Conditions

Alcoholism

Alcoholism is the complete physiological and/or psychological dependence on alcohol that gradually develops in some people. Chronic alcoholism most often results from the regular consumption of ever-increasing amounts of alcohol over a long period of time. This is a very debilitating disease that leaves the alcoholic unable to lead a normal life and often suffering from severe or deadly physical complications.

Signs and Symptoms:

The more common symptoms of alcoholism are:

• The inability to stop drinking
• Memory loss
• Personality changes (such as irritability, jealousy, selfishness, and uncontrolled anger)
• Hiding of alcohol consumption
• Avoidance of friends and family
• Inability to keep a job
• Confusion
• Speech tremors
• Unsteady gait
• Withdrawal symptoms known as delirium tremens (these include: confusion, tremors, heavy sweating, heart problems, hallucinations, and possible seizures.)

Diagnosis:

Alcoholism usually starts slowly and progresses from social drinking to heavy drinking to dependency. However, some alcoholics can progress at a more rapid pace.

In stage I , the ability to drink greater quantities of alcohol before experiencing any ill effects can be noted.

In stage II, the drinker begins to experience blackouts and has trouble remembering what occurred during a drinking binge. This stage often causes drinkers to cut back on their consumption. An alcoholic in the making, however, will not.

Alcoholism actually starts in stage III of the disease. Now, the person will not be able to stop drinking, even if they want to. Holding down a job becomes almost impossible and the personality changes drastically. Many drinkers will feel shame and seek to hide their addiction by adding alcohol to harmless beverages and hiding bottles in handy places. Drinking in the morning and throughout the day becomes a necessity at this stage.

In the final stage, stage IV, the drinker suffers from mental and physical complications. Because of the calories in alcohol, the alcoholic's appetite for food becomes greatly diminished. Often personal appearance begins to suffer as the person begins to lose weight and lacks the interest needed to see to their personal hygiene. The liver, which is responsible for metabolizing alcohol, suffers damage, which may include fatty degeneration, hepatitis, cirrhosis, and/or cancer. High blood pressure, damage to the heart muscle, breast cancer, cancer of the mouth, stroke, impotence, ulcers and other serious health conditions will arise if the person does not seek treatment.

As with most addictions, the final diagnosis has to be made by the patient but doctors, family and friends can help them along by offering treatment options and by being a voice of reason.

Treatment Options:

Today, there are a wide variety of treatment options that may help the alcoholic overcome his or her addiction. It is recommended that the patient use the combination of treatments that seem right for his or her needs and that they be backed up by a strong support network. Some of the most common treatments include: conventional medicines, support groups, counseling, nutritional supplements, herbal treatments and other alternative treatments.

Traditional Treatments:

In severe cases, detoxification may require hospitalization to help alleviate the worst reactions to withdrawal. This can include the use of tranquilizers such as diazepam (Valium) or alprazolam (Xanax) to control seizures, certain vitamins to address deficiencies and prevent complications and rehydration therapy.

Disulfiram (Antabuse) is sometimes prescribed for those serious about quitting but that need extra help. If a person taking this drug drinks even a small amount of alcohol, he or she will experience a violent reaction that includes nausea, vomiting, severe headaches, blurred vision, and a feeling of impending death. Thus, this medication provides an even greater motivation to quit.

Another drug that has shown to be helpful in treating alcoholism is Naltrexone (Trexan). This drug blocks the pleasurable effects of alcohol. Thus, increasing the likelihood of a patient staying in a recovery program.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies:

It's very important for a recovering alcoholic to watch his diet. Alcohol depletes the body of certain nutrients, particularly the water-soluble vitamins and minerals such as calcium and magnesium. During the withdrawal period, eating five small, nutrient-dense meals and a nutritious snack or two is important to help keep blood-sugar levels on an even keel. Since alcohol raises the blood-sugar levels quickly, a person in withdrawal is likely to suffer from unbalanced blood-sugar levels.

Nutritional Supplementation:

Alcoholics often suffer from damage caused by free radicals. Antioxidants can help the body fight free-radical damage. Taking 5,000 IU of vitamin A, 200 to 400 mg of selenium and 500 mg of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) daily will supply the proper antioxidants. It's also recommended that recovering alcoholics take 1,000 mg of vitamin C with bioflavonoids three times daily and 400 IU of vitamin E (in mixed-tocopherol form) twice daily. Note: People who are pregnant or have liver damage should consult their doctor before taking supplemental vitamin A. Those with high blood pressure should limit their intake of vitamin E to a total of 400 IU daily. If you are taking blood thinners consult your doctor before taking vitamin E.

Vitamin B deficiencies are common in alcoholics. Taking a B-complex supplement that supplies 25 mg of each of the primary B vitamins, two or three times daily, is one of the most important steps and alcoholic can take to start repairing some of the damage that has been done. Vitamin B is essential to strengthen and restore the nervous system. Often deficiencies in B vitamins factor into delirium tremens.

Carnitine has been shown to restore normal transport of fatty acids from the liver. It helps to reduce free fatty acid levels and reduces elevated triglycerides and liver enzymes. Start with one dose of 250 mg of L-carnitine. After one week, add a second dose. After another week add a third dose, so that you are taking 250 mg with each meal. Continue with the L-carnitine for three to four months.

Adding 3,000 mg of Glutathione daily, on an empty stomach, will help protect the liver and reduce the cravings for alcohol.

Chromium may help to even out the blood-sugar level and prevent hypoglycemia. Take 200 mg of chromium once a day.

Choline helps restore normal liver function. Take 500 mg of choline twice daily.

One of the most important supplements to take is Glutathione. This amino-acid aids in the detoxification of the liver and is required by many of the body's systems for healthy functioning. Take 500 mg twice daily.

Most alcoholics suffer from a deficiency of zinc. The body requires zinc to manufacture the enzymes essential for the detoxification of alcohol. Low zinc levels makes it difficult for the liver to metabolize alcohol, leading to more toxicity and greater risk of cirrhosis. Take 25 mg of zinc twice a day. Note: If taken for more than one month, you should also take 1 to 2 mg of copper each day to maintain a proper mineral balance.

Alternative Therapies:

• Quercus is a homeopathic remedy that reduces the craving for alcohol. Follow the directions on the label.
• Milk thistle is used in the treatment of most liver conditions because it contains silymarin and other substances that restore and protect liver functions. Choose an extract standardized to contain 80 percent flavonoids and take 200 to 300 mg three times daily for three months.
• The Chinese herbal remedy of Bupleurum and dragon bone is helpful for coping with the anxiety caused by withdrawal from alcohol.
• The homeopathic treatment, Nux vomica, helps to detoxify the body. Take one dose of nux vomica as directed on the label, three times daily for three days. Stop for one week, then repeat.
• The acupressure points - Large Intestine 4, 10, and 11, help detoxify the body.

General Recommendations:

• Avoid all alcohol. Total abstinence is a requirement for regaining control over your life. Even after years of sobriety, you cannot begin drinking again and hope to maintain control over it.
• Join a support group. The support group with the highest success rate is Alcoholics Anonymous but there are other support groups available and any help is better than no help.
• Get plenty of rest to allow your body to cleanse and repair itself.
• Many alcoholics suffer from hypoglycemia and/or thyroid malfunctions. Discuss these possibilities with your doctor.
• Don't let cravings build. When they start, try to find an activity to take your mind off of it. Try jogging around the block or calling up a friend.
• Avoid people, things, and places that you associate with drinking.

Warnings:

Alcoholism can result in these serious and permanent conditions:

• Damage to the liver, heart and central nervous system.
• Alcoholic hallucinosis, which is when the person experiences hallucinations that sometimes lead to aggressive out-bursts.
• Korsakoff's syndrome and Wernicke's encephalopathy (forms of amnesia) may also occur.
• Pathologic intoxication (very rare) - characterized by repetitive, automatic movements and extreme excitement with aggressive, uncontrolled irrational behavior after ingesting a small amount of alcohol. The episode may last for minutes or hours and is followed by prolonged sleep with amnesia of the event on awakening.

Drug, supplement, and herbal warnings:

• People who are pregnant or have liver damage should consult their doctor before taking supplemental vitamin A. Those with high blood pressure should limit their intake of vitamin E to a total of 400 IU daily. If you are taking blood thinners consult your doctor before taking vitamin E.
• If you are taking zinc for more than one month, you should also take 1 to 2 mg of copper each day to maintain a proper mineral balance.

General Warnings:

Consuming even a small amount of alcohol can reverse the whole sobriety process and return the person to alcoholism.