Alcohol and Narcotic Addictions

What herbs can you take to help you kick your addiction?
Will natural treatments help you?

Addiction is the chronic or habitual use of a substance to alter states of mind or body for other than medically warranted purposes. Addictions can include drug, alcohol, caffeine, growth hormone/steroid and tranquilizer abuse. The most commonly referenced being drug and alcohol abuse/addiction, although caffeine is one of the most widely used stimulant drugs in the world.

Many people begin taking drugs, alcohol or stimulants to alleviate boredom, fatigue or physical/emotional pain. In almost every case, nutritional health and well being will be severely compromised. Depletion of critical nutrients like vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids results from this addictive/abuse to the body.

Behavioral patterns associated with addictions include abrupt changes in work or school attendance, quality of work, unusual flare-ups or outbreaks of temper, Withdrawal from responsibility, General changes in overall attitude, deterioration of physical appearance and grooming, unusual borrowing of money from friends, coworkers or parents, secretive behavior, and stealing items from employer, home or school.

Lifestyle therapy helps treat addictions by minimizing the discomfort and maximizing the healing process. It may take up to a year or more to detoxify the blood, and consistent therapy is necessary. 

How do you know if you have an addiction?

• Do you only feel happy and relaxed after having a drink or taking an antidepressant or mood elevating drug?



• Do you find you can't relieve daily stress without a drink or a drug?
• Do you have liver problems or your stomach protrude but you are thin everywhere else?
• Are the whites of your eyes reddened, skin jaundice, or sweat a lot?
• Loss of appetite?
• Poor digestion? Metallic taste in your mouth?
• Do you feel shaky or sweaty?
• Are you continually tired?


• Do you have frequent memory loss?
• Is your immune response low? Frequent colds, or flu?
• Are you unusually anxious or paranoid?

Some of the signs of chemical dependency and substance abuse include: the building up of a tolerance to the drug or stimulant, so that it must be taken more frequently, a decreased desire to work, inattentiveness, mood swings, temper tantrums, susceptibility to illness, insomnia, light sensitivity, diarrhea, headaches, and disorientation when the drug or stimulant is stopped. To effectively withdraw and discontinue drug, alcohol and stimulant dependence, it is necessary to seek the help of a healthcare professional to make the withdrawal process safe and effective.

Certain herbal and nutritional remedies may aid in the detoxification and withdrawal process. Herbs, such as scullcap and passionflower can relax and assist in the rebuilding of the nervous system. Detoxification herbs for the liver, such as milk thistle seed extract, dandelion root or turmeric. Tonic adaptogens for normalizing and strengthening the system are ginseng, astragalus and chlorella For cravings and depression, rosemary tea is essential. Oatstraw tea or valerian root may be used for anxiety and sleeplessness during withdrawal. Chamomile tea is sought for stress, and ginko biloba to restore memory loss.

5-Htp-helps by increasing the cell’s output of serotonin, this gives you a better attitude and makes it easier to resist temptations.

You usually can find the supplements listed here at Wal-Mart or your local health food store. You can also buy them online. We recommend Puritan's Pride for all your vitamin and supplement needs. Their products are always fresh and of the highest quality. Their prices can't be beat, not even by Wal-Mart. Shipping is very fast and inexpensive.

Often a colon / intestinal cleansing may be helpful to clean out the drugs and associated toxins.

Drug use often starts in childhood/teen years. However, alcohol and smoking cigarettes are still two of the most accessible drugs. Most young people using drugs start with one of these, then move into using less accessible (that is, illegal) drugs such as marijuana and ecstasy. Many young drug users think that common drugs such as alcohol and marijuana are harmless. They also believe that they can quit at any time. However, instead of quitting, many of them wind up turning to stronger drugs.

Drug usage also has a tendency to negatively effect the nutritional processing in the body. Also, many people using drugs have a very poor diet. So enhanced nutrition can be a great benefit and may also help them to feel better about themselves and have more self esteem.

Supplement:	What it can do:
Multi-vitamin Mineral  supplement	Nutrients are needed for general health and especially for those people with a drug problem. It should contain all of the vitamins especially vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin B5, and the minerals calcium and magnesium. The nutrients in a daily supplement are needed for good general health and well being.
B vitamins	The B vitamins are very important for the proper function of your brain and nervous system. Supplements with natural vitamin B can help with drug addiction, stress, and depression.
Chelated Calcium	This mineral nourishes the central nervous system and works with magnesium to help calm the body.
Chelated Magnesium	Has a calming effect upon the body. It aids healing of the nervous system for people dealing with drug addiction
Vitamin C	Detoxifies the body and helps to lessen the craving for drugs