Treatments for Alcoholism

Conventional medicine has traditionally treated alcoholic patients with aversive drugs. According to Steven Schroeder's Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment , Disulfiram (Antabuse) has proven helpful in deterring binge drinking by blocking the metabolism of alcohol. People who have alcohol in their blood and take Disulfiram generally experience headaches, flushing, and nausea within 30 minutes. While Disulfiram effectively discourages people from drinking, it can lead to a buildup of toxic substances and may have potentially dangerous side effects such as impotence, liver damage, drowsiness, and fetal anomalies in pregnant women. Disulfiram cannot be used by persons with thyroid, liver, or kidney problems or diabetes. Emetine, another aversive drug, has also proven successful in clinical trials by causing severe nausea and vomiting.

Alternative Treatments for Alcoholism

Holistic treatments for alcoholism focuses on treating the underlying psychological factors that cause alcoholics to drink in excess. In the first stage of treatment, patients are forced to acknowledge that they have a chemical or psychological dependence on alcohol. Social support for both the patient and family is very important during this stage, and patients usually choose to join support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Successful programs such as AA always prohibit drinking, and although strict abstinence is not always followed, it has proven the safest and most effective treatment. This is largely because of the support, encouragement and acceptance offered by those in the group.

Diet and Nutrition.     Michael Murray and Joseph Pizzorno suggest that alternative medicine practitioners have also successfully treated alcoholism with different diets. These diets focus on stabilizing blood sugar levels by eliminating simple sugars and foods containing added sucrose, fructose, or glucose. Alcoholics increasingly crave calorie-rich, nutrient-poor foods, especially sugars which increase their desire for more alcohol. Therefore, foods which increase the desire for alcohol must be avoided. These include all sweets, dried fruit, low-fiber fruits (grapes and citrus fruits), white flour, and instant potatoes, among others. Meat is normally restricted (to keep protein and fat levels low) and substituted with brown rice, whole grains, vegetables, and legumes.

Holistic physicians have also used vitamin and mineral supplements to treat alcoholism. The type and amounts of supplements used vary with each patient, and most treatment regimens are supervised by a licensed physician or nutritionist.

Durk Pearson and Sandy Shaw's Life Extension lists the following vitamin and minerals for “people who enjoy alcohol” (to minimize the effects of alcohol) and to quit drinking:

Vitamin A	10,000 to 20,000 IU
Vitamin B 1	1 gram
Vitamin B 2	100–200 milligrams
Vitamin B 3 (niacin)	600 milligrams to 3 grams
Vitamin B 5	2 grams
Vitamin B 6	500 milligrams
Vitamin B 12	500 micrograms
Vitamin C	3 to 10 grams
Vitamin E	1000 to 2000 IU
Choline	3 grams
Cysteine (not cystine)	2 grams
Zinc (chelated)	50 milligrams
Selenium	250 micrograms

Botanical Medicines.     Holistic practitioners may also prescribe botanical medicines which have been successfully used in limited clinical studies. According to an article in the September 21, 1993 issue of Your Health , XJL, an ancient Chinese herbal hangover remedy, may help reduce the desire for alcohol and limit excess drinking. In clinical trials conducted at the University of North Carolina, researchers found XJL reduced cravings for alcohol by up to 60%. Previous studies have shown that it effectively reduces hangover symptoms and inebriation levels. Investigators speculate that because of the way the herb interacts with the brain, XJL may be capable of reducing cravings for other illegal drugs as well.

Kudzu, an Asian vine, has been used widely in China and Japan since 200 A.D. to treat alcohol abuse. It is available in those countries in pill form, and consumed as tea. According to an article in the November 2, 1993 issue of The Wall Street Journal , Dr. Bert Vallee at the Harvard Medical School has used an extract from the plant, its active ingredient daidzin, to reduce voluntary alcohol consumption in laboratory animals by more than 50%. Daidzin produces no significant change in food intake or body weight, and Vallee hopes the drug will be ready for clinical testing in humans by late 1994.

Acupuncture.     In 1989, the British medical journal The Lancet documented a study noting that when acupuncture was added to the treatment program of chronic alcoholics, it significantly increased the percentage of those who completed the program. Furthermore, it reduced their need for alcohol, with fewer relapses and readmissions to a detoxification center.

Two other controlled studies on treatment of alcoholic recidivism cited by the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA)–one with 80 patients and the other with 54 patients–found that acupuncture treatment at fixed points was more effective than sham points in reducing expressed need for alcohol, drinking episodes, and hospital admissions for detoxification.

Exercise.     Holistic treatments for alcoholism usually also incorporate an exercise program, as regular exercise helps alleviate the anxiety and depression caused by alcoholism. Improved physical fitness also reduces a person's likelihood of resorting to alcohol. It is recommended that alcoholic patients exercise 20–30 minutes, five to seven times a week, at an intensity sufficient to raise their heart rate to 60–80% of maximum capacity for the given age group.

Homeopathy.     According to Lauri Aesoph, homeopathy complements nutrition, stress management, exercise, and support groups in treating psychological and physical addictions such as alcoholism. Arnica (Leopard's bane) and Stramonium (thorn-apple) help relieve the convulsions and hallucinations typical during withdrawal. Chelidanium majus (greater celandine) assists those with jaundice, and helps detoxify the liver of excess alcohol. Carduus mariana (St. Mary's thistle) is also effective in reducing liver disorders caused by alcohol. Zincum metallicum (zinc) relieves twitching, irritability, depression, and restlessness which often accompany alcoholism. Nux vomica is used for compulsive patients who tremble and twitch during withdrawal from alcohol.

Biofeedback.     E. Saxb reports a study in the September 1995 issue of the Journal of Clinical Psychology in which 14 alcoholic outpatients used biofeedback brainwave treatment for alcohol abuse. After temperature biofeedback pretraining, the subjects completed two 40-minute sessions of alpha-theta brainwave neurofeedback training (BWNT). A 21-month follow-up study indicated sustained prevention of relapse in alcoholics who completed the biofeedback therapy.

Caffeine

Caffeine is the most widely used drug in American society. The average American consumes an estimated 150–225 milligrams of caffeine daily, 75% of which comes from coffee. A typical cup of coffee contains approximately 50–150 mg, while a cup of tea contains 50 mg and a 12-ounce can of cola contains approximately 35 mg. Murray and Pizzorno report that some Americans consume an excess of 7,500 mg of caffeine per day.

Caffeine is a natural substance that is found in a variety of plants. In addition to coffee, tea, and cola drinks, it is also found in kola nuts, chocolate, many nonprescription stimulants, pain relievers, cough medicines, cold remedies, alertness tablets, and weight control pills.

In moderate doses, caffeine increases alertness and physical and mental endurance. In high doses, however, it can produce nervousness, insomnia, tremors, and restlessness. In the early 1990s, it was believed that caffeine-containing foods, such as tea and coffee, cola drinks, and chocolate, might be responsible for the premenstrual breast pain and tenderness some women experience, because these substances contain methylxanthines. However, various studies have yet to prove an association between methylxanthine and the development of these symptoms. Nevertheless, women with these symptoms who consume large amounts of coffee or chocolate should consult with a physician.

Alternative Treatments for Caffeinism

Nutritional Therapies.     “Caffeinism” is a clinical syndrome in which people develop a mild psychological dependence on caffeine, and must consume increasing amounts to maintain their mental alertness. In Staying Healthy with Nutrition , Dr. Elson Haas states that a diet of alkaline foods, especially fresh fruits and vegetables, helps reduce cravings for caffeine. He also recommends taking potassium bicarbonate tablets to increase the body's alkalinity, and drinking at least eight glass of water daily to flush out toxins. To nourish the adrenal glands, Haas recommends eating six light meals each day that are low in sugar and fat. Since caffeine is a laxative, discontinuing can cause constipation, and Haas recommends consuming a diet high in fiber and carbohydrates (65–70% of the total diet) to replace depleted glycogen stores.

Coffee Substitutes.     Holistic physicians usually encourage patients to drink coffee substitutes such as green tea, which is not roasted and therefore less toxic than coffee. Green tea is also rich in flavonoid compounds and may have antioxidant and anti-allergy properties. The choice of which green tea to substitute for coffee should be made after consulting with a health practitioner, as some teas contain ephedra, camellia, or cola, which can produce insomnia, anxiety, and hypertension. Coffee substitutes are usually prescribed in conjunction with a diet and exercise program.

Haas recommends drinking roasted grain beverages such as Postum, Roma, or Cafix, or herbal tea, broth, hot cider, or water. He cautions people to avoid chocolate, caffeinated soft drinks, certain drugs (Anacin has 30 mg of caffeine, Dristan 16.2 mg, and No Doz 100 mg), and herbal products such as guarana, kola, or mate.

Vitamin and Mineral Supplements.     Before eliminating caffeine altogether, take vitamin and mineral supplements to replace depleted nutrients, support the adrenal glands, and ease withdrawal. Dr. Haas recommends vitamin C, B complex vitamins, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and zinc. Other helpful nutrients include co-enzyme Q-10 and octacosanol to increase immune resistance.

Botanical Medicines.     Haas advises coffee drinkers to take valerian capsules or drink chamomile tea to withdraw from caffeine. Willowbark extracts or caffeine-free pain killers such as hops capsules help relieve the headaches that often accompany withdrawal from caffeine.

Massage . According to Haas, several types of massage (including self-massage) have also proven effective in relieving the symptoms of caffeine withdrawal. He suggests that patients have their neck, temples, forehead, and shoulder massaged to relieve the headaches of withdrawal. Massage also helps eliminates toxins, and strenghten the immune system.

Acupuncture and Acupressure.     Acupuncture, according to Haas, can ease withdrawal, eliminate cravings, and improve body functions, all of which help keep caffeine addicts from relapsing. Acupressure, by harmonizing the body's energy flow, also speeds up healing, helps to expel toxins, and restores muscles, nerves, organs, and glands. Stroking the front of the face, from the bridge of the nose to the temples, and rubbing the back of neck and base of the skull have also proven effective.

Exercise.     By improving the body's ability to deliver and process oxygen, Haas argues that exercise enhances overall stamina and energy so that patients have an easier time cutting out caffeine. Aerobic exercise also helps to reduce tension and eliminate toxins through the skin. Haas cites several studies which suggest that yoga, tai chi, meditation, and breathing exercise all help relieve tension and the perception of the need for caffeine. Deep breathing exercises also help induce the relaxation response which revitalizes muscle and nerve fibers, and helps detoxify the liver, kidneys, bladder, and colon.

Amphetamines

College students who stay up all night to write term papers, and truck drivers who drive without sleeping for 24-hour stretches, may well be familiar with amphetamines. Amphetamines are chemical compounds that stimulate the sympathetic and central nervous systems and act as euphoriants. People using amphetamines experience increased alertness and elevation of mood, and are able to do strenuous physical work. Most amphetamines, including Dexedrine, Benzedrine and Methedrine are taken orally, although some can be injected with a needle.

Amphetamines were originally developed by chemists to help people lose weight, overcome depression, and increase their mental alertness. Very few of these benefits, however, have been clinically proven. Excessive intakes of amphetamines can produce headaches, irritability, dizziness, insomnia, panic, confusion, and delirium. In addition, users often experience a rebound crash after several hours, during which they sleep for long periods, and may become very tired or in some cases, progress to depression.

Holistic Treatments for Amphetamines

Amphetamines are not physically addictive. People using amphetamines, however, can become psychologically dependent on the euphoric moods which the drugs produce, as do people who use amphetamines to lose weight. In some cases, the dependency is difficult to treat because of the so-called “Yo-Yo cycle.” People first use the drugs to stimulate their nervous system and stay awake. Later, they may take a depressant to go to sleep. After they wake up, they need to take more of the stimulant to become alert again. Prolonged use can produce amphetamine psychosis in which people experience auditory or visual hallucinations or delusions.

The holistic treatment for amphetamine abuse first substitutes natural stimulants for amphetamines to break the first stage of the Yo-Yo cycle. If the abuser has a normal heart rate, aerobic exercise is then used as a substitute for drug depressants to naturally tire the muscle system. Through diet, exercise, botanical supplements, and psychological counseling, patients can gradually stimulate their natural endorphins so that they no longer require the amphetamines.

Cocaine

Joseph Treaster states in his July 16, 1993 article in the New York Times that more than 25 million people in the U.S. have tried cocaine, 10 million regularly use the drug, and half of them suffer serious problems. Each day, 5,000 Americans are reported to try cocaine for the first time. Twenty percent (more than one million) of those who continue to use it eventually become addicted.

Cocaine is derived from the leaves of the coca plant which grows primarily in South America. After the plant is grown, the coca leaves are made into either a paste or a powder. Coca paste is popular in South America, and is smoked with tobacco or marijuana cigarettes. Most cocaine found in the U.S. is a white powder (cocaine hydrochloride) which is sniffed through the nose or mixed with water and injected.

“Freebase” is a purified, concentrated form of cocaine paste which is heated and smoked. It is chemically stronger than cocaine powder because the powder is usually mixed (“cut”) with baking soda or other solvents. People addicted to cocaine powder usually progress to freebase because it contains more pure cocaine. “Crack” is a rock form of freebase which is sold in vials or sticks and is easier to sell and smoke–either in a water pipe or after being added to tobacco or marijuana cigarettes.

Cocaine Withdrawal.     Because cocaine is physically addictive, people attempting to withdraw from it often experience sweating, muscle tremors, accelerated heart rate, weight loss, malnutrition, sexual dysfunction, anxiety, panic, insomnia, paranoia, and hallucinations, according to Alan Rees and Charlene Willey ( Personal Health Reporter). As they report, even more serious side effects of withdrawal can include psychosis, coma, strokes, seizures, liver damage, heart failure, and respiratory arrest. Withdrawal symptoms usually occur within 24–48 hours of the last dose and may continue for 7–10 days.

Several conventional treatments have proven partially successful in either curing addiction or alleviating withdrawal symptoms. Buprenorphine, a pain killer, produces abstention in some addicts. Desipramine, an anti-depressant, reduces cravings and helps abstention in many difficult-to-treat patients. Flupenothixol, also an anti-depressant, promoted abstinence for an average of 24 weeks in one clinical trial. Edlin and Golanty suggest that arbamazapine, an anti-seizure drug, can reduce craving and prevents seizures brought on by chronic cocaine use.

Holistic Treatments for Cocaine Addiction

Holistic treatmentfor cocaine addiction, similar to that for alcoholism, focuses on rebuilding the addict's immune system and preventing the depression which occurs during the withdrawal period. Normally the addict is offered group and family therapy and minimal dosage of anti-depressants.

A key component of treatment is denying the patient access to more cocaine. Some physicians may decide to control all of the addict's funds and require routine urine testing for cocaine. If patients find it impossible to stay away from cocaine, they may be temporarily hospitalized. As any treatments must prevent relapse, most therapists try to prevent the cues which trigger cravings. Long-term treatment necessarily focuses on helping the patient build a full and satisfying life without cocaine while coping with the stresses which could trigger relapse. Recovery for cocaine addicts almost always requires intensive psychological support, and groups such as Narcotics Anonymous have been very effective.

Acupuncture (Auriculotherapy).     The December 1, 1992 issue of the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) Newsletter states that acupuncture can reverse some cases of cocaine addiction. It cites a study conducted at the Lincoln Substance Abuse/Acupuncture Clinic in New York City in which 68 pregnant women addicted to crack or cocaine received acupuncture treatments in conjunction with a detoxification regimen, counseling, and daily urinalysis tests. Women who attended the program for 10 visits or more showed significantly higher infant birth weights than those who attended less than 10 times.

Dr. Jeffrey Holder, founder and director of Exodus, a residential treatment for addictions based in Miami, Florida, believes that every drug of choice has a receptor site mechanism located in the ear. What acupuncturists do is satisfy the needs of that receptor site by supplying and directing the endorphins or enkephalins. Using auriculotherapy, Dr. Holder reports success rates of over 80% for nicotine, alcohol, cocaine, heroin, and other mood-altering substances among addicts. Holder was the first American to be awarded the Albert Schweitzer prize in medicine for his pioneering research.

In 1989, auriculotherapy was officially recognized by the WHO as a viable medical modality. In the U.S. auriculotherapy is currently used in the treatment and control of pain, dyslexia, and other functional imbalances. It is applied through needles, ear massage, and, in certain cases, electrical stimulation or infrared treatment.

Recent Research Discoveries.     Guilford Pharmaceuticals of Baltimore, Maryland, announced in early 1997 the production of their new patented compound which in animal studies effectively blocks the effects of cocaine without interfering with normal brain functions. The Guilford drug, GPI Compound 2138, shows great promise and more research is currently underway.

Marijuana and Hashish

Marijuana and hashish are products of the Cannabis sativa plant and have been used as medicines in many different cultures. Marijuana, the leaves of the sativa plant, are smoked or added to foods (especially brownies) and teas. Hashish is a concentrated form of marijuana which is made by burning cannabis leaves and collecting the left-over resins into a brown gummy powder.

Tetrahydracannabiol (THC) is the psychoactive constituent of marijuana. When the plant is smoked, the THC is inhaled into the lungs, absorbed into the blood, and transported throughout the body. A small amount of THC in the bloodstream produces a euphoric-like state. Many people experience a sense of relaxation, and occasionally an altered perception of space and time. Some speech impairment may also occur along with short-term memory loss. Different subspecies of marijuana vary substantially in THC content. Female plants (sensimilla marijuana), for example, have no seeds and are reported to have 10 times the concentration of THC as either male or hermaphrodite plants.

Physiological Effects.     High doses of THC have been known to produce anxiety, panic, hallucinations, and paranoia. Marijuana and hashish may also complicate prior mental health problems or negative mood swings. Nevertheless, long-term use has not been proven to cause permanent changes in brain function or chemistry, nor has either marijuana or hashish been found to lead inevitably to the use of other drugs, according to the National Academy of Sciences' report “Marijuana and Health.”

Opiates

Opiates are a class of compounds extracted from the opium poppy, Papaver somniferum , which contains several different chemicals that are isolated or mixed together to produce heroin, morphine, codeine, or opium. All opiates can cause physical dependence and produce serious withdrawal symptoms.

Heroin, derived from morphine, is a semi-synthetic narcotic which was first manufactured in 1889 by the Bayer pharmaceutical company. It was originally marketed as a pain reliever for chronic coughs and was later used to treat opium, alcohol, and morphine addictions. Heroin is now illegal in the U.S., although it is still grown illegally in the Southwest. It is either inhaled, smoked, or injected, and is often cut with dangerous substitutes. The heroin typically sold on American streets, for example, often contains only 1% heroin–the rest consists of cornstarch, cleansing agents, or strychnine.

Heroin affects the body as soon as it enters the bloodstream and reportedly produces extreme states of euphoria. Unfortunately, prolonged use leads to addiction and large doses can result in death. Heroin does not cause any fatal diseases and does not directly damage any internal organs. Rather, it triggers a reaction in the brain's respiratory center which can cause a person to stop breathing. Many users die as a result of injecting it, because they either destroy their veins or contact serum hepatitis or the HIV virus through contaminated needles. Heroin is converted to morphine in the body, which is subsequently excreted in the urine. A mother addicted to heroin can transfer the drug to the fetus in her womb who will become addicted even before it is born.

Withdrawal from heroin usually begins four to eight hours after the last dose and usually lasts about a week. The physical discomforts of withdrawal typically involve insomnia, diarrhea, cramps, nausea, vomiting, and painful involuntary muscle spasms.

Treatments for Heroin Addiction

There is no known cure for heroin addiction. The current way to treat it is with methadone, a synthetic narcotic that eliminates the desire for heroin, but is itself also addictive. Once on a methadone maintenance program, however, heroin users can overcome their addiction and eventually live without heroin.

Holistic medical therapies have been successfully used to help people undergoing methadone treatment strengthen their immune systems. Nutrition, vitamins, and botanicals can be used to alleviate the heroin withdrawal symptoms.

Acupuncture.     Several studies cited in the 1992 National Acupuncture Detoxification Newsletter document the effectiveness of acupuncture in aiding withdrawal symptoms from opium and heroin addictions. As a result, the National Institute of Drug Abuse conducted several clinical trials using acupuncture on heroin addicts in New York City outpatient drug detoxification programs. Detoxification from chronic use of prescribed opiates (morphine, Demeral, etc.) usually takes from 3–6 months. Even “brief” detoxification programs take more than a month. One uncontrolled trial found that after electrical stimulation at ear acupuncture points, 12 out of 14 patients (86%) were able to completely withdraw from narcotics in 2–7 days. They also experienced fewer or no side effects.

Several studies cited in Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide suggest that acupuncture was equal to or better than methadone in helping people withdraw from heroin. Methadone treatment programs substitute a less expensive, longer-acting, government-sanctioned drug. Researchers now think that acupuncture, in combination with a relapse prevention program, can eliminate the heroin addict's need for both methadone and heroin.

A controlled study of real versus sham acupuncture in heroin detoxification found that addicts receiving the real treatment attended the acupuncture clinic more days and stayed in treatment longer. The treatment seemed to be most effective in addicts with lighter habits. Acupuncture also claims good success rates with cigarette addiction, where a newly discovered acupoint called “Tien Mi” is used in conjunction with other traditional acupoints, particularly those located in the ear.

According to Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide, Dr. Michael Smith of Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx has successfully used acupuncture for nearly two decades to help heroin, opium, and tranquilizer addicts overcome their addictions. According to Smith, “Methadone and Valium are so addictive that they create problems of their own. And there is no pharmaceutical treatment effective in quelling the cravings for cocaine.” Acupuncture treatments, on the other hand, are not threatening, help patients immediately feel better, and enable dialogue with the therapist to take place during the sessions in a relaxing way.

Psychedelic Drugs

Drugs which produce changes in a person's psychological perception of reality are defined as psychedelic drugs. These drugs often result in visual hallucinations–and are also called “hallucinogens.” People under the influence of one of these drugs are usually aware that their hallucinations are caused by the drug and will eventually disappear. The most potent psychedelic is lysergic acid diethylamide, or LSD. Other psychedelic drugs include Mescaline (peyote), STP, DMT, DET, PCP, and Psilocybin mushrooms.

A wide variety of hallucinogens are either extracted from more than 100 different kinds of plants, or synthetically produced in laboratories. Psychedelic plants include datura, harmine, kava, morning glory seeds, and nutmeg. Plant psychedelics are usually ingested orally while the synthetics are taken in powder or pill form.

Hallucinogens normally take effect in 45–60 minutes, and can result in sweating, nausea, increased body temperature, and dilation of the pupils. Although many hallucinogens have not been fully researched, most of the available studies suggest that they are not addictive. They can, however, produce a psychological dependence. Hallucinogens do not appear to produce any withdrawal symptoms, and no conclusive evidence exists that they cause permanent physiological or genetic damage or birth defects.

Mescaline, the active component of the peyote plant, is grown largely in Mexico. It is sold dried and sliced or sometimes purified into a powder called mescaline sulfate. Most so-called mescaline sold in tablets and capsules is LSD, PCP, or both. Mescaline has a bitter taste which often causes nausea or vomiting. Peyote is stronger than mescaline and contains other alkaloids, some of which are toxic. Psilocybin and psilocin are the active components of several species of mushrooms which grow in many areas of the world, and are very powerful drugs with effects comparable to those of LSD. They are not illegal and are sold without a prescription.

Angel dust, also known as PCP, was originally developed as an anesthetic. According to Edlin and Golanty, PCP either stimulates or depresses the central nervous system, depending on its dosage and in what form it is taken, and can trigger hallucinations in some people. Users normally take it to elevate their mood or relax. Pure PCP is not physiologically addictive, according to Edlin and Golanty, although the PCP sold on the streets is often mixed with other drugs and can be lethal.

Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressant Drugs

CNS depressants constitute the largest class of prescription drugs sold in the U.S. and many are dangerous. Virtually all of them carry some potential for physical or psychological dependency, and some can be lethal in high doses Unfortunately, a large number have not been fully tested, according to Edlin and Golanty, and many of their side effects are still unknown.

The most widely used legal CNS drugs in the U.S. are tranquilizers. Valium, the best-selling drug in the world at one time, can cause ataxia (the loss of equilibrium and muscle coordination), vertigo (dizziness), and drowsiness. It also decreases blood pressure and decreases sexual potency. Halcion, a legal sleeping pill, can cause serious side effects, including confusion, hallucinations, and amnesia.

Psychologically, CNS depressants can produce a mild state of euphoria which helps some people relax and lose their inhibitions. With continued use, many people become addicted to one or more tranquilizers or antihistamines, and it can often take them years to cure their dependency. Withdrawal can be extremely painful, and users may experience deep depression and hallucinations.

Holistic Treatments for CNS Depressants

Holistic practitioners treat patients with CNS depressant dependency with vitamin and mineral supplements, botanical medicines, and diet programs. The holistic treatment for each CNS depressant varies with the chemical nature of the particular drug. Initial stages of treatment usually include substituting a natural, non-toxic tranquilizer for the synthetic drug tranquilizer. Holistic physicians also use nutrition, exercise, and group therapy to alleviate the psychophysiological factors underlying dependence on drug tranquilizers. The initial stages of withdrawing from a tranquilizer addiction can be quite difficult and are eased most effectively when undertaken with medical advice and the assistance of a support group or counselor.

Nicotine

Approximately 400,000 Americans die each year as a result of smoking tobacco, while another 10 million suffer from diseases related to smoking. Cigarette smoking is responsible for 85% of lung cancers in the U.S, and heavy smokers suffer 20 times the rate of lung cancer than nonsmokers. Nevertheless, Edlin and Golanty state that more than 50 million Americans continue to smoke cigarettes.

Even non-smokers, especially children, can get lung cancer by being exposed to tobacco smoke. According to the EPA, children exposed to secondhand tobacco smoke are more likely to suffer lower respiratory tract infections, reduced lung function, and more ear infections. The EPA and the Centers for Disease Control estimate that secondhand smoke causes 3,000 deaths annually from lung cancer, 150,000–300,000 cases of bronchitis and pneumonia in youngsters, and asthma attacks in more than twice that number.

Nicotine is the principal component of tobacco products, although as many as 4,000 other chemical substances are released and carried in tobacco smoke, including carbon monoxide, methanol, nitrous dioxide, traces of mineral and radioactive elements, acids, and insecticides. There are several different species of the tobacco plant, and the toxicity of particular brands of cigarettes or pipe tobacco varies depending on the soil and climate in which they are grown and the chemicals with which they are treated.

Alternative Treatments for Nicotine Addiction

People who smoke tobacco can become either psychologically or physiologically addicted to nicotine. Fortunately, there are many therapies for treating nicotine addiction, and each year approximately 20% of the 50 million smokers in the U.S. attempt to give up smoking. More than 85% of all smokers who quit do so on their own, without the aid of smoking cessation programs or products, according to Rees and Willey ( The Personal Health Reporter ). Most people who quit indicate in surveys that they did so because they were worried about cancer or other diseases which they knew were linked to smoking.

Nicotine Gum.     The best way for people to permanently stop smoking depends on the nature of their addiction. People who are chemically addicted to nicotine often need a chemically based therapy, such as nicotine gum or a nicotine-like drug which satisfies their dependence on nicotine. As many as 20% of American smokers successfully quit each year using nicotine gum therapies. Chewing gum, when combined with psychological counseling, is successful in 38% of cases where addiction is cured. Other chemical aids for smoking cessation, such as the nicotine patch, nicotine aerosol, or nasal nicotine solutions, are currently being studied.

Nicotine Patches.     The side effects of nicotine patches–which release a constant low-level stream of nicotine into the blood stream–are controversial. In 1992, for example, a Massachusetts hospital claimed it treated five heart attack victims who had been smoking while using the patches. Also, nicotine patches apparently do not supply a powerful enough jolt to overcome the need to smoke. After a person inhales a cigarette, nicotine reaches the brain in only seven seconds, faster than injecting nicotine directly into a vein. In contrast, patches take nearly four hours to reach peak strength. For this reason, some manufacturers have begun to double the nicotine in patches to 42 mg, the same amount found in a pack of cigarettes. Nasal inhalers and sprays appear to be more successful. In one British study, reported by Eben Shapiro, 26% of smokers using a nasal spray to administer nicotine quit smoking. Whatever alternatives are used, however, the key to success appears to be a strong desire on the part of the user to stop smoking–a habit that is about 75% psychological.

Of those smokers who attempt to quit, only 6% are able to do so “cold turkey.” Nevertheless, a 1993 study conducted at the University of California, San Diego, showed that when smokers are encouraged to smoke less and quit intermittently, rather than making the difficult choice of stopping immediately, they have a good chance of eventually dropping the habit for good. Of those taking part in the study, 26.7% were able to stop smoking, approximately twice the rate of those trying to quit without the program. The study also found that restriction of smoking at home and at the workplace is a factor contributing to successful quitting. The study, reported in November 14, 1993 Associated Press, was based on interviews with 4,624 Californians who were asked about their smoking habits and history, and interviewed again 18 months later.

One small study conducted at the Mayo Clinic and reported in the July 1994 issue of the Mayo Clinic Health Letter indicates that nicotine patch plus a doctor's advice and weekly counseling is the most effective way of quitting smoking. Adults who took part in the study smoked at least a pack of cigarettes a day. Half received a maximum-strength nicotine patch (22 mg) and half wore an inactive patch. As part of their eight weeks of patch therapy, both groups had an initial visit with a physician and met weekly with nurse for counseling. After a year, 27% of those who had worn the nicotine patch remained nonsmokers compared to 14% of the inactive patch group–a significant improvement over “cold turkey” withdrawal programs or physician counseling alone. Patients in the study had the best long-term success when the level of nicotine in their patch closely matched the level of nicotine in their blood when they entered the study. The researchers who conducted the study concluded that the average amount of nicotine in currently available patches may be not be strong enough for most people, especially heavy smokers.

Vitamin and Mineral Therapies.     Holistic treatments for nicotine addiction, as with other substance dependencies, incorporate vitamins and botanical supplements, nutrition, and exercise. If a person has a chemical addiction, a holistic physician may use nicotine gum in the early stage of treatment along with vitamin supplements, which help the lungs recover from the adverse effects of nicotine and also ease withdrawal symptoms. Dr. Leon Chaitow's detoxification program as detailed in his book The Body/Mind Detoxification Program recommends the following vitamin supplements: vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and one high potency B-complex vitamin. The herb obeline (oats), according to Barbara Yoder, is also reported to be of great value in helping patients stop smoking.

Pearson and Shaw list the following basic vitamins and minerals for smokers who want to quit:

Selenium	250 micrograms
Vitamin A	10,000 to 20,000 IU
Vitamin E	1,000 to 2,000 IU
Zinc (gluconate)	50 milligrams
Vitamin B 1	1/2 to 1 gram
Vitamin B 2	100 to 200 milligrams
Vitamin C	3 to 10 grams
Cysteine	1 to 3 grams
Vitamin B 3 (niacin)	300 milligrams to 3 grams
Vitamin B 5	250 to 1,000 milligrams
Vitamin B 6	250 to 500 milligrams
Choline	1 to 3 grams
PABA (a B vitamin)	500 milligrams to 1 gram
Betacarotene	20,000 to 60,000 IU

Acupuncture and Acupressure.     Chaitow also claims that acupuncture and acupressure have been helpful in clinical trials in which patients successfully quit smoking. Edlin and Golanty point to other holistic therapies which have also proven successful for many people. These therapies include hypnosis, group therapy, and stress reduction techniques such as biofeedback and meditation.

Hypnosis.     Hypnosis is commonly recommended for smoking cessation, although the evidence concerning its efficacy is controversial. Hypnosis and smoking studies have been criticized for relying on the patients'own reporting of how often they smoke (substance abusers are notoriously inaccurate about how much of a substance they abuse) and for the lack of long-term follow-up. One review of 17 smoking studies cited by Bowers found that the percentage of people treated by hypnosis who still weren't smoking after six months ranged widely from 4–88%. However, in programs that offered several hours of hypnosis, intense interpersonal interaction, individualized suggestions, and follow-up treatment, success rates of quitting smoking were above 50%. 226 smokers were treated with self-hypnosis and 52% achieved complete smoking abstinence only one week after the intervention, according to Bowers.

Lifestyle Changes.     In general, holistic therapies attempt to help patients quit smoking by focusing on changing their lifestyle habits. The American Heart Association (AMA) now claims that smokers who quit dramatically reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. In particular, the AMA stresses that diet and vitamin supplements can help former smokers avoid the fatal diseases associated with smoking. In 1993, the AMA released a study in which female survivors of heart attacks or strokes cut their risks of further trouble by eating spinach, carrots, and other fruits and vegetables which contain vitamins C, E, B ₂ , and betacarotene. In the study, reported in the November 9, 1993 Associated Press , researchers found that those whose diets included the highest quantities of these vitamins had a 33% lower risk of heart attack and a 71% lower risk of strokes.

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Chapter 9: Stress-Related Disorders Chapter 11: Mental Health Disorders