetes due to inflammation of the pancreas and an inability to digest fats properly. Women are at a higher risk of osteoporosis due to alcohols effects on bone metabolism.

Alcoholics also face a greater risk in developing, mouth, throat, stomach, liver, breast and colon cancer. One can even put themselves at even higher risks by choosing alcohols companion…smoking, which often times goes hand-in-hand with drinking.

Listed below are effective therapies used in the treatment of alcohol addiction—Consult your healthcare practitioner before using these protocols.

NOTE: All tinctures must be bought or made alcohol-free.

ESSIAC 4 HERB TEA: Flushes and detoxifies the liver. Rebuilds and repairs liver damage. Aids the immune system. Tones the digestive system.

LIVER CHI: Beneficial to liver cell and liver membrane function. Very useful in treatment of alcoholism, all forms of hepatitis, ulcers, diabetes, anemia, and too much fat in the liver.

ALFALFA TINCTURE OR CAPSULES: Detoxifies the body.

HOPS TINCTURE: Cravings, nervousness, and restlessness.

RED CLOVER OR BURDOCK ROOT TINCTURES OR CAPSULES: Cleanses and purifies the blood, builds and strengthens the immune system, restores the liver *(very important that you take one of these).

MILK THISTLE SEED TINCTURE: Repairs and strengthens the liver, stimulates production of new liver cells, antioxidant (prevents damage from free radicals).

PANTOTHENIC ACID: Aids body in detoxification, counteracts stress, depression, and anxiety.

GLUTATHIONE: Protects liver, reduces cravings for alcohol, detoxifies harmful substances, antioxidant, (taking combination of cysteine, glutamic acid, and glycine is the same thing).

ONE DAILY VITAMIN & MINERAL SUPPLEMENT: Needed in the body to support the other supplements to work at highest level possible.

BACH FLOWER REMEDIES: There are 38 remedies that all work on different emotions. 5-6 remedies can be combined for an individual to work on their specific emotions to bring about emotional healing, (which most of us need). Listed are a few that help heal addictions and addictive behaviors…Those whom suffer from any emotional stresses would greatly benefit from the use of these remedies and should consider a Bach Flower consultation to find the combination remedy that is needed specifically for them.

RESCUE REMEDY: Tension, stress, desperate feelings, loss of control (mentally, verbally, & physically), explosive behavior, impatience, unclear thinking, emotional distress, fear of change, anxiety & panic attacks. (rescue is a combination of five remedies, Cherry Plum, Clematis, Impatiens, Rock Rose, and Star of Bethlehem, but only counts as one remedy in an individuals specific combination).

WALNUT: For freeing oneself from addictive behaviors, it is a link breaker from old thoughts, associations, and influences.

CHESTNUT BUD: For those who repeat the same mistakes over & over, for those in denial, and/or addiction, those who have tried to quit before and failed.

LARCH: For those doubtful of sticking to their resolve and expect failure.

AGRIMONY: For those who resort to drugs and alcohol to dull emotional pain, having a cheerful exterior, yet painful interior.

CENTAURY: For the codependent, weak willpower, can’t say “NO” to peer pressure.

CERATO: Follows others, does things against own rational judgment.

CRAB APPLE: Feeling mentally or physically unclean, unable to break a bad habit, self disgust, (good for detoxifying from drugs and alcohol).

PINE: For feelings of quilt and pain.

SCLERANTHUS: Rapid mood changes.

SWEET CHESTNUT: For feelings of loss, grief, emptiness, and hopeless despair, unbearable anguish of mind and soul.
VINE: Domestic tyrants, abusive and domineering in nature, (sometimes alcohol brings these qualities out in a person).

WILD OATS: Frustration, boredom, and feeling unfulfilled, nothing gives satisfaction to one, possible mid-life crisis.

WILLOW: Smoldering volcanoes of negativity, resentment, victim complex, nothing pleases or satisfies, if recovering, they don’t like to admit it.
*combinations can be blended to suit each individual*

REFLEXOLOGY (stimulating the reflexes in the feet that coincide with the particular organ that has toxic build-up due to the addictions, this will speed up the flushing of toxins out of the body) is also a great therapy for ridding the body of toxins caused by drugs and alcohol. I am a certified reflexologist and can either apply treatments or teach you how to do them yourself or with a partner. Anyone can learn to perform reflexology.

Increase water ( pure distilled or spring water only) intake to flush toxins out of your system more quickly.
Proper nutrition can do a great deal for you also, contact your practitioner if your interested in learning more about healthy eating habits that repair and revitalize the body.
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The last, but very important step in recovering from an addiction is to avoid people, places, and things associated with the addiction, this is the best thing you can do for yourself and your loved ones, when trying to recover, it creates a clean, healthy, and happy life for all. The therapies listed here are for detoxification. Should there be apparent damage already to the system, then those issues will also need to be addressed and healed. People CAN break free of their addictions by DISCOVERING WELLNESS.