DrugsDrugs dede--AddictionAddiction with with HomeopathyHomeopathy

Claudia De Rosa (PhD, Bsc)Classical Homeopath

DrugDrug AddictionAddiction isis dramaticallydramaticallyincreasingincreasing amongamong teenagers and teenagers and youngyoung

adultsadults

SubstanceSubstance AbuseAbuse ≠≠ AddictionAddiction

Complete loss loss ofof controlcontrol overthe use of a substance.

It usually begins as abuseabuse. Addiction can be physicalphysical,,

psychologicalpsychological or bothboth.

ObsessiveObsessive thinkingthinking aboutabout and and useuse ofof a a substancesubstance..

It’s the use of illegalillegalsubstancessubstances or the use of a

legallegal substance in the wrong in the wrong way.way.

Main

Main

Causes

Causes

ofof Addictions

Addictions

are:are:

EMOTIONAL EMOTIONAL DISORDERSDISORDERS

ENVIRONMENTENVIRONMENT

PHYSICAL & PHYSICAL & MENTAL ABUSEMENTAL ABUSE

LOW TOLERANCE TO LOW TOLERANCE TO FRUSTRATIONFRUSTRATION

PAST TRAUMASPAST TRAUMAS

HEREDITARYHEREDITARY

BIOCHEMICAL BIOCHEMICAL IMBALANCESIMBALANCES

LONELINESSLONELINESS

ADDICTIONSADDICTIONS

DrugDrug ActionAction in the in the BrainBrain

ADDICTIONADDICTION(DISEASE)(DISEASE)

ADDICTIONSADDICTIONS

PHYSICALPHYSICAL PSYCHOLOGICALPSYCHOLOGICAL

√ Psychological or EmotionalDEPENDENCY to a substance and or to an habit (alcohol, nicotine, internet, sex, gambling, relationship)

√ Physical DEPENDENCY to a substance (alcohol, nicotine, etc)

√ Building a TOLERANCE to a substance

ADDICTIONSADDICTIONS’’ SYMPTOMSSYMPTOMS

PSYCHOLOGICAL SYMPTOMS:PSYCHOLOGICAL SYMPTOMS:

√ use of drugs or alcohol as a way to forget problems or to relax - DENIALDENIAL√ withdrawal or keeping secrets from family and friends - WITHDRAWALWITHDRAWAL√ loss of interest in activities that used to be important problems with schoolwork, such asslipping grades or absences – APATHY/APATHY/INDIFFERENCEINDIFFERENCE√ changes in friendships, 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 toafford drugs – CRIMINAL ACTSCRIMINAL ACTS√ failed attempts to stop taking drugs or drinking√ ANXIETY, ANGER and/or DEPRESSIONANXIETY, ANGER and/or DEPRESSION√ mood swings

ADDICTIONSADDICTIONS’’ SYMPTOMSSYMPTOMS

PHYSICAL 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 CYCLEThe ADDICTION CYCLE

HOMEOPATHY & ADDICTIONS

Homeopathy 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, physically, mentally and emotionally.

HOMEOSTASIS HOMEOSTASIS isis at the at the corecore ofof the the AddictionAddiction CycleCycle

When the CRAVING phase takes place the body’s natural response is tocope with the substance intake, action and reaction by activating a natural

‘balancing’ response of the Immune System which is known as

HOMEOSTASISHOMEOSTASIS

√√ HomeostasisHomeostasis is the ability of a system to achieve balance after beinginfluenced in some fashion

√√ It’s “dynamic self-regulation.”

√√ HomeostasisHomeostasis is the phenomenon responsible for “keeping thepeace” or permitting systems to achieve balance after the

influence of such disturbances

HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT OF ADDICTIONSOF ADDICTIONS

Constitutional homeopathic treatment will help address any related medical,

psychological, social and cognitive problems:

√√ Detailed ANAMNESIS of the caseDetailed ANAMNESIS of the case

√√ Detailed HYSTORY of the patientDetailed HYSTORY of the patient

√√ BEHAVIOURAL / COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL / COGNITIVE evaluation and therapyevaluation and therapy

√√ SINGLE REMEDY prescriptionSINGLE REMEDY prescription

√√ Use of Vitamins and/or Supplements, Use of Vitamins and/or Supplements, HerbologyHerbology to ease deficienciesto ease deficiencies

Case of Colin

Colin, 23 years of age, is a college student who is bound to be involved in the company of boys who used to take different drugs for fun sake, rather they are addicted to one or another drug. Initially Colin resisted himself to get bound to this addiction but in peer pressure of his friend circle, he stared taking Alprax 1mg daily.

He initially started taking 10 tablets a day, which gradually increased up to 40-50 tablets a day. Now three years are passed since he is practising this schedule.

Colin also complained of headache since last 18 months. Headache is bursting in nature and usually repeats itself after regular interval.

Case of Colincontinues>>

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; he use to drink lot of water but still feels thirsty. Patient has a peculiar desire for salty things. Other physical generalities are non-specific.

Mental GeneralsMental Generals - Patient is reserved and introvertedin nature, has a very small group of friends and do not open up easily. On taking these drugs, he feels he is not doing the right thing but even on knowing, he is not able to abstain himself from his deeds. If somebody tries to talk to him on his habit, he becomes irritated.

On above history, the constitutional emerges out to be NatrumNatrumMuriaticumMuriaticum..

Irritated when told out

Drinks lot of water but still feels thirsty

Desire for salt

GriefBrooding Withdrawn

Reserved IntrovertedClosed up

On above history, the constitutional emerges out to be NatrumNatrum MuriaticumMuriaticum..

Oct. 8th, 2003 Remedy Observations

First Consultation:

Nat. Mur. LM1 to take daily and changing dilution every week for 4 weeks.Sac lac tds x 15 days

Patient was also given a counselling session about de-addiction and withdrawl symptoms

Oct. 15th, 2003

Patient had developed severe withdrawal symptoms as he completely abstained himself from taking the drug. 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. After that he recovered from these symptoms but he developed profound sleeplessness.

Nov. 16th, 2003 Remedy Observations

Follow up & Case re-taking:

Nat. Mur. LM2 to take daily and changing dilution every week for 4 weeks.Kali Phos 12X tds x 15 days.

Patient was again given a counselling session about cessation of drug intake

Dec. 26th, 2003

Follow up: Nat. Mur. LM2 assumption continues.

Patient improved quite a lot. He immensely reduced the intake of Alprax

Jan. 14th, 2004

Follow up: Nat. Mur. LM2 assumption continues

Patient improved and was not taking any Alprax and also there were no withdrawal symptoms and headache is totally relieved.

March 26th, 2004 Remedy Observations

Follow up: No remedy repetition Patient improved with no complaints.

June 10th, 2004

Follow up: Follow up: 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.