Michael T. Murray and Michael R. Lyon
See book keywords and concepts |
 This is why, for instance, alcoholism is a treatable but not curable disease. alcoholics who no longer drink properly refer to themselves as alcoholics in recovery, rather than ex-alcoholics, even if they have been sober for decades. If the alcoholic begins to drink again, the old brain circuits come back to life very quickly, and they usually become compulsive drinkers soon after that. Likewise, people who have overcome obesity are really "recovering" obese people who have the potential to fall back into their old patterns again unless they carefully manage their eating behaviors. |
David Winston, RH(AHG), and Steven Maimes
See book keywords and concepts |
 The Use of a Decoction of the Rhizome of Leuzea Carthamoides for Treatment of alcoholics with Depressive States (Ibatov 1995).
In this study, previously referred to in this monograph, twenty-eight recovering alcoholics with depression had relief from the symptoms of their depression for up to two years. In addition, patients also noted improved digestion. |
Connie Bennett, C.H.H.C. with Stephen T. Sinatra, M.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
 Some experts believe that this yen for sweets signals that most alcoholics experience hypoglycemia, a phenomenon noticed by the late Dr. Atkins. In fact, he maintained that "sugar provides the same temporary lift that alcohol once did."
Psychiatrist Abram Hoffer, Ph.D., M.D., for example, told me he has "never seen an alcoholic who wasn't hypoglycemic. I stopped checking after hundreds of patients tested positive. I couldn't find a normal blood sugar tolerance curve." Dr. Hoffer also said he was "a personal friend" of the late AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) cofounder Bill W. |
Craig Pepin-Donat
See book keywords and concepts |
 I had to change my thinking by addressing the real problem (me), and I was able to do that with the 12 steps of alcoholics Anonymous. The steps allowed me to work with another alcoholic, which was an essential part of the program, and to examine my thinking and discover what makes me think the way I do and why I drink or use drugs. Once I could change my thinking (mindset), my behaviors would change as a result. This and complete abstinence from drugs and alcohol are the only answers for most alcoholics and drug addicts, including myself. |
John J. Ratey, MD
See book keywords and concepts |
 A groundbreaking study in 1990 revealed, for instance, that a lot of alcoholics have a gene variation (the D2R2 allele) that robs their reward center of dopamine receptors, lowering levels of the neurotransmitter. Presence of the D2R2 allele doesn't guarantee you'll end up as an addict, but it's more likely. While 25 percent of the general population has the variation, in one study researchers found it in 70 percent of alcoholics who had cirrhosis—presumably the most addicted, since they continued drinking in the face of life-threatening liver damage. |
Lynne McTaggart
See book keywords and concepts |
 Scott Walker of the University of New Mexico
School of Medicine conducted a study of alcoholics in the midst of rehabilitation. He divided the group randomly and had members of the Albuquerque Faith Initiative pray for the alcoholics each day for six months. Half of the participants (some from the treatment group and some from the controls) knew they were being prayed for by family members.
At the end of the six months, Scott discovered that those in both groups whose relatives and friends were praying for them were drinking more heavily than the others. |
| In the 1980s, two American psychologists, Eugene Peniston and Paul Kulkosky, made use of Sterman's findings to reform alcoholics. With their brain-wave biofeedback, alcoholic patients concentrated on damping down high beta brain waves, which tend to be predominant during moments of craving and dependency, and increasing the alpha and theta wave frequencies, which help one to relax and establish greater brain-wave coherence. Some 80 percent of the alcoholics were able to control their cravings and stay off alcohol. |
by Michael Murray, N.D. and Joseph Pizzorno, N.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
| Food Prescriptions
While many of the nutritional problems of alcoholics relate directly to the effects of alcohol, a major contributing factor is that alcoholics tend not to eat because they substitute alcohol for food. As a result, the alcoholic has to deal with not only secondary nutritional deficiencies caused by excessive alcohol consumption but also primary nutritional deficiencies due to inadequate intake.
It is important for alcoholics to avoid refined sugars and caffeine, as they stress blood sugar control mechanisms and may increase the craving for alcohol. |
Michael Friedman, ND
See book keywords and concepts |
 We had given LSD as a treatment to several thousand alcoholics. Our standard initial dose was 200 to 300 micrograms. Yet many alcoholics needed a lot more. In a small series of cases, we gave alcoholics this amount of LSD, and when the only response after 2 hours was increased anxiety, we gave them intravenous adrenochrome. Within 10 minutes, they had the psychedelic reaction we wanted them to have. There were no other changes in the test situation. The most recent reviews are by Heacock and Hoffer. |
Mark Sircus
See book keywords and concepts |
 This deficiency has multiple causes, including the increase in magnesium excretion in response to and the anorexia, erratic eating habits, malabsorption (especially fat malabsorption), and diarrhea commonly found in alcoholics. Some procedures used in the treatment of severe alcoholics may exacerbate magnesium deficiency. For example, because zinc deficiency is well recognized as a complication of alcoholism, patients are often given high-dose zinc supplements. However, the administration of large amounts of zinc leads to an increase in the excretion of magnesium. |
by Michael Murray, N.D. and Joseph Pizzorno, N.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
| Food Prescriptions
While many of the nutritional problems of alcoholics relate directly to the effects of alcohol, a major contributing factor is that alcoholics tend not to eat because they substitute alcohol for food. As a result, the alcoholic has to deal with not only secondary nutritional deficiencies caused by excessive alcohol consumption but also primary nutritional deficiencies due to inadequate intake.
It is important for alcoholics to avoid refined sugars and caffeine, as they stress blood sugar control mechanisms and may increase the craving for alcohol. |
Dr. Steve Blake
See book keywords and concepts |
 Magnesium depletion is frequently encountered in chronic alcoholics, both from low dietary intake and increased urinary losses. Some alcohol withdrawal symptoms may be related to magnesium deficiency. In elderly populations absorption of magnesium may be lower. Also, magnesium losses in urine increase in older people. These factors, coupled with lower intakes, increase the risk of magnesium depletion in the elderly.
Summary for Magnesium
Main functions: strengthens bones, promotes muscle relaxation, and used to stabilize ATR Adequate Intake: for adults, 300 mg to 420 mg per day. |
| Severe deficiency is uncommon because vitamin B6 is found in many foods and fortified in refined grains; please refer to Graph 1-5. alcoholics are at risk of deficiency. Increased protein intake increases the need for vitamin B6. Dietary intake of vitamin B6 in the United States averages about 2 mg/day for men and 1.5 mg/day for women, thus meeting the RDAs. Bananas, fortified cereal, spinach, chicken, salmon, and potatoes are high in vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 is easily destroyed by heat, as shown in Figure 1-16.
Vitamin B6 is not toxic when supplied by food in the diet. |
| Thiamin deficiency is common among alcoholics, who often have inadequate food intakes. Alcohol provides energy without providing many of the necessary nutrients. Alcohol also impairs the absorption of thiamin, while increasing excretion of thiamin. Enzymes present in raw fish and shellfish destroy thiamin. Also, tannins in tea and coffee can oxidize thiamin, reducing the availability of thiamin in the diet. Extreme thiamin
Table 1-1 RDAs for the B vitamins are bold and the AIs are not bold. |
Paul D. Blanc, M.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
 It is still prescribed as a cornerstone of "aversive therapy" for alcoholics.74 Problems have been noted with long-term Antabuse use, however. One of its side effects can be damage to sensory nerves, which should not be surprising. Although Antabuse acts by blocking the breakdown of alcohol, the drug itself is metabolized in the body, just as most medications are. A major by-product of the me-tabolization of Antabuse, it turns out, is carbon disulfide.75 The unfortunate experience of both rubber and rayon workers has shown us that carbon disulfide is a potent toxin ptecisely to sensory nerves. |
Andreas Moritz
See book keywords and concepts |
 The Vata imbalance may show up as increased irritability, nervousness, flatulence, gas, and cravings for sugary foods or other stimulants such as tea, coffee, caffeinated soft drinks, chocolate or cigarettes. Most alcoholics will start looking for their first drink of the day during the end of the Vata period. Cravings, especially during the afternoon, indicate that the body suffers from digestive problems and malnourishment, possibly caused by not eating the main meal of the day around noontime.
The Second Kapha Cycle
Sunlight energy drops considerably after 6:00 p.m. |
J. Douglas Bremner
See book keywords and concepts |
 More serious but unusual are suppression of bone marrow, or anemia in people deficient in folate, including the elderly, alcoholics, and people with malnutrition or malabsorption. Rare side effects include Stevens-Johnson syndrome, which involves a total body rash and peeling that could be fatal, and crystal formation in the urine, which can lead to kidney damage. Sulfisoxazole has an action similar to that of sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim as well as similar side effects. |
Dr. Steve Blake
See book keywords and concepts |
| People who may be susceptible to toxicity at lower doses include the elderly, pregnant women, and alcoholics. A tolerable upper intake level UL has been set at 3,000 meg (10,000 IU)/day of preformed vitamin A for adults and less for children. It is possible to receive excessive vitamin A from the diet. Liver is dangerously high in vitamin A. A diet consisting largely of animal products can cause hyper-vitaminosis A.
BETA-CAROTENE IS N0N-T0XIC
No tolerable upper intake level for beta-carotene has been set because it is nontoxic. Beta-carotene is stored in fat just under the skin. |
J. Douglas Bremner
See book keywords and concepts |
| Lindane is contraindicated in children with uncontrolled seizure disorders and alcoholics. Only one application is recommended.
MALATHION
Malathion (Ovide) is an organophosphate that kills lice by inhibiting the cholinesterase enzyme. Malathion is the most highly effective pediculi-cide, killing 88% of lice in ten minutes and 100% in twenty minutes. Malathion also binds to sulfur in the hair shaft and kills lice eggs. Malathion is highly flammable, so children treated for lice should stay away from fires to keep their heads from catching on fire. |
Andreas Moritz
See book keywords and concepts |
| Those suffering eye problems, psoriasis or liver problems, and also alcoholics and pregnant women could find their condition worsening. Side effects of the drug include irritability, nervousness, nightmares, convulsions, nerve deafness, blurred vision, edema, bleaching of the hair, alopecia (loss of scalp hair) aplastic anemia, anorexia and nausea.
A whole range of drugs also exists that were designed to cut down your stomach acid production. |
Dr. Steve Blake
See book keywords and concepts |
| Also, vitamin B|2 absorption is diminished in alcoholics.
Another B vitamin, vitamin B6, is depleted by the consumption of alcohol. Alcohol is broken down to acetaldehyde in the body. Acetaldehyde breaks the vitamin B6 coenzymes loose from their enzymes and the vitamin B6 is lost.
Drinking alcohol can decrease the absorption of folate. In addition, heavy consumption of alcohol can prevent the liver from retaining folate. Alcohol increases losses of folate. Without enough folate, homocysteine levels in the blood can rise, contributing to heart disease. |
Craig Pepin-Donat
See book keywords and concepts |
| This and complete abstinence from drugs and alcohol are the only answers for most alcoholics and drug addicts, including myself.
When I was a child, I felt very separate, on the outside of, and different from those around me. I was not comfortable in my own skin, and I was not comfortable around people. Once I found alcohol and drugs when I was about 13,1 started to feel like I fit in and could relate to others. Bacardi 151 was my first drink, which led to many other drugs within the first year. |
Jack Challem
See book keywords and concepts |
 Fourth, alcohol is a common food addiction, and alcoholics who crave specific types of alcoholic beverages may have an allergy-addiction to the grain or the vegetable that particular beverage is made from. In addition, excess consumption of alcohol may damage the gut wall. The consequence, known as "leaky gut syndrome," may allow undigested proteins to enter the bloodstream and trigger immune reactions.
Fifth, people can become addicted to a food's texture and the act of chewing that food. |
Craig Pepin-Donat
See book keywords and concepts |
| Their primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.
The Antidepressant Solution: A Step-by-Step Guide to Safely Overcoming Antidepressant Withdrawal, Dependence, and Addiction
Joseph Glenmullen ISBN: 0743269721
Publishers Weekly Review: "The author of Prozac Backlash returns with important and sound advice for patients who are taking antidepressant medications, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRls) like Prozac and Paxil."
National Eating Disorders Association www.NationalEatingDisorders. |
Tom Bohager
See book keywords and concepts |
 For instance, acute stress gastritis is caused by a severe illness or injury; chronic erosive gastritis is caused by irritants introduced to the stomach and is common among alcoholics; and viral, fungal, or bacterial gastritis is caused by a viral, fungal, or bacterial infection. Other causes of gastritis include bile reflux from the intestine and stress. Each type of gastritis may be acute, occurring as a sudden attack, or chronic, developing gradually over a longer period of time. |
| Recommendations for the recovering alcoholic include liver and blood detoxification; eating a well balanced diet with the addition of enzymes, minerals, antioxidants, and supplemental nutritional products to strengthen overall digestion and absorption of nutrients (particularly B vitamins, which many alcoholics are deficient in); and adding probiotic supplements to restore the microflora of the intestines. Aside from improved digestion and nutrient absorption, enzymes can also balance the pH of the body, strengthen the immune system, reduce inflammation, and help detoxify the body. |
Jack Challem
See book keywords and concepts |
 After ten years, she started to attend alcoholics Anonymous meetings, then filed for divorce. Despite taking concrete steps to deal with her problems, however, she could not always conquer her desire for alcohol, and she had two relapses.
One physician prescribed a drug that was intended to reduce Janet's taste for alcohol, but she stopped taking it because of side effects. She then consulted a nutritionally oriented physician.
This doctor understood that alcoholism was a form of glucose intolerance—that is, a type of prediabetes. |
Craig Pepin-Donat
See book keywords and concepts |
| I believe, as many alcoholics believe, that I was born with a propensity for addiction. I exhibited alcoholic behaviors long before I ever took my first drink or took my first drug. As an addict/alcoholic I drank or did drugs because I have a disease, and the disease compels me to use drugs and alcohol to change the way I feel. Drugs and alcohol are not my problems. They are my solutions to change the way I feel. The problem is me. It did not matter if I used alcohol, heroin, cocaine, smoked crack or marijuana. They are all just a means by which to change the way I feel. |
| That is when I found alcoholics Anonymous and its members. That is when I found something, on a spiritual level, in which to believe. That is when I asked for help and when my life began to change. Today, having a spiritual connection is my solution. I could not do it alone.
This story may be the extreme and beyond what most people can comprehend, but there are many other less severe addictions that control the lives and decisions of average people. We want to believe that we are in control, but we are not. |
Email this page to a friend
