Addiction Treatment
Correct addiction treatment, in the context that we are describing it here, requires that the physical and/or psychological dependence upon a substance, whether it is a drug, alcohol or other substance, is correctly identified and treated accordingly. The person may truly desire to be free of the dependence, but a craving makes it very difficult to break away from the substance. Studies are showing that some people may have more of a predisposition to this illness than others. While that alone doesn't help anyone suffering from the problem, it does give some hope that we are beginning to understand the reasons why people fall into this most serious of illnesses.
Symptoms
The symptoms may include needing more and more of a substance to attain the same relief as the body builds up a tolerance to it. When an addicted person cannot get their substance of choice, they may experience shaking, headache, feeling ill or craving.
Causes
The causes of addiction are not completely understood. While some people don't get addicted to the same substances as others do, some substances have the potential to make addicts of everyone who uses them. Science has listed several risk factors that may play into the potential for developing addictions: genetics, social environment, abuse, emotional disorders, the substance and a low frustration tolerance level.
Cautions
If a person becomes addicted to a substance or behavior that is destructive to himself or others, they should seek addiction treatment in overcoming the ailment. This, of course, is easier said than done. First you have to recognize that you have an addiction and then take positive steps, using the correct addiction treatment, to address the problem. Some addictions can be so destructive that the person is risking death to themselves or to others. Your doctor or specialist should be consulted to determine the best treatment for supporting your recovery.
Herbal Addiction Treatments
Addiction treatment focuses on treating the emotional and physical effects the additions have on the body and mind and getting to the underlying reasons for the person starting their behaviors.
Internal Applications
- Oats – this herb will nourish the nervous system, speed healing and soothe irritated tissues. Its effectiveness in addiction is not conclusive. Studies have mixed results in their support in reducing cigarette consumption - Anand CL. Effect of Avena sativa on cigarette smoking. Nature . 1971;233:496. Bye C, Fowele AS, Letley E, Wilkinson S. Lack of effect of Avena sativa on cigarette smoking. Nature . 1974;252:580-581. Oats have also been reported to be useful in alcohol addiction, further studies are needed. However, it can be concluded that Oats do have many benefits. Eat a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast.
- Kava – studies suggest this herb is non-addictive and provides calming effects when someone is suffering from anxiety, nervous tension, restlessness, sleeplessness and depression, as is common when someone is trying to beat an addiction. Commercial preparations can be taken or the dried root can be made into a tea or just chewed on its own. For tablets, take 1 or 2 tablets up to four times per day. Avoid tinctures if the addiction is to alcohol.
- Ashwagandha – this herb promotes a feeling of being grounded, and so is very good for people fighting an addiction. Take 3 to 6 grams daily of the dried root made into a tea, 6 to 12 ml of a liquid extract or 100 to 200 mg tablets 1 to 3 times per day.
- Skullcap – take this herb as a tea to calm the nerves, relieve headaches and other withdrawal symptoms.
- Valerian – make a tea from this herb to promote calm and relaxation preferably before bed. Valerian is a sedative and in addition can ease the pain of detoxification of the body.
- Evening Primrose – use this herb to help reduce cravings for alcohol.
- Ginseng – this herb will break down the alcohol in the body, and will reduce the absorption of this alcohol by the body. It improves liver function and helps heal any damage that has been done to this organ. It also can help with stress.
- Dandelion – this herb is used for similar reasons as ginseng. It helps detoxification and aids the liver when recovering from alcohol addiction. Take the root as a tea. Milk Thistle tablets may also be useful in liver support.
- Chamomile – this soothing herb can calm nervousness and restlessness when fighting an addiction. Take as a tea whenever it is needed for relief of these symptoms.
Aromatherapy Addiction treatment
There are several essential oils which can provide emotional and physical support whilst withdrawing from your addiction.
- For low spirits, try bergamot, clary sage, chamomile, geranium, jasmine, lavender, patchouli, rose, sandalwood and ylang ylang.
- For anxiety and irritability try basil, chamomile, cypress, lavender, marjoram, neroli, rose tangerine and thyme.
The essential oils above can be combined for effective treatment. Suggested blends in bath, burner or massage are:
- 3 drops basil, 3 drops bergamot, 4 drops lavender
- 3 drops bergamot, 4 drops jasmine, 3 drops ylang ylang
Alternative Addiction Treatment Therapies
Acupuncture, Acupressure and reflexology may also be useful.