Homeopathy Can Help You Get Over Your Addiction to Alcohol!

What is alcohol addiction?

Drinking has become a part of life and social status for many people. Hence it might be hard to differentiate a person who likes a few drinks now and then from a person with a real problem.

Alcohol addiction is a disease that affects many people despite their age, sex, race, or socioeconomic status. Other factors that contribute to this addiction include psychological, genetic, and behavioral factors. Alcohol use disorder is a condition that involves compulsive, frequent, and heavy alcohol drinking despite its consequences.

Is alcohol addiction a disease?

Alcoholism is not just the overuse of alcohol but an actual disease that causes changes in the brain and neurochemistry. That is why a person with alcohol addiction might be unable to control their actions. Alcoholism can be mild, moderate, or severe. It can develop suddenly or gradually. It is also called alcohol dependence, alcohol addiction, or alcohol abuse.

Alcohol use disorder is a condition where a person cannot control the amount of drinking and have many adverse problems when kept away from drinking. Usually, people think the only way to get over the addiction is with the person’s willpower and self-efforts.

But it is not so simple and is a brain disease. Alcohol is a potent stimulant that causes changes in the brain and neurochemistry that make it hard to quit. As a result, the person’s ability to stop or control alcohol use is impaired despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences.

Immediate effects of drinking alcohol

Alcohol is a powerful stimulant and a CNS depressant, slowing down the brain. It may result in symptoms such as slurred speech, difficulty in coordination of muscles, loss of consciousness, lowered inhibitions, drowsiness, distorted senses and perception, and problems with memory.

The intensity of the effects depends on the amount and frequency of alcohol consumed, the body weight, the gender of the drinker, and whether the drink was taken with or without food. These factors affect the way how our system processes the drinks. For example, women experience adverse effects because they tend to process alcohol slower than men, even if they drink the same amount due to the difference in their weights.

What causes alcohol addiction?

The causes of alcohol use disorder are complicated, and it can be a combination of one or more of the following factors:

• Genetics
• Childhood experiences or trauma
• To relieve emotional and physical pain
• Experienced physical or sexual abuse
• Family history of alcohol use disorder
• Mental issues such as grief, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, etc

What are the symptoms of alcohol addiction?

• Increased quantity and frequency of use
• High tolerance for alcohol and lack of any signs
• Drinking at the wrong time and place
• Blackouts and forgetting things that happened when drunk.
• Continuing the habit of drinking even if it causes distress to others.
• Wanting to be where alcohol is available
• Changes in friendships and companions
• Avoiding contact with loved ones
• Feeling irritable or cranky when not drinking.
• Hiding the alcohol or hiding while drinking
• Dependence on alcohol to function in everyday life
• Increased lethargy, depression, or other emotional issues
• giving up on other activities to
• have alcohol.
• Frequent cravings for alcohol.
• Repeated problems at work, school, relationships, or the law because of drinking.
• Need to drink more to experience the pleasure again and again.
• Not being able to stop drinking once it started.
• Wants to cut back but not be able to.

The withdrawal symptoms

The symptoms when an alcohol-addicted person tries to cut back or stop drinking are:

• Anxiety
• Palpitations
• Depression
• Irritability
• Nausea
• Restlessness
• Shakiness
• Sweating
• Trouble sleeping
• Seizures
• Hallucinations
• Delirium tremens
• Coma and death

What are the stages of alcohol addiction?

Alcohol addiction develops in four stages. They are:

• First stage: This is the stage when a person begins to drink socially or to feel better to de-stress.
• Early alcohol addiction: In this stage, the person may experience blackouts, drink secretly, and become obsessed with alcohol.
• Mid-stage alcohol addiction: The problem gets out of control and creates problems at work, family, financial, physical, and mental health. There might be mild organ damage.
• End-stage alcohol addiction: The person is dependent on alcohol and cannot live without it. The complication becomes severe.

What are the health complications associated with alcohol addiction?

Alcohol addiction leads to heart disease and liver disease, which can be fatal. It also causes:

• ulcers
• diabetes
• sexual problems
• bone loss
• brain damage, including dementia
• depression and suicide
• fetal alcohol syndrome
• liver problems
• vision problems
• risk of cancer
• immune dysfunction
• accidents, drunk driving, assaults, etc
• blackouts
• difficulties with finance and interpersonal relationships
• problems at work
• increases the incidence of suicide and homicide

Also Read Say Good Bye To Liver Diseases With Homeopathy

What is the importance of alcohol de-addiction?

Alcohol addiction is related to many personal, health, and social consequences, such as personal rifts in personal relationships, heart and liver diseases, cancers, motor vehicle collisions, and other accidents, alcohol overdose, violence, homicide, and suicide. Therefore, if a person has moderate to severe addiction, they may regularly consume alcohol at high levels that might cause serious harmful effects on health.

Young people are especially at risk for alcohol addiction. Because using alcohol during adolescence may affect normal brain development. However, most people with alcohol addiction, no matter their age or alcohol problems, can benefit from treatment with behavioral health therapies, medications, or both.
If someone you know has an alcohol addiction, the best approach is a supportive way. Do not insult or shame them or make them guilty. It could make them resistant to help. The complications make it important to treat alcohol addiction as early as possible.

What are some of the treatment methods for alcohol de-addiction?

The recovery process from alcohol addiction is a lifetime commitment. There are no magic pills or a quick fix. Treating alcohol addiction can be a complicated, complex, and challenging process. For treatment to work, the addicted person should be cooperative and wish to get sober. It is difficult to force a person to stop drinking if they aren’t ready.

1. Rehab

A combination of treatments works best when planned in an inclusive program. Some are residential programs, where a person has to stay at a treatment centre for a certain period. Outpatient programs are also available for such treatment programs.

2. Therapy, diet, and counselling

Therapy is helpful to help teaching a person to manage stress and the skills required to prevent relapse. In addition, it helps stay away from alcohol during and after the alcohol rehabilitation.
Some people might need a short counseling session, while some might need therapy for a longer time to adjust to anxiety or depression. Alcohol addiction not only affects the person but can also affect the people around them and the family. So some sessions with family can also be helpful. Support from family is essential to overcome this problem. Nutritious food is vital to repair organ damage and strengthening immunity.

3. Detox

Detoxification is a procedure done to get the alcohol out of the system. It can take some days to a few weeks. It can be followed in two ways:

As an inpatient: It is the best option for heavy alcohol users. However, the person must stay full-time in the detox center to receive the treatment.

As an outpatient: It is recommended for people with mild or moderate addiction.

Medications

There are no magic pills or quick cures to treat alcohol addiction, but certain medicines like Quercus Rober in homeopathy can create an aversion to drinking.

Some drugs can help with certain conditions, such as antidepressants and antianxiety drugs. However, before taking any medication, it is always best to consult with a registered doctor, as many fake de-addiction products are available in the market which advertises an immediate cure for alcohol addiction. Such products can cause imminent danger to health.

Finding good support

Being around family, friends, and good company all the time can help you avoid the thoughts of drinking. In addition, regular exercise, engaging in activities and hobbies you love, getting plenty of sleep, and staying active can help manage stress and anxiety.

Joining a support group

Support groups can be helpful during rehab to stay focussed on your goal as life gets back to normal.
Support groups are formed by people who have successfully overcome their addictions. Hence it can be comfortable to seek help and advice and help. They keep an eye on and check your improvement regularly.

Some organizations that actively help people with alcoholism and their families are Brahmakumaris, Alcoholic Anonymus, Al-anon family group, etc.

Homeopathic medicine for alcohol de-addiction

Homeopathy can help treat the problem of alcoholism combined with other therapy and counseling. There are many medicines for alcohol de-addiction in homeopathy that can help overcome alcohol dependency. It is wise to consult and take medication under the advice and guidance of a registered homeopathic physician. You can also buy alcohol de-addiction homeopathic medicine online in India. A few medicines to name are:

• Nux Vomica: It is indicated that alcoholism is in its earliest stages.
• Sulphur: It is indicated for liver issues due to excessive drinking.
• Cannabis Indica: It helps to detoxify the body from the ill effects of alcoholism.
• Natrum Muriaticum: It is indicated for extreme alcoholism associated with chronic depression.
• Quercus: It is one of the best alcohol de addiction homeopathic medicines when given as a mother tincture.

Prevention

Early detection and immediate intervention can prevent alcohol-related problems in teens.
Look out for signs to detect the problem early, such as loss of interest in activities and hobbies and personal appearance, declining grades, difficulties in school, etc.
Being a responsible adult for the child and family.

Spend quality time with family, be friendly, talk freely and get actively involved in the child’s life.
Let the child know the expectations, discipline, and consequences of not following the rules. But don’t be too harsh.

What is the prognosis for people with alcohol addiction?

The outlook depends on many factors and circumstances. As said, early intervention has better chances of recovery. But a suitable treatment plan with regular counseling, therapy, and support from family, friends, and a support group can help a person cope with the withdrawal symptoms and recover.

Most people with alcohol addiction avoid or hesitate to get treated because they don’t feel like they have a problem. In such a situation, family or a friend can convince them to accept that they need professional help to get back their life.

Summary

Alcohol is a highly intoxicating but harmful stimulant that can impact health in many ways. The factors such as the amount of alcohol a person drinks, gender, body mass, etc., influence how a person responds to alcohol. Drinking in moderation does not cause much harm. But chronic drinking can be dangerous to health, leading to severe organ damage.

Acknowledging the problem and self-awareness is the first step toward recovery. Early intervention and treatment can bring a person back to normal during the initial stages. But severe cases of addiction may also be treated with good support from friends and family members, professional backing, and programs like Al-Anon.

Sometimes there might be a relapse, but it doesn’t mean the efforts have failed. But be good support, encouraging them and providing emotional support. It is never a waste to try and resume again.