Drugs de-Addiction with HomeopathyClaudia De Rosa (PhD, Bsc) Classical Homeopath Drug Addiction is dramatically increasing among teenagers and young adults . Substance Abuse ≠ Addiction It’s the use of illegal substances or the use of a legal substance in the wrong way. Complete loss of control over the use of a substance. It usually begins as abuse. both Obsessive thinking about and use of a substance. abuse Addiction can be physical. psychological or both. . Main Causes of Addictions are: Main Causes of Addictions are: ENVIRONMENT BIOCHEMICAL IMBALANCES PHYSICAL & MENTAL ABUSE EMOTIONAL DISORDERS HEREDITARY LOW TOLERANCE TO FRUSTRATION PAST TRAUMAS LONELINESS ADDICTIONS . Drug Action in the Brain ADDICTION (DISEASE) . sex. relationship) .ADDICTIONS PHYSICAL PSYCHOLOGICAL √ Physical DEPENDENCY to a substance (alcohol. internet. nicotine. nicotine. gambling. etc) Building a TOLERANCE to a substance √ √ Psychological or Emotional DEPENDENCY to a substance and or to an habit (alcohol. such as hanging out only with friends who use drugs √ spending a lot of time figuring out how to get drugs √ stealing or selling belongings to be able to afford drugs – CRIMINAL ACTS √ failed attempts to stop taking drugs or drinking √ ANXIETY.DENIAL √ withdrawal or keeping secrets from family and friends . ANGER and/or DEPRESSION √ mood swings . such as slipping grades or absences – APATHY/ INDIFFERENCE √ changes in friendships.WITHDRAWAL √ loss of interest in activities that used to be important problems with schoolwork.ADDICTIONS’ SYMPTOMS PSYCHOLOGICAL SYMPTOMS: √ use of drugs or alcohol as a way to forget problems or to relax . ADDICTIONS’ SYMPTOMS PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS: √changes in sleeping habits √ feeling shaky or sick when trying to stop √ needing to take more of the substance to get the same effect √ changes in eating habits. including weight loss or gain . The ADDICTION CYCLE . physically.HOMEOPATHY & ADDICTIONS Homeopathy is a scientific system of medicine which assists the natural tendency of the body to heal itself. . People with addictions often cannot abstain on their own. The realization of the underlying problem and enhancing the immune system with the help of homeopathic remedies can give an enduring cure. mentally and emotionally. action and reaction by activating a natural ‘balancing’ response of the Immune System which is known as HOMEOSTASIS √ Homeostasis is the ability of a system to achieve balance after being influenced in some fashion √ It’s “dynamic self-regulation.” √ Homeostasis is the phenomenon responsible for “keeping the peace” or permitting systems to achieve balance after the influence of such disturbances .HOMEOSTASIS is at the core of the Addiction Cycle When the CRAVING phase takes place the body’s natural response is to cope with the substance intake. psychological.HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT OF ADDICTIONS Constitutional homeopathic treatment will help address any related medical. Herbology to ease deficiencies . social and cognitive problems: √ Detailed ANAMNESIS of the case √ Detailed HYSTORY of the patient √ BEHAVIOURAL / COGNITIVE evaluation and therapy √ SINGLE REMEDY prescription √ Use of Vitamins and/or Supplements. Case of Colin Colin. he stared taking Alprax 1mg daily. rather they are addicted to one or another drug. Colin also complained of headache since last 18 months. He initially started taking 10 tablets a day. Initially Colin resisted himself to get bound to this addiction but in peer pressure of his friend circle. Headache is bursting in nature and usually repeats itself after regular interval. . is a college student who is bound to be involved in the company of boys who used to take different drugs for fun sake. 23 years of age. which gradually increased up to 40-50 tablets a day. Now three years are passed since he is practising this schedule. If somebody tries to talk to him on his habit. he use to drink lot of water but still feels thirsty. he becomes irritated.Patient is reserved and introverted in nature. On taking these drugs. he is not able to abstain himself from his deeds. Mental Generals .Case of Colin continues>> Colin had lost his father in early childhood and he had this grief settled in his mind since then. Thirst of the patient is unquenchable type. Other physical generalities are non-specific. has a very small group of friends and do not open up easily. Patient has a peculiar desire for salty things. . he feels he is not doing the right thing but even on knowing. On above history. Irritated when told out Drinks lot of water but still feels thirsty Desire for salt Grief Brooding Withdrawn Reserved Introverted Closed up . the constitutional emerges out to be Natrum Muriaticum. Oct. The symptoms include severe headache and vomiting and even he became unconscious for 2 days for which he had been admitted to the Hospital for two weeks. 2003 Patient had developed severe withdrawal symptoms as he completely abstained himself from taking the drug. Mur.On above history. the constitutional emerges out to be Natrum Muriaticum. After that he recovered from these symptoms but he developed profound sleeplessness. 15th. . Sac lac tds x 15 days Observations Patient was also given a counselling session about de-addiction and withdrawl symptoms Oct. LM1 to take daily and changing dilution every week for 4 weeks. 2003 First Consultation: Remedy Nat. 8th. LM2 assumption continues. Observations Patient was again given a counselling session about cessation of drug intake Dec. 2004 Follow up: Nat. 2003 Follow up & Case re-taking: Remedy Nat. 14th.Nov. He immensely reduced the intake of Alprax Jan. Patient improved quite a lot. 26th. LM2 to take daily and changing dilution every week for 4 weeks. 2003 Follow up: Nat. LM2 assumption continues Patient improved and was not taking any Alprax and also there were no withdrawal symptoms and headache is totally relieved. Mur. 16th. Mur. Kali Phos 12X tds x 15 days. Mur. . 2004 Remedy Follow up: No remedy repetition Observations Patient improved with no complaints. The patient has been follow up once a year since and he is still attending psychotherapy and counselling sections at least 2-3 times per year. . June 10th. 2004 Follow up: Follow up: No complaints.March 26th.