Chapter 10: Drug Abuse and Addiction - Introduction to the Second Edition

Addiction is the most expensive medical problem in the U.S., consuming billions of dollars and causing immeasurable human suffering. An estimated 520,000 Americans die each year as a result of drug abuse. Chapter 10 describes alternative treatments for drug dependencies and addiction that combine nutrition, exercise, vitamin and botanical supplements, and lifestyle changes. Updated information is provided on vitamin, mineral, and botanical therapies for alcoholism, as well as new acupuncture and acupressure treatments for cocaine, opium, heroin, marijuana, caffeine, and nicotine addictions. New sections have been added that deal with new treatments for childhood addiction, and code-pendency.