Alcohol dependency is a metabolic disorder which occurs when there is an abnormal chemical reaction in the body that disrupts and affects how well the body functions e.g. producing energy and the efficient functioning of the cells. Alcoholism is a complex disease condition that has physical, psychological & social consequences. Entire families, friends and those close to the alcoholic person, are mostly affected.
Alcoholism was once viewed as a moral weakness, a character flaw – if you will – and the individual could simply stop drinking if he/she really wanted to. It wasn’t until the 1970s we began to understand and accept the fact that Alcoholism is a chronic life threatening condition, involving both psychological as well as physical dependencies. A diagnosis of Alcoholism is based on meeting certain criteria outlined by the DSM-5 i.e. Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
Many people consume lots of alcohol but not all of them are or will become alcoholics. Those who abuse alcohol can reduce their drinking without formal treatment and/or without experiencing the negative consequences linked to Alcoholism. Physical dependency develops differently in and at a different rate in everyone. However, if you drink enough alcohol, over enough time you can develop a dependency. It’s difficult to say who will go on to develop a problem. Along with a genetic predisposition and lifestyle practices, these and other contributing factors can trigger a metabolic disorder or it could be that the metabolic disorder existed before, which then triggered the tendency to alcohol abuse, a condition referred to as Pyroluria. Many people with mental disorders are not necessarily alcoholics but may abuse the drug to help medicate their mental issues.
The evidence shows that the incidence of Alcoholism differs among different ethnic groups, some being more susceptible than others. Here are some signs to look for:
? Denying there is a problem.
? Experiencing tremors/shakes and blackouts when the individual hasn’t had a drink in some time.
? Mood swings when the individual drinks.
? The individual protects his/her supply, resorting to hiding their supplying and how much they actually consume.
? Having to be told that they drink too much, gulping drinks, encouraging others to have another, when they don’t want to.
Brain cells are damaged by heavy drinking. There are memory problems, problems with balance, coordination and response time. Heavy drinkers are significantly impaired. Approximately 100 drinks per month is about all it takes to cause obvious brain damage, which may not seem like a lot – but it is. That’s about three beers, glasses of wine or hard alcohol per day, with a few more tucked in on the weekend. Anxiety encourages the consumption of alcohol, leading to a chemical imbalance. The condition is referred to as Pyroluria, a predisposing condition that should be investigated further, simply because as much as a half of alcoholics have this chemical imbalance.
A diagnosis of Alcoholism is based on the individual meeting any two of the following criteria listed, within a twelve-month period e.g.
? Consuming higher amounts of alcohol over longer periods than really intended.
? An inability to reduce their alcohol intake even though they’ve tried.
? Spending lots of time trying to obtain, use & recover from the effects of alcohol consumption.
? Craving or having a strong desire for alcohol.
? Unable to fulfill major obligations at home, in their personal life, work or school because of alcohol use.
? Continuing to use of alcohol despite the negative interpersonal and/or social consequences due to its use.
? Losing and/or lacking interest in social, occupational or recreational activities once enjoyed but for their alcohol use. In other words the individual no longer takes part in activities he/she once enjoyed.
? Using alcohol in physically dangerous situations e.g. operating a motor vehicle or operating heavy machinery.
? The continued use of alcohol despite the presence of a physical or psychological problem.
? Increased tolerance to alcohol e.g. needing to drink more and more and/or consuming alcohol more frequently to achieve the desired effect.
? Having symptoms of withdrawal when attempting to stop using alcohol such as the shakes/tremors, chills, sweating, just getting sick and/or hallucinations.
Here are some Naturopathic treatments for Alcoholism:
? Supplement with the amino acid methionine in the morning & evening.
? Take extra vitamins of B1/thiamine; vitamin B2/Riboflavin; vitamin B3/Niacin with adequate amounts of vitamin B6.
? Calcium, morning & evening.
? High doses of vitamin C, morning & evening.
? Take regular exercise daily.
? Get involved with a self-help group such as Alcohol Anonymous.
To contact Dr. Stan Horne:
1-264-582-7045
1-784-531-1150
Email: naturopathyplus@yahoo.co.uk
